EWC Code
Waste isocyanates
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
Small — residual catch-all chapter
Valorisation Range
Isocyanate waste management cost €200–500/t; disposal cost varies by stream composition
Primary Route
Controlled hydrolysis (water deactivation)
Need verified buyer contacts with location-specific pricing?
Get contacts for EWC 08 05 01*EWC 08 05 01* is a specific sub-code under EWC 08 05 — Wastes not otherwise specified in 08. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC 08 05 contains only one listed sub-code: 08 05 01* (waste isocyanates). This catch-all exists for isocyanate-containing wastes arising from coating, adhesive and sealant operations that are not covered by the specific sub-codes in 08 01–08 04. Isocyanates (MDI, TDI, HDI, IPDI) react violently with water, generating CO₂ and forming polyurea, which can block waste containers and create pressure.
Waste isocyanates arise from polyurethane foam manufacturing trim and rejected foam, two-component coating waste, unreacted MDI/TDI from adhesive formulation, and excess spray foam from construction applications. Isocyanates are highly reactive and toxic — MDI has a WEL of 0.02 mg/m³ and is a sensitising substance classified H334. Waste must be deactivated before disposal to prevent exothermic reactions in waste storage.
Deactivation by controlled hydrolysis with excess water (50:1 water:isocyanate ratio) produces carbamic acid and ultimately CO₂ and amine — the amine-containing hydrolysate is then managed as aqueous hazardous waste. Solid polyurethane foam waste (fully cured, non-reactive) is classified under 07 02 xx, not here. The 08 05 code is specifically for reactive isocyanate-containing waste.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 08 05 01*, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Liquid isocyanate waste slowly added to large excess of water (minimum 50:1 by weight) in ventilated reactor. Exothermic reaction produces CO₂ and amine-containing suspension. Amine hydrolysate treated by biological effluent treatment (nitrification/denitrification) to remove amine nitrogen.
Solid or gel isocyanate waste (partially reacted) incinerated at ≥1100°C with a minimum 2-second residence time. Combustion products include CO₂, H₂O, NOₓ and HCN — scrubbing with alkaline solution required. Incineration preferred for mixed isocyanate/solvent waste streams.
Off-spec polyurethane prepolymer (partially reacted, not fully cured) assessed for glycolysis recycling potential — PU dissolved in glycol at 180–200°C to recover polyol fraction. Applicable to rigid PU foam waste with consistent composition. Outputs: recovered polyol for re-formulation.
These are the established routes for EWC 08 05 01*. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
MDI/TDI producers manage isocyanate process waste; polyurethane manufacturers handle foam trim
Spray polyurethane foam applicators generate excess and off-spec foam waste containing reactive isocyanate
Specialist operators with controlled hydrolysis or incineration capacity for isocyanate waste
PU foam chemical recycling (glycolysis) operators for non-reactive polyurethane
Sectors that valorise EWC 08 05 01* as an input material or secondary raw material.
Leave your work email. Our industrial desk sends verified company contacts with location-specific pricing and contract minimums for waste isocyanates — not generic benchmarks.
Reviewed by our industrial desk within 1 business day.