Environmental

Driven by our purpose to repurpose, we are taking meaningful action to address the impacts of climate change. Our environmental leadership is rooted in a commitment to water stewardship — replenishing more water than we consume — and to reducing our ecological footprint.
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Our commitment

Scope 1 and 2 emissions progress

In 2024, we reduced our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 5% year over year. This is good progress against our near-term science-based target to reduce scope 1 and 2 emissions 42% by 2030.

 

*Cautionary statements regarding forward-looking information

Our principles

Leadership in circularity and resource use

  • Emissions

  • Water

  • Circularity

Greenhouse gas emissions and energy use

We strategically focus on both energy efficiency and emissions reducing actions. In recent years, we have invested significantly in energy efficiency projects by upgrading equipment at our plants. As we assess equipment replacement or upgrades, energy efficiency and emissions reductions remain key considerations in our capital planning and decision-making process.

 

While we are focused on reducing our footprint, our sustainable products help others on their sustainability journey.  For example, the renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel produced at our Diamond Green Diesel joint venture avoided more than 10 million tonnes of GHG emissions in 2024 - almost 5 times our scope 1 and 2 footprint.
 

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Water

Water is a vital resource for healthy communities and ecosystems. We responsibly manage the water we use and generate in our operations, and we are committed to monitoring and mitigating water risks.

 

Our facilities explore and employ a variety of water recovery and reuse processes that help increase efficiency, including:

  • High-pressure and low-flow wash systems;
  • Steam condensate recovery and return systems;
  • Waste heat capture and reuse for evaporative processes; and
  • Water conservation plans for operations in higher water-risk areas.

 

Although these processes differ based on the function of each facility, together, they are critical for achieving our water goals. For example, whereas our collagen and gelatin production process requires withdrawing more water than we produce, our rendering process results in a net water gain.

Circularity

We help move the world toward a more circular economy. We restore purpose to millions of tons of material from the animal agriculture and food industries – helping to nourish people, feed animals and crops, and fuel the world with renewable energy. 

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Solutions

Sustainability in action

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Renewable Energy Use in South America
Our plants in South America used 98% Renewable Energy in 2024, utilizing renewable biomass as their primary energy source.
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Renewable natural gas in our vehicles
At one of our facilities in the Netherlands, we began using the Renewable Natural Gas we produce in our truck fleet. This lowers our Scope 1 GHG emissions and provides air quality benefits as the trucks travel the roads.
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Renewable energy production in Europe
In Europe, we produced enough renewable gas to supply ~10,500 homes, and enough renewable electricity to power ~62,000 homes.
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Building efficient operations
A rendering facility in Germany and a gelatin plant in China implemented energy efficiency projects that lowered their energy consumption by more than 10%. These projects contributed to our 5% year over year reduction in GHG emissions.
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Renewable energy

Sustainable aviation fuel

Diamond Green Diesel (DGD), a 50/50 joint venture launched in 2011, converts waste fats and oils into renewable diesel and now sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). With plants in Norco, LA and Port Arthur, TX, DGD produced more than 1.25 billion gallons of renewable diesel and SAF in 2024. Renewable diesel cuts carbon emissions by 80% and integrates seamlessly into existing fuel infrastructure. Following a major upgrade, the Port Arthur plant is now one of the world’s largest SAF producers — supporting cleaner aviation across the globe.
Learn more about Diamond Green Diesel

Cautionary statements regarding forward-looking information

The information, goals, and targets discussed on this website, including our 2030 target, are based on currently available information, data, and reasonable estimates, have a high degree of uncertainty, and constitute forward-looking statements that may later be adjusted. Many of the risks and uncertainties associated with the information, goals, and targets in this media release are out of our control and others are not even known as of the date hereof. There are numerous uncertainties associated with the information, goals, and targets in this media release, some of which include the methodologies and standards for collecting, calculating, and estimating GHG emissions, reductions, and avoidance. These methodologies and standards are continuing to be developed and adapted, which may necessitate later revisions to the information, goals, and targets in this media release. There are also numerous risks associated with achieving the goals and targets in this media release, some of which include the potential for changes to government policies, including GHG related incentives and mandates; operational challenges associated with our GHG reduction work; challenges or delays with sustainability or climate targeted technology advancements or implementations; and new or unforeseen climate events, burdens, or impacts. Adjustments to the information, goals, and targets in this media release may also be required over time due to other factors, such as the Company’s performance, cash flows, or operational needs and objectives, or market factors.
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Social
People are our priority. We continually strive to create a work environment that is safe and engaging, fostering diversity and encouraging career development. We invest in communities where we live, work and play.
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Governance
We operate with integrity in everything we do. Our commitment to transparency and ethical governance structure conduct is fundamental to our approach, driving us to uphold the highest standards of governance. Through robust ethics and compliance programs, we not only build trust but also deliver sustainable, long-term value to our stakeholders.