EWC Code
Wastes from water and steam degreasing processes
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
2.8 million tonnes/year EU aqueous degreasing effluent
Valorisation Range
€95M aqueous degreasing waste treatment market
Primary Route
Emulsion breaking and oil recovery
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Get contacts for EWC 12 03Water and steam degreasing generates spent aqueous degreasing solution, oil-water emulsion, rinse water and filter cake as primary waste streams. Aqueous degreasing has replaced solvent degreasing on most industrial applications following restrictions on chlorinated solvents and VOC limits under Solvent Emissions Directive 1999/13/EC. Spent aqueous degreasing baths contain surfactants, emulsified oil, metal particles and corrosion inhibitors.
Alkaline aqueous degreasers operate at pH 10–13 using sodium hydroxide, silicates, phosphates and non-ionic surfactants to emulsify mineral and synthetic oils from machined components. Bath life is typically 4–12 weeks before contamination with oil, metal swarf and degraded surfactant necessitates replacement. Spent bath characterisation determines whether oils exceed hazardous classification thresholds.
Steam degreasing uses pressurised steam to remove light oils and particulates from complex geometry components, generating condensate containing oil and surfactant. Oil-water emulsions require emulsion breaking by acid dosing, centrifugation or ultrafiltration to separate oil phase (recycled or incinerated) from water phase (treated and discharged). Ultrafiltration permeate quality typically enables direct discharge to trade effluent after pH adjustment.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 12 03, ranked by economic value and market depth. Emulsion breaking and oil recovery is the primary route.
Spent degreasing emulsions are broken by acid dosing to pH 3–4 followed by centrifugation or dissolved air flotation to separate oil phase from water phase. Separated oil phase is sent to licensed waste oil processor or incineration with energy recovery. Water phase treated in wastewater plant before discharge to trade effluent.
Cross-flow ultrafiltration membranes separate oil and polymer emulsion from rinse water with >99% rejection. Permeate (90–95% of volume) achieves direct discharge quality (<50 mg/L oil). Concentrate (5–10% of volume) is thickened emulsion sent to licensed oil processor. Reduces hazardous waste volume by factor of 10–20 compared to bulk disposal.
Spent degreasing baths with elevated heavy metal content from metal dissolution (nickel, chromium from stainless steel) classified hazardous require disposal by licensed hazardous waste treatment operator. Chemical precipitation to remove metals followed by incineration with energy recovery. Filter cake from metals precipitation disposed to hazardous landfill.
These are the established routes for EWC 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
Accept and treat aqueous degreasing waste through emulsion breaking and biological treatment
Accept separated oil phase from emulsion breaking for re-refining or blending
Operate on-site ultrafiltration to reduce degreasing waste volume and recover water for reuse
Accept metal-contaminated degreasing concentrate for treatment and disposal
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 12 03 classification, transport, and treatment.
Aqueous degreasing replaces solvent processes under VOC emission reduction requirements. Where residual VOC solvents remain in aqueous degreasing waste, waste characterisation must determine VOC content. Waste with >1% VOC classified as volatile waste for incineration purposes.
Treated aqueous degreasing effluent discharged to sewer requires trade effluent consent specifying pH, oil, BOD, COD and suspended solids limits. Oil and grease limit for sewer discharge is typically 100–200 mg/L; direct discharge to watercourse typically <5 mg/L.
Separated oil from emulsion breaking is subject to waste oil hierarchy under Article 21: regeneration (base oil recovery) preferred over energy recovery (incineration). Where oil contamination prevents regeneration (metal content >200 ppm), incineration with energy recovery is the highest available option.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 12 03 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 12 03 valorisation.
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Source: EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC · NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat 2008
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