EWC Code
Spent catalysts
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
300,000 tonnes/year EU spent catalysts
Valorisation Range
€2.1B precious metal recovery market
Primary Route
Precious metal refining (PGM recovery)
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Get contacts for EWC 16 08EWC 16 08 covers spent catalysts from a wide range of chemical and refining processes. Sub-entries include: 16 08 01 (precious metal catalysts — gold, silver, platinum group), 16 08 02* (spent catalysts containing dangerous transition metals or compounds), 16 08 03 (non-hazardous transition metal catalysts), 16 08 04 (spent FCC catalysts — fluid catalytic cracking), 16 08 05* (spent catalysts containing phosphoric acid), 16 08 06* (spent liquids used as catalysts) and 16 08 07* (spent catalysts contaminated with dangerous substances).
Platinum group metals (PGMs: Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, Os) in autocatalysts and refinery catalysts represent significant recoverable value. Hydrocracking catalysts contain molybdenum, nickel and cobalt; their spent form may be classified hazardous due to leachate toxicity. FCC catalysts contain rare earth elements and zeolite substrates with lower recovery value.
Spent catalyst characterisation requires sampling protocols that account for heterogeneous distribution of metals and contamination. Pyrophoric spent catalysts (those that ignite spontaneously on air exposure) must be passivated before transport. Carrier gas purging and inert atmosphere handling required for certain refinery catalysts.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 16 08, ranked by economic value and market depth. Precious metal refining (PGM recovery) is the primary route.
Autocatalysts and PGM-bearing industrial catalysts smelted and chemically refined to recover platinum, palladium and rhodium. Secondary PGM recovery displaces primary mine production. Refiner issues metal credit against assayed PGM content.
Hydrocracking and reforming catalysts leached to recover nickel, cobalt, molybdenum and vanadium. Recovered metals sold as secondary raw materials to specialty metal producers and catalyst manufacturers.
Heavily contaminated catalysts with insufficient metal value for economic recovery stabilised with cement or pozzolanic binders. Treated material disposed at hazardous landfill meeting WAC under Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC.
These are the established routes for EWC 16 08. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
PGM refiners recovering platinum, palladium and rhodium from autocatalysts and industrial catalysts
Hydrometallurgical recovery of base metals from spent refinery catalysts
Treatment and stabilisation of spent catalysts not suitable for metal recovery
Catalyst manufacturers accepting spent catalysts for re-manufacturing
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 16 08 classification, transport, and treatment.
Spent catalysts containing SVHCs (e.g. cobalt compounds, chromium(VI)) subject to SVHC communication obligations. Refiners and recyclers must receive SDS or SVHC information before processing. Cobalt and chromium compounds are Annex XIV candidates.
Spent autocatalysts meeting EoW criteria for scrap metal (or applicable national criteria) cease to be waste at the refining point. EU-level EoW criteria for spent catalysts not yet adopted; Member State national criteria may apply.
Pyrophoric spent catalysts classified UN 1383 (pyrophoric metal) or UN 3200 (pyrophoric liquid) under ADR. Passivation with inert atmosphere or oil immersion required before transport. Specialist containers and hazmat-trained drivers mandatory.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 16 08 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 16 08 valorisation.
Explore EU waste flows — Waste Atlas
Visualise 17 years of E-PRTR industrial facility data. See how EWC 16 08 and related waste streams flow across European industries and sectors.
Source: EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC · NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat 2008
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