What are Category 3 Animal Fats?

December 8, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the European Fat Processors and Renderers Association (EFPRA), millions of tons of rendered fat, including Category 3 animal fats, are produced annually from animal by-products. These fats are a crucial part of the circular economy, derived from materials deemed fit for human consumption but repurposed for other valuable applications. This classification ensures that these by-products are processed and utilized safely and sustainably.

Quick Summary

An overview of Category 3 animal fats, a low-risk animal by-product derived from parts of animals deemed fit for human consumption but used for commercial reasons elsewhere. It details their processing via rendering, their key applications in pet food, oleochemicals, and biofuels, and the regulatory framework that governs their safe handling and use.

Key Points

Low-Risk Origin: Category 3 animal fats are sourced from animal parts originally deemed fit for human consumption but diverted for commercial reasons, minimizing health risks.
Produced by Rendering: These fats are extracted from animal by-products through a rendering process involving heat and pressure, which separates the fat from solids and destroys pathogens.
Diverse Applications: Primary uses include pet food, animal feed, oleochemicals for cosmetics and lubricants, and biofuel production.
Strictly Regulated: The classification and use of Category 3 animal fats are governed by strict regulations, such as the EU's ABP Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009.
Circular Economy Contribution: By repurposing animal by-products, these fats contribute significantly to a circular economy, reducing waste and creating value.
Market Competition: Increasing demand for biofuels has created competition for Category 3 fats, prompting debate over their most sustainable application relative to the food waste hierarchy.
Higher Value than Waste: These fats are considered valuable resources, not waste, and are distinct from higher-risk Category 1 and 2 materials.

The Classification of Animal By-Products

In the European Union, the Animal By-Product Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009) establishes a three-tiered system for classifying and managing animal by-products (ABPs). This system is based on the level of risk to public and animal health, with Category 1 being the highest risk and Category 3 being the lowest. This hierarchical classification dictates the permitted uses and disposal methods for each type of material.

Defining Category 3 Material

Category 3 animal fats are derived from Category 3 ABPs, which are considered low-risk materials. These materials originate from animals that were deemed fit for human consumption at a slaughterhouse but were not ultimately used for the human food chain for commercial reasons, manufacturing defects, or similar issues. Examples include fat trimmings, parts of carcasses, and former foodstuffs of animal origin. This classification separates them from higher-risk materials, ensuring a clear, safe pathway for their repurposing.

The Rendering Process: Turning Waste into Value

The conversion of raw ABPs into usable products like Category 3 animal fats occurs through rendering. This process uses heat and pressure to separate the material into three components: fat (tallow or grease), protein meal, and water. The rendering process effectively sanitizes the material, destroying any potential pathogens and making the resulting products stable for a variety of applications.

The Steps of Rendering

Size Reduction: Raw animal by-products are first crushed and ground to create a uniform, fine consistency.
Cooking: The ground material is then cooked using either direct steam or indirect heat. This step melts the fat and removes moisture, while also sterilizing the product.
Separation: After cooking, the material is separated into its distinct phases. A screw press is often used to squeeze the fat from the solid protein residue, and centrifuges or decanters are used for further purification.
Finishing: The fat is further cleaned and polished to meet quality specifications, while the solid protein residue is milled into a high-protein meal.

Versatile Applications for Category 3 Animal Fats

Category 3 animal fats are highly valued for their energy density and fatty acid composition, making them a crucial ingredient across several industries. Their use promotes a circular economy by repurposing materials that would otherwise go to waste.

Key Applications

Animal Feed and Pet Food: A primary destination for Category 3 fats is the pet food industry, where they provide essential fatty acids, energy, and palatability. They are also used in livestock feed and aquafeed.
Oleochemicals: These fats are a key feedstock for the oleochemical industry, where they are processed into ingredients for soaps, detergents, cosmetics, and lubricants.
Biofuels: The biofuel industry also utilizes Category 3 fats, though this is a point of contention for industries that rely on this feedstock. The high-energy content makes them a valuable source for biodiesel production.

Comparison: Category 1, 2, and 3 Animal Fats

The different classifications of animal fats are defined by their origin and associated health risks, which in turn dictate their end-use applications.


Feature	Category 1 Animal Fats	Category 2 Animal Fats	Category 3 Animal Fats
Risk Level	Highest Risk	High Risk	Low Risk
Origin	Specified Risk Material (SRM), diseased animals, international catering waste, zoo/circus animals.	Fallen stock, manure, digestive tract content, ABPs of unknown risk.	Animals fit for human consumption but not intended for it (e.g., commercial reasons), certain catering waste.
Processing	Cannot be used for animal consumption. Must be disposed of by incineration or other approved methods.	Cannot be used for animal consumption. Specific disposal required, some uses in fertilizers or biofuels possible.	Processed via rendering into finished products like fats and meals.
Uses	Incineration, specific disposal only.	Biofuel production (some uses), fertilizer applications (some uses).	Pet food, animal feed, oleochemicals, biofuels.
Labeling	For Disposal Only.	Not For Animal Consumption.	Not For Human Consumption.

The Market and Sustainability Considerations

Increased demand, particularly from the biofuel sector, has created market pressures and ethical debates regarding the use of Category 3 animal fats. Industries such as pet food and oleochemicals argue that using this feedstock for energy deviates it from higher-value uses that align better with the EU Waste Hierarchy, which prioritizes reusing materials before recovering energy. This has led to calls for clear regulatory policies that prioritize the most sustainable application of these valuable by-products. A key source of insight into these discussions comes from industry groups like the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF).

Conclusion

Category 3 animal fats play a vital role in modern industry, transforming low-risk animal by-products into a range of valuable goods. Processed through a strict rendering procedure, these fats serve as crucial ingredients for animal nutrition, oleochemical production, and biofuel manufacturing. The regulatory framework ensures their safe use and handling, while ongoing market dynamics continue to shape discussions around their most sustainable application within a circular economy model. Understanding the origins, processing, and uses of these fats is key to appreciating their contribution to both commercial and environmental objectives.

Citations

FEDIAF FACTSHEET - Category 3 animal fat. (2023). European Pet Food Industry Federation. https://europeanpetfood.comingsoon.site/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/FINAL-Category-3-Factsheet.pdf Animal fats. (n.d.). Pepito S.r.o. https://pepito.cz/our-products/animal-fats Animal fats category 3: Fueling airplanes or feeding animals and pets. (2022). FEDIAF. https://europeanpetfood.org/_/news/animal-fats-category-3-fueling-airplanes-or-feeding-animals-and-pets/ Van Gerpen, J. (2019). Animal Fats for Biodiesel Production. Farm Energy. https://farm-energy.extension.org/animal-fats-for-biodiesel-production/ Animal by-products general guidance. (2022). Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/animal-products-general-guidance

Frequently Asked Questions

Category 3 animal fats are derived from low-risk animal by-products, such as parts of carcasses and trimmings from animals that were officially deemed fit for human consumption but were not used for commercial reasons.

The main difference is the risk level and origin of the material. Category 1 is highest risk (e.g., diseased animals), Category 2 is high risk (e.g., fallen stock), and Category 3 is low risk (e.g., parts fit for human consumption but commercially discarded). This affects their permitted end-uses.

They are processed through rendering, which involves grinding, heating, and pressing the raw animal by-products to separate the fat from the protein and water content, ensuring the final product is safe.

Yes, they are an essential and valuable raw material for the pet food industry, providing a source of energy, palatability, and essential fatty acids for pets.

Yes, these fats are used in the biofuel industry, primarily for biodiesel production, due to their high energy density. This use is a point of contention with other industries, like pet food, that also rely on this feedstock.

In the EU, the classification and use of Category 3 animal fats are regulated by the Animal By-Product Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009, which establishes a clear framework for handling these materials.

In certain applications, such as milk replacers for young ruminants, Category 3 fats offer specific high-melting-point properties that serve as an alternative to fats like palm or coconut oil.