EWC Code
Tar and asphalt
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
1.5 million tonnes/year EU waste oil re-refining residues
Valorisation Range
€220M base oil and re-refining market
Primary Route
Spent clay thermal regeneration
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Get contacts for EWC 05 06 01EWC 05 06 01 is a specific sub-code under EWC 19 11 — Wastes from oil regeneration. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC 19 11 covers wastes arising from the re-refining of waste oil into base lubricant oil or other petroleum products. Sub-entries: 19 11 01* (spent filter clays), 19 11 02* (acid tars), 19 11 03* (aqueous liquid wastes), 19 11 04* (wastes from cleaning of fuel with bases), 19 11 05* (sludges from on-site effluent treatment containing dangerous substances), 19 11 06 (non-hazardous sludges), 19 11 07* (wastes from flue gas scrubbing) and 19 11 99 (wastes not otherwise specified).
Waste oil re-refining converts used lubricating oil into base oil for blending into new lubricants. The main re-refining processes — hydrofinishing, acid treatment, solvent extraction (Recyclon process) — generate characteristic residues. Acid tar (19 11 02*) from sulphuric acid treatment of oil is a highly hazardous residue containing PAHs, organics and acid; its management is a significant challenge for the industry.
Spent filter clays (19 11 01*) from clay filtration of treated oil are classified hazardous due to oil content and adsorbed PAHs. These clays can be regenerated thermally, reducing disposal requirements. The WFD prioritises re-refining of waste oil over other recovery methods, recognising the circular economy value of returning used lubricants to base oil.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 05 06 01, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Spent filter clay (19 11 01*) regenerated at 500–600°C in rotary kilns, burning off adsorbed oil and organic content. Regenerated clay returns to re-refining process. Combustion gases treated for PAH; regenerated product tested for residual contaminants before re-use.
Acid tar (19 11 02*) neutralised with lime to produce a less hazardous sludge. Treated material may then be co-processed in cement kilns (organic content as fuel, mineral fraction incorporated into clinker) or stabilised for hazardous landfill. Some acid tars treated by biological processes.
Highly contaminated 19 11 residues not amenable to treatment disposed at hazardous landfill after stabilisation to meet WAC. Ongoing monitoring of historic acid tar lagoons (legacy disposal sites) required under Landfill Directive post-closure obligations.
These are the established routes for EWC 05 06 01. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Waste oil re-refiners producing base oil and generating 19 11 residues
Cement kilns co-processing acid tar and oil-bearing residues as alternative fuel
Activated clay regeneration and re-supply to re-refining operations
Specialist treatment and disposal of highly hazardous acid tar wastes
Sectors that valorise EWC 05 06 01 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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