EWC Code
Acid tars
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
~1.2M tonnes/yr (EU refineries)
Valorisation Range
Spent catalysts: €200–2000/tonne for Pt/Pd/Mo recovery; tank sludges: €30–80/tonne treatment
Primary Route
Spent Catalyst Metal Recovery
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Get contacts for EWC 05 01 07*EWC 05 01 07* is a specific sub-code under EWC 05 01 — Wastes from petroleum refining. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC Chapter 05 covers waste streams generated in the refining of crude petroleum, natural gas purification, and pyrolytic coal processing. These include tank bottom sludges, oily water separator contents, spent process catalysts, acid sludges from alkylation units, and contaminated clay from lube oil finishing.
Refinery sludges contain recoverable hydrocarbon fractions (20–60% oil by weight) alongside water and inorganic solids. Centrifugal and thermal desorption technologies recover the oil fraction for reprocessing, reducing hazardous waste volumes by 60–80% while generating a saleable hydrocarbon product.
Spent hydroprocessing and FCC catalysts contain significant concentrations of transition metals (Mo, Ni, V, Co, W) deposited during operation. These are the highest-value fraction in refinery waste, processed by specialist catalyst recyclers (BASF, Umicore) to recover metals as secondary raw materials for catalyst re-manufacture.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 05 01 07*, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Spent hydroprocessing (HDS/HDN) and fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts processed by specialist recyclers via hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical routes to recover Mo, Ni, V, Co, W. Recovery efficiencies: Mo 90–95%, V 85–92%, Ni 80–88%. Gate fee: negative (recycler pays for high-grade spent catalysts).
Oily sludges from tank bottoms and API separators processed by thermal desorption at 300–500°C to recover hydrocarbon fraction (25–55% of feed). Recovered oil returned to crude unit or sold as secondary fuel. Residual solid (<1% oil) co-processed in cement kilns. Gate fee: €40–80/tonne input sludge.
Non-recoverable fractions (acid sludges, contaminated clay) incinerated in permitted high-temperature hazardous waste incinerators meeting IED Directive Chapter IV emission standards. Gate fee: €150–400/tonne.
These are the established routes for EWC 05 01 07*. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Catalyst metal recovery (Mo, Ni, V, Co, W) from spent catalysts
Co-processing of desorbed sludge residuals as raw meal substitute
Incineration and stabilisation of non-recoverable acid sludge fractions
Re-blending of recovered hydrocarbon oil back into refinery crude units
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