Mission:
The mission of the Fats, Oils and Animal Coproducts Research Unit is to foster the utilization of domestic fats and oils, hides, wool, and other animal coproducts by application of chemistry and biotechnology to add value to these materials, establish new uses for them, and overcome environmental impediments to domestic processing. Fats and oils research--biotechnology oriented--adds value to animal fats, vegetable oils, and co-processing products, providing alternatives to products from imported petroleum and specialty oils and new products for industrial applications and human consumption. Among the products investigated from fats and oils are biodiesel fuel and fuel and lubricant additives. Hides and leather research supports the environmentally sound utilization of the most valuable coproduct of the meatpacking industry and its conversion into leather. Wool research seeks new value-added markets for a coproduct of the lamb and mutton segment of the meat industry, by investigating domestic wool's limitations for end-use marketability. Research or rendering products seeks non-feed applications to meat and bone meal and related products. Progress toward the mission of this Research Unit benefits the consumer, reduces the trade deficit, and supports rural communities in which much of the processing of these commodities takes place.