EWC Code
Phosphorous slag
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
~1–2 Mt/year phosphorous process waste and by-products
Valorisation Range
Phosphogypsum near-zero to negative value; secondary phosphorous €200–600/t in recovered form
Primary Route
Phosphogypsum valorisation
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Get contacts for EWC 06 09 02EWC 06 09 02 is a specific sub-code under EWC 06 09 — Wastes from manufacture, formulation, supply and use of phosphorous chemicals and phosphorous chemical processes. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC 06 09 covers wastes from the production and industrial use of phosphorous acids, phosphates, phosphonates and phosphorous-containing compounds. Sub-codes 06 09 02 (phosphorous slag) and 06 09 04 (calcium-based reaction waste — phosphogypsum) are non-hazardous in most cases; 06 09 03* (calcium-based reaction waste containing or contaminated by dangerous substances) is hazardous.
Phosphogypsum (calcium sulphate dihydrate with phosphate and fluoride impurities) is produced at ~5 kg per kg of P₂O₅ in wet-process phosphoric acid manufacture. ~15 Mt/year generated globally; EU production concentrated in Huelva (ES), Siilinjarvi (FI), Geleen (NL). Radionuclide content (Ra-226, U-238 from phosphate rock) is a key classification issue — some phosphogypsum classified as naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) waste.
EU phosphorus recovery is a regulatory priority under the Circular Economy Action Plan — Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 on fertilising products requires recycled phosphorus content labelling. Struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) from wastewater treatment is an emerging secondary phosphorus source. White phosphorus production in the EU has declined; phosphorous slag from electric arc furnace production (06 09 02) is reused as road construction aggregate in some Member States.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 06 09 02, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Phosphogypsum purified and used as plasterboard raw material (if meeting building product regulations), agricultural soil amendment (if P and F content acceptable and radionuclide activity below exemption limits) or cement retarder. Requires NORM assessment under Directive 2013/59/Euratom.
Phosphoric acid purification streams and effluent treatment sludges processed by precipitation as calcium phosphate, struvite or aluminium phosphate. Recovered phosphate sold as fertiliser ingredient under Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 — requires meeting heavy metal and organic contaminant limits.
Large-volume phosphogypsum disposed at permitted phosphogypsum stacks with leachate collection and treatment systems. Acidic leachate (pH 1–3, containing F⁻, PO₄³⁻, Ra) collected and neutralised. Surface water monitoring around stack required by IED permit.
These are the established routes for EWC 06 09 02. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Recovered phosphate and phosphogypsum used in phosphate fertiliser production circuits
Accepts purified phosphogypsum as substitute for natural gypsum in plasterboard
Sodium tripolyphosphate and phosphate salt producers manage process waste
NORM waste management for high-radionuclide phosphogypsum fractions
Sectors that valorise EWC 06 09 02 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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