Product Offerings
Products:
Rendered Products: Edible Fats – suet, lard & dripping
The European Fat Processors and Renderers Association (EFPRA) is the leading trade association representing the European animal by-products processing industry. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, EFPRA plays a crucial role in ensuring the sustainable, safe, and efficient processing of animal by-products into high-value rendered materials used in multiple industries, including feed, food, biofuels, and oleochemicals.
Core Business and Industry Representation
EFPRA's primary objective is to support, regulate, and promote the European rendering and animal by-products processing industry. The organization represents more than 95% of the animal by-products processing capacity in Europe, ensuring compliance with strict European Union regulations and environmental standards.
Key Focus Areas:
- Rendering and Processing – Ensuring the safe transformation of animal by-products into Processed Animal Proteins (PAPs) and rendered fats
- Sustainability and Circular Economy – Promoting the reuse of by-products to reduce waste, lower carbon footprints, and enhance resource efficiency
- Food and Feed Safety – Working with regulatory authorities to ensure the highest standards in animal by-product processing
- Regulatory Advocacy – Engaging with the European Commission, EFSA, and national regulatory bodies to shape policies affecting the rendering industry
Products and Solutions
EFPRA supports the processing of animal by-products into valuable materials for use in animal feed, pet food, biodiesel, and other industrial applications. The key categories of processed materials include:
- Edible Fats:
- Suet, Lard, and Dripping – Used in the food industry for cooking oils and bakery fats
- Processed Animal Proteins (PAPs):
- High-quality protein sources derived from poultry, pork, and fish by-products for use in animal feed
- Rendered Fat:
- Used in oleochemicals, biofuels, pet food, and animal feed production
Market Reach and Economic Impact
EFPRA’s member companies operate across 27 European countries, processing millions of tons of animal by-products annually.
Industry Statistics:
- Annual Processing Capacity: Over 18 million tons of animal by-products processed annually in Europe
- Economic Contribution: Supports a multi-billion euro industry, providing employment for thousands across Europe
- Sustainability Impact:
- Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by diverting animal by-products from landfills
- Contributing to biodiesel production, reducing reliance on fossil fuels
- Enhancing circular economy by converting waste into valuable products
Regulatory Compliance and Sustainability
EFPRA ensures compliance with EU regulations, including Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009, governing the safe handling, processing, and use of animal by-products. The association is also at the forefront of sustainable practices, promoting:
- EU Green Deal Alignment – Supporting carbon neutrality and climate-friendly industrial processes
- Sustainable Protein Supply – Advocating the safe reintroduction of Processed Animal Proteins (PAPs) into aquafeed and poultry feed to reduce dependence on imported soy
- Biodiesel & Renewable Energy Contributions – Utilizing animal fats in the production of sustainable biofuels, reducing CO₂ emissions in the transport sector
Key Sustainability Initiatives:
- EFPRA Sustainability Charter – Outlining industry commitments to environmental responsibility, food safety, and innovation
- European Fat Processors and Renderers’ Research & Development – Investing in technologies for improved efficiency and lower emissions
Competitive Advantage
EFPRA's leadership in the rendering industry is based on:
- Industry Representation – Over 95% of EU rendering and animal by-products processing capacity
- Regulatory Expertise – Close collaboration with EU policymakers to shape sustainable practices
- Global Influence – Partnerships with international organizations to promote sustainable rendering practices
- Innovation-Driven Growth – Investments in advanced processing technologies and waste-to-energy solutions
Major Achievements
- Played a key role in the reintroduction of Processed Animal Proteins (PAPs) for aquaculture and poultry feed in the EU
- Contributed to the EU’s Circular Economy Strategy by promoting sustainable rendering solutions
- Enhanced European biodiesel production through the use of rendered animal fats, reducing fossil fuel dependence
- Published the EFPRA Sustainability Charter, setting the standard for responsible animal by-product processing
Through its strong regulatory advocacy, commitment to sustainability, and industry leadership, EFPRA continues to drive innovation in the European rendering and animal by-products industry, ensuring waste reduction, resource efficiency, and sustainable growth for the future.