EWC Code
Wastes from inorganic chemical processes not otherwise specified
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
Varied — catch-all chapter for unclassified inorganic chemical wastes
Valorisation Range
Activated carbon €100–300/t regenerated value; specialist catalysts €200–2000/t recovery
Primary Route
Activated carbon thermal regeneration
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Get contacts for EWC 06 13EWC 06 13 is the catch-all for inorganic chemical process wastes that do not fit other 06 xx sub-chapters. Sub-codes include 06 13 01* (inorganic plant protection products, wood preservatives and biocides — hazardous), 06 13 02* (spent activated carbon — hazardous if it has adsorbed dangerous substances), 06 13 03 (carbon black) and 06 13 05* (soot from inorganic synthesis processes).
Spent activated carbon (06 13 02*) is a high-volume, commercially significant waste stream. Generated by water treatment, air purification, food processing and solvent recovery — the carbon must be classified hazardous if it has adsorbed substances that impart hazard properties (e.g., chlorinated solvents, heavy metals, cyanides). Regeneration by thermal reactivation (800–900°C in a rotary kiln) restores adsorptive capacity.
Inorganic plant protection products (06 13 01*) include copper sulphate, copper oxychloride and other copper-based fungicides in waste form. Creosote and pentachlorophenol (PCP) wood preservatives — now largely phased out under Biocidal Products Regulation — still appear as legacy contamination waste. Carbon black (06 13 03) from inorganic processes differs from tyre-derived carbon black under 19 01 xx.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 06 13, ranked by economic value and market depth. Activated carbon thermal regeneration is the primary route.
Spent activated carbon reactivated at 800–900°C in rotary kiln under controlled steam/CO₂ atmosphere. Regenerated carbon (70–90% capacity recovery) returned to service. Reactivation off-gas treated for VOCs, dioxins and particulates. Mercury-loaded carbon requires retort distillation before or during regeneration.
Non-hazardous carbon black (06 13 03) used as carbon filler in rubber and plastic products, or co-processed as alternative fuel in cement kilns. Off-spec carbon black assessed for impurity content; sulphur, ash and oil absorption specifications must be met for rubber/plastic use.
Spent activated carbon too contaminated for regeneration (high metals, persistent organic compounds) incinerated at >1100°C. Plant protection product wastes (06 13 01*) incinerated with scrubbing for HCl, HF and SO₂. Residual ash characterised before disposal.
These are the established routes for EWC 06 13. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Activated carbon regeneration specialists operate rotary kiln reactivation facilities
Primary consumers of activated carbon — and take back spent carbon for regeneration or disposal
Co-processes carbon black waste as alternative fuel/raw material
Handles spent activated carbon too contaminated for regeneration and PCP/creosote wastes
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 06 13 classification, transport, and treatment.
Inorganic biocides in waste (06 13 01*) must be classified in accordance with the approved active substance list. Copper-based wood preservative waste requires hazardous characterisation testing. Disposal routes depend on whether organic co-contaminants (e.g., CCA — chromated copper arsenate) are present.
Thermal reactivation of spent activated carbon at industrial scale is an IED installation where capacity threshold is exceeded. BAT conclusions address reactivation kiln emissions (dioxins, Hg, HCl) and activated carbon quality verification.
Spent activated carbon is a mirror entry (06 13 02* / no non-hazardous pair). Producer must test or document that adsorbed substances do not confer hazard properties to classify as non-hazardous. No assumption of non-hazardous status allowed without characterisation.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 06 13 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 06 13 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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