EWC Code
Wastes from manufacture, formulation, supply and use of basic organic chemicals
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
~5–10 Mt/year organic chemical process waste EU-wide
Valorisation Range
Solvent recovery €100–500/t; catalyst precious metal recovery €500–5000/t PGM content
Primary Route
Solvent recovery by distillation
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Get contacts for EWC 07 01EWC 07 01 covers waste streams from the manufacture of bulk organic chemicals including olefins, aromatics, oxygenates, nitriles, alcohols, organic acids and their derivatives. Most sub-codes are hazardous — 07 01 01* (aqueous washing liquids and mother liquors), 07 01 03* (halogenated solvents), 07 01 04* (other solvents), 07 01 07* (halogenated still bottoms) and 07 01 08* (other still bottoms) — due to flammability, toxicity or persistent organic pollutant content.
Still bottoms from distillation are the highest-volume hazardous stream — residues from ethylene oxide, styrene, acetaldehyde and acrylic acid columns concentrate heavy ends, inhibitors and trace catalysts. Aqueous mother liquors contain dissolved organics (COD), salts and residual reactants. Catalyst wastes from petrochemical processes include zeolite catalysts (FCCU spent catalyst — classified under 16 08), Ziegler-Natta polymerisation catalyst residues and homogeneous catalysts.
Solvent recovery by distillation is BAT and economically driven. Still bottoms are co-processed as alternative fuel in cement kilns or combusted in waste-to-energy facilities with appropriate gas cleaning. The Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) framework and IED regulate organic chemical installations above threshold production capacities.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 07 01, ranked by economic value and market depth. Solvent recovery by distillation is the primary route.
Solvent-containing waste streams (07 01 03*, 07 01 04*) processed through on-site or third-party distillation to recover usable solvent fractions. Recovered solvent reclassified as product if meeting specification. Residual still bottoms treated separately.
Still bottoms and non-recoverable organic residues with NCV >15 MJ/kg co-processed as alternative fuel (AF) in cement kilns under AF permit conditions. Chlorine content limited to prevent dioxin formation (Cl input ≤0.1% of feed). Kilns equipped with gas temperature monitoring >850°C in secondary combustion zone.
Halogenated organic wastes (07 01 07*, 07 01 03*) incinerated at IED-compliant high-temperature facilities with acid gas scrubbing. Chlorinated waste incineration subject to dioxin ELV of 0.1 ng TEQ/Nm³. Ash and scrubber residues characterised before disposal.
These are the established routes for EWC 07 01. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
In-house solvent recovery and waste management at large organic chemical complexes
Co-processes organic chemical still bottoms and high-calorific waste as alternative fuel
Recovers PGM and other precious metal catalysts from organic chemical process residues
Incineration of chlorinated and mixed organic hazardous waste streams
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 07 01 classification, transport, and treatment.
Organic chemical plants above threshold output are IED installations. BAT conclusions set ELVs for VOC (NMVOC ≤20 mg/Nm³), TOC in effluent, and waste minimisation targets. Solvent recovery efficiency monitoring required.
Halogenated organic chemical wastes containing POPs (PCB, PCDD/F, HCB) above limit concentrations must be destroyed by high-temperature incineration. POP waste inventory reporting required. Threshold concentrations define whether standard incineration or certified POPs destruction required.
Organic chemical wastes containing carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic (CMR) substances (categories 1A/1B) classified as hazardous waste. List of CMR substances under CLP Annex VI used to assess mother liquors and still bottoms composition.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 07 01 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 07 01 valorisation.
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Source: EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC · NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat 2008
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