Date: 13/01/2025

The animal-based production chain in Brazil has found ways to adapt to a model based on the circular economy, with approximately 99% of waste being recycled annually, according to Embrapa.

The recycling process is essential to avoid environmental impacts and create high-quality inputs, which are used in products from various sectors, including inputs for the pharmaceutical industry.

As an example, BRF Ingredients, a business division of BRF, transforms approximately 11 million tons of raw materials, preventing them from being wasted and discarded into the environment.

In this blog, we speak with Luísa Meschini, Consultant at BRF Ingredients in the Human Health division, who shares more about how the company uses animal recycling to provide high-quality inputs for the human health market.

Check out the analyses and insights presented by Luísa on animal recycling practices and the results achieved by BRF Ingredients in the human health segment.

How would you define animal recycling and what are the main inputs derived from animal recycling that are used in the human health field, especially in the pharmaceutical industry?

Animal recycling is a strategic action aimed at maximizing the use of slaughtered animals, preventing soil and water contamination, and, above all, adding value. In the health field, this value is often immeasurable, considering that some derived products have the potential to save lives.

Some inputs, due to their high complexity, can only be produced from an animal matrix. Additionally, the animal-based food industry is undoubtedly the main supplier of raw materials for these pharmaceutical inputs, standing out for its rigorous care, quality controls, certifications, and production volumes.

How are animal-derived inputs, such as Heparin, applied in the human health market?

Heparin is widely used to prevent or treat various conditions affecting the blood vessels, heart, and lungs.

It plays a crucial role in preventing blood clotting during specific procedures, such as open-heart surgery, bypass surgery, renal dialysis, and blood transfusions. It is commonly used in hospitals and dialysis centers, and through derivatives such as enoxaparin, it is also available at pharmacies.

Moreover, Heparin is found in ointments for treating bruises and is recognized for its significance, being listed among the essential medicines by the World Health Organization, contributing to saving more than 100 million lives each year.

What are the main steps in the production process of the inputs, from waste collection to the final product used by the pharmaceutical industry?

The raw material used is porcine intestinal mucosa, sourced from healthy animals fit for human consumption. This mucosa is carefully stored and preserved in solutions that inhibit bacterial proliferation, and is then transported to the manufacturing facility. At this location, it undergoes a detailed evaluation of its physicochemical characteristics and anticoagulant activity.

Once approved, the raw material goes through the processing stages. The resulting product, known as crude heparin, is then purified through specific processes to remove impurities.

The purified heparin undergoes strict quality testing, and once approved, it is sent to the pharmaceutical industry. There, it is diluted, filtered, and packaged according to the specifications for the final dosage, ensuring safety and efficacy for clinical use.

With over 408,000 tons of products manufactured annually, how does BRF Ingredients ensure that all processes, from collection to the final product, meet high standards of quality and safety?

In our facility, we have a highly efficient traceability system that ensures full control of the entire production chain, from slaughter to the final heparin product that is marketed.

Additionally, we use dedicated raw material transportation, which is rigorously sanitized and subjected to frequent analysis to prevent cross-contamination.

To ensure quality, we implement controls throughout the production process, ensuring that all technical specifications are met. Identification tests, anticoagulant activity, and impurity presence are analyzed by renowned laboratories in the field of heparin, with reports assessed by qualified professionals.

Regarding production at BRFi, how does the company meet the requirements of the leading global pharmacopeias, ensuring that products comply with international standards?

The production of heparin, from the removal of the mucosa at the slaughterhouse to the final product, follows standards and controls aligned with international Good Manufacturing Practices, such as ICH Q7 and RDC 654.

Although the product at this stage is not yet in its purified form, meaning it is not an active pharmaceutical ingredient, it must meet the specifications outlined in the pharmacopeias. These specifications guide the controls throughout the process and purification stages, ensuring the quality of the final product.

What are the criteria for selecting pigs used for the production of inputs, and how does the company ensure that this selection complies with ethical and regulatory standards?

For selection, the pigs must be healthy, suitable for human consumption, and come from a robust traceability system. Additionally, it is essential to implement strict controls to prevent any cross-contamination with other species.

Despite technological advancements, there are still technical challenges in the production process of Heparin. How does BRFi work to overcome them and ensure the quality of the input?

At BRFi, we have a team dedicated exclusively to ensuring the quality of the mucosa. To achieve this, we conduct frequent inspections, implement improvements, perform quality measurements, and apply controls to ensure that all necessary precautions are followed at every stage of the process.

Brazil is among the top ten pharmaceutical markets, and studies indicate that the Brazilian pharmaceutical industry is expected to grow by more than 30% by the end of 2027. What are the main trends you observe for the pharmaceutical input market, particularly with regard to animal recycling and innovation?

The pandemic taught us the importance of having a robust manufacturing infrastructure in our country to ensure the supply of essential medicines for human health.

Many of these medicines still cannot be produced through chemical or synthetic means, making it necessary to turn to plant and animal sources for the extraction and purification of certain active ingredients.

With a strong agricultural and livestock base, Brazil has the potential to supply high-quality raw materials on a large scale. In this regard, several by-products that are currently used for the production of meal or discarded in landfills could gain added value by being used in both human and animal health sectors.

Is BRF Ingredients developing new inputs or processes to meet future demands in the human health market? Can you share any updates?

For 2025, we have high expectations for new inputs. However, what we can already confirm is the continued production of heart valves, which to date have contributed to over one million successful heart surgeries. Additionally, we continue to invest in the development of Heparin and Heparinoids, strengthening our presence in the healthcare sector.

Where can I learn more about BRF Ingredients' work in the human health market?

To learn more about BRF Ingredients in the human health market, you can continue visiting our site and blog, where we publish new content every week. Additionally, you can follow us on social media platforms such as Instagram and LinkedIn.

Final considerations

Over the years, we have worked to ensure our focus on quality, innovation, and sustainability, establishing BRF Ingredients as a benchmark in the production of essential ingredients for human health. Our commitment to rigorous traceability practices and international compliance ensures that every step of the production process, from raw materials to the final product, is carried out efficiently.

With our production chain, we play a strategic role in transforming co-products into high-value resources, meeting the demands of the global pharmaceutical industry, where we have already contributed to one million successful heart surgeries. This approach, aligned with Brazil's agricultural and livestock base, strengthens the country's potential as one of the leading suppliers of animal-derived ingredients, ensuring quality and scale for the international market.

Our dedication to developing innovative solutions, such as heart valves and heparinoids, reinforces our commitment to overcoming challenges and making a direct impact on saving lives.