EWC Code
Wastes from natural gas purification and transportation
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
Moderate — dominated by spent amine solutions and elemental sulphur
Valorisation Range
Elemental sulphur €50–120/t; spent amine solutions require treatment
Primary Route
Amine reclaiming and regeneration
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Get contacts for EWC 05 07EWC 05 07 covers wastes from the removal of impurities (H₂S, CO₂, water, mercury, heavy hydrocarbons) from natural gas before transmission and liquefaction. Principal streams are spent amine (DEA/MEA/MDEA) solutions used for gas sweetening, sulphur compounds from Claus unit operations and pipeline pigging solids.
Sulphur-containing wastes (05 07 01* — mercury-containing) are hazardous. Spent amine solutions (05 07 02) contain degradation products, heat-stable salts and absorbed H₂S; they require amine reclaiming or incineration. Pipeline pigging residues contain hydrocarbons, scale and corrosion products and may be classified hazardous depending on composition.
EU gas processing has expanded with LNG import terminal growth. Claus process recovered sulphur (non-waste where meeting product specification) is the dominant valorisation route. Sulphuric acid producers and fertiliser manufacturers are primary receivers of elemental sulphur. The sector is subject to IED Large Combustion Plant provisions and offshore-specific OSPAR guidelines.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 05 07, ranked by economic value and market depth. Amine reclaiming and regeneration is the primary route.
Spent amine solutions processed through reclaimer units to remove heat-stable salts and degradation products, returning clean amine to service. Reclaimer bottoms (concentrated salts and heavy compounds) sent for further treatment or hazardous waste disposal.
Elemental sulphur from Claus process sold as product where meeting EN 1420 or fertiliser-grade specification. Sulphur below spec co-processed at sulphuric acid plants or blended into sulphur-extended asphalt.
Mercury-containing wastes (05 07 01*) and off-spec amine streams incinerated at permitted hazardous waste facilities with mercury capture and acid gas scrubbing. Residue characterised before disposal.
These are the established routes for EWC 05 07. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Gas processing operators manage amine reclaiming in-house or via specialist contractors
Purchases recovered elemental sulphur for sulphuric acid and superphosphate production
Sulphuric acid alkylation units consume recovered sulphur
Handles mercury-containing wastes and off-spec amine streams
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 05 07 classification, transport, and treatment.
Gas processing above threshold capacity falls under IED. Sulphur recovery efficiency (≥99.5% for large units) is a BAT-AEL. Mercury emissions from purification processes subject to ELVs under the Large Combustion Plant BREF.
Offshore gas processing discharges governed by OSPAR MARPOL provisions. Produced water treatment and pipeline pigging waste management require notification under OSPAR framework for North Sea operations.
Mercury-containing wastes (05 07 01*) subject to enhanced tracking requirements under the EU Mercury Regulation 2017/852. Disposal to mercury-specific cells in stabilised form only; export to non-EU countries for recovery prohibited since 2011.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 05 07 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 05 07 valorisation.
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Source: EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC · NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat 2008
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