The business of animal carcasses which is expensive to regions (survey)

Installed in Denderleeuw. Furthermore, the Rendac factory, a subsidiary of the Texan Multinational Darling Ingredients, collects and burns animal corpses to transform them into grease and biodiesel. Similarly, But behind the smoke, a monopoly locked with endorsements and deserted tenders that costs regions. Moreover,

Denderleeuw is perhaps the most Texan commune in Belgium. Similarly, In its heart. For example, bordering the landfill and neighboring residents, the monopolistic fitting company Rendac Throne on more than two hectares and makes the heyday of the Denderleeuwnoise economy. Consequently, This Flemish subsidiary specializing in the treatment of animal carcasses belongs to the American group Darling Ingredients. Furthermore, A multinational made in Texas. Nevertheless, listed on the stock market, which has built its fortune on the collection and recycling of agrifood waste. However, Animal carcasses by the roads. Meanwhile, breeding or company business animal carcasses which expensive beasts, remains of improper meat of butchers to the unwanted animal shelters and accidents of veterinarians, Rendac carriers survey Belgian roads according to a very specific route or at the end of the emergencies of farmers. Meanwhile, The whole is brought back to Denderleeuw, before being cremated in large ovens. Nevertheless, The main thing goes into smoke, escaping from the chimneys of the site. In addition, Another part is transformed into fat, biodiesel, gelatin or flour sold at agro-industry.

“When you get to Denderleeuw, you know it. Similarly, Certain days, The smell is unbearable. Furthermore, Not to mention the one who escaped the container of my truck. In addition, It even became a joke between truckers. Furthermore, If you see a logo rendacted on the roads. For example, mouth your nose, ”says Nicolas, an independent carrier who worked for the firm for almost three years.

This Brussels Quarantaire recounts business animal carcasses which expensive an experience which he describes as imperishable: “I had just embarked on the profession. Meanwhile, I took the first mission that I found and it turns out that Rendac recruited, as always. However, Takers do not have a career at home. Furthermore, First, there is the smell, the daily view of decaying carcasses. Similarly, Then there is management. Therefore, We get used to the smell of corpses more easily than to the constant pressure of his employers. Furthermore, During the episode of Catarrhale fever in 2024, Rendac was overwhelmed. However, I worked far too much, six days a week, sometimes without break. Moreover, All for a not very glorious salary given the tasks requested.»

Nicolas explains that When a breeding animal dies, Rendac must harvest the carcass within 24 to 48 hours. Nevertheless, It is a non -negotiable health constraint issued by the regions. Furthermore, But in fact. However, delays are business animal carcasses which expensive an integral part of the collection process: “When we were in time, it was a small victory. Similarly, I have already collected a decomposition horse after five days. Moreover, When I arrived in the farm alley, the smell grabbed my nostrils. I almost vomited. If it was hard for me, imagine for the farmer. Besides, he did not fail to let me know how furax he was. ”

There is no shortage of testimonials from unhappy customers. They can be counted by dozens in the Google opinion section. By overlapping the various sources with the testimonies of farmers. veterinarians and shelters, critical ccertaines come back: Almost no contact with Rendac staff, everything is automated. Customer service that invoices telephone calls. Delays for several dayseven in case of high temperatures.

Observations which contrast with the positions of Bourgmestre de Denderleeuw, Jo Fonck (Vooruit)and the Walloon Federation of Farmers (FWA). For the Flemish socialist, business animal carcasses which expensive “no problem. Everything is going well. We have a few complaints, but our relationship with Rendac is good. ” For the Federation. apart from delays, everything is more or less well, except when it comes to contacting the right contacts. “We have some criticisms to do, but we don’t want to get angry. The prices requested for rendering are affordable and partially covered by the regions. ”

The invoice addressed to the farmer is by tonnage, about 50 euros per ton. The price for individuals is less constant and varies depending on movement and weight. A veterinarian and a refuge director speak of a hundred euros per month. A butcher from 60 to 70 euros. An invoice that does not correspond to the real cost: the public authorities are responsible for the difference.

Business animal carcasses which expensive

A Far West monopoly

Rendac business animal carcasses which expensive has no competition in Belgium. Additionally, A lasting monopoly Since the 1990s.

Requarrying is one of the skills of the regions, straddling two ministerial portfolios, health and the environment. But by lack of infrastructure and investmentthis activity has long been ensured by private companies. If until the 1980s. Belgium had four clos of rendering, they all disappeared to gradually give way to Rendac, historically possessed by the Dutch group Vion Ingredientsbut bought by the Texans of Darling Ingredients in 2013 for 1.6 billion euros. Since then, they have won all public procurement calls. When there were.

In Wallonia, contracts have been renewed since 2002 (then under Vion Ingredients) with extensions of one year. By consulting the Archives of the Wallonia Public Service since that date. there are only two formal public contracts in more than 20 years, each time with a single candidate: Rendac. The Court of Auditors pointed out irregularities in business animal carcasses which expensive 2011: “The initial market was awarded without preliminary competition.” Same scenario in 2015: despite an open tender, Rendac remains the only candidate. Between 2017 and 2020, Wallonia thus pays 22 million euros directly to the Texan company to ensure rendering. Failing to have organized a new market call. the Walloon government has been extending this contract by successive annual endorsements since 2021, adding an additional six million euros each year. As a result, since 2002, the Walloon bill has reached around 136 million euros.

Walloon finance inspection has repeatedly warned of the sensitive nature of this situation. In November 2023. following a third request from the Walloon Region of extension of the market for fifteen months, it rules by saying: “IF can only be surprised to receive a request for the extension of a market normally expired and having to start on January 1, 2023. It takes note of the elements business animal carcasses which expensive of explanation transmitted by the administration while stressing that the company Rendac acts. in a monopoly situation For these services on the territory of the Walloon Region. ” The Region and Rendac were therefore in order four months out of fifteen from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.

Flanders does not get burden of public procurement. Since the 1990s, it has paid “rendac subsidies” directly via its annual budgetary decrees. These decrees total nearly 172 million euros of Flemish public money paid to the Texan installations of Denderleeuw: 4.5 million euros during the 1990s, 48.4 million between 2001 and 2007, then around seven million each year since 2008. Regular funding, without call for tenders, which never finds the slightest competitor.

Addition made, therefore more than 300 million euros have been injected by regions to Rendac since the 1990s. For Bertrand Candelon, professor of international finance at UClouvain, it is a significant business animal carcasses which expensive shortfall for the public economy. “Obviously you have to be wary of a monopoly situation, and all the more when it invoices public institutions. There are two major risks. The absence of competition deprives the public authorities of any negotiation lever on prices, which can lead to structural overcharges. Then such a monopoly creates critical dependence. If the single operator meets a technical. financial or logistical failure, there is no immediate security net to ensure the continuity of the service. ”

Business animal carcasses which expensive

American dependence at a high price

If Wallonia. Flanders fuel rendacted since the 1990s, it is largely due to drastic health constraints imposed by European legislation. Each member country must manage the collection. transport and destruction of high -risk animal waste (category 1), potentially contaminated by diseases transmitted to human and farming animals. However, only operators with infrastructure approved by Brussels can treat this business animal carcasses which expensive particular type of organic matter. Rendac precisely has such an installation in Denderleeuw. approved by the Directorate General Health and Food Security of the European Commission, meeting all the requirements of the health regulations.

An exceptional situation which explains the monopoly position of the Texan company in Belgium. But Rendac is not only a Belgian feature. In the Netherlands too. the American group dominates the market, practically controlling the treatment of slaughterhouse waste and animal carcasses alone. Since its acquisition by Darling Ingredients in 2013. the Dutch company Rendac-Sonac has become “a particularly effective cash machine, which Dutch farmers pay the price”, title Follow the Money, Dutch investigative media.

In ten years. Rendac has increased its prices to breeders by 28% for the collection of small carcasses and 7% for that of cattle. During this same period, Darling Ingredients saw its net profits multiplied by six.

In Europe, this American group is today business animal carcasses which expensive present in more than a dozen countries. In Germany. France, Spain or even Italy, its subsidiaries gradually absorb local historical players, taking advantage of barriers to natural entry for new competitors (high investments, specialized fleet, strict GPS trace bonds and health tests.) These technical, administrative and financial constraints make the arrival of new competitors extremely difficult, European market.

According to the economist Bertrand Candelonthis monopolistic situation only exceeds regional financial challenges to become a European strategic problem. “”The real risk, beyond possible overcharges, is systemic dependence to a foreign operator. In such a sensitive sector. this is equivalent to entrusting a crucial part of our health security to a listed company in New York. And at the slightest technical. social or financial crisis, the Belgian regions, like the other European countries where Rendac is established, find themselves without a net. ”

Despite the regular warnings of the financial authorities. the European institutions, business animal carcasses which expensive the Belgian regions are struggling to break this vicious circle. In Wallonia, a new public market must theoretically open before July 31, 2025. But an internal source of the Walloon Ministry of Health already thinks of knowing the winner in advance: “Everything suggests that Rendac will remain alone in the running. due to a credible opponent. The actors for this kind of activities do not run the streets. It is therefore unlikely that the current situation will evolve in the short term. ”

Sebastian FeytenCEO of Rendac for the Benelux. did not follow up on our many questions but replied that “their collaboration with the Walloon public service works very well.”