EWC Code
Spent grinding bodies and grinding materials
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
~200–500 kt/year ceramic and functional coating waste
Valorisation Range
Ceramic frit recovery €20–80/t; powder coating dust recovery high — near 100% in electrostatic systems
Primary Route
Powder coating overspray recovery
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Get contacts for EWC 12 01 21EWC 12 01 21 is a specific sub-code under EWC 08 02 — Wastes from manufacture, formulation, supply and use of other coatings including ceramic materials. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC 08 02 covers wastes from coating types other than liquid paint — principally ceramic glazes and enamels (08 02 01 — waste coating powders), powder coatings, thermal spray coatings and functional coatings (PVD/CVD, sol-gel). Sub-code 08 02 02 (aqueous sludges containing ceramic materials) is non-hazardous; 08 02 03 (aqueous suspensions containing ceramic materials) is also non-hazardous. Hazardous classification applies if heavy metal content exceeds WFD thresholds.
Ceramic glaze waste arises at tile, sanitaryware and tableware manufacturers — raw glaze residues, spent application equipment washings and off-specification glaze batches. Glazes contain metal oxides (ZnO, BaO, SrO, Co₂O₃, NiO) as colourants, and lead oxide in traditional formulations (now phased out). Powder coating overspray is efficiently recovered in electrostatic application booths — recovery rates >99% in modern booths, making actual waste volume very small.
Thermal spray coating waste (tungsten carbide/cobalt, chrome carbide/NiCr powders) arises from overspray and used blast media. WC-Co thermal spray waste contains cobalt — classified as CMR (suspected carcinogen, Cat. 2) and potential hazardous waste. Powder coating dust classified as combustible dust — requires dust explosion assessment under ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 12 01 21, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Electrostatic powder coating overspray recovered from booth via cyclone and cartridge filter system. Recovered powder blended with virgin material at 10–20% addition rate for non-critical applications. Colour-change waste (mixed powder) collected separately and disposed.
Ceramic tile glaze residues (sludge from glaze grinding mills) recycled as secondary raw material in body formulation at ratio ≤5% to avoid colour contamination. Raw glaze batches segregated and returned to glaze preparation. Lead-free glazes: wastewater sludge disposed to inert landfill.
WC-Co thermal spray waste containing >1% Co assessed as hazardous (CMR-driven). Cobalt content recovered by hydrometallurgical processing (leach + precipitation) where volume warrants. Residual stabilised with cement binders and disposed to hazardous landfill after WAC testing.
These are the established routes for EWC 12 01 21. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Ceramic tile glaze waste managed in-house; glaze sludge recycled to body or third-party processor
Powder coating applicators generate overspray waste; thermal spray operators manage WC-Co waste
Tableware manufacturers generate glaze residues and kiln sagger waste
Handles cobalt-containing thermal spray waste and lead glaze residues
Sectors that valorise EWC 12 01 21 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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