Climate
Our Role in a Circular Bioeconomy for the Animal-Based Food Value Chain
Our vision is to make a significant contribution to a circular bioeconomy for a sustainable, healthy animal-based food value chain

Processing animal by-products (ABP) became a widespread and efficient practice in the meat industry in the 19th–20th century, yet most people outside the industry are probably unaware of this essential activity. The optimal utilisation of ABP is often overlooked in discussions on food and food waste, yet this is one of the key elements in the sustainability of agriculture and food production.
What Are Animal By-Products?
Up to half of each animal produced for meat, milk, eggs and fibre is not for human consumption and, if not managed adequately, this material could create a biosecurity risk to society. The products of an animal are split between:
01
Edible Meat
Primary cuts destined directly for human consumption.
02
Edible Co-Products (ECP)
Those requiring further treatment before they are suitable for human consumption.
03
Animal By-Products (ABP)
Material not intended for human consumption that must be managed safely and efficiently.
Healthy Meat Protein Substitutes from Edible Co-products
Valorisation of Former Foodstuffs from Retail
The Rendering Process
Rendering is used to safely manage ABP as the first step in converting them to useful other materials.
The cooking and drying of ABP destroys pathogens and stabilises the material, enabling separation of the fat or oil and protein components into a range of marketable products. This process is known as rendering and is the most common ABP treatment process our members undertake.
By mass, approximately two-thirds of the output of rendering is water. Of the remaining material, one-third is fat and two-thirds are protein.

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