EWC Code
Skimmings that are flammable or emit flammable gases on contact with water
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
4.2 million tonnes/year EU aluminium metallurgy residues
Valorisation Range
€380M secondary aluminium dross market
Primary Route
Dross reprocessing
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Get contacts for EWC 10 03 15EWC 10 03 15 is a specific sub-code under EWC 10 03 — Wastes from aluminium thermal metallurgy. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
Aluminium thermal metallurgy generates dross, salt slags and refractory waste as primary waste streams. Primary production dross contains 40–70% metallic aluminium recoverable by rotary kiln processing, while salt slags from secondary smelting contain aluminium oxide, salt flux and metallic aluminium. Both streams are classified non-hazardous at chapter level but several 6-digit codes carry the hazardous asterisk where reactive compounds are present.
Salt slags (10 03 08*) react with water to release ammonia and hydrogen sulphide, requiring covered storage and specialist processing. White dross from primary smelting and black dross from secondary processing differ in metallic content and chloride loading, determining whether thermal or hydrometallurgical recovery is appropriate.
EU secondary aluminium production recovers approximately 3 million tonnes annually. Dross processing facilities recover residual metal then use the aluminium oxide fraction as cement additive or abrasive grit, with salt recovered and recycled within the process loop.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 10 03 15, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Rotary kiln or induction furnace processing of dross recovers 40–70% residual metallic aluminium. Salt flux is regenerated and recycled within the smelting process. Aluminium oxide residue is sold for abrasive, cement or refractory applications.
Spent refractory bricks are crushed and screened for road sub-base or aggregate use. Inert slag fractions are used as cement substitute or secondary aggregate in construction, requiring leachate testing under EN 12457 before placement.
Non-recoverable residues including contaminated refractory and salt slag treatment residues are disposed to inert or non-hazardous landfill under Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC. Reactive fractions require pre-treatment to remove water-reactive compounds before landfill acceptance.
These are the established routes for EWC 10 03 15. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Reprocess dross and salt slag to recover metallic aluminium and salt flux
Use aluminium oxide fraction as raw material substitute in cement kiln
Sort and process mixed aluminium dross streams for metal recovery
Use calcined alumina residue as abrasive grit or refractory filler
Sectors that valorise EWC 10 03 15 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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