Under a new banner

On 8 January 2014, Darling International Inc. announced that it had completed its acquisition of Vion Ingredients, a division of Vion Holding, for approximately € 1.6 bn in cash. Vion Ingredients is a worldwide leader in the development and production of speciality ingredients of animal origin for applications in pharmaceuticals, food, feed, pet food, fertiliser and bioenergy.
Darling International Inc. is the world’s largest publicly-traded producer of sustainable natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients. It creates a wide range of products and customised speciality solutions for clients in the food, pharmaceutical, pet food, feed, fuel, bioenergy, technical and fertiliser industries. With operations on five continents, the company recycles all aspects of animal by-product streams into useable and speciality ingredients, such as gelatin, tallow, feed-grade fats, meat and bone meal, poultry meal, yellow grease, fuel feed stocks, green energy, natural casings and hides.
Randall C. Stuewe, Darling International’s chairman and CEO, said: “Our vision of creating a sustainable ingredients business for a growing population is well on its way. The combination of Vion Ingredients with Darling International will create the global leader in converting edible and inedible bio-nutrient streams into speciality products and ingredients for the food, feed, fuel, fertiliser and pharmaceutical industries.”

Vion Ingredients, its brands and locations will continue to be led by CEO Dirk Kloosterboer. He commented: “We are very excited to become part of the Darling International group and its heritage. Under its new ownership, we will be able to execute our growth ambitions and provide our employees, customers and suppliers with a unique global platform, driving further product innovation and penetration of new markets.”
Vion Ingredients was formed in 1930 and is headquartered in Son en Breugel (Netherlands). The company employs approximately 5 700 people with revenues of approximately € 1.6 bn. The rendering business has leading positions across Europe with operations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland and Italy under the Rendac and Sonac brand names. Value-added products include edible fats, blood products and plasma meals, bone products, protein…