The Australian Renderers Association (ARA) will host its 18th International Symposium in Melbourne from 15 to 17 September, bringing together industry leaders, government representatives, researchers and international market experts to examine the commercial, operational and policy issues shaping one of Australia’s most important circular economy industries.
With exports valued at $1.5 billion, the rendering sector is increasingly central to national conversations around renewable fuels, circular manufacturing and sustainable production.
This year’s event, held under the theme “Aligning Industry with Purpose”, arrives at a moment of significant change for businesses across the supply chain.
ARA Executive Officer Jess Bloomfield said the timing of this year’s Symposium reflected the growing importance of the sector.
“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.
Bloomfield noted that businesses are adapting to new market opportunities, shifting customer expectations and increasing reporting requirements, while governments continue exploring ways to build more resilient and sustainable domestic supply chains.
She said this year’s program had been designed around those conversations, aiming to connect policymakers, business operators and technology developers so the industry can learn from each other and prepare for what comes next.
The three-day program is structured to link practical plant operations with the broader commercial and policy landscape.
The opening Industry Day will focus on operational excellence, covering odour and wastewater management, steam and hot water efficiency, workforce capability, environmental compliance and practical plant improvements.
The two Symposium days that follow will explore wider forces shaping the industry, including global economic and commodity market trends, international outlooks for protein meals, fats and oils, and Australia’s emerging low-carbon liquid fuels market.
Sessions will also address renewable fuel policy, carbon intensity and feedstock demand, the launch of the ARA Sustainability Framework, Scope 3 emissions reporting, international developments across the global rendering industry, and the future priorities of the World Renderers Organization.
Keynote speakers include Rabobank Global Strategist Michael Every and futurist Michael McQueen, joined by experts from government, market intelligence, research, processing, renewable fuels, environmental regulation and international industry associations. Additional speakers are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
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,” he said.
Milzewski explained that the sector transforms animal co-products and used cooking oil into valuable feedstocks and ingredients supporting renewable fuels, livestock production, pet food, aquaculture, fertilisers and manufacturing, effectively creating value from materials unsuitable for human consumption.
He added that the Symposium is intended for everyone working across those interconnected industries, not just renderers themselves, offering a chance to understand where markets are heading, how regulation is evolving and where new opportunities are emerging.
The Symposium is expected to draw delegates from across meat processing, agriculture, renewable fuels, used cooking oil recycling, pet food, stockfeed, aquaculture, manufacturing, logistics, engineering, research and regulatory sectors, underlining the interconnected nature of Australia’s food, energy and manufacturing supply chains.
The previous ARA International Symposium attracted more than 390 delegates, including 83 international attendees from 13 countries, reflecting the growing international significance of Australia’s rendering industry.
The 2026 ARA International Symposium is supported by industry leaders including Keith Engineering, GrainCorp, Haarslev, Alfa Laval, the Australian Meat Processor Corporation (AMPC), iBulk, Kemin Industries, Natec Network, Neste, Oestergaard Australia, Rendertech, Ridley Corporation, Seaterra Ingredient Alliance and Wilmar Trading Australia.
