By Tina Caparella
With the Fats and Proteins Research Foundation (FPRF) under new management, research remained a top priority at the group’s business meetings and Emerging Issues and Opportunities Seminar held in late October in conjunction with the National Renderers Association (NRA) annual convention in Laguna Niguel, CA.
FPRF Chairman Dr. Ross Hamilton, Darling International, Inc., said the foundation is beginning to see the benefits of its merger with the NRA, such as the close working relationship with NRA staff and FPRF President Dr. Sergio Nates, who is located in the NRA offices. Hamilton emphasized the benefits of the on-going research projects at the newly established Animal Co-products Research and Education Center at Clemson University and announced two more research projects approved for funding by FPRF, including one that is a “novelty use” application the rendering industry had not thought of investigating previously:
• Production of Omega-3 Fatty Acid-rich Algae from Animal Protein Hydrolysate; and
• Use of Animal By-product Meals in Zero Exchange Feeds for Shrimp.
Gary Baas, an FPRF board member for the past six years and a renderer for 47 years, resigned and bid farewell to his fellow colleagues. He has sold his rendering business to concentrate on his real estate ventures.
Meanwhile, Kevin Kuhni, John Kuhni Sons, Inc., was installed as the new FPRF chairman, but not before Hamilton was recognized for his service to the foundation.
“We appreciate Ross’ commitment and dedication over the past two years,” Kuhni stated.
FPRF’s Emerging Issues and Opportunities Seminar began with Stephen Woodgate, European Fat Processors and Renderers Association (EFPRA), examining the European rendering industry. EFPRA members process about 15 million metric tons (MMT), or 33 billion pounds, of raw material annually, transformed into roughly 3.7 MMT of protein meals and 2.5 MMT of fats.
Woodgate described the requirements of the European Commission (EC) animal by-products regulation where material is put into three categories depending on the source of raw material. Category 1 is considered high risk and includes transmissible spongiform encephalopathy and specified risk materials; Category 2 is deadstock that is not slaughtered for food consumption; and Category 3 is material fit for human consumption although not necessarily eaten by humans. Legislation requires that Category 1 and 2 materials be incinerated while Category 3 material is allowed in pet food, composting, and biogases. Currently, about nine MMT of material is processed as Category 3 and six MMT is processed as Categories 1 and 2. Woodgate clarified that if Category 3 material is sent to a Category 2 rendering plant, it is relabeled as Category 2 material. He said eventually Category 3 material will account for 85 percent of material processed in Europe.
On the use of rendered products, over half of all protein meals is incinerated, with none used in farm animal feed. For fats, about 25 percent is used in feed, 25 percent in soap and the oleochemical industry, and 25 percent in biofuels, mainly steam. Woodgate said biodiesel is a small segment of the biofuels market, but it is growing. Biodiesel produced from Category 1 tallow is now approved and approval for use in glycerin and salts is expected soon.
Since 2000, protein meals have been banned from use in farm animal feed in Europe. Woodgate emphasized that the solution to incorporate protein back into animal feed is control tools to assist security and traceability such as single species rendering plants and markers. Neogen Corporation is working on a test to detect ruminant meat and bone meal, with current detection down to two percent. The EC is interested.
Another control tool being examined is two-stage testing, one after rendering and again after the feed mill process. Woodgate said the “door is unlocked” in talking about reintroducing non-ruminant protein meals back into animal feed and hopes are to “open the door” in 2007.
Ken Hern, Nova Biosource Fuels, discussed biodiesel on a layman’s terms, from engine warranties that cover up to 20 percent biodiesel use, to the benefit of biodiesel’s lubricity in low-sulfur diesel fuel. He explained that animal fats as a feedstock create a biodiesel with a cetane number in the 60 range, whereas yellow and brown grease create a cetane number anywhere from 51.6 to 57.5. There is very little difference in the cloud point between petroleum diesel and beef/pork tallow-based biodiesel; both are about 15 degrees below zero. Hern emphasized that when animal fat-based biodiesel does not meet ASTM International specifications, it’s usually the process that is failing, not the feedstock.
Discussing product integrity, traceability, and certification was Manuel Santana, Agribrands Purina Mexico, who provided information on the Aquaculture Certification Council (ACC), a sister organization of the Global Aquaculture Alliance. What ACC began nine years ago is now the Best Aquaculture Practices Certification Program for the shrimp industry. Factors such as pressure from environmental groups, effluent contaminant, and production issues played a role in developing the science-based program that covers the entire production chain – hatchery, farm, feed mill, etc. ACC’s certification program will eventually expand to include other fish species.
The FPRF seminar wrapped up with an in-depth technical discussion on biodiesel synthesis by Dr. Edgar Lotero, Clemson University, and a look at food production in a world of change by the ever-intriguing Dr. Don Franco, Center for Biosecurity, Food Safety, and Public Health.
“The world’s population will grow from 6.2 billion to 8.3 billion people,” Franco stated. “Unfortunately, nearly all the growth will take place in the less advanced countries of the world where half of the population lives on less than $2 a day.
“At the same time we have an ever increasing share of the population that is better fed,” he added.
December 2006 Render