EWC Code
Wastes from chemical surface treatment and coating of metals and other materials (e.g. galvanic processes, zinc coating, pickling, etching, phosphating)
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
~1.8M tonnes/yr (EU)
Valorisation Range
€40–180/tonne treatment; zinc recovery at €600–900/tonne Zn content
Primary Route
Secondary Zinc Recovery
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Get contacts for EWC 11 01EWC Chapter 11 covers wastes arising from chemical surface treatment processes applied to metals and other substrates, including electroplating, hot-dip galvanising, pickling, passivation, etching, phosphating, and anodising.
These processes generate rinse waters, spent process baths, filter cakes, and sludges with significant concentrations of heavy metals (Zn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Cd). The hazardous sub-codes (marked *) contain concentrations above threshold limits defined in Council Directive 91/689/EEC.
Non-hazardous streams under 11 01 include zinc hydroxide sludges from alkaline galvanising rinses and iron-rich pickling sludges from steel hot-rolling lines — both commercially recoverable. Zinc sludges are accepted by non-ferrous smelters as secondary zinc feed; iron-rich sludges are co-processed in cement kilns or sintering plants.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 11 01, ranked by economic value and market depth. Secondary Zinc Recovery is the primary route.
Zinc-bearing sludges from galvanising rinses are processed in Waelz kilns or ISP furnaces. Zinc oxide crude recovered at 55–60% Zn; further refined to SHG zinc (99.995%). Typical gate fee: €0–40/tonne; zinc oxide value offsets cost.
Iron and calcium-rich surface treatment sludges used as raw meal substitute or fuel supplement in cement clinker production. Substitutes 2–5% of primary raw materials. Accepted by major cement groups (HeidelbergMaterials, Holcim) under permitted co-processing contracts.
Stabilised and solidified hazardous sub-streams disposed to Class I permitted hazardous waste landfill sites. Requires pre-treatment to meet leachate limits under Directive 1999/31/EC Council Decision 2003/33/EC.
These are the established routes for EWC 11 01. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Primary zinc recovery from galvanising sludges
Co-processing of iron-rich pickling sludges
Recovery of nickel and copper from electroplating baths
Stabilisation and disposal of non-recoverable fractions
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 11 01 classification, transport, and treatment.
Chapter 11 01 classification. Hazardous sub-codes marked * contain heavy metals above threshold concentrations per Annex III Directive 91/689/EEC.
Hierarchy applies: recovery preferred over disposal. Heavy metal-bearing sludges qualify for recovery operations R4 (metal recycling) and R5 (reclaiming/recycling inorganic material).
Zinc, nickel, chromium VI compounds subject to substance of very high concern (SVHC) controls. Downstream processors receiving zinc-bearing streams require REACH compliance documentation.
Hazardous sub-streams classified UN Class 8 (corrosive) or UN Class 9 as applicable. ADR consignment notes and emergency cards required for road transport.
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Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 11 01 valorisation.
Explore EU waste flows — Waste Atlas
Visualise 17 years of E-PRTR industrial facility data. See how EWC 11 01 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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