Division 2 Processing method

Alkaline hydrolysis shall be carried out according to the following processing standards:

1. (a)

   Either a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution (or a combination thereof) must be used in an amount that assures approximate molar equivalency to the weight, type and composition of the animal by-products to be digested.

   In the case of high fat in the animal by-products that neutralises the base, the added base must be adjusted so that the molar equivalency referred to is achieved.

2. (b)

   Animal by-products must be placed in a steel alloy container. The measured amount of alkali must be added either in solid form or as a solution as referred to in point (a).

3. (c)

   The container must be closed and the animal by-products and alkali mixture must be heated to a core temperature of at least 150 °C and at a pressure (absolute) of at least 4 bars for at least:

   1. (i)

      three hours without interruption;

   2. (ii)

      six hours without interruption in case of treatment of animal by-products referred to in Article 8(a)(i) and (ii) of Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009.

      However, materials derived from Category 1 materials comprising of animals killed in the context of TSE eradication measures which are either ruminants not requiring TSE testing or ruminants which have been tested with a negative result in accordance with Article 6(1) of Regulation (EC) No 999/2001 may be processed in accordance with point 2(c)(i) of this Section; or

   3. (iii)

      one hour without interruption in the case of animal by-products consisting of fish or of poultry materials.

4. (d)

   The process must be carried out in a batch system and the material in the vessel must be constantly mixed in order to facilitate the digestion process until the tissues are dissolved and bones and teeth are softened; and

5. (e)

   The animal by-products must be treated in such way that the requirements regarding time, temperature and pressure are achieved at the same time.