The production process

The animal fat companies in the Netherlands use advanced process technology. After receipt, the companies check the by-products. These are then reduced in size and heated. This is done in accordance with the applicable legal rules. After heating, the process step of decanting and pressing follows and the mass is separated into fat, protein and water. The proteins are then dried, ground and packaged. Before being packaged, the fats are filtered and possibly refined into an odorless and colorless fat.

The production of animal fat and animal protein is shown below in a simplified process diagram.

Without proper management, meat and animal by-products can become hazardous. Animal fat companies execute rendering to prevent this. The rendering process is underpinned by strict veterinary principles to prevent the spread of animal disease and zoonoses, these include:

• Prompt collection of hazardous and potentially hazardous material from farms and slaughterhouses
• Full traceability and safety along the reprocessing chain using HACCP (Hazard Critical Control Point) approach
• Strict rules on the reuse of specific material
• The European rendering industry fulfills the highest regulatory standard worldwide

The process produces three main products: fat, protein and water. The water is treated and returned to the environment. Protein and fat are used in a range of products including feed, fuel and fertilisers.