EWC Code
Wastes from physico-chemical processing of non-metalliferous minerals
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
~50 Mt/year EU (phosphate, potash, kaolin, salt processing residues)
Valorisation Range
Gravel and crushed rock residues €5–10/t; kaolin rejects €15–30/t for ceramics
Primary Route
Aggregate and construction reuse
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Get contacts for EWC 01 04EWC 01 04 covers residues from beneficiation of non-metalliferous industrial minerals — kaolin, phosphate, potash, salt, sulphur, barite, gypsum and similar commodities. Processing routes include wet gravity separation, flotation, acid leaching and calcination, each generating distinct residue streams varying in physical form, chemical composition and regulatory classification.
Phosphate processing generates phosphogypsum (01 04 11) — a radiologically enhanced material due to naturally occurring uranium and radium co-precipitated from phosphate rock. Potash processing produces salt tailings (halite and clay fractions). Kaolin processing generates coarse sand reject and fine-fraction slurry. Hazardous sub-codes apply where processing reagents (acids, flotation chemicals) contaminate the residues above regulatory thresholds.
Reuse potential is significant: phosphogypsum is used in agriculture (soil amendment) and as cement retarder; salt tailings may be returned underground for backfill; kaolin rejects are used in brick-making. The EU Critical Raw Materials Act designates several non-metalliferous minerals (kaolin, phosphate) as strategic, incentivising recovery from processing residues.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 01 04, ranked by economic value and market depth. Aggregate and construction reuse is the primary route.
Gravel, crushed rock and sand fractions (01 04 08, 01 04 10) tested per EN 13242 and reused as construction aggregate, road sub-base or drainage material. End-of-Waste status obtained via competent authority decision.
Phosphogypsum applied to agricultural soils as calcium and sulphur amendment. Salt tailings returned underground as backfill. Requires by-product status demonstration or national End-of-Waste criteria to exit waste regulation.
Residues not meeting by-product or EoW criteria managed in permitted extractive waste facility under Directive 2006/21/EC. Phosphogypsum stacks require radiological monitoring in addition to standard requirements.
These are the established routes for EWC 01 04. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Source sector; also accepts residues for backfill in underground operations
Phosphate processing residues feed sulphuric acid production and fertiliser manufacture
Kaolin rejects and ball clay processing waste used in tile body formulations
Agricultural application of phosphogypsum as soil amendment
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 01 04 classification, transport, and treatment.
Non-metalliferous processing residues with significant leachate potential or radiological characteristics require Category A facility designation, financial guarantee and post-closure monitoring.
Phosphogypsum and zircon processing residues may contain naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). Operators must assess and, if thresholds exceeded, implement radiological protection measures.
Phosphogypsum used as soil amendment may qualify as CE-marked EU fertilising product under Component Material Category CMC 1 (virgin materials) subject to contaminant limits including cadmium and uranium.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 01 04 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 01 04 valorisation.
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Source: EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC · NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat 2008
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