The 2026 International Rendering Symposium brought together global leaders from the rendering, animal agriculture, sustainability and communications sectors to tackle a critical industry challenge: clearly, credibly and compellingly communicating the value of rendering in a world increasingly disconnected from agriculture. Held in conjunction with the 2026 International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta, the symposium, sponsored by the North American Renderers Association (NARA) and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, emphasized the importance of transparency and proactive engagement as misinformation continues to shape public perceptions of food systems.

Kent Swisher, president and CEO of NARA, set the stage by emphasizing the need to consistently explain what rendering is and why it matters. Often referred to as the “original recyclers” or a “hidden industry,” renderers play a vital role by safely cooking and drying animal by-products and food waste into valuable proteins, fats and other inputs with a long-standing record of food and feed safety. By diverting materials from landfills and incineration, rendering prevents millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually, reduces pressure on land and water resources, and replaces crops in feed and fuel markets. Emphasizing circularity, Swisher described rendering as a process that transforms what would otherwise be waste into value, aligning with NARA’s refreshed sustainability strategic plan.

Joe Proudman, associate director for communications at the Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research Center at the University of California, Davis, addressed the widening gap between agriculture and the public. With only about 1% of the population living on farms and major media outlets lacking dedicated agriculture reporters, Proudman stressed the importance of science-based communication through social media and digital platforms. He emphasized that while data is essential, storytelling drives understanding and behavior, reminding attendees, “Do good things and talk about them. If you don’t, somebody else will.”

Dana Johnson Downing, senior vice president of international programs at NARA, introduced Rendering University, a centralized knowledge hub designed to “make the invisible visible.” She explained how the platform provides standards, definitions, product use examples, training materials and community resources to support education, onboarding and consistent messaging, while acknowledging the challenges of communicating complex processes that consumers may find uncomfortable.

Expanding the global perspective, Dr. Peng Li, NARA Asia director, outlined the organization’s communications and outreach efforts across Asia, particularly in China. His presentation highlighted engagement with U.S. ambassadors and consulates, participation in U.S. Department of Agriculture food waste reduction initiatives, and involvement in U.S. agricultural trade missions. Dr. Li also described targeted trade missions for aquafeed customers and the use of a dedicated NARA app to connect members and share resources.

Lara Moody, executive director of the Institute for Feed Education and Research, presented findings from the Feed Ingredient Consumption Report. Covering more than 70 feed ingredients across all major livestock species and aquaculture, the report provides a detailed view of ingredient use, circularity and environmental impact.