By-Products: A Technical Insight
By-products are residues that can be used as raw materials in the same supply chain or in a different production chain from the one from which the by-product originated. These do not fall under the management of company waste.
Definition of By-Product
The definition of a by-product is regulated by article 184-bis of Legislative Decree 152/06. According to this regulation, a residue can be considered a by-product if it meets all of the following conditions:
- It originates from a production process, of which it is an integral part, and whose primary purpose is not the production of that substance or object.
- It is certain that it will be used, in the course of the same or a subsequent production process or use, by the producer or by third parties.
- It can be used directly without any further treatment other than normal industrial practice.
- Its use must be legal, meaning the substance or object meets, for the specific use, all relevant requirements regarding products and the protection of health and the environment and will not lead to overall negative impacts on the environment or human health.
If a residue loses even one of the above requirements in one or more processing steps, it can no longer be considered a by-product, but will become waste and will be managed as such.
Differences Between By-Product, Product, and Waste
The distinction between by-product, product, and waste can be confusing. The product, understood as the final result of a processing process, represents the purpose of the process itself. While a by-product cannot represent the purpose of the processing process that generated it. Waste, according to environmental regulations, is defined as "any substance or object that falls within the categories listed in Legislative Decree 152/06 and that the holder discards or has decided or is obliged to dispose of." A by-product can become waste at any time if it does not meet the basic TUAs requirements.
What does "Normal Industrial Practice" mean?
The term "normal industrial practice" refers to operations that are regularly carried out in a specific industrial sector, whether on raw materials, intermediates, or products. These operations should not pose a greater risk in terms of environmental impact when a by-product is used. In other words, every operation performed on the substance or object before its use, which is also conducted in the relevant industrial sector on raw materials, intermediates, or products, should be part of normal industrial practice. Furthermore, "normal industrial practice" should be limited to marginal interventions that do not require complex operational infrastructures and do not involve large quantities of additional materials to be disposed of.
Some Examples of By-Products
A by-product is a secondary product obtained during the production or transformation of a main product. These by-products can have commercial value and can be used in various sectors. Here are some examples of by-products:
1. Food Industry
In the food industry, by-products are very common. For example, during the production of orange juice, the peel and pulp remaining after juice extraction are by-products. These can be used to produce pectin, a food additive, or can be used as livestock feed.
2. Petroleum Industry
In the petroleum industry, natural gas is often a by-product of oil production. This gas can be collected and used as an energy source or can be used to produce chemicals such as ammonia.
3. Wood Industry
In the wood industry, wood shavings are a by-product of furniture production or other wood products. These shavings can be used to produce chipboard panels or can be used as biomass for energy production.
4. Metallurgical Industry
In the metallurgical industry, slag is a by-product of steel production. Slag can be used in various ways, such as in cement production or as a construction material.
