EWC Code
Wastes from manufacture, formulation, supply and use of organic dyes and pigments (excluding 06 11)
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
~200–500 kt/year organic dye and pigment process waste
Valorisation Range
Dyestuff recovery value modest; disposal cost €200–500/t for hazardous streams
Primary Route
Solvent distillation and solvent recovery
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Get contacts for EWC 07 03EWC 07 03 covers process wastes from organic dye and pigment chemistry — primarily azo dyes, reactive dyes, vat dyes, phthalocyanine pigments and organic lake pigments. Hazardous sub-codes include 07 03 01* (mother liquors), 07 03 03* (halogenated solvents), 07 03 04* (other solvents), 07 03 07* (halogenated still bottoms) and 07 03 08* (other still bottoms).
Azo dye synthesis generates amine-containing mother liquors — some aromatic amines (β-naphthylamine, benzidine) are carcinogenic and subject to REACH restriction. Phthalocyanine pigment synthesis involves phthalic anhydride, copper compounds and chlorine, producing copper-containing filter cake waste. Reactive dye manufacture generates sodium chloride and sodium sulphate mother liquors at high concentrations.
REACH Annex XVII (entry 43) restricts azo dyes that can release carcinogenic amines. Colour industry waste from textile dyeing operations is classified under 04 02, not here — 07 03 is specifically for manufacturing operations. Organic pigment waste recycling is limited due to complex composition; most streams route to high-temperature incineration.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 07 03, ranked by economic value and market depth. Solvent distillation and solvent recovery is the primary route.
Solvent-containing streams (07 03 03*, 07 03 04*) distilled to recover usable solvent fraction. Recovered solvents (DMF, NMP, acetone) returned to process or sold to solvent recyclers. Still bottoms with high organic dye content treated as high-calorific waste.
Copper phthalocyanine production filter cake with significant Cu content (>2%) processed by copper hydrometallurgy — acid leach, solvent extraction and copper electrowinning. Recovered copper returned to phthalocyanine synthesis. Residual organic cake incinerated.
Azo dye mother liquors, amine-contaminated still bottoms and non-recoverable organic pigment waste incinerated at ≥1100°C with extended residence time. Carcinogenic amine content requires complete destruction. Scrubber effluent monitored for residual amines before discharge.
These are the established routes for EWC 07 03. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Generates all 07 03 waste — in-house solvent recovery and filter cake management
Secondary copper refiners process copper-bearing phthalocyanine filter cake
Incineration of amine-containing and halogenated organic dye wastes
Solvent recovery contractors accept still bottoms and solvent wash streams
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 07 03 classification, transport, and treatment.
Entry 43 restricts azo dyes that can release 22 listed carcinogenic amines in concentrations >30 mg/kg. Manufacturing waste from restricted azo dyes classified as hazardous. SVHC REACH authorisation applies to benzidine, β-naphthylamine dye precursors.
Large dye and pigment plants above output thresholds are IED installations. BAT for mother liquor management: stripping of amines before biological treatment, activated carbon polishing of effluent. Stack monitoring for aromatic amines required.
Wastes containing substances classified as carcinogen Cat. 1A/1B (H351/H350) above threshold concentrations are hazardous wastes. Azo dye mother liquors containing restricted amines above 0.1% w/w classified hazardous regardless of other properties.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 07 03 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 07 03 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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