EWC Code
Wastes from oil regeneration
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
1.5 million tonnes/year EU waste oil re-refining residues
Valorisation Range
€220M base oil and re-refining market
Primary Route
Spent clay thermal regeneration
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Get contacts for EWC 19 11EWC 19 11 covers wastes arising from the re-refining of waste oil into base lubricant oil or other petroleum products. Sub-entries: 19 11 01* (spent filter clays), 19 11 02* (acid tars), 19 11 03* (aqueous liquid wastes), 19 11 04* (wastes from cleaning of fuel with bases), 19 11 05* (sludges from on-site effluent treatment containing dangerous substances), 19 11 06 (non-hazardous sludges), 19 11 07* (wastes from flue gas scrubbing) and 19 11 99 (wastes not otherwise specified).
Waste oil re-refining converts used lubricating oil into base oil for blending into new lubricants. The main re-refining processes — hydrofinishing, acid treatment, solvent extraction (Recyclon process) — generate characteristic residues. Acid tar (19 11 02*) from sulphuric acid treatment of oil is a highly hazardous residue containing PAHs, organics and acid; its management is a significant challenge for the industry.
Spent filter clays (19 11 01*) from clay filtration of treated oil are classified hazardous due to oil content and adsorbed PAHs. These clays can be regenerated thermally, reducing disposal requirements. The WFD prioritises re-refining of waste oil over other recovery methods, recognising the circular economy value of returning used lubricants to base oil.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 19 11, ranked by economic value and market depth. Spent clay thermal regeneration is the primary route.
Spent filter clay (19 11 01*) regenerated at 500–600°C in rotary kilns, burning off adsorbed oil and organic content. Regenerated clay returns to re-refining process. Combustion gases treated for PAH; regenerated product tested for residual contaminants before re-use.
Acid tar (19 11 02*) neutralised with lime to produce a less hazardous sludge. Treated material may then be co-processed in cement kilns (organic content as fuel, mineral fraction incorporated into clinker) or stabilised for hazardous landfill. Some acid tars treated by biological processes.
Highly contaminated 19 11 residues not amenable to treatment disposed at hazardous landfill after stabilisation to meet WAC. Ongoing monitoring of historic acid tar lagoons (legacy disposal sites) required under Landfill Directive post-closure obligations.
These are the established routes for EWC 19 11. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Waste oil re-refiners producing base oil and generating 19 11 residues
Cement kilns co-processing acid tar and oil-bearing residues as alternative fuel
Activated clay regeneration and re-supply to re-refining operations
Specialist treatment and disposal of highly hazardous acid tar wastes
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 19 11 classification, transport, and treatment.
WFD establishes waste oil management hierarchy: re-refining preferred over other recovery; recovery preferred over destruction; no mixing with other waste types permitted. Re-refining produces base oil (Group I–III) displacing virgin lubricant production. Separate collection of waste oil mandatory for Member States.
Oil re-refining facilities above IPPC thresholds regulated under IED. Petroleum refining BREF (REF-BREF) applies to re-refining processes. VOC emissions from oil storage and processing subject to ELVs. Waste water from re-refining contains hydrocarbons and requires treatment before discharge.
Re-refined base oil produced from waste oil requires REACH registration as a recovered substance if placed on market. Re-refiners must demonstrate the substance meets the same specification as virgin base oil and is suitable for the same uses. Reduced testing requirements may apply under recovered substance provisions.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 19 11 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 19 11 valorisation.
Explore EU waste flows — Waste Atlas
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Source: EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC · NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat 2008
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