EWC Code
Wastes from manufacture, formulation, supply and use of nitrogen chemicals, nitrogen chemical processes and manufacture of fertilisers
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
~500 kt–1 Mt/year nitrogen process wastes EU-wide
Valorisation Range
Off-spec ammonium nitrate destruction cost €150–400/t; ammonia recovery significant where feasible
Primary Route
Ammonia recovery and SCR NOx reduction
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Get contacts for EWC 06 10EWC 06 10 covers wastes from nitrogen chemical processes including ammonia synthesis, nitric acid production and nitrogen fertiliser manufacture. Sub-code 06 10 02* (wastes containing dangerous substances) is hazardous. Non-hazardous nitrogen wastes (06 10 02 mirror) arise from aqueous streams with low NH₃ or NOₓ contamination.
The principal waste challenge in this chapter is off-specification ammonium nitrate (AN) — a material with significant explosive risk. EU Regulation 2003/2003 on fertilisers and COMAH Directive 2012/18/EU impose strict controls on AN storage and handling. Off-spec AN arising from production upsets must be destroyed rather than landfilled, using high-temperature decomposition or dissolution followed by wastewater treatment.
Ammonia purge gas from Haber-Bosch synthesis is recovered and recycled to the converter; but blowdown streams containing inerts (methane, argon) also carry ammonia that must be scrubbed. Nitric acid tail gas contains residual NOₓ which is reduced by SCR (selective catalytic reduction) or extended absorption. Catalyst wastes (Fe, Pt/Rh gauze from nitric acid burners) have significant secondary precious metal value.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 06 10, ranked by economic value and market depth. Ammonia recovery and SCR NOx reduction is the primary route.
Ammonia-containing purge gases scrubbed with water or dilute acid to recover ammonium salt. Ammonia solution returned to fertiliser production or sold as aqueous ammonia. NOₓ tail gas treated by selective catalytic reduction (SCR) to convert NOₓ to N₂ and H₂O.
Off-specification AN dissolved in excess water (>5:1 water:AN ratio below COMAH thresholds) and discharged to biological effluent treatment as dilute ammonium nitrate wastewater. Alternatively decomposed thermally at >200°C in controlled furnace. Disposal to landfill prohibited for AN.
Spent Pt/Rh gauze catalysts from nitric acid burners returned to platinum group metal refiners under supplier take-back. Fe-based ammonia synthesis catalysts recovered for iron content. Precious metal value typically covers recovery and refining costs.
These are the established routes for EWC 06 10. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Generates the majority of nitrogen chemical waste; closed-loop recovery is BAT
Biological nitrogen removal from ammonium-containing effluents
Recovers platinum and rhodium from spent nitric acid catalyst gauze
Handles COMAH-classified AN waste streams requiring specialist destruction
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 06 10 classification, transport, and treatment.
AN ≥2500 t on-site triggers COMAH upper-tier establishment. Off-spec AN disposal must be managed within site safety report. Dissolution and biological treatment preferred; COMAH competent authority must be notified of disposal method changes.
Nitric acid plants are IED installations. BAT for NOₓ: ≤75–90 mg/Nm³ from tail gas via extended absorption + SCR. Ammonia slip from SCR controlled to ≤5 mg/Nm³. Pt/Rh catalyst loss monitoring required.
Ammonium nitrate regulated under CLP and Regulation 2003/2003. Urea and ammonium sulphate process residues subject to standard CLP classification. N₂O emissions from fertiliser production monitored under EU ETS from 2026.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 06 10 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 06 10 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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