For Immediate Release
International Production & Processing Expo
Tucker, Ga. - February 19, 2024

International Rendering Symposium Explored Rendered Products’ Impact on Global Biofuel, Food and Feed Production at IPPE 2024

As part of his presentation on the “The Use of Animal Proteins in Chicken and Egg Production,” Antonio Aburto, Ph.D., a poultry nutrition consultant, remarked that poultry meat production is achieved now in less days with better calorie conversion. “This is sustainability as well as providing better average bird weight.” Aburto presented at the International Rendering Symposium, held in conjunction with the 2024 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta. The North American Renderers Association (NARA) and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) sponsored the program.

Two session presenters, Lucas Cypriano, technical director, World Renderers Organization, and Kent Swisher, president and CEO, NARA, offered perspectives on the use of animal fats as both a tool to achieve carbon reduction in the environment and for affordable and clean energy production that has, historically, been the cheapest source. They both emphasized that rendered products are “natural and sustainable.”

Swisher also provided some information about NARA and its role in the animal protein industry. NARA was founded in 1933 and represents more than 95% of rendering in the U.S. and Canada, involving packer and independent renderers.

Kyle Canning, group product manager, Scoular, presented on “More Than a Production Facility: Rendering in the Community,” in which he discussed the economic importance of the rendering industry. He mentioned that there is a market for fats and animal protein that are bought and sold to more than 35 countries in the international market. The major exporters of animal protein are the United States, Indonesia, China, Vietnam and Mexico. “Our job is to get the products to their destination doing everything right,” he said.

This year, the International Rendering Symposium also featured a live translation service and virtual attendance option, a first for the symposium.

ABOUT IPPE
The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) is a collaboration of three shows - International Feed Expo, International Meat Expo and the International Poultry Expo - representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. The event is sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the Meat Institute and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY).  

ABOUT AFIA 
Founded in 1909, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), based in Arlington, Va., is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the U.S. animal food industry and its suppliers. The organization’s membership is comprised of more than 650 domestic and international companies that represent the total feed industry—manufacturers of commercial and integrated feed and pet food, ingredient suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, industry support and equipment manufacturers. AFIA’s members manufacture more than 75% of the feed and 70% of the non-whole grain ingredients used in the country. AFIA is also recognized as the leader on international industry developments and holds membership in the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF).

ABOUT MEAT INSTITUTE
The Meat Institute is the nation’s oldest and largest trade association representing packers and processors of beef, pork, lamb, veal, turkey, and processed meat and poultry products and their suppliers. Meat Institute member companies include more than 350 meat packing and processing companies, large and small, and account for more than 95 percent of the United States’ output of these products. The Meat Institute provides essential member services including regulatory, scientific, legislative, public relations and educational programming.

ABOUT USPOULTRY
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is the All Feather Association progressively serving its poultry and egg members through research, education, communications and technical services. Founded in 1947, USPOULTRY is based in Tucker, Georgia.

ABOUT NARA
The North American Renderers Association (NARA) represents the interests of the North American rendering industry to regulatory and other governmental agencies, promotes the greater use of animal byproducts, and fosters the opening and expansion of trade between foreign buyers and North American exporters. In addition to its U.S.-based headquarters, the association maintains offices in Mexico and Hong Kong, and has market consultants in strategic locations around the world. NARA publishes a bi-monthly trade magazine, Render. For more information, visit nara.org.

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Panel discussion during the Low Carbon Intense (CI) Ingredients Session at the International Rendering Symposium held during the 2024 IPPE. Pictured (from l–r): Ryan Standard, managing editor, Americas for Fastmarkets; Lucas Cypriano, technical coordinator, Brazilian Renderers Association, and technical director, World Renderers Association; Kent Swisher, president & CEO, NARA; Dr. Antonio Aburto, poultry nutrition consultant; and Dr. Charles Starkey, vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs for NARA and the director of research for the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation.