EWC Code
Wastes from non-electrolytic metal surface treatment processes
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
1.4 million tonnes/year EU non-electrolytic surface treatment waste
Valorisation Range
€210M phosphating and chemical treatment waste market
Primary Route
Phosphating sludge treatment and recovery
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Get contacts for EWC 11 02Non-electrolytic metal surface treatment generates phosphating sludge, chemical conversion coating waste, passivation solution and rinse water as primary waste streams. Iron phosphating and zinc phosphating pre-treatments before paint application on automotive bodies produce approximately 1.5–3 kg sludge per tonne of steel treated, rich in iron, zinc and phosphate compounds.
Chemical blackening of steel using alkaline permanganate or selenious acid solutions generates waste containing manganese or selenium compounds classified as hazardous. Chromate conversion coatings, historically used for passivation of aluminium and zinc, contain hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) classified H350 (carcinogen). EU RoHS and REACH have driven replacement of hexavalent chromate with trivalent chromium or chrome-free alternatives on most applications.
Phosphating bath maintenance generates spent bath solution requiring treatment by precipitation, filter pressing and hazardous waste disposal. Rinse waters require treatment through wastewater plant with metals removed by chemical precipitation to meet discharge consent limits. Iron phosphating sludge is typically non-hazardous while zinc phosphating sludge is classified hazardous where zinc exceeds threshold.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 11 02, ranked by economic value and market depth. Phosphating sludge treatment and recovery is the primary route.
Phosphating sludge is filter-pressed to >40% solids, dewatered cake sampled and characterised. High-zinc sludge is sold to zinc smelters as secondary zinc feed where zinc content exceeds 15%. Iron-dominant phosphating sludge is used as iron supplement in cement kiln raw meal or disposed as hazardous waste after chemical fixation.
Rinse waters from phosphating and passivation lines are treated in on-site wastewater treatment plant using lime precipitation to remove dissolved metals. Treated effluent monitored against discharge consent limits (Zn <2 mg/L, Cr total <0.5 mg/L). Sludge from treatment plant filter-pressed and characterised for disposal route.
Legacy hexavalent chromate wastes and chromate conversion coating rinse concentrates are treated by chemical reduction (Cr(VI) to Cr(III)) before precipitation and disposal. If Cr(VI) residual >0.1 mg/L in eluate, managed as hazardous waste and disposed to hazardous landfill with double-liner and leachate collection.
These are the established routes for EWC 11 02. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Treat phosphating and passivation process waste on-site through integrated wastewater plant
Accept high-zinc phosphating sludge as secondary zinc feed for refining
Use iron-bearing phosphating sludge as iron supplement in cement kiln raw meal
Accept and treat chromate-bearing hazardous waste from surface treatment operations
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 11 02 classification, transport, and treatment.
Cr(VI) compounds are subject to Annex XIV authorisation under REACH. Hexavalent chromate surface treatment requires REACH authorisation for any remaining use. Waste from chromate processes classified hazardous; operator must demonstrate Cr(VI) reduction below 0.1 mg/L in eluate before disposal.
Metal surface treatment installations using chromium, nickel or other SVHC metals in baths exceeding 30 m³ require IED permit. Surface treatment BREF specifies BAT for drag-out reduction (counter-current rinsing) and wastewater treatment efficiency: chromium discharge <0.1 mg/L, zinc <1 mg/L.
Phosphating sludge must be characterised under EN 12457 to determine hazardous/non-hazardous status. Iron phosphating sludge typically classified non-hazardous; zinc phosphating sludge classified hazardous (HP14 — ecotoxic) where zinc exceeds 2500 mg/kg dry weight threshold under Decision 2000/532/EC.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 11 02 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 11 02 valorisation.
Explore EU waste flows — Waste Atlas
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Source: EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC · NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat 2008
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