EWC Code
Wastes from physico/chemical treatments of waste
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
3 million tonnes/year EU physico-chemical treatment residues
Valorisation Range
€280M treatment sludge and residue market
Primary Route
Metal recovery from hydroxide sludges
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Get contacts for EWC 19 02EWC 19 02 covers wastes arising from physico-chemical treatment of industrial wastes including dewatering, neutralisation, precipitation, flocculation and solvent stripping. Sub-entries: 19 02 03 (non-hazardous premixed wastes), 19 02 04* (premixed wastes containing at least one hazardous substance), 19 02 05* (sludges from physico-chemical treatment containing dangerous substances), 19 02 06 (non-hazardous sludges), 19 02 07* (separated oils and concentrates from separation), 19 02 08* (combustible liquid wastes containing dangerous substances), 19 02 09* (combustible solid wastes), 19 02 10 (non-hazardous combustible wastes), 19 02 11* (other wastes containing dangerous substances) and 19 02 99 (non-dangerous wastes not otherwise specified).
Treatment sludges from precipitation of heavy metals (hydroxide precipitation of Cr, Ni, Zn, Cu from electroplating effluents) are the dominant volume. Sludge composition reflects input waste stream — copper hydroxide sludge from PCB manufacture; nickel hydroxide sludge from metal finishing. These sludges may have secondary metal recovery value when concentrations are high.
Separated oils from oil/water separators and decanting operations (19 02 07*) represent recoverable fuel or re-refining feedstock. Combustible waste fractions (19 02 08*, 19 02 09*) may be processed into SRF for energy recovery, reducing overall landfill volumes from treatment facilities.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 19 02, ranked by economic value and market depth. Metal recovery from hydroxide sludges is the primary route.
Heavy metal hydroxide sludges from precipitation treatment filtered, dried and smelted for base metal recovery. Copper, nickel and zinc sludges with sufficient metal content accepted by non-ferrous smelters as secondary raw material. Metal recovery gate fee lower than hazardous landfill.
Combustible solid and liquid waste fractions (19 02 08*, 19 02 09*, 19 02 10) blended and processed into solid recovered fuel (SRF) meeting EN 15359 specification. Co-fired in cement kilns or power plants under IED co-incineration permit conditions.
Low-metal sludges not viable for recovery stabilised with cement-based binders to immobilise heavy metals and reduce leachate toxicity. Stabilised product disposed at hazardous landfill after WAC testing under Landfill Directive 1999/31/EC.
These are the established routes for EWC 19 02. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Non-ferrous smelters processing copper and other base metal hydroxide sludges
Stabilisation and disposal of low-grade treatment sludges
Re-refining of recovered oils from physico-chemical treatment separation
SRF co-processing from combustible physico-chemical treatment residues
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 19 02 classification, transport, and treatment.
Wastes arising from treatment of other wastes (secondary wastes) classified using EWC Chapter 19. Classification based on input waste composition and treatment process outputs. Treatment facility operators responsible for characterising secondary wastes; mixing of hazardous and non-hazardous streams for dilution below classification thresholds is prohibited.
Physico-chemical treatment facilities above IPPC thresholds require IED permit. Waste treatment BAT Reference Document (WT-BREF) specifies BAT-AELs for emissions to water and air. Odour management plans required. Residue quality monitoring part of permit conditions.
Treatment sludges containing SVHCs communicated to receiving smelters for safe handling. Metal recovery from sludges does not trigger new REACH registration requirements where recovered substance meets registration scope of primary metal. SVHC presence in sludge must be notified if concentration >0.1% by weight.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 19 02 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 19 02 valorisation.
Explore EU waste flows — Waste Atlas
Visualise 17 years of E-PRTR industrial facility data. See how EWC 19 02 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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