As part of its ongoing effort to serve this critical sector of the region’s economy, the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) recently published new research to identify new market-viable uses for hides and other meat processing byproducts.
Traditionally, hides were turned into leather for use in a variety of products. However, due to decreased consumer demand for leather products, economic factors, and waste management issues, hides have increasingly become a liability for processors rather than a source of profit. Consider that in 2020, almost 15 percent of the hides produced in the United States wound up being burned in landfills according to the Leather and Hide Council of America.
Very small to small-sized processors report that the cost of removing hides from their facilities is a consistent financial challenge. Finding new uses and revenue sources for these products is a crucial factor in supporting the long-term resiliency of the meat processing industry.
AURI engaged a third party to study other applications for animal hides ranging from low tech, low investment to high tech, high investment. The report focused on six categories: pet chews, beef rinds, parchment, bone broth, casings for smoked meat products, compost, and renewable energy and biobased products. Researchers analyzed the market and the estimated technology readiness level for each application.
The full report is part of a two-and-a-half-year partnership between AURI and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Marketing Service to build resiliency within the local and regional meat processing sector. The project identified some of the financial barriers facing small meat and poultry processors, produced a needs assessment to guide technical assistance and business development, and presented multiple solutions to assist the industry in overcoming barriers. More information about AURI’s collaboration with the USDA-AMS, as well as the complete catalog of briefs, reports, and tools, is available here.
According to AURI’s Meat Innovation Specialist Clay Newton, “Finding new uses for animal hides and meat processing byproducts is a constant challenge for the meat processing sector. At AURI, we are committed to serving the regional meat processing sector in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest as the realities of doing business evolve. This report contains several solutions to help this critical industry grow revenue and reduce costs. We are grateful for the support of the United States Department of Agriculture and all our partners and supporters who contributed to this important work.”
AURI news release
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