EWC Code
Sludges from on-site effluent treatment not containing dangerous substances
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
~500 kt–1.5 Mt/year across soap, detergent and cosmetics manufacturing
Valorisation Range
Glycerol by-product €300–500/t; fatty acid distillation residues €50–150/t as feed
Primary Route
Oleochemical by-product valorisation
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Get contacts for EWC 07 06 11EWC 07 06 11 is a specific sub-code under EWC 07 06 — Wastes from manufacture, formulation, supply and use of fats, grease, soaps, detergents, disinfectants and cosmetics. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC 07 06 covers wastes from oleochemical processing, soap and detergent manufacture, disinfectant production, and cosmetics manufacturing. Most sub-codes are non-hazardous given the biological origin of feedstocks, but 07 06 01* (aqueous washing liquids and mother liquors), 07 06 03* (halogenated solvents) and 07 06 07* (halogenated still bottoms) are hazardous where dangerous substances are present.
Oleochemical refining generates soap stock (alkali-refined — contains soaps, phospholipids and water), spent bleaching earth (SBE — activated clay saturated with vegetable oil), and fatty acid distillation residues (pitch). Soap stock acidulation produces acid oil for biodiesel or animal feed. SBE retains 20–35% oil and is combusted for energy recovery or composted if oil content is sufficiently low.
Detergent manufacture generates surfactant mother liquors (high COD, anionic/non-ionic surfactant content), spray-drying scrubber water and filter press cake from silicate/zeolite slurry systems. Cosmetics production creates solvent-based residues from fragrance formulation and small volumes of out-of-specification product. Glycerol from biodiesel and soap production is a high-volume by-product with established markets in food, pharmaceutical and industrial applications.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 07 06 11, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Soap stock acidulated to acid oil and sold for biodiesel (FAME), animal feed or oleochemical feedstock. Glycerol purified and sold to pharmaceutical, food or chemical sectors. Fatty acid pitch used as fuel for steam raising on-site. SBE with >15% oil co-processed at cement kiln or combusted.
Aqueous washing liquids and mother liquors with high COD (2000–20000 mg/L) treated by activated sludge biological treatment. Surfactant-containing streams require extended aeration for full mineralisation. Treated effluent monitored for anionic surfactant concentration before discharge to sewer.
Spent bleaching earth with low oil content (≤10%) composted with other bio-waste fractions — clay minerals act as soil conditioner. High-oil SBE (>20%) co-incinerated at permitted facilities. All SBE disposal avoids landfill of oily material under IED permit conditions.
These are the established routes for EWC 07 06 11. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Generates 07 06 streams; glycerol and fatty acid by-products sold to multiple sectors
Oleochemical refiners generate soap stock and SBE as by-products from vegetable oil refining
Oleochemicals (fatty acids, fatty alcohols) from acid oil serve as base chemicals for surfactant synthesis
Biological treatment of surfactant-bearing effluent; composting of SBE
Sectors that valorise EWC 07 06 11 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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