Wastes containing transition metal compounds can be used as a resource to manufacture catalysts, for instance for the deep oxidation of hydrocarbons, If the starting waste material meets some requirements with regard to amounts and dispersion of metal and organic compounds, the catalyst is produced using a simple combination of mechanical and thermal treatment. The procedure does not require any additional fine chemicals. Such catalyst granulates are highly active and, thus they are comparable to commercially available catalysts. The granulates reach surfaces of more than 100 m(2)/g. Their porous structure can be stable up to 600 degreesC and is based on a carbon framework. A detailed report about the influence of different parameters of the manufacturing process on the properties of the final products is given. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.