EWC Code
Wastes from manufacture, formulation, supply and use of acids
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
~3–5 Mt/year spent acid streams across EU industry
Valorisation Range
Acid regeneration avoids €80–400/t virgin acid cost; spent sulphuric acid €20–60/t credit
Primary Route
Acid regeneration
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Get contacts for EWC 06 01EWC 06 01 covers acid waste streams from the manufacture and industrial use of mineral acids — principally hydrochloric, sulphuric, nitric, phosphoric and hydrofluoric acids. Most sub-codes are hazardous (06 01 01* through 06 01 05*) due to corrosivity and, in the case of HF, acute toxicity. The 06 01 99 code catches acid wastes not elsewhere classified.
Steel industry pickling generates the largest volume — spent hydrochloric acid (06 01 01*) from continuous strip lines and spent sulphuric acid (06 01 02*) from batch pickling. Semiconductor and electronics fabrication generates spent HF and mixed acid etchants. Phosphoric acid waste arises in fertiliser production where impurities accumulate in process acid.
Acid regeneration is established BAT for HCl (spray roasting, returning FeCl₂ roasting gases to HCl recovery) and sulphuric acid (spent acid cracking to SO₂, then contact process). Regenerated acid is returned to the generating site or sold. Neutralisation with lime produces calcium sulphate or calcium chloride sludge, which may be hazardous if contaminated with metals.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 06 01, ranked by economic value and market depth. Acid regeneration is the primary route.
Spent HCl regenerated by spray roasting (Ruthner/Lurgi process) — iron oxide by-product sold to pigment manufacturers. Spent sulphuric acid cracked at 1100°C to SO₂ then re-contacted. Regenerated acid returned to pickling or sold.
Acid neutralised with lime or sodium hydroxide to produce metal hydroxide sludge. Sludge characterised — may be hazardous if Cr, Ni or Zn thresholds exceeded. Treated water discharged to sewer subject to permit limits.
HF-containing and mixed acid etchant streams incinerated at high-temperature facilities with acid gas scrubbing. Calcium fluoride sludge from HF neutralisation may be landfilled at hazardous waste facility.
These are the established routes for EWC 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
Acid regeneration plants at integrated steelworks recover HCl and H₂SO₄ from pickling lines
Spent phosphoric acid refined and returned to fertiliser production cycle
Iron oxide from HCl regeneration sold as red pigment or ferrite precursor
Acid treatment and neutralisation specialists handle HF and mixed acid etchant streams
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 06 01 classification, transport, and treatment.
Acid regeneration is BAT for HCl and H₂SO₄ pickling waste. BAT-AELs set for HCl and SO₂ emissions from regeneration plants. Spent acid storage time limits apply to minimise emission risk.
Mineral acids are SVHC candidates or subject to harmonised classification under CLP. Classification of spent acid wastes must consider both original acid content and metal contamination (Fe, Cr, Ni, Zn).
Acid wastes carrying H8 (corrosive) or H6 (acute toxic — HF) hazard properties classified hazardous. Consignment notes, registered carrier and pre-acceptance testing at treatment facility required.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 06 01 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 06 01 valorisation.
Explore EU waste flows — Waste Atlas
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Source: EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC · NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat 2008
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