EWC Code
Wastes from manufacture, formulation, supply and use of fine chemicals and chemical products not otherwise specified
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
~500 kt–1 Mt/year fine chemical process waste
Valorisation Range
Solvent recovery €100–500/t; specialty chemical recovery up to €1000/t where feasible
Primary Route
Solvent recovery by distillation
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Get contacts for EWC 07 07EWC 07 07 is the catch-all for organic chemical process wastes not covered by 07 01 to 07 06 — it encompasses fine chemicals, specialty chemicals, flavours, fragrances, photographic chemicals (not 09 01), adhesive and resin intermediates, and chemical research by-products. Hazardous sub-codes parallel other 07 xx chapters: 07 07 01* (aqueous washing liquids), 07 07 03* (halogenated solvents), 07 07 07* (halogenated still bottoms), 07 07 08* (other still bottoms).
Fine chemical synthesis uses multi-step routes with multiple reagents, solvents and intermediate isolation steps — generating diverse, low-volume, highly contaminated waste streams. E-factors (waste kg per kg product) can reach 25–100, much higher than bulk chemical processes. Key challenges: complex mixed waste streams, small volumes that make dedicated recovery uneconomical, and highly variable composition requiring frequent waste characterisation.
Flavour and fragrance manufacture generates terpene-rich still bottoms (limonene, linalool), citrus extraction residues and essential oil decolouration carbon. These streams have potential as bio-based aromatic chemical feedstocks. CRO and toll synthesis facilities often operate across many different customer projects simultaneously, creating mixed waste classification challenges.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 07 07, ranked by economic value and market depth. Solvent recovery by distillation is the primary route.
Common solvents (ethanol, IPA, acetone, EtOAc, THF) from fine chemical synthesis separated by fractional distillation. Recovered solvents tested by GC purity analysis before reuse or sale. Third-party solvent recovery contractors accept mixed solvent streams for fractionation.
Non-halogenated still bottoms and mixed organic wastes with NCV >15 MJ/kg accepted by cement kilns or dedicated industrial energy-from-waste facilities. Waste characterisation analysis (GC/MS, metals, halogens) required before acceptance. Chlorine content limit typically 0.1–0.5% for cement kiln use.
Halogenated streams (07 07 03*, 07 07 07*) and wastes containing CMR substances incinerated at permitted high-temperature facilities. Small-volume drums from CRO/toll sites transported under ADR packing group requirements. Bulking of compatible streams reduces incineration cost.
These are the established routes for EWC 07 07. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Generates terpene still bottoms and essential oil residues
Fine chemical producers generate the majority of 07 07 waste — contracted to specialist hazardous waste managers
Co-processes high-calorific organic chemical waste as alternative fuel
Handles diverse mixed hazardous waste from fine chemical and CRO facilities
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 07 07 classification, transport, and treatment.
Fine chemical plants above IED threshold (20,000 t/year of organic chemicals) require IED permit. Below threshold: national permitting applies. BAT for fine chemicals: solvent mass balance, closed process design, waste characterisation on generation and tracking.
Mixed fine chemical waste streams must be assessed for SVHC and CMR substance content under REACH before classification. Self-classification by producer using substance composition data. Mirror EWC entries require analytical evidence for non-hazardous designation.
Fine chemical waste shipped in drums or IBCs classified under ADR Class 3 (flammable liquid), 6.1 (toxic) or 8 (corrosive) as appropriate. Packing group I/II for high-hazard streams. Mixed waste streams require compatibility assessment before bulking for transport.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 07 07 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 07 07 valorisation.
Explore EU waste flows — Waste Atlas
Visualise 17 years of E-PRTR industrial facility data. See how EWC 07 07 and related waste streams flow across European industries and sectors.
Source: EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC · NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat 2008
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