News Release

For Immediate Release

International Production & Processing Expo

Atlanta, Ga. - January 6, 2026


Contacts:
Victoria Broehm, 703.558.3579, vbroehm@afia.org, (AFIA)
Sarah Little, 202.587.4263, slittle@meatinstitute.org, (Meat Institute)
Hannah Keck, 678.514.1979, hkeck@uspoultry.org, (USPOULTRY)

2026 International Rendering Symposium to Explore Communication, Sustainability and Resilience in the Rendering Industry

The rendering industry plays a critical role in supporting animal agriculture through sustainability, innovation and responsible resource use, yet its value is often underrecognized in broader food and feed discussions. The International Rendering Symposium, held in conjunction with the 2026 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, will focus on strengthening science-based communication across animal agriculture, optimizing rendered ingredients for a sustainable feed future and addressing the risks and resilience challenges facing the industry. Hosted by the North American Renderers Association (NARA) and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), the symposium will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, in room B-312 / B-313a. Registration is $250.

The symposium is organized into three sections. The first, “Building Bridges – Communicating Science Across Animal Agriculture,” emphasizes effective communication and transparency in the rendering and animal agriculture industries, covering topics such as the state of the rendering industry, NARA strategic insights, science-based communication efforts, the updated NARA Buyer’s Guide, communication strategies in China and how industry media translates science into meaningful stories. The second section, “Optimizing Rendered Ingredients for a Sustainable Feed Future,” focuses on the role of rendered ingredients in sustainable feed solutions, with sessions addressing feed ingredient consumption, upcycling and environmental impacts, maximizing rendered protein meals in poultry diets and global perspectives on the use of rendered animal proteins in aquaculture. The symposium concludes with “Resilience and Risk – Navigating Today’s Toughest Industry Challenges,” which explores key risks and future opportunities for the rendering industry, including used cooking oil theft, science and safety models for industry accountability and a forward-looking discussion on emerging challenges and opportunities, followed by a closing panel discussion. To view the agenda, click here.

The 2026 IPPE will be held Jan. 27 – 29 and is a collaboration of three trade shows – the International Feed Expo, International Poultry Expo and International Meat Expo – representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. The event is sponsored by USPOULTRY, the American Feed Industry Association and the Meat Institute.

For more information about IPPE, including registration details, lodging and other education offerings, visit ippexpo.org.

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ABOUT IPPE
The International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) is a collaboration of three shows - International Feed Expo, International Meat Expo and the International Poultry Expo - representing the entire chain of protein production and processing. The event is sponsored by the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), the Meat Institute and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY).  

ABOUT AFIA 
Founded in 1909, the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA), based in Arlington, Va., is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to representing the business, legislative and regulatory interests of the U.S. animal food industry and its suppliers. The organization’s membership is comprised of more than 650 domestic and international companies that represent the total feed industry—manufacturers of commercial and integrated feed and pet food, ingredient suppliers, pharmaceutical companies, industry support and equipment manufacturers. AFIA members manufacture more than 75% of the feed and 70% of the non-whole grain ingredients used in the country. AFIA is also recognized as the leader on international industry developments and holds membership in the International Feed Industry Federation (IFIF).

ABOUT MEAT INSTITUTE 
The Meat Institute is the nation’s oldest and largest trade association representing packers and processors of beef, pork, lamb, veal, turkey, and processed meat and poultry products and their suppliers. Meat Institute member companies include more than 350 meat packing and processing companies, large and small, and account for more than 95 percent of the United States’ output of these products. The Meat Institute provides essential member services including regulatory, scientific, legislative, public relations and educational programming.

ABOUT USPOULTRY
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is the all-feather organization representing the complete spectrum of today’s poultry industry, whose mission is to progressively serve member companies through research, education, communication and technical assistance. Founded in 1947, USPOULTRY is based in Tucker, Ga.

ABOUT NARA
The North American Renderers Association (NARA) represents the interests of the North American rendering industry to regulatory and other governmental agencies, promotes the greater use of animal byproducts, and fosters the opening and expansion of trade between foreign buyers and North American exporters. In addition to its U.S.-based headquarters, the association maintains offices and has market consultants in strategic locations around the world. NARA publishes a bi-monthly trade magazine, Render. For more information, visit nara.org.

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