Climate

Hierarchy of Uses for ABP and ECP

Our products are used in a variety of applications, prioritising the highest added value wherever feasible — from edible fats and pharmaceuticals down to energy recovery.


Value Hierarchy

From High to No Added Value

The hierarchy illustrates where the most value is achieved from Animal By-Products (ABP) and Ex-Catering Products (ECP), guiding sustainable and responsible use across industries.

Edible fats & co-products

Highest added value — human food chain

Pharma, feed & pet food

High-value health and nutrition applications

Fertilisers & biofuels

Agricultural and energy recovery uses

Incineration & landfill

Last resort — no added value recovered

Edible Fats and Oils

Our high-grade edible oils and fats are an established and essential part of a healthy human diet. They provide a source of energy, fatty acids and vitamins (A, D, E, K and oleic acid), and may support nutrient utilisation.

Energy Source

Essential dietary energy from quality animal fats

Vitamins A, D, E, K

Fat-soluble vitamins supporting overall health

Oleic Acid

Heart-healthy fatty acid for nutrient utilisation

Lower Carbon Footprint

ABP-derived edible fats have a lower carbon footprint than vegetable-based alternatives such as palm oil from non-sustainable sources — making them a more responsible choice for the planet.

Case Study 3

Carbon Footprint Study of ABP Derived Products

Case Study 6

Healthy Meat Protein Substitutes from Edible Co-products

Pharmaceutical Products

Carefully segregated by-products from cattle, pig and fish are transformed into pharmaceutical products for medical treatments and dietary supplements for humans.

Heparin

A vital blood thinner used in medical treatments to prevent dangerous clotting.

Glucosamine & Chondroitin

Bone and joint health supplements derived from carefully processed animal by-products.

Hyaluronic Acid

Used in skin health and joint lubrication treatments, sourced from ABP ingredients.

Collagen Peptides

Supports skin, bone and joint health — a growing category in dietary supplements.

Case Study 5

Pharmaceutical Applications of ABP Ingredients


Animal Feed & Aquafeed

Animal Feed

Processed Animal Protein (PAP)

PAP can form part of the feed rations of omnivorous and carnivorous animals — as long as there is no intra-species consumption. Category 3 fat is a valued feed ingredient because of its binding, preservative and nutritional properties, contributing to balanced and effective animal nutrition.

Aquafeed

Superior Nutrition for Farmed Fish

PAP is a key ingredient of aquafeed — particularly for commercially grown carnivorous fish like salmon. PAP has better nutritional properties than vegetable proteins for fish and can also substitute for wild-caught fish in feed rations, reducing pressure on marine ecosystems.

Case Study 4

PAP Nutritional Studies at Wageningen University

Case Study 20

Performance & Welfare Benefits of Non-Ruminant PAP in Animal Feed



Pet Food & Domestic Products

Pet Food

Natural Nutrition for Carnivorous Pets

Raw ABPs, animal fats and PAPs are ideal pet feed ingredients for carnivorous pets such as cats and dogs, providing a natural diet with superb taste and flavour. These ingredients correspond perfectly with the nutritional needs of pet animals and supply essential proteins, fats and minerals.

Domestic Products

Oleochemicals for Everyday Life

Animal fats are used in the manufacture of oleochemicals which are an ingredient for household soaps, detergents and cosmetics. They substitute vegetable fats like palm and coconut oil in these applications, offering a more sustainable and often lower-impact alternative for everyday consumer products.

Organic Fertilisers & Soil Improvers

PAP is commonly used as an agricultural fertiliser, providing plants and crops with readily available nitrogen and phosphorus as well as micro-nutrients that are essential for growth and photosynthesis.

As soil improvers, the organic material helps restore the organic matter in soils, improving soil fertility and water binding capacity — contributing to long-term agricultural sustainability.

Case Study 12

Renewable Nitrogen Fertiliser from Process Wastewater

Case Study 19

Carbon & Water Footprints of Category 2 MBM Fertiliser

Nitrogen & Phosphorus

Readily available macronutrients essential for healthy plant growth and high crop yields.

Micro-nutrients

Trace elements that support photosynthesis and overall plant health throughout the growing season.

Soil Water Retention

Organic matter improves soil structure, increasing water binding capacity and long-term fertility.

Biofuels & Combustion as Fuel

Animal fats and meat and bone meal (MBM) play an increasingly important role in the renewable energy landscape, displacing fossil fuels across transport and heavy industry.

Biofuels

Biodiesel & Green Aviation Fuel

Animal fats are increasingly used in manufacturing biofuels — including biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) — which supplement primary fossil fuels to create affordable, cleaner energy for road and air transport.

Combustion Fuel

Renewable Fuel for Heavy Industry

Category 1 and 2 meat and bone meal (MBM) and tallow are excluded from return to the food chain but have valuable applications as renewable fuels for high energy users, such as cement works and power stations, replacing fossil fuels and reducing overall carbon emissions.

Case Study 2

Biodiesel from Category 1 & 2 Fat

Case Study 8

Wärme Lyss Nord District Heating

Read about how EFPRA members are creating a sustainable circular economy

ABP derived products offer a solution to finding more sustainable, highly nutritious animal feeds that can help reduce the carbon footprint of the most intensive stages of the supply chain.

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