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North American Renderers Association (NARA) is a leading trade association representing the interests of the rendering industry across the United States and Canada. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, NARA plays a pivotal role in promoting the sustainability, safety, and value of rendering, while supporting the industry's regulatory, scientific, and global trade efforts.
Core Business
NARA serves as the voice of the North American rendering industry, advocating for policies, research, and public education that support the environmental and economic benefits of rendering. Rendering is the process of recycling animal by-products and used cooking oil into valuable products such as animal feed ingredients, biofuels, and industrial applications.
Key functions and services provided by NARA include:
- Policy and Regulatory Advocacy: Engaging with U.S. and Canadian governments, FDA, USDA, and international regulatory bodies to shape policies impacting the rendering industry.
- Technical Expertise and Research Support: Providing scientific research, white papers, and industry guidelines on safety, sustainability, and innovation.
- Trade and Market Access Development: Promoting the global export of rendered products and representing the industry in trade negotiations and regulatory harmonization efforts.
- Public and Industry Education: Enhancing understanding of rendering’s role in the circular economy through outreach programs, webinars, and educational campaigns.
- Sustainability Reporting: Supporting the environmental stewardship of rendering by publishing data on emissions reductions, waste diversion, and energy savings.
Specialization and USP
NARA’s unique position within the rendering ecosystem allows it to:
- Represent 100% of the commercial rendering capacity in North America
- Act as the only national organization solely dedicated to rendering policy and outreach
- Serve as a liaison between renderers, regulators, and end-users across feed, fuel, and industrial sectors
Unique Selling Points (USP):
- Deep integration with federal and international policy development
- Active partnerships with food, feed, agriculture, and bioenergy organizations
- Data-driven sustainability reporting and lifecycle analysis
- Representation of member companies that recycle over 56 billion pounds of raw materials annually
Financials and Membership
NARA operates as a nonprofit trade association funded by membership dues and program revenue. Its members include:
- Independent renderers
- Meat processing companies
- Used cooking oil collectors and processors
- Animal feed manufacturers
- Allied equipment and technology providers
Key financial and operational insights:
- Over 100 member companies across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
- Members collectively support over 7,000 jobs in the rendering industry
- Indirectly influence an estimated $10 billion in economic output annually through the supply chain of rendered goods
Export and Trade Representation
NARA also functions as a cooperator with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) through its international division, NARA International. This program supports:
- Trade missions and market development in Asia, Latin America, and Europe
- Exporter education and capacity building
- Development of international standards and market access protocols
Through these efforts:
- The U.S. rendering industry exported over $1.5 billion worth of rendered products in 2022
- NARA helped maintain access to over 40 international markets, including China, Indonesia, and the EU
Target Market
While not a commercial enterprise, NARA’s work directly supports the interests of:
- Rendering companies
- Meat and poultry processors
- Pet food and livestock feed manufacturers
- Biofuel and renewable energy producers
- Environmental policymakers and sustainability stakeholders
Capabilities
NARA provides robust support to its members and stakeholders via:
- Technical committees on biosecurity, safety, and feed regulations
- Government affairs team with deep legislative experience
- Science and regulatory affairs staff supporting research and compliance
- Sustainability experts publishing lifecycle analyses and carbon offset metrics
Its bi-annual publication, Render Magazine, along with policy briefs and sustainability reports, are widely used by regulators and stakeholders.
Certifications and Compliance
Although not a certifying body, NARA supports member compliance with:
- FDA Feed Rule (21 CFR 589)
- FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act)
- APHIS export health certification programs
- FAMI-QS and GMP+ feed safety standards
- Supports industry implementation of HACCP and biosecurity plans
Major Achievements
- Played a central role in including rendering in the USDA’s BioPreferred Program
- Co-developer of the Global Rendering Industry Sustainability Report
- Supported opening and re-opening of key export markets post-disease outbreaks (e.g., BSE, ASF)
- Advocated for renewable diesel incentives that include rendered fats and greases
- Hosts the International Rendering Symposium at IPPE and other major trade events
The North American Renderers Association remains at the forefront of advocating for a safe, sustainable, and economically valuable rendering industry, bridging the gap between waste management, animal agriculture, and environmental responsibility.