EWC Code
Other still bottoms and reaction residues
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
300,000 tonnes/year EU spent catalysts
Valorisation Range
€2.1B precious metal recovery market
Primary Route
Precious metal refining (PGM recovery)
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Get contacts for EWC 07 01 08EWC 07 01 08 is a specific sub-code under EWC 16 08 — Spent catalysts. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC 16 08 covers spent catalysts from a wide range of chemical and refining processes. Sub-entries include: 16 08 01 (precious metal catalysts — gold, silver, platinum group), 16 08 02* (spent catalysts containing dangerous transition metals or compounds), 16 08 03 (non-hazardous transition metal catalysts), 16 08 04 (spent FCC catalysts — fluid catalytic cracking), 16 08 05* (spent catalysts containing phosphoric acid), 16 08 06* (spent liquids used as catalysts) and 16 08 07* (spent catalysts contaminated with dangerous substances).
Platinum group metals (PGMs: Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, Os) in autocatalysts and refinery catalysts represent significant recoverable value. Hydrocracking catalysts contain molybdenum, nickel and cobalt; their spent form may be classified hazardous due to leachate toxicity. FCC catalysts contain rare earth elements and zeolite substrates with lower recovery value.
Spent catalyst characterisation requires sampling protocols that account for heterogeneous distribution of metals and contamination. Pyrophoric spent catalysts (those that ignite spontaneously on air exposure) must be passivated before transport. Carrier gas purging and inert atmosphere handling required for certain refinery catalysts.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 07 01 08, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Autocatalysts and PGM-bearing industrial catalysts smelted and chemically refined to recover platinum, palladium and rhodium. Secondary PGM recovery displaces primary mine production. Refiner issues metal credit against assayed PGM content.
Hydrocracking and reforming catalysts leached to recover nickel, cobalt, molybdenum and vanadium. Recovered metals sold as secondary raw materials to specialty metal producers and catalyst manufacturers.
Heavily contaminated catalysts with insufficient metal value for economic recovery stabilised with cement or pozzolanic binders. Treated material disposed at hazardous landfill meeting WAC under Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC.
These are the established routes for EWC 07 01 08. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
PGM refiners recovering platinum, palladium and rhodium from autocatalysts and industrial catalysts
Hydrometallurgical recovery of base metals from spent refinery catalysts
Treatment and stabilisation of spent catalysts not suitable for metal recovery
Catalyst manufacturers accepting spent catalysts for re-manufacturing
Sectors that valorise EWC 07 01 08 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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