Cubic copper ferrite CuFe2O4 nanopowders have been synthesized via a hydrothermal route using industrial wastes. The synthesis conditions were systematically studied using statistical design (Box-Behnken Program) and the optimum conditions were determined. The results revealed that single phase of cubic copper ferrite powders can be obtained at different temperatures from 100 to 200 degrees C for times from 12 to 36 h with pH values 8-12. The crystallite size of the produced powders was in the range between 24.6 and 51.5 nm. The produced copper ferrite powders were appeared as a homogeneous pseudo-cubic-like structure. A high saturation magnetization (M-s 83.7 emu/g) was achieved at hydrothermal temperature 200 degrees C for 24 h and pH 8. Photocatalytic degradation of the methylene blue dye using copper ferrite powders produced at different conditions was investigated. A good catalytic efficiency was 95.9% at hydrothermal temperature 200 degrees C for hydrothermal time 24 h at pH 12 due to high surface area (118.4 m(2)/g). (C), 2011 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.