EWC Code
Particles and dust
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
6.1 million tonnes/year EU ceramics and brick manufacturing waste
Valorisation Range
€180M ceramic waste recovery market
Primary Route
In-process recycling of green ware and dust
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Get contacts for EWC 10 12 03EWC 10 12 03 is a specific sub-code under EWC 10 12 — Wastes from manufacture of ceramic goods, bricks, tiles and construction products. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
Ceramic and brick manufacturing generates kiln waste, refractory waste, dust and off-spec products as primary waste streams. EU ceramic sector produces approximately 15 billion bricks and tiles annually, with factory rejection rates of 3–8% generating significant volumes of broken and off-spec material. Unfired ceramic waste (green ware) is typically re-slurried and recycled within the production process.
Kiln refractory waste from periodic kiln rebuilds contains high-alumina or silica refractories with minimal contamination, suitable for use as ceramic aggregate or road sub-base after crushing. Kiln furniture (setters, saggers, kiln shelves) made from cordierite, mullite or silicon carbide is generated during production maintenance. Dust from spray drying and kiln processes is recycled in-house where composition is consistent with product specification.
Refractory ceramic fibre (RCF) and alkaline earth silicate fibre (AESF) insulation from kiln refurbishment is subject to specific regulatory controls. RCF is classified as possible carcinogen (IARC Group 2B); certain compositions are classified H350 under CLP. High-temperature insulation wools require bio-persistent fibre protocols under EU carcinogen directives.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 10 12 03, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Unfired ceramic waste is re-slurried and returned to production batch with 100% efficiency. Kiln dust collected in cyclones is recycled to spray drying feed if within composition tolerance. Fired ceramic offcuts are crushed to grog (chamotte) and incorporated into new ceramic bodies as filler, reducing virgin material consumption by 5–15%.
Fired ceramic waste is crushed and screened to produce grog for ceramic manufacture, refractory aggregate, drainage aggregate and permeable paving fill. Brick rubble from factory rejects is used as recycled aggregate in road sub-base and drainage fill under EN 13242.
Refractory ceramic fibre and high-temperature insulation wool from kiln refurbishment is double-bagged and disposed to landfill under bio-persistent fibre protocols. Workers undertaking removal require respiratory protection (FFP3) and medical surveillance under Carcinogen Directive 2004/37/EC.
These are the established routes for EWC 10 12 03. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Use crushed ceramic waste as grog filler in refractory and ceramic body manufacture
Recycle fired tile offcuts as grog in new tile body composition
Use crushed brick and ceramic aggregate as recycled aggregate in concrete and drainage fill
Use crushed brick as road sub-base aggregate under EN 13242 specification
Sectors that valorise EWC 10 12 03 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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