EWC Code
Waste isocyanates
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Have a 08 05 01* stream? See the dossier that replaces the feasibility study.
See the validation dossierSmall — residual catch-all chapter · Isocyanate waste management cost €200–500/t; disposal cost varies by stream composition
Primary buyers include Manufacture of plastics in primary forms and Treatment and disposal of hazardous waste.
Simulate this streamAnnual 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)
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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.
See how this gets validatedPrimary & 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.
Waste isocyanates
With a lab analysis, the engine checks the stream against each receiving route's published limits and returns what is supported, what is refused, and why. Without one yet, we tell you which routes it can evaluate and what analysis that needs.
See what the output looks like: a worked dossier.