Wet rendering of fats

Wet rendering is a method widely used in the animal by-products industry to extract fats from animal tissues. The rendering process involves the application of steam or hot water to the raw materials, which breaks down the fat cells and separates the fat from the protein and moisture. Wet rendering is particularly effective for processing materials with a high moisture content and is a reliable method of producing high-quality fats.

PEPITO uses advanced wet rendering techniques, which allows us to efficiently and sustainably extract fats from animal by-products.

Key aspects of wet rendering

Process description:

• Application of steam or hot water: Raw animal by-products are exposed to steam or hot water, which breaks down the cell structure and releases the fat.

• Separation: The mixture is then centrifuged or allowed to settle to separate the fat from the water and solid protein components. The separated solids are dried and converted into processed animal proteins, the liquid fat is called rendered animal fat.

• Refining: The extracted fat is then refined to remove any remaining impurities – this is the only way to ensure a high-quality final product.

Applications:

• Cosmetic products: High-quality wet-rendered tallow and lard are ideal for use in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and candles – thanks to their lighter color, minimal odor and reduced impurities.

  • Examples: In cosmetics, tallow is commonly used in soaps, moisturizers and lip balms. In pharmaceuticals, lard is often used as a base for ointments and creams. In candle making, refined fat serves as a clean-burning and long-lasting material.

• Animal feed: Part of the rendered fat is used as an ingredient in animal feed, providing a valuable source of energy.

• Industrial use: Extracted fats are used in the production of biodiesel, lubricants and other industrial products.

Advantages of wet rendering over dry rendering:

• Quality: This process produces high-quality fats with fewer impurities, which many industries appreciate.

• Lighter color and minimal odor: Wet rendering produces fats with a lighter color and less odor – ideal for cosmetics and other industrial uses.

• Efficiency: Wet rendering is particularly effective for materials with a high moisture content and ensures a high yield of extracted fat compared to dry rendering.