EWC Code
Wastes from other non-ferrous thermal metallurgy
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
1.2 million tonnes/year EU other non-ferrous residues
Valorisation Range
€420M nickel, cobalt and tin processing market
Primary Route
Specialist non-ferrous metal recovery
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Get contacts for EWC 10 08This sub-chapter covers thermal metallurgy wastes from metals not separately covered in 10 03–10 07, including nickel, cobalt, tin, titanium, chromium, manganese and refractory metals such as tungsten and molybdenum. Nickel smelting generates large volumes of slag rich in iron and silica with trace nickel; ferronickel slag is used in road construction and abrasives.
Battery chemistry has dramatically increased demand for cobalt and nickel in lithium-ion cell manufacturing. Cobalt-bearing waste from battery production (black mass, electrode scraps) now flows through non-ferrous metallurgical processors. Pyrometallurgical processing of black mass in electric arc furnaces produces cobalt-nickel alloy for re-refining, alongside slag that may contain lithium values.
Flue dust from pyrometallurgical processing of nickel, cobalt or tin concentrates is classified hazardous due to arsenic, cadmium or nickel content. Nickel compounds classified H350 (may cause cancer) require special containment at disposal. EU Batteries Regulation 2023/1542 mandates minimum recovery rates for cobalt (95%) and nickel (95%) from waste batteries from 2026.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 10 08, ranked by economic value and market depth. Specialist non-ferrous metal recovery is the primary route.
Slags and drosses containing nickel, cobalt or tin are processed by specialist hydrometallurgical or pyrometallurgical operators. Nickel slag is processed by matte smelting or pressure leach; cobalt recovered by solvent extraction; tin recovered from stanniferous slag by electric furnace reduction with recovery >90%.
Inert slag fractions from ferronickel and ferrochromium smelting are used as road aggregate, railway ballast and abrasive blasting grit. EN 13043 and EN 12620 standards apply for use in asphalt and concrete. Chromium(VI) content must be <0.1 mg/L in eluate for construction use.
Flue dust from pyrometallurgical processing classified hazardous due to arsenic, cadmium or nickel content. Stabilisation and disposal to hazardous landfill under 1999/31/EC. Nickel-bearing waste requires containment in double-lined cell with leachate collection due to H350 carcinogen classification.
These are the established routes for EWC 10 08. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Process slag and dross from nickel, cobalt, tin and titanium metallurgy for metal recovery
Sort and grade non-ferrous metal-bearing waste for appropriate recovery routes
Recover cobalt and nickel from battery black mass for re-use in new cell cathode material
Use ferronickel slag as abrasive grit or road aggregate after quality certification
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 10 08 classification, transport, and treatment.
Non-ferrous metals BREF covers nickel, cobalt, tin, titanium and refractory metal production. BAT conclusions specify emission limits for nickel (H350 carcinogen): <0.05 mg/Nm³ from thermal processing stack. Fugitive dust from slag handling requires enclosure and extraction to bag filter.
Regulation mandates minimum recovery rates for cobalt (95%), nickel (95%) and lithium (70%) from waste batteries from 2026. Non-ferrous metallurgical processors handling battery black mass must demonstrate recovery efficiencies and report annually to competent authority.
EU-based processing of imported concentrates generates residues classified as industrial rather than mining waste, falling under IED rather than MWD for permitting purposes. Tailings from on-site mineral processing associated with EU nickel or cobalt mining are regulated under 2006/21/EC.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 10 08 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 10 08 valorisation.
Explore EU waste flows — Waste Atlas
Visualise 17 years of E-PRTR industrial facility data. See how EWC 10 08 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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