WITH annual exports valued at about $1.5 billion, the Australian rendering industry is increasingly central to conversations around renewable fuels, circular manufacturing and sustainable livestock production.

These and other topics will come together as the Australian Renderers Association holds its International Symposium in Melbourne from 15-17 September.

Held under the theme Aligning Industry with Purpose, the symposium will bring together industry leaders and other stakeholders, government and regulatory personnel, researchers and international market experts to examine the commercial, operational and policy issues shaping one of Australia’s most important circular economy industries.

Australian Renderers Association executive officer, Jess Bloomfield, said the timing of this year’s symposium reflected the growing importance of the sector in national conversations around renewable fuels, resource recovery and sustainable manufacturing.

“Whether it’s renewable fuels, food security, circular manufacturing or meeting growing sustainability expectations, the industries that rely on rendered products are changing rapidly,” she said.

“Businesses across the supply chain are responding to new market opportunities, evolving customer expectations and increasing reporting requirements, while governments continue to explore how domestic industries can support more resilient and sustainable supply chains,” Ms Bloomfield said

“This year’s Symposium has been designed around those conversations. It’s about bringing together the people shaping policy, operating businesses, developing new technologies and responding to changing global markets, so the industry can learn from one another and prepare for what’s next.”

The three-day program has been designed to connect practical plant operations with the broader commercial and policy landscape.

The opening Industry Day will focus on operational excellence, with sessions covering odour and wastewater management, steam and hot water efficiency, workforce capability, environmental compliance and practical plant improvements.

The following two symposium days will explore the broader forces influencing the industry:

• Global economic and commodity market trends
• International outlooks for protein meals, fats and oils
• Australia’s emerging low-carbon liquid fuels market
• Renewable fuel policy, carbon intensity and feedstock demand
• The launch of the ARA Sustainability Framework
• Scope 3 emissions reporting and sustainability requirements
• International developments across the global rendering industry
• The future priorities of the World Renderers Organisation

Keynote speakers include Rabobank global strategist Michael Every and internationally recognised futurist Michael McQueen, alongside experts from government, market intelligence, research, processing, renewable fuels, environmental regulation and international industry associations.

ARA president, Peter Milzewski, said the symposium reflected the increasingly connected nature of the industries that rely on rendered products and recovered feedstocks, “As Australia looks to strengthen domestic manufacturing, build a more circular economy and develop lower-carbon industries, the role of rendering has never been more relevant.”

“Our industry transforms animal co-products and used cooking oil into valuable feedstocks and ingredients that support renewable fuels, livestock production, pet food, aquaculture, fertilisers and manufacturing, creating value from materials that are not suitable for human consumption.”

“That’s why this symposium isn’t simply a gathering for renderers. It’s for everyone working across those interconnected industries who wants to better understand where markets are heading, how regulation is evolving and where new opportunities are emerging.”

The symposium is expected to attract delegates from across the meat processing, agriculture, renewable fuels, used cooking oil recycling, pet food, stockfeed, aquaculture, manufacturing, logistics, engineering, research and regulatory sectors, reflecting the increasingly interconnected nature of Australia’s food, energy and manufacturing supply chains.

The previous ARA International Symposium attracted 390 delegates, including 83 international attendees from 13 countries, demonstrating the growing international significance of Australia’s rendering industry.

The 2026 ARA International Symposium is supported by industry leaders from across the rendering, agriculture, renewable fuels and manufacturing sectors, including Keith Engineering, GrainCorp, Haarslev, Alfa Laval, Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC), iBulk, Kemin Industries, Natec Network, Neste, Oestergaard Australia, Rendertech, Ridley Corporation, Seaterra Ingredient Alliance and Wilmar Trading Australia.

For event and registration information click here

About the ARA:

The Australian Renderers Association is the national industry body for Australia’s animal protein rendering industry and used cooking oil recycling sector. The ARA represents and advocates for the interests of businesses involved in processing and exporting rendered animal products, including tallow and animal protein meals, as well as used cooking oil, in domestic and international markets. The industry converts material from the meat processing sector that is not suitable for human consumption into valuable products used in pet food, stockfeed, aquafeed, biofuels, cosmetics and industrial applications, contributing to a more sustainable and circular economy.