Rendered fat is the third largest product of the rendering process after water and protein. Also known as tallow, it is used in a variety of applications including animal feed, pet food and biofuels.
What is rendered fat?
During the rendering process, heat and pressure separate the fat from other materials. You can see the same basic process when you cook meat at home, the fat in the meat tends to become liquid and collect in the cooking vessel before hardening as it cools.
In a modern rendering facility, the separated fat is further purified into a reliable consistent product for reuse.
Rendered fat is classified as Category 1 , 2 or 3 depending on the source material. This determines how it can be used.
Biofuel production – Category 1 & 2 rendered fat
Category 1 and 2 rendered fat is used as a raw material for biodiesel and other biofuels. The Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001 promoted the substitution of mineral fuels to decarbonise road transport. Two recently added regulations have extended the scope to fuel for aviation (EU2023/2405 – ReFuelEU Aviation)and shipping (FuelEU Maritime Regulation 2023/1805).
Because animal fats are made from wastes and residues of meat production and animal farming, they generally have low greenhouse gas emissions attributed to their production. This is because biofuel production was not the intention of raising an animal.
Initially, fats and oils were predominantly used for biodiesel manufacture. As biofuels became more important, new processes were developed including hydrotreating and co-processing.
Learn more about biofuels
Using Category 3 rendered fat
Category 3 rendered fat is mainly used as a feed ingredient in livestock feed, aquafeed and pet food. It has preservative, nutritional and binding qualities that make it an important ingredient.
Using rendered fat in feed was not affected by the 'feed ban' which prohibited the use of animal protein in feed until the relaxation in 2021.
Some Category 3 fat is also used in biofuels but it is not classed as a renewable fuel so do not qualify for Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates.
