What are the nutritional and economic benefits of animal recycling products?

Over the years, technological advancements have made animal recycling a fundamental pillar in the pursuit of more sustainable and cost-effective solutions for animal nutrition. By reusing animal by-products, waste is reduced, and nutritional value is added to feed, generating benefits for both producers and the environment. In this article, we will explore the concept of Animal Recycling and its key advantages.

What is Animal Recycling?

Animal recycling involves the process of reusing by-products, or waste generated during the processing of animal-based products.

These by-products are transformed into high-value nutritional ingredients for animal feed, such as meals and oils, promoting circular economy practices and reducing waste.

According to data from Embrapa, Brazil recycles 99% of waste derived from slaughterhouses and retailers annually, making it the industry with the highest recycling potential. Solutions like BRFi’s Hydrolyzed Proteins are produced by adding value to animal by-products from the production chain, driving sustainable economic development.

Nutritional benefits of sustainable ingredients

Ingredients derived from animal recycling are rich sources of essential nutrients, including high biological value proteins, amino acids, lipids, and minerals.

These components are fundamental for maintaining animal health and performance, contributing to a balanced diet. Furthermore, the high digestibility and palatability of these ingredients ensure diet efficiency, enhancing nutrient absorption and promoting animal growth.

In tests conducted in partnership with the State University of Western Paraná, a group of fingerlings fed isoproteic and isoenergetic diets with the inclusion of 5% BioActio Health & Performance showed a 10.82% improvement in palatability compared to the control group.

Furthermore, this addition improved nutrient metabolism by reducing lipogenesis and encouraging the use of carbohydrates as an energy source, optimizing amino acid utilization in protein synthesis, achieving up to an 11% fillet yield.

Economic advantages of using alternative ingredients

Considering the current landscape of the agricultural sector, where production costs significantly impact competitiveness, the use of sustainable ingredients derived from animal recycling emerges as a strategic alternative.

These ingredients offer economically viable alternatives compared to conventional inputs, significantly reducing feed formulation costs. Moreover, this approach fosters more efficient resource management and greater predictability in animal feed expenses.

The use of biodigesters for processing animal by-products, which grew exponentially in Brazil between 2010 and 2019, exemplifies the beneficial impact of Animal Recycling. This increase, from 26 to 371 biodigesters in operation, enabled the treatment of 14.5 million m³ of waste per year, mitigating 158.8 million tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2eq) annually.

In addition to generating thermal, electrical, or vehicular energy, this approach reduces operational costs and utilizes waste as a sustainable economic resource, contributing to greater financial stability in the agricultural sector.

BRFi applications in Animal Recycling

At BRF Ingredients, guided by our values of quality, animal welfare, and environmental responsibility, we invest in products that add value to by-products, ensuring efficient use of raw materials and positively impacting the entire production chain.

Our portfolio includes options such as Animal Based Meals, produced through cooking, pressing, and grinding fresh poultry and swine raw materials sourced from BRF's integrated supply chain.

Our meals are processed at controlled temperatures, preserving protein integrity and maintaining optimal digestibility levels. Their balanced composition promotes intestinal health in swine and contributes to improved feed conversion rates.

Final considerations

As we have seen, animal recycling represents an innovative and sustainable solution for animal nutrition, offering both nutritional and economic benefits.

By utilizing ingredients derived from animal by-products, it is possible to optimize animal feed while achieving significant gains in sustainability and cost reduction.

To support this approach, BRF Ingredients integrates these practices into its production chain, offering animal-based products that ensure high protein value, digestibility, and contribute to animal well-being.

With these ingredients, we meet the nutritional needs of various species, such as dogs, cats, swine, and aquaculture animals, while reducing waste and promoting a circular economy.

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