EWC Code
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EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
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 13 01 13EWC 13 01 13 is a specific sub-code under EWC 12 03 — Wastes from water and steam degreasing processes. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
Water 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 13 01 13, ranked by economic value and market depth.
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 13 01 13. 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
Common materials that take EWC 13 01 13 depending on where the waste arises.
Sectors that valorise EWC 13 01 13 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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