Rendering is the process of separating fat from animal tissues using mechanical, thermal, and sometimes chemical methods, resulting in products like carcass meal and melted fat. Various raw materials are used in rendering, including packinghouse by-products and meat trimmings, with different systems such as wet rendering, dry batch rendering, and continuous low temperature rendering each having their advantages and disadvantages. The choice of rendering method impacts the quality of the fat produced and the efficiency of the process.