EWC Code
End-of-life vehicles not containing liquids or hazardous components
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume (EU)
~8–9 million vehicles/year EU
Valorisation Range
€100–600/tonne (steel scrap; catalytic converter PGMs premium)
Primary Route
Steel Scrap Recovery
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Get contacts for EWC 16 01 06EWC 16 01 06 is a specific sub-code under EWC 16 01 — End-of-life vehicles from different means of transport (including off-road machinery) and wastes from dismantling of end-of-life vehicles and vehicle maintenance. The classification guidance below applies to this waste stream.
EWC 16 01 is the parent chapter for end-of-life vehicle (ELV) waste streams, arising from depollution, dismantling, shredding and separation of passenger cars, commercial vehicles and off-road machinery. EU Directive 2000/53/EC on ELVs mandates a 95% reuse and recovery target and 85% reuse and recycling target by vehicle weight — with steel, aluminium and catalytic converter PGMs (platinum group metals) as the primary value streams.
The ELV processing sequence at authorised treatment facilities (ATFs) begins with depollution (fuel, oil, coolant, refrigerant, airbag pyrotechnics, batteries), followed by selective dismantling of high-value reusable parts (engines, gearboxes, electronics), and bulk shredding of the vehicle hulk. The shredded steel body-in-white (BIW) reaches scrap iron density of 95%+ steel content; the shredder residue (fluff/floc — see EWC 19 10) contains the remaining 15–20% by weight as mixed plastics, rubber, foam and glass.
Catalytic converters represent the highest unit value in the ELV stream. Three-way catalysts contain 1–5 g/unit of platinum group metals (PGMs: Pt, Pd, Rh) worth €50–300+ per unit depending on composition and PGM market prices. NACE 24.41 (precious metal smelters: Umicore, BASF, Johnson Matthey) extract PGMs by pyrometallurgical or hydrometallurgical routes, achieving >95% PGM recovery rates.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 16 01 06, ranked by economic value and market depth.
Vehicle hulk shredded steel (BIW + body panels): 95%+ ferrous content processed by magnetic separation at shredder plants. ELV steel delivers 7–9 Mt/year into EU EAF mini-mills (NACE 24.10), displacing primary iron ore. Scrap steel value: €180–350/t HMS grade, with premiums for shredded grade.
Spent catalytic converter monoliths processed by specialist PGM smelters (Umicore, Johnson Matthey). Pyrometallurgical base metal smelting collects PGMs into collector alloy for subsequent hydromet refining. Pt+Pd+Rh recovery rate >95%. Converter trading price: €50–300/unit depending on vehicle age and PGM content.
Authorised treatment facilities (ATFs) selectively dismantle reusable parts — engines, gearboxes, alternators, body panels — for direct reuse in vehicle repair (NACE 45.20). Reused parts command 40–70% of new OEM part price. ATF dismantling extends product life and avoids embodied energy of manufacture.
These are the established routes for EWC 16 01 06. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Authorised treatment facilities (ATFs) performing ELV depollution and selective dismantling under 2000/53/EC
EAF mini-mills consuming shredded steel scrap as primary furnace charge material
PGM smelters recovering platinum, palladium and rhodium from catalytic converter monoliths
Reuse of ATF-dismantled components in vehicle repair and servicing
Common materials that take EWC 16 01 06 depending on where the waste arises.
Sectors that valorise EWC 16 01 06 as an input material or secondary raw material.
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