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.
Using rendered fat – Category 1 & 2
Category 1 and 2 rendered fat is used as raw material for biodiesel or other industrial applications. In biodiesel it can benefit from Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates (RTFCs) as a renewable fuel.
Under the Renewable Energy Directive, biodiesel produced from animal residues and by-products from agriculture and slaughterhouses is classified as “Second Generation” biofuel (2G). These have 83% less CO2 emissions than fossil diesel (calculated according to EU-ISSC-CERT 2020).
Some renderers have scope to burn tallow in their on-site combustion plant as an alternative to gas if commodity prices make this a viable option.
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 prohinited 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 RTFCs.
