EWC Code
Nitric acid and nitrous acid
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
~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 01 05*EWC 06 01 05* is a specific sub-code under EWC 06 01 — Wastes from manufacture, formulation, supply and use of acids. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC 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 05*, ranked by economic value and market depth.
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 05*. 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
Sectors that valorise EWC 06 01 05* as an input material or secondary raw material.
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