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Darling Ingredients

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FY2013 Annual Report · Darling Ingredients
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Darling International Inc.

251 O’Connor Ridge Blvd.

Suite 300

Irving, Texas 75038

Improvement by nature

Improvement by nature

Principal Office

Directors

Officers

Darling International Inc.
251 O’Connor Ridge Blvd., Suite 300
Irving, Texas 75038
972.717.0300
www.darlingii.com

Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842-3170

Overnight correspondence
Computershare
211 Quality Circle, Suite 210
College Station, TX 77845
www.computershare.com/investor 

Randall C. Stuewe
Chairman and Director 
since February 2003

O. Thomas Albrecht
Director since 2002

D. Eugene Ewing
Director since 2011

Dirk Kloosterboer
Director since January 2014

Charles Macaluso
Director since 2002

Randall C. Stuewe
Chief Executive Officer

Dirk Kloosterboer
Chief Operating Officer
Darling International

Colin T. Stevenson
Executive Vice President
Global Finance and Administration

Martin W. Griffin
Executive Vice President
Chief Operations Officer
Darling North America

Jan van der Velden
World-class ingredients. Worldwide reach.
Executive Vice President
ERS

John D. March
Director since 2008

Independent Auditors
KPMG LLP
717 N. Harwood St., Suite 3100
Dallas, Texas 75201-6585

Annual Meeting
May 6, 2014
10:00 a.m.
Four Seasons Resort and Club
at Las Colinas
4150 North MacArthur Blvd.
Irving, Texas 75038

Michael Urbut
Director since 2005

Creating sustainable food, feed and fuel ingredients for a 

growing population, Darling International Inc. has 

traversed more than a century of expansion, strategically 

advancing from pioneer to global giant. 2013 proved to be 

John Bullock
Executive Vice President
Chief Strategy Officer

John F. Sterling
Executive Vice President
General Counsel and Secretary

a powerful testament to this forward-thinking approach 

Form 10-K
Darling International Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K is available upon request without charge:
c/o Investor Relations
Darling International Inc.
251 O’Connor Ridge Blvd., Suite 300
Irving, Texas 75038
www.darlingii.com

via the expansion of our product mix and continued focus 

on quality. As population growth continues to rise, and 

with it the demand for food, feed and fuel products, we 

will continue to develop and provide innovative and 

sustainable solutions, solidifying our position as a market 

leader and valuable investment partner. 

F O O D                     F E E D                    F U E L

C O R P O R AT E   I N F O R M AT I O N

cosmeticshair gelpersonal careinkscollagen peptidespharma capsulesheparingummy bearsmarshmallowsgelatinnatural sausage casingsspecialty meatsfine bone chinaphoto films & papersmatch sticksluxury leather car interiorshand sanitizergluesolventsspecialty methyl estersmetalworkingpulp & paperpaintball pelletsyellow greaseaquaculturefood grade fatsgreen energyanimal feed ingredientspet foodfertilizersgreen electricityrenewable dieselbiodieselminingrenewable propanerenewable butanedust controltextilessandpapernaphthaWorld-class ingredients. Worldwide reach.

Creating sustainable food, feed and fuel ingredients for a 

growing population, Darling International Inc. has 

traversed more than a century of expansion, strategically 

advancing from pioneer to global giant. 2013 proved to be 

a powerful testament to this forward-thinking approach 

via the expansion of our product mix and continued focus 

on quality. As population growth continues to rise, and 

with it the demand for food, feed and fuel products, we 

will continue to develop and provide innovative and 

sustainable solutions, solidifying our position as a market 

leader and valuable investment partner. 

F O O D                     F E E D                    F U E L

World-class ingredients. Worldwide reach.

To Our Shareholders:

Pioneering Tomorrow’s Renewable Energy Solutions

2013 was an exceptional year for our company. Against the backdrop of the global resetting of ingredient prices that challenged 

Deeply established in our corporate culture is our innovative drive to promote sustainability using our recycled fats and oils. We 

our finished product markets, we continued our transformation with fiscal year 2013 being one of the most pivotal in Darling’s 

made significant advances in biofuel development through Diamond Green Diesel (“DGD”), our 50/50 joint venture with Valero 

131-year history. We took bold steps to realize our vision of creating a sustainable ingredients business for a growing world 

Energy Corporation. DGD reached mechanical completion in late June and progressed through production shakedown, reaching 

population. We seized opportunities to build a global growth platform that diversifies our revenue and earnings power while 

nameplate capacity of 9,300 barrels per day of biomass-based renewable diesel in mid-November. We expanded our biofuels 

expanding our product offerings and delivering differentiated food, feed and fuel ingredients to serve the changing needs of a 

footprint into Canada with our Rothsay brand, and our bioenergy footprint with our Ecoson and Rendac brands in Europe. Our 

global customer base. 

renewable fuels strategy provides a vital link to meet domestic mandates and participate in global opportunities.

Overall, we are pleased with our results for fiscal 2013, posting net income of $109.0 million, or $0.91 per share. 

Capitalizing on Global Market Intelligence

From a position of financial strength and solid fundamentals, we added a new dimension to our growth roadmap—that of global 

market intelligence and expertise in our products with a strategic lens across multiple end-markets and geographies. Darling has 

truly evolved into an international force with a diversified raw material stream across multiple continents, mitigating our 

exposure to volatile commodity markets which we expect to result in more stable and consistent financial performance. In 

addition to our U.S.-based brands, our new activities now include:

Fortified Balance Sheet with Flexible Capital Structure

Darling has built a solid financial foundation by continually optimizing its balance sheet and capital structure to take advantage 

of strategic priorities that deliver better value to our customers and our shareholders. In December, the Company executed two 

capital market transactions via a public offering of 46,000,000 shares of its common stock, which priced at $19.00 per share, 

and a private offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.375% unsecured senior notes due 2022. These 

transactions, coupled with our strong cash flow generation and existing revolving facility, provide a position of financial 

strength and flexibility to meet long-term targeted leverage levels.

• Darling Ingredients International (formerly VION Ingredients), our Netherlands-based international ingredients business  

Fiscal 2014 and Beyond

operating on five continents that we acquired in January 2014. Darling Ingredients International brings a world-class 

portfolio of brands, such as Ecoson, Rendac, Sonac, Rousselot, CTH and BestHides, with strong global positions in gelatin, 

natural casings, and fat, bone and blood products. 

• Rothsay, a leading Canadian recycler of animal by-products and producer of biodiesel, which we acquired in October 2013.  

Rothsay’s solid network of five rendering plants and a biodiesel operation adds significant scale, expanding our North 

long-term growth roadmap.  

American footprint into Canada.

We have evolved maintaining the same entrepreneurial spirit that our heritage was built upon, transforming Darling’s historical 

rendering and bakery operations into its natural next step—a global food, feed and fuel ingredients powerhouse. This can only 

be accomplished by a highly-motivated management team and workforce, rooted deep in industry experience, transparency and 

integrity. We welcome our new partners into the Darling family, and we look forward to continued progress and execution of our 

• Terra Renewal Services, a leading provider of essential environmental services, with industrial residuals and used cooking 

oil collection operations in more than 24 states. Their grease collection business highly complements our existing 

locations, while the industrial residuals operation provides a new line of business that is essential to building out our new 

wastewater extraction initiative. 

Through a strategic global platform, our combined companies will continue to deliver top-notch, environmentally-friendly customer 

service to broader end markets including the food, pet food, pharmaceutical, feed, fuel, bioenergy and fertilizer industries.

As always, we also extend our deepest appreciation for the continued support and contributions 

of our shareholders, business associates, suppliers and customers.   

Randall C. Stuewe

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

World-class ingredients. Worldwide reach.

To Our Shareholders:

Pioneering Tomorrow’s Renewable Energy Solutions

2013 was an exceptional year for our company. Against the backdrop of the global resetting of ingredient prices that challenged 

Deeply established in our corporate culture is our innovative drive to promote sustainability using our recycled fats and oils. We 

our finished product markets, we continued our transformation with fiscal year 2013 being one of the most pivotal in Darling’s 

made significant advances in biofuel development through Diamond Green Diesel (“DGD”), our 50/50 joint venture with Valero 

131-year history. We took bold steps to realize our vision of creating a sustainable ingredients business for a growing world 

Energy Corporation. DGD reached mechanical completion in late June and progressed through production shakedown, reaching 

population. We seized opportunities to build a global growth platform that diversifies our revenue and earnings power while 

nameplate capacity of 9,300 barrels per day of biomass-based renewable diesel in mid-November. We expanded our biofuels 

expanding our product offerings and delivering differentiated food, feed and fuel ingredients to serve the changing needs of a 

footprint into Canada with our Rothsay brand, and our bioenergy footprint with our Ecoson and Rendac brands in Europe. Our 

global customer base. 

renewable fuels strategy provides a vital link to meet domestic mandates and participate in global opportunities.

Fortified Balance Sheet with Flexible Capital Structure

Darling has built a solid financial foundation by continually optimizing its balance sheet and capital structure to take advantage 

of strategic priorities that deliver better value to our customers and our shareholders. In December, the Company executed two 

capital market transactions via a public offering of 46,000,000 shares of its common stock, which priced at $19.00 per share, 

and a private offering of $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.375% unsecured senior notes due 2022. These 

transactions, coupled with our strong cash flow generation and existing revolving facility, provide a position of financial 

strength and flexibility to meet long-term targeted leverage levels.

• Darling Ingredients International (formerly VION Ingredients), our Netherlands-based international ingredients business  

Fiscal 2014 and Beyond

We have evolved maintaining the same entrepreneurial spirit that our heritage was built upon, transforming Darling’s historical 

rendering and bakery operations into its natural next step—a global food, feed and fuel ingredients powerhouse. This can only 

be accomplished by a highly-motivated management team and workforce, rooted deep in industry experience, transparency and 

integrity. We welcome our new partners into the Darling family, and we look forward to continued progress and execution of our 

long-term growth roadmap.  

As always, we also extend our deepest appreciation for the continued support and contributions 
of our shareholders, business associates, suppliers and customers.   

Randall C. Stuewe

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Overall, we are pleased with our results for fiscal 2013, posting net income of $109.0 million, or $0.91 per share. 

Capitalizing on Global Market Intelligence

From a position of financial strength and solid fundamentals, we added a new dimension to our growth roadmap—that of global 

market intelligence and expertise in our products with a strategic lens across multiple end-markets and geographies. Darling has 

truly evolved into an international force with a diversified raw material stream across multiple continents, mitigating our 

exposure to volatile commodity markets which we expect to result in more stable and consistent financial performance. In 

addition to our U.S.-based brands, our new activities now include:

operating on five continents that we acquired in January 2014. Darling Ingredients International brings a world-class 

portfolio of brands, such as Ecoson, Rendac, Sonac, Rousselot, CTH and BestHides, with strong global positions in gelatin, 

natural casings, and fat, bone and blood products. 

• Rothsay, a leading Canadian recycler of animal by-products and producer of biodiesel, which we acquired in October 2013.  

Rothsay’s solid network of five rendering plants and a biodiesel operation adds significant scale, expanding our North 

American footprint into Canada.

• Terra Renewal Services, a leading provider of essential environmental services, with industrial residuals and used cooking 

oil collection operations in more than 24 states. Their grease collection business highly complements our existing 

locations, while the industrial residuals operation provides a new line of business that is essential to building out our new 

wastewater extraction initiative. 

Through a strategic global platform, our combined companies will continue to deliver top-notch, environmentally-friendly customer 

service to broader end markets including the food, pet food, pharmaceutical, feed, fuel, bioenergy and fertilizer industries.

GLOBALIZATION

We’re growing globally to capture new margin opportunities.

Our operations on five continents serve customers worldwide.

In 2013, Darling International solidified strategic steps to capture profitable markets beyond the United States, emerging as 

world leader in securing and processing animal bio-nutrients into value-added ingredients and specialty products for use in 

the food, feed and fuel industries. After essentially doubling our presence in the United States with the 2010 acquisition of 

Griffin Industries, we carried forward our strategy to explore worldwide product, customer and margin opportunities. 

Two acquisitions were significant in executing this growth strategy.

We first expanded our footprint in North America with the October acquisition of Rothsay, the rendering and biodiesel 

division of Maple Leaf Foods, Inc., a Canadian corporation. This acquisition grew our market presence and sourcing of raw 

materials for the manufacture of feed and fuel ingredients. 

Darling International’s acquisition of the VION Ingredient business division of VION Holding, N.V., a Dutch limited liability 

company based in the Netherlands, was initiated in 2013 and closed in January 2014. Now operating as Darling Ingredients 

International, this acquisition expanded Darling’s markets and brand portfolio—Ecoson, Rendac, Sonac, Rousselot, CTH and 

BestHides—for a growing line of ingredients and specialty products used by the pharmaceutical, food, feed, pet food, fertilizer 

and bioenergy industries. Today, Darling International operates more than 200 facilities in 32 countries across five continents. 

As a leading global ingredients company serving food, feed and fuel markets, our quality products are used in the 

manufacture of common, everyday items used by a growing population all over the world.

W O R L D W I D E   O P E R AT I O N S

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(IN THOUSANDS)

2009  

2010   

2011   

2012   

     2013

Net Sales 

$597,806 

$724,909 

$1,797,249 

$1,701,429 

     $1,723,550

Operating Income 

$71,233 

$82,462 

$313,984 

$231,741 

     $169,566

Net Income 

$41,790 

$44,243 

$169,418 

$130,770 

     $108,967

Diluted Net Earnings Per Share 

$0.51 

$0.53   

$1.47 

$1.11 

     $0.91

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS)

MARKET CAPITAL:  WITH YEAR END SHARE PRICE

09

$284,877

10

1 1

12

$464,296

$920,375

$1,062,436

13

$2,020,952

09

$689,059,662

$8.38

1 0

1 1

1 2

$1,229,192,431

        $13.28

$1,555,573,741

    $13.29

$1,830,844,960

                     $15.54

13

$3,411,834,417

         $20.77

EBITDA / SALES

OPERATING CASH FLOW

09

16.1%

10

1 1

12

15.8%

21.9%

18.6%

13

15.6%

09

$96,459

1 0

1 1

1 2

1 3

$114,370

$392,893

$317,112

$268,353

F I N A N C I A L   P E R F O R M A N C E

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FOOD

Improving the taste, texture and consistency of food and pharmaceutical products.

The quality ingredients produced by Darling International are used every day by people all over the world. This is especially true 

with regards to our Food Ingredients segment that encompasses a wide range of value-added ingredients that includes gelatin, 

natural casings, specialty meats, edible fat, heparin and other essential products. At Darling International, we use the word quality 

often—because when it comes to our ingredients, absolutely nothing is more important than quality.

During 2013, our efforts to expand into the food segment of our business centered on the acquisition of what is now our 

Netherlands-based Darling Ingredients International division. Darling’s new Rousselot, CTH and Sonac brands bring tremendous 

growth and opportunity to this segment, providing a strong and diverse base to grow our line of food ingredients and 

specialty products.

Rousselot’s gelatin is perhaps the most easily recognized of our food ingredients because it is used in countless applications by 

virtually every person across the world on a daily basis. Our quality gelatin is used in a large number of end markets, most 

notably food, pharmaceutical and photographic applications. Food manufacturers use gelatin for improved texture, consistency 

and taste in confectionaries, soft drinks, meat and fish processing, bakery, dietetic foods and more. The pharmaceutical sector 

uses gelatin in the manufacture of capsules, tablets, blood plasma substitutes and other products. Gelatin is also used in the 

photographic sector for manufacturing x-ray film, color and graphic film and photo papers. Gelatin is even used in the production 

of cosmetics, matches, sandpaper, and the recreational paintball.

Our CTH brand sources and produces quality meat casings to the sausage industry, predominately to markets in Europe, China 

and the United States. 

Additionally, our Hepac brand supplies heparin to the pharmaceutical industry for use as an anticoagulant, and Sonac produces 

edible fats that are used in human foods such as margarine and frying fats.

IN COUNTLESS HOMES AND BUSINESSES ACROSS THE GLOBE, DARLING INTERNATIONAL’S 
QUALITY INGREDIENTS ARE FOUND IN EVERYDAY FOODS AND PRODUCTS.  

FEED

Our top-quality ingredients help feed the world.

Darling International’s Feed Ingredients segment offers high-quality, value-added feed and pet food ingredients, fertilizers and 

other specialty products and services. 

A cornerstone segment of our business, we greatly enhanced our Feed Ingredients segment in 2013 with the acquisitions of 

Terra Renewal in the United States, Rothsay in Canada, and several of the Darling Ingredients International brands based out of the 

Netherlands. Our feed ingredients—sold through DAR PRO Solutions, Rothsay, Sonac, Nature Safe and Bakery Feeds—include a 

vast array of finished fats, protein meals, bone products, feather meal, blood products and tallow processed from inedible animal 

by-products. Bakery by-product meal is processed from large commercial bakery residuals into a high-quality caloric additive for 

animal feed. Feed manufacturers represent our largest customer group, using our end products as value-added ingredients in 

animal feeds. As the world population continues to grow, meat consumption also increases—and with it grows the demand for 

quality, nutritional animal feed and the ingredients necessary for its production. 

Pet food manufacturers are another key customer base to our feed business. This market continues to see healthy growth due to 

increases in pet ownership, discretionary income spending and a corresponding demand for high-end, healthy pet foods. 

Additionally, Darling International provides products for fertilizer production and markets its own Nature Safe brand to 

large-scale users, including golf courses, agricultural growers and plant nurseries.

Whether feeding your pet or your lawn, you can be assured Darling International’s feed ingredient production adheres to the 

strictest standards of quality worldwide.

DARLING INTERNATIONAL IS A GLOBAL SUPPLIER OF QUALITY ANIMAL FEED, PET FOOD 
AND FERTILIZER INGREDIENTS, HELPING TO SUSTAIN THE CYCLE OF LIFE THAT FEEDS 
THE WORLD. 

FUEL

We pioneered the technology to produce biofuels and green power.

At Darling International, we are innovators, always looking to the future. This includes our commitment to develop and 

produce quality biofuels in answer to the world’s increasing demands for energy.

Our renewable fuel efforts gained significant attention when Diamond Green Diesel went into production in June 2013. 

A shared vision with our partner, Valero Energy Corporation, Diamond Green Diesel is North America’s largest renewable 

diesel facility located in Norco, Louisiana. Using first-of-its-kind technology, the facility is designed to process a variety of

feed stocks, including animal fats, used cooking oil and vegetable oils into renewable diesel, which is interchangeable with the 

diesel fuel produced from the petroleum industry.

While 2013 was a transformative year for our Fuels Segment and Diamond Green Diesel, Darling International also expanded 

this vision globally with the acquisitions of new biofuel brands and raw material sources. From our industry-first commercial 

production of biodiesel in the 1990s to our global operations today, Darling International now offers renewable diesel, biodiesel 

and other bioenergy products under several brands: Diamond Green Diesel and Bio-G 3000 in the U.S.; Rothsay Biodiesel in 

Canada (Oct. 2013); and Ecoson and Rendac in Europe (Jan. 2014).

Looking to the future, as worldwide demands and mandates propel the need for biofuels, we remain committed to seeking 

smarter ways and new markets in which we can utilize our source products to help meet the world’s energy needs.

PARTNERING WITH VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION TO PRODUCE DIAMOND GREEN 
DIESEL IS JUST ONE WAY DARLING HAS SOLIDIFIED ITS POSITION AS A LEADING 
INNOVATOR OF GREEN ENERGY SOLUTIONS.

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC  20549

FORM 10-K

 (Mark One)
/X/  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 28, 2013
OR

/  /  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

  For the transition period from _______ to _______

Commission File Number   001-13323

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 (State or other jurisdiction     
of incorporation or organization)   

251 O'Connor Ridge Blvd., Suite 300
Irving, Texas
(Address of principal executive offices)  

36-2495346
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 75038
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (972) 717-0300

  Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class
Common Stock $0.01 par value per share

Name of Exchange on Which Registered
New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

 Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes    X        No ____

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the 

Act.    Yes             No   X

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to 
file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.       Yes    X         No ____

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, 

every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this 
chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such 
files).        Yes    X        No ___

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, 
and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated
by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.

 X

Page 1

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or
a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company”
in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer     X

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer 
(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)

Smaller reporting company  

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes 

     No  X

As of the last day of the Registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the aggregate market value of the
shares of common stock held by nonaffiliates of the Registrant was approximately $2,176,185,000 based upon the closing price
of the common stock as reported on the NYSE on that day. (In determining the market value of the Registrant’s common stock
held by non-affiliates, shares of common stock beneficially owned by directors, officers and holders of more than 10% of the
Registrant’s common stock have been excluded.  This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination
for other purposes.)

There were 164,299,686 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding at February 19, 2014.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Selected designated portions of the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement in connection with the Registrant’s 2014 Annual

Meeting of stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report.

Page 2

 
 
 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.

BUSINESS
RISK FACTORS
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
PROPERTIES
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

PART I

PART II

Item 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER

MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Item 6.
Item 7.

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND

FINANCAL DISCLOSURE

Item 9A.
Item 9B.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
OTHER INFORMATION

PART III

Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Item 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR

INDEPENDENCE

Item 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

PART IV

Item 15.

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

SIGNATURES

Page 3

Page No.

 4
17
39
39
40
41

42
45

47
74
76

135
135
136

137
137

137

137
137

138

143

PART I

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS

GENERAL

Founded by the Swift meat packing interests and the Darling family in 1882, Darling International Inc. ("Darling", and 
together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “we,” “us” or “our”) was incorporated in Delaware in 1962 under the name 
"Darling-Delaware Company, Inc."  On December 28, 1993, Darling changed its name from "Darling-Delaware Company, Inc." 
to "Darling International Inc."  The address of Darling's principal executive office is 251 O'Connor Ridge Boulevard, Suite 300,
Irving, Texas, 75038, and its telephone number at this address is (972) 717-0300.

OVERVIEW

We are a global developer and producer of sustainable natural ingredients from edible and inedible bio-nutrients, creating 
a wide range of ingredients and customized specialty solutions for customers in the food, pet food, pharmaceutical, feed, fuel,
bioenergy and fertilizer industries.  With operations on five continents, the Company recycles all aspects of animal by-product
streams into useable and specialty 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. Value-added products include edible fats, bone products, fertilizers
and blood products. The Company also recovers and converts used cooking oil and commercial bakery residuals into valuable 
feed and fuel ingredients.  In addition, the Company provides grease trap collection services and sells used cooking oil collection
equipment to restaurants and collects and land applies primarily food residuals.  In fiscal 2013, we generated $1,723.6 million in 
revenues and $109.0 million in earnings.

United States

We are a leading provider of animal by-product processing, used cooking oil and bakery residual recycling and recovery 
solutions to the U.S.  food industry.  We operate over 120 processing and transfer facilities to produce finished products such as 
protein (primarily meat and bone meal ("MBM") and poultry meal ("PM")), fats (primarily bleachable fancy tallow ("BFT"), 
poultry grease ("PG") and yellow grease ("YG")), bakery by-products ("BBP") and hides, as well as a range of branded and value-
added products.  Darling sells these products in North America and throughout the world, primarily to producers of animal feed,
pet food, biodiesel, fertilizer and other consumer and industrial ingredients, including oleo-chemicals, soaps and leather goods,
for use as ingredients in their products or for further processing.

Canada

On October 28, 2013, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Rothsay (“Rothsay”), the rendering 
and biodiesel division of Maple Leaf Foods, Inc., a Canadian corporation ("MFI"), pursuant to an Acquisition Agreement dated 
August 23, 2013, by and between MFI and Darling (the "Rothsay Acquisition").  Rothsay is a leading recycler of animal by-
products and producer of biodiesel in Canada.  Rothsay processes raw materials into finished fats and proteins products for use
in animal feed, pet food, biodiesel, fertilizer and other ingredients and manufactures biodiesel for domestic and international
markets. Rothsay has a network of five rendering plants in Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia and a biodiesel operation in Quebec,
Canada. Prior to the Rothsay Acquisition, Darling had no facilities in Canada.

Europe, China, Australia and South America

On January 7, 2014, we acquired the VION Ingredients business division (“VION Ingredients”) of VION Holding, N.V., 
a Dutch limited liability company (“VION”) by purchasing all of the shares of VION Ingredients International (Holding) B.V., 
and VION Ingredients Germany GmbH, and 60% of Best Hides GmbH (collectively, the "VION Companies"), pursuant to a Sale 
and Purchase Agreement dated October 5, 2013, as amended, between Darling and VION (the “VION Acquisition”).  The VION 
Ingredients business is now conducted under the name Darling Ingredients International.  Darling Ingredients International is a
worldwide leader in the development and production of specialty ingredients from animal by-products for applications in animal 
feed, pet food, fuel, bioenergy, fertilizer, food and pharmaceuticals.  Darling Ingredients International operates a global network
of 67 production facilities across five continents covering all aspects of animal by-product processing through six brands: Rendac
(fuel), Sonac (proteins, fats, edible fats and blood products), Ecoson (bioenergy), Rousselot (gelatin), CTH (natural casings) and
Best Hides (hides and skins). Darling Ingredients International’s specialized portfolio of over 400 products covers all animal origin
raw material types and thereby offers a comprehensive, single source solution for suppliers. Darling Ingredients International’s
business has leading positions across Europe with operations in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland and Italy under the 
Page 4

Rendac and Sonac brand names. Value-added products include edible fats, blood products, bone products, protein meals and fats. 
Rousselot is a global leading market provider of gelatin for the food, pharmaceutical and technical industries with operations in
Europe, the United States, South America and China. CTH is a leading natural casings company for the sausage industry with 
operations in Europe, China and the United States.

FISCAL 2013 OPERATIONS AND SEGMENTS

During fiscal 2013, we operated solely in North America and our operations were organized into two segments, Rendering 
and Bakery.  The description below includes Rothsay, which we acquired on October 28, 2013. For the financial results of these 
business segments, see Note 21 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and for a discussion of each segment’s fiscal 2013
performance, see "Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." 

Rendering Segment

Set forth below is a description of the historic operations of the Company’s Rendering segment conducted in North 

America in fiscal 2013. 

Raw Materials.

The Company's historic rendering operations, which in North America are conducted under the Dar-Pro Solutions® brand 
and, after the Rothsay Acquisition, the Rothsay brand,  have collected two primary types of animal by-products, (i) beef and pork
by-products and (ii) poultry by-products, which are collected primarily from meat and poultry processors, grocery stores, butcher
shops and food service establishments. These rendering materials are collected in one of two manners.  Certain large suppliers,
such as large meat processors and poultry processors, are furnished with bulk containers into which the raw material is loaded.
The Company provides the remaining suppliers, primarily grocery stores and butcher shops, with containers in which to deposit 
the raw material.  The containers are picked up by or emptied into the Company’s trucks on a periodic basis.  The type and frequency
of service is determined by individual supplier requirements, the volume of raw material generated by the supplier, supplier location
and weather, among other factors. The raw materials collected by the Company are transported either directly to a processing plant
or to a transfer station where materials from several collection routes are loaded into trailers and transported to a processing plant.  
Collections of animal processing by-products generally are made during the day, and materials are delivered to plants for processing
within 24 hours of collection to deter spoilage.

The Company’s North American Rendering segment has also historically collected used cooking oil and trap grease from 
restaurants, food service establishments and grocery stores. Many of the Company's customers operate stores that are part of 
national chains. Used cooking oil from food service establishments is placed in various sizes and types of containers which are
supplied by the Company. In some instances, these containers are unloaded directly onto the trucks, while in other instances used
cooking oil is pumped through a vacuum hose into the truck.  The Company sells two types of containers in North America for 
used  cooking  oil  collection  to  food  service  establishments  called  CleanStar®  and  BOSS,  both  of  which  are  proprietary  self-
contained collection systems that are housed either inside or outside the establishment, with the used cooking oil pumped directly
into collection vehicles via an outside valve. The frequency of all forms of used cooking oil and trap grease raw material collection
is determined by the volume of oil generated by the food service establishment. The Company either transports trap grease to 
waste treatment centers or recycles it at its facilities into a host of environmentally safe product streams, including fuel and feed 
ingredients. The Company provides its customers with a comprehensive set of solutions to their trap grease disposal needs, including
manifests for regulatory compliance, computerized routing for consistent cleaning and comprehensive trap cleaning. 

Certain of the Company's North American rendering facilities are highly dependent on one or a few suppliers.  During 
the 2013 fiscal year, the Company's 10 largest raw materials suppliers accounted for approximately 25% of the total raw material
processed  by  the  Company,  with  one  single  supplier  accounting  for  approximately  5.4%.   See  "Risk  Factors  - A  significant 
percentage of our revenue is attributable to a limited number of suppliers and customers."  Should any of these suppliers choose
alternate  methods  of  disposal,  cease  or  materially  decrease  their  operations,  have  their  operations  interrupted  by  casualty  or 
otherwise cease using or reduce the use of the Company’s collection services, the operating facilities serving those customers 
could be materially and adversely affected.  (See "Risk factors-Certain of our operating facilities are highly dependent upon a
single or a few suppliers.")  For a discussion of the Company’s competition for raw materials, see "Competition."

Page 5

Processing operations

The Company’s North American Rendering segment produces finished products primarily through the grinding, cooking, 
separating, drying, and blending of various raw materials.  The process starts with the collection of animal by-products (including
fat, bones, feathers, offal and other animal by-products).  The animal by-products are ground and heated to extract water and 
separate oils and grease from animal tissue as well as to sterilize and make the material suitable as an ingredient for animal feed.
The separated oils, tallows, and greases are then centrifuged and/or refined for purity.  The remaining solid product is pressed to 
remove additional oils to create meals.  The meal is then sifted through screens and ground further if necessary to produce an 
appropriately sized protein meal.

The primary finished products derived from the processing of animal by-products are tallow, PG, MBM, PM, feather 
meal, and blood meal.  In addition, at certain of its North American facilities, the Company is able to operate multiple process
lines simultaneously, which provides it with the flexibility and capacity to manufacture a line of premium and value-added products
in addition to its principal finished products.  Because of these processing controls, the Company is able to blend end products
together in order to produce premium products with specific mixes that typically have higher protein and energy content and lower
moisture than standard finished products and command premium prices.

Used cooking oil, which is recovered from restaurants, is heated, settled, and purified for use as an animal feed additive 
or is further processed into biodiesel. Products derived from used cooking oil include YG, biodiesel, and Fat for Fuel®, which 
uses grease as a fuel source for industrial boilers and dryers.

The  Company’s  North American  hides  and  skins  operations  process  hides  and  skins  from  beef  and  hog  processors, 
respectively into outputs used in commercial applications such as the leather industry.  The Company sells treated hides and skins
to external customers, the majority of which are tanneries.

The Company’s North American fertilizer operations, utilize finished products from the rendering segment to manufacture 
fertilizers from USDA approved ingredients that contain no waste by-products (i.e., sludge or sewage waste).  The Company’s 
primary North American fertilizer product line is Nature Safe®, an organic, protein-based fertilizer. The Company’s North American
fertilizer products are predominately sold to golf courses, sports facilities, organic farms and landscaping companies.

As a result of the Company's acquisition of Terra Renewal Services, Inc ("TRS") on August 26, 2013, the Company also 
collects non-hazardous liquid from the food processing industry and reprocesses and recycles these residuals (the "Food Residuals"),
primarily by permitted land application to enrich soils in accordance with applicable environmental regulations.

Bakery Segment

The Company is a leading processor of bakery residuals in the United States.  The bakery feed division, which operates 
solely within the United States, collects bakery residual materials and processes the raw materials into BBP, including Cookie 
Meal®, an animal feed ingredient primarily used in poultry rations. 

Raw materials

In the United States, bakery by-products are collected from large commercial bakeries that produce a variety of products, 
including cookies, crackers, cereal, bread, dough, potato chips, pretzels, sweet goods and biscuits, among others.  The Company
collects these materials by bulk loading onsite at the bakeries utilizing proprietary equipment, the majority of which is designed,
engineered, manufactured, and installed by the Company.  All of the bakery residual that the Company collects is bulk loaded, 
which represents a significant advantage over competitors that receive a large percentage of raw materials from less efficient,
manual methods.  The receipt of bulk-loaded bakery residual allows the Company to significantly streamline its bakery recycling
process, reduce personnel cost, eliminate a significant source of wastewater and maximize freight savings by hauling more tons 
per load.

Processing operations

The highly automated bakery feed production process involves sorting and separating raw material, mixing it to produce 
the appropriate nutritional content, drying it to reduce excess moisture, and grinding it to the consistency of animal feed.  During
the bakery residual process, packaging materials are removed.  The packaging material is fed into a combustion chamber along 
with sawdust and heat is produced.  This heat is used in the dryers to remove moisture from the raw materials that have been 
partially ground.  Finally, the dried meal is ground to the specified granularity.  The finished product, which is continually tested
to ensure that the caloric and nutrient contents meet specifications, is a nutritious additive used in animal feed.

Page 6

Fiscal 2013 Finished Products

The Company's fiscal 2013 finished products were predominantly proteins (primarily MBM and PM), fats (primarily 
BFT, PG and YG), BBP and hides.  MBM, PM and BBP are used primarily as high protein additives in animal feed and pet food.  
Fats are used as ingredients in the production of animal feed, pet food, soaps and as a substitute for traditional fuels.  Oleo-chemical
producers use these fats as feed stocks to produce specialty ingredients used in paint, rubber, paper, concrete, plastics and a variety 
of other consumer and industrial products.  Hides are sold to tanneries or leather distributors and manufacturers for the production
of leather goods.  The finished products listed above are commodities that compete with other commodities such as corn, soybean
oil, inedible corn oil, palm oils, soybean meal and heating oil on nutritional and functional values and therefore actual pricing for 
the Company's finished products, as well as competing products, can be quite volatile.  While the Company's finished products 
are generally sold at prices prevailing at the time of sale, the Company's ability to deliver large quantities of finished products
from multiple locations and to coordinate sales from a central location enables the Company to occasionally receive a premium 
over the then-prevailing market price.

A more complete description of certain of the Company’s finished products is as follows:

Protein Meals

The Company's meal products include MBM, PM, feather meal and blood meal. All of the Company's meal products are 
protein-rich and contain essential minerals and amino acids, which are critically important components of animal feed.  MBM, 
blood  meal,  PM  and  feather  meal  are  sold  to  feed  manufacturers  while  higher  grade  poultry  meal  is  also  sold  to  pet  food 
manufacturers.  Some of the Company’s meals are also used as ingredients in its fertilizer operations.

Animal Fats

The Company produces a range of animal fats from its rendering operations.  Animal fats are an additive in livestock and 
pet foods that contains essential fatty acids and energy and enhances the taste of the foods.  Animal fats are also frequently sold
to soap and beauty products manufacturers as well as industrial manufacturers of paint, rubber, paper, concrete, plastics and other
consumer products.  The vast majority of the animal fat that the Company produces is used as a feed additive.

Grease

The Company produces several different types of grease including YG and brown grease.  Grease, similar to animal fats, 
is an essential ingredient in livestock and pet foods due to its fatty acid composition and high energy content.  Due to its nutritional
content, the majority of the Company's YG is sold to meat and poultry producers who use the grease as a feed additive.  In addition,
some of the grease produced by the Company's rendering operations is burned as Fat for Fuel® or used to manufacture biodiesel.

Hides and skins

The Company processes cattle hides and hog skins from its own operations and other animal processing facilities.  The 
hides and skins are trimmed and cured in a brine solution that prepares them for tanneries.  Tanneries sell the tanned hides and
skins primarily to leather companies that use the products in a variety of consumer goods including apparel and vehicle interiors.

Premium, value-added and branded products

The Company's premium, value-added and branded products command significantly higher pricing relative to its principal 
finished product lines due to their enhanced nutritional content, which is a function of the Company's specialized processing 
techniques.

Fiscal 2013 Net External Sales

For the financial results of the Company's business segments, see Note 21 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 
Darling’s net external sales from fiscal 2013 continuing operations by operating segment, including nine weeks of contribution 
from Rothsay in fiscal 2013 were as follows (in thousands):

Page 7

Fiscal
2013

Fiscal
2012

Fiscal
2011

Continuing operations:

Rendering
Bakery

Total

$ 1,457,609
265,941
$ 1,723,550

84.6% $ 1,406,061
15.4
295,368
100.0% $ 1,701,429

82.6% $ 1,501,280
17.4
295,969
100.0% $ 1,797,249

83.5%
16.5
100.0%

OUR COMBINED BUSINESS
New Operating Segments

With the closing of the VION Acquisition and the Rothsay Acquisition, the Company has become a global developer and 
producer  of  sustainable  natural  ingredients  from  edible  and  inedible  bio-nutrients,  creating  a  wide  range  of  ingredients  and 
customized specialty solutions for customers in the food, pet food, pharmaceutical, feed, fuel, bioenergy and fertilizer industries.
The Company’s business is now conducted through a global network of over 200 locations, including 140 production facilities, 
across five continents with approximately 10,000 employees.  Following the VION Acquisition in January 2014, the Company’s 
operations are now organized into three new operating segments as follows:

•
•
•

Feed Ingredients (which will include the edible and inedible animal by-products, bakery and hides business lines);
Food Ingredients (which will include the gelatin, casings and edible fats business lines); and
Fuel Ingredients (which will include the biofuel and bioenergy business lines).

The discussion below includes a description of the business operations that will be included in each of these new segments.

OPERATIONS

Feed Ingredients

Our Feed Ingredients segment consists principally of (i) our U.S. ingredients business, including our used cooking oil, 
trap grease and food residuals collection businesses, the Rothsay ingredients business, and the ingredients and specialty products
businesses conducted by Darling Ingredients International under the Sonac name (proteins, fats, technical fats and blood products)
and (ii) our bakery by-products business. 

   Animal By-Products

North American Operations

Raw materials:  The Company's North American animal by-products operations collect beef, poultry and pork by-products, 
which are collected primarily from slaughterhouses, grocery stores, butcher shops and food service establishments.  These raw 
materials are collected in one of two manners.  Certain large suppliers, such as large slaughterhouses, are furnished with bulk
containers in which the raw material is loaded.  We provide the remaining suppliers, primarily grocery stores and butcher shops,
with containers in which to deposit the raw material.  The containers are picked up by or emptied into the Company’s trucks on 
a periodic basis.  The type and frequency of service is determined by individual supplier requirements, the volume of raw material
generated by the supplier, supplier location and weather, among other factors.  The raw materials we collect are transported either
directly to a processing plant or to a transfer station where materials from several collection routes are loaded into trailers and 
transported to a processing plant.  These raw materials are delivered to plants for processing usually within 24 hours of collection
to deter spoilage.

In North America, we also collect used cooking oil from and service grease traps at restaurants, food service establishments 
and grocery stores.  Many of our customers operate stores that are part of national chains.  Used cooking oil from food service
establishments is placed in various sizes and types of containers that we supply.  In some instances, these containers are unloaded
directly onto our trucks, while in other instances used cooking oil is pumped through a vacuum hose into the truck.  We sell two
types of containers for used cooking oil collection to food service establishments called CleanStar® and B.O.S.S., both of which
are proprietary self-contained collection systems that are housed either inside or outside the establishment, with the used cooking
oil pumped directly into collection vehicles via an outside valve.  The frequency of all forms of used cooking oil collection is
determined by the volume of oil generated by the food service establishment. We either transport trap grease to waste treatment
centers  or  recycle  it  at  our  facilities  into  a  host  of  environmentally  safe  product  streams.  We  provide  our  customers  with  a 
comprehensive set of solutions to their trap grease disposal needs, including manifests for regulatory compliance, computerized
Page 8

routing for consistent cleaning and comprehensive trap cleaning.  The Company also collects non-hazardous liquid and semi-solid
waste  streams  from  the  food  processing  industry  and  reprocesses  and  recycles  these  residuals,  primarily  by  permitted  land 
application to enrich soils in accordance with applicable environmental regulations.

Processing operations:  We produce finished products primarily through the grinding, cooking, separating, drying, and 
blending of various raw materials.  The process starts with the collection of animal by-products (including fat, bones, feathers,
offal and other animal by-products).  The animal by-products are ground and heated to evaporate water and separate fats from 
animal tissue, as well as to sterilize and make the material suitable as an ingredient for animal feed.  The separated fats, tallows
and greases are then centrifuged and/or refined for purity.  The remaining solid product is pressed to remove additional oils to
create protein meals.  The protein meal is then sifted through screens and ground further if necessary to produce an appropriately
sized protein meal.  The primary finished products derived from the processing of animal by-products are MBM, PM (both feed 
grade and pet food), PG, tallow, feather meal and blood meal.  In addition, at certain of our facilities, we are able to operate multiple 
process lines simultaneously, which provides us with the flexibility and capacity to manufacture a line of premium and value-
added products in addition to our principal finished products.  Because of these processing controls, we are able to blend end 
products together in order to produce premium products with specific mixes that typically have higher protein and energy content
and lower moisture than standard finished products and command premium prices.

    International Operations

Darling Ingredients International’s ingredients and specialty products businesses are operated under the Sonac name by 
our Sonac C3, Sonac Bone and Sonac Blood business activities. The Sonac ingredients and specialty products businesses of Darling
Ingredients International operate similarly to our North American ingredients division.  However, the Sonac businesses, with the
exception of Sonac C3, further separate raw material streams to add additional value to each stream. 

• 

• 

• 

Sonac  C3  processes  animal  by-product  collected  primarily  from  slaughterhouses,  into  proteins  and  fats  for 
applications used in the pet food, feed, technical, biofuels and oleo-chemical markets. Oleo-chemical producers 
use fats to produce specialty ingredients used in paint, rubber, paper, concrete, plastics and a variety of other 
consumer and industrial products.

Sonac Bone processes porcine bones into fat, bone protein, glue, bone ash and bone chips for the feed, pet food, 
food and gelatin industries. 

Sonac Blood processes bovine, porcine and ovine blood by separating blood into plasma and hemoglobin and 
produces specialized end products for application in the feed and pet food markets. Sonac Blood’s end products 
include plasma, fibrimex, globin and hemin.

   Bakery By-Products

The Company is a leading processor of bakery residuals in the United States.  The bakery by-products division, which 
operates solely in the United States, collects bakery residual materials and processes the raw materials into BBP, including Cookie
Meal®, an animal feed ingredient primarily used in poultry rations.

Raw materials: Bakery by-products are collected from large commercial bakeries that produce a variety of products, 
including cookies, crackers, cereal, bread, dough, potato chips, pretzels, sweet goods and biscuits.  The Company collects these
materials by bulk loading onsite at the bakeries utilizing proprietary equipment, the majority of which is designed, engineered,
manufactured and installed by us.  All of the bakery residual that the Company collects is bulk loaded, which represents a significant
advantage over competitors that receive a large percentage of raw materials from less efficient, manual methods.  The receipt of
bulk-loaded  bakery  residual  allows  us  to  significantly  streamline  our  bakery  recycling  process,  reduce  personnel  costs,  and 
maximize freight savings by hauling more tons per load.

Processing operations:  The highly automated bakery by-products production process involves sorting and separating 
raw material, mixing it to produce the appropriate nutritional content, drying it to reduce excess moisture and grinding it to the
consistency of animal feed.  During the bakery residual process, packaging materials are removed.  The packaging material is fed
into a combustion chamber along with sawdust and heat is produced.  This heat is used in the dryers to remove moisture from the
raw materials that have been partially ground.  Finally, the dried meal is ground to the specified granularity.  The finished product,
which is continually tested to ensure that the caloric and nutrient contents meet specifications, is a nutritious additive used in 
animal feed.

Page 9

Other Products

Our Feed Ingredients segment also includes the Company’s hides businesses, including that operated under the BestHides 

name by Darling Ingredients International, and the organic fertilizer business conducted under the Nature Safe® name. 

• 

• 

Our hides operations process hides and skins from beef and hog processors, respectively into outputs used in 
commercial applications, such as the leather industry. We sell treated hides and skins to external customers, the 
majority of which are tanneries. BestHides sources, sorts and processes hides from slaughterhouses, renderers 
and traders in Western Europe, and has a leading position in the premium South German hides market. Fresh 
and salted hides and fresh skins are sold to tanneries, automotive companies, leather processors and to the shoe 
and furniture industries in Italy, Germany and China. 

Our fertilizer operations utilize finished products from our animal by-products division to manufacture organic 
fertilizers from ingredients approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) that contain no waste 
by-products (i.e., sludge or sewage waste).

Food Ingredients Segment

Our  Food  Ingredients  segment  consists  principally  of  (i)  the  gelatin  business  conducted  by  Darling  Ingredients 
International under the Rousselot name, (ii) the natural casings and meat-by-products business conducted by Darling Ingredients
International under the CTH name and (iii) certain specialty products businesses conducted by Darling Ingredients International
under the Sonac name.

    Gelatin

Rousselot is a global leading market provider of gelatin and hydrolyzed collagen for the food, nutritional pharmaceutical 
and technical (photographic) industries with operations in Europe, China, South America and the United States.  Rousselot has a
network of 13 production plants and 7 sales locations, covering sales into more than 75 countries. With the Rousselot gelatin 
business, the Company is part of the growing global gelatin market. Gelatin is a functional ingredient, which means that it has a 
role in the end product by adding a critical property to it that is largely non-substitutable. Gelatin is used in a large variety of end 
products, but only small amounts are used in most products. Currently, available substitutes are limited and do not have the broad
functionality required for most usages.  Rousselot gelatin products have higher sales prices relative to the Company’s other end
products, but comprise a minimal portion of the cost of final products in many segments, for example pharmaceutical end markets.
Many end customers focus on gelatin quality and consistency, supply reliability, application know-how and regulatory support 
and are therefore relatively less price sensitive to gelatin products. Rousselot’s profitability is mainly driven by its ability to timely 
transfer increases in net raw materials costs to its customers in order to realize a relatively stable added value per kilogram of 
gelatin in combination with a strong focus on operations excellence and product quality. Rousselot is involved in all four types of 
gelatin (pigskin, hide, bone and fish). Raw material prices are mainly driven by the availability and quality of raw material, and
sales prices are mainly driven by market demand and the expected availability of gelatin supply. As such, securing sufficient raw
material positions is key to the business. Rousselot enters into formal arrangements related to raw material purchases that differ
by raw material type, by duration and by regional area.  Rousselot markets its hydrolyzed collagen under the “Peptan” brand; this
fast-growing specialty ingredient is positioned specifically towards nutritional supplements customers focusing on improved bone,
joint and skin health.

    Natural Casings and Meat By-Products

The CTH business of Darling Ingredients International is a leading  natural casings company for the sausage business 

with operations in Europe, China and the United States. The activities of this business are divided into two categories: 

• 

• 

CTH Casings harvests, sorts and sells hog and sheep casings for worldwide food markets, particularly sausage 
manufacturers, and harvests, processes and sells hog and beef bowel package items for global pharmaceutical, 
food and feed market segments. CTH holds a leading position in the highly fragmented global casings market. 

CTH Meat By-Products harvests, purchases and processes hog, sheep and beef meat by-products for customers 
in the global food and European pet food industries. In the meat by-products market, CTH is a major player 
with established sales networks in Europe and Asia.  

Page 10

Other Specialty Products 

In addition, our Food Ingredients segment includes the heparin and edible fat businesses currently operated by Darling 

Ingredients International under the Sonac name: 

• 

• 

Sonac Heparin extracts crude heparin from hydrolyzed mucosa for application in the pharmaceutical industry.

Sonac Fat primarily melts, refines and packages animal fat into food grade fat for the food markets. 

Our Fuel Ingredients segment consists of (i) our biofuel business conducted under the Dar Pro® and Rothsay names and 

(ii) the bioenergy business conducted by Darling Ingredients International under the Ecoson and Rendac names. 

Fuel Ingredients

    Biofuel

We produce biodiesel at our facilities in the United States and Canada. In the United States, we use a portion of our 
rendered animal fats and recycled greases, as well as third-party additives, to produce Bio G-3000™ Premium Diesel Fuel. We 
have the annual capacity to produce two million gallons of Bio G-3000™ at our facility in Butler, Kentucky. Our facility in Sainte-
Catherine, Quebec also processes tallow and recycled oils produced by us into biodiesel. The Quebec facility, which was acquired
in the Rothsay Acquisition, has a current annual capacity to produce approximately 14 million gallons a year. Our biodiesel product
is sold to our internal divisions, as well as to commercial biodiesel producers in the United States and Canada, to be used as 
biodiesel fuel, a clean burning additive for diesel fuel or as a biodegradable solvent or cleaning agent.

    Bioenergy

In Europe, Ecoson produces green power from biogas production out of organic sludge and food waste for combined 
heat plant installations.  Ecoson is the largest industrial digestion operation in The Netherlands, with an output matching the annual 
use of energy needs of approximately 10,000 households. In addition Ecoson's fat refinery produces refined fats and fatty acids.
Ecoson soon will commence the processing of manure into natural biophosphate for use as fertilizer and green gas.

Rendac collects fallen stock and animal waste, also referred to as Category 1 and Category 2 material under applicable 
E.U. regulations, from farmers and slaughterhouses, and processes these materials into fats and meals, which can only be used as
a low grade source of energy or fuel for boilers and cement kilns. With a specialized collection fleet of approximately 300 trucks,
Rendac collects raw materials in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland and Belgium. This business is a market leader in the Benelux 
region, a regulated market with spare capacity requirements and long-term contracts with local governments.

    Diamond Green Diesel

Diamond Green Diesel Holdings LLC, our 50% / 50% renewable diesel joint venture with Valero Energy Corporation 
("Valero") (the "DGD Joint Venture") commenced operations in June 2013.  The DGD Joint Venture operates a renewable diesel 
plant (the "DGD Facility") located in Norco, Louisiana capable of producing approximately 9,300 barrels per day of renewable 
diesel and certain other co-products.  We account for the DGD Joint Venture as an “investment in unconsolidated subsidiary.”  The
DGD Joint Venture operates the DGD Facility, which converts grease, used cooking oil and animal fats, which are supplied in 
part by us, and other feed stocks that become economically and commercially viable, such as inedible corn oil, into renewable 
diesel.  The  DGD  Facility  uses  an  advanced  hydroprocessing-isomerization  process  licensed  from  UOP  LLC,  known  as  the 
Ecofining™ Process, and a pretreatment process developed by the Desmet Ballestra Group designed to convert approximately 
1.1 billion pounds per year of recycled animal fats, recycled cooking oils and other feedstocks, into renewable diesel and certain
other co-products. The Diamond Green Diesel renewable diesel product is sold to refiners under the Diamond Green Diesel® 
name to be blended with diesel fuel and is interchangeable with diesel produced from petroleum.

Raw materials pricing and supply contracts

We have two primary pricing arrangements-formula and non-formula arrangements-with our suppliers of poultry, beef, 
pork, bakery residuals and used cooking oil.  Under a "formula" arrangement, the charge or credit for raw materials is tied to 
published finished product prices for a competing ingredient after deducting a fixed processing fee.  We also acquire raw material
under "non-formula" arrangements whereby suppliers are either paid a fixed price, are not paid, or are charged a collection fee,
depending on various economic and competitive factors.   The credit received or amount charged for raw materials under both 
Page 11

formula  and  non-formula  arrangements  is  based  on  various  factors,  including  the  type  of  raw  materials,  demand  for  the  raw 
materials, the expected value of the finished product to be produced, the anticipated yields, the volume of material generated by
the supplier and processing and transportation costs. Formula prices are generally adjusted on a weekly, monthly or quarterly basis
while non-formula prices or charges are adjusted as needed to respond to changes in finished product prices or related operating
costs. Since most of our raw materials are residual by-products of meat processing and other food production, we are not able to
contract with our suppliers to increase supply if demand for our products increases.

A  majority  of  our  U.S.  volume  of  rendering  raw  materials,  including  all  of  our  significant  poultry  accounts,  and 
substantially all of our bakery feed raw materials are acquired on a “formula basis,” which in most cases is set forth in contracts
with our suppliers, generally with multi-year terms. These “formulas” allow us to manage the risk associated with decreases in 
commodity prices by adjusting our costs of materials based on changes in the price of our finished products, while also permitting
us, in certain cases, to benefit from increases in commodity prices. The formulas provided in these contracts are reviewed and 
modified both during the term of, and in connection with the renewal of, the contracts to maintain an acceptable level of sharing
between us and our suppliers of the costs and benefits from movements in commodity prices. A majority of Rothsay’s rendering 
raw materials are acquired based on prices fixed on a quarterly basis with suppliers, with the remaining portion acquired on a 
“formula basis.” A majority of Darling Ingredients International’s volume of rendering raw materials is acquired at spot or quarterly
fixed prices. Although Darling Ingredients International, in general, has no long term contracts with its key suppliers, it has procured 
a series of four-year supply agreements with VION’s foods division (“VION Food”) that became effective on closing of the VION 
Acquisition and is expected to provide approximately 11% of Darling Ingredients International’s raw material supply (based on 
raw materials procured in fiscal 2013).  Approximately 81% of Darling's volume of raw materials in fiscal 2013 was acquired on 
a "formula" basis.

MARKETING, SALES AND DISTRIBUTION OF FINISHED PRODUCTS

The Company sells its finished products worldwide.  Finished product sales are primarily managed through our commodity 
trading  departments.   With  respect  to  our  North American  operations,  we  have  trading  departments  located  at  our  corporate 
headquarters in Irving, Texas for fats, and at our office in Cold Spring, Kentucky for proteins.  We also maintain sales offices in 
Des Moines, Iowa, New Orleans, Louisiana, and Memphis, Tennessee for the sale and distribution of selected products.  Darling 
Ingredients International’s finished product sales are managed primarily through trading departments that are located in Son en
Breugel, the Netherlands, and through various offices located in Europe, Asia, South America and North America.  We intend to 
coordinate international sales of common products in order to market them more efficiently. Our sales force is in contact with 
customers daily and coordinates the sale and assists in the distribution of most finished products produced at our processing 
plants.  The Company also sells its finished products internationally through commodities brokers and our agents and directly to
customers in various countries.  We market certain of our finished products under our Dar Pro Solutions® brand, certain specialty
products under the Sonac name, gelatin products under the Rousselot name, natural casings and meat by-products under the CTH 
name and hides under the BestHides name.  Until the VION Acquisition and the Rothsay Acquisition (together, the "Acquisitions"),
the Company had no material foreign operations, but exported a portion of its products to customers in various foreign countries
or regions including Asia, the European Union, Latin America, the Pacific Rim, North Africa, Mexico and South America.  Total 
direct export sales from the United States were $149.6 million, $216.2 million and $270.9 million for the years ended December 28,
2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  Since the Rothsay Acquisition, in fiscal 2013, Rothsay had direct
export sales of approximately CAD$5.9 million all of which was to the United States. See Note 21 of Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements for a breakdown of the Company’s sales by domestic and foreign customers.

The Company sells finished products in North America and throughout the world, primarily to producers of animal feed, 
pet food, biodiesel, fertilizer and other consumer and industrial products, including oleo-chemicals, soaps and leather goods, for
use as ingredients in their products or for further processing.  Certain of our finished products are ingredients that compete with
alternatives, such as corn, soybean oil, inedible corn oil, palm oils, soybean meal and heating oil, based on nutritional and functional
values; therefore, the actual pricing for those finished products, as well a competing products, can be quite volatile.  While the
Company's principal finished products are generally sold at prices prevailing at the time of sale, the Company's ability to deliver
large quantities of finished products from multiple locations and to coordinate sales from a central location enables us to occasionally
receive a premium over the then-prevailing market price. The Company's premium, value-added and branded products command 
significantly higher pricing relative to the Company's principal  finished product lines due to their enhanced nutritional content,
which is a function of the Company's specialized processing techniques. Customers for our premium, value-added and branded 
products include feed mills, pet food manufacturers, integrated poultry producers, the dairy industry and golf courses.  Feed mills
purchase meals, greases, tallows, and Cookie Meal® for use as feed ingredients. Pet food manufacturers require stringent feed 
safety certifications and consistently demand premium additives that are high in protein and nutritional content.  As a result, pet 
food manufacturers typically purchase only premium or value-added products under supply contracts with us. Oleo-chemical 
producers use fats as feed stocks to produce specialty ingredients used in paint, rubber, paper, concrete, plastics and a variety of 
other consumer and industrial products.  Darling Ingredients International’s premium, value-added and branded products also 
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command higher pricing, including with respect to gelatin, natural casings, meat by-products, edible fat, heparin and specialty
blood products.

We obtain payment protection for most of our global export sales by requiring payment before shipment, by requiring 
either bank letters of credit or cash against documents at the origin of the sale or guarantees of payment from government agencies.
For U.S. sales, we are ordinarily paid for products in U.S. dollars and have not experienced any material currency translation 
losses  or  any  material  foreign  exchange  control  difficulties.  Darling  Ingredients  International’s  product  sales  are  generally 
denominated in the local currency.  However, in certain markets (such as South America), some product sales are denominated in 
non-functional currencies, such as U.S. dollars and euros. Historically, Darling Ingredients International hedged non-functional
currency product sales, which we have continued post-closing.

Our management monitors market conditions and prices for our finished products on a daily basis.  If market conditions 
or prices were to significantly change, our management would evaluate and implement any measures that it may deem necessary 
to respond to the change in market conditions.  For larger formula-based pricing suppliers, the indexing of raw material cost to
finished product prices effectively establishes the gross margin on finished product sales at a stable level, providing us some
protection from finished product price declines.

Finished products produced by the Company are shipped primarily by truck or rail from our plants shortly following 
production.  While there can be some temporary inventory accumulations at various North American and international locations, 
particularly port locations for export shipments, with the exception of gelatin and natural casings, inventories rarely exceed three
weeks’ production and, therefore, we use limited working capital to carry those inventories.  Our limited inventories also  reduce
our exposure to fluctuations in finished-product prices. With respect to gelatin and natural casings, Darling Ingredients International,
in contrast, has historically carried much larger inventories due to the manufacturing process and market dynamics related to those
products. Other factors that influence competition, markets and the prices that we receive for our finished products include the
quality  of  our  finished  products,  consumer  health  consciousness,  worldwide  credit  conditions  and  government  aid  and 
regulations.  From time to time, we enter into arrangements with our suppliers of raw materials pursuant to which these suppliers
have the option to buy back our finished products at market prices.

The Company operates a fleet of trucks, trailers and railcars to transport raw materials from suppliers and finished product 
to customers or ports for transportation by ship.  It also utilizes third party freight to cost-effectively transfer materials and augment 
our in-house logistics fleet.  Within our bakery by-products division, substantially all inbound and outbound freight is handled by 
third party logistics companies.

COMPETITION

With the acquisition of Darling Ingredients International, we believe we are the only global ingredients company with 
products generated principally from animal-origin raw material types; however, we compete with a number of regional and local 
players in our various sub-segments and end markets.

The procurement of raw materials currently presents greater challenges to our business than the sale of finished products. In 
North America, consolidation within the meat processing industry has resulted in bigger and more efficient slaughtering operations,
the majority of which utilize "captive" renderers (rendering operations integrated with the meat or poultry packing operation).  At 
the same time, the number of small meat processors, which have historically been a dependable source of supply for non-captive 
renderers, such as us, has decreased significantly.  In addition, the slaughter rates in the meat processing industry are subject to 
economic conditions and, as a result, during periods of economic decline, the availability, quantity and quality of raw materials
available to the independent renderers decreases.  These factors have been offset, in part, however, by increasing environmental
consciousness.  The need for food service establishments in the United States to comply with environmental regulations concerning
the proper disposal of used restaurant cooking oil should continue to provide a growth area for this raw material source.  The 
rendering industry is highly fragmented with a number of local slaughtering operations that provide us with raw materials.  In 
North America, we compete with other rendering, restaurant services and bakery residual businesses, and alternative methods of 
disposal of animal processing by-products and used restaurant cooking oil provided by trash haulers, waste management companies
and biodiesel companies and others. In addition, U.S. food service establishments have increasingly experienced theft of used 
cooking oil.  A number of our competitors for the procurement of raw material are experienced, well-capitalized companies that 
have significant operating experience and historic supplier relationships.  Competition for available raw materials is based primarily
on price and proximity to the supplier.

In marketing our finished products domestically and internationally, we face competition from other processors and from 
producers of other suitable ingredient alternatives.  However, we differentiate ourselves through the scope and depth of our product
portfolio and geographic footprint.  While we compete with a number of well capitalized companies across our business, such as 
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Cargill, Inc., Tyson Foods, Inc. and Swift & Company in the U.S. products business, and others in the global gelatin, bone products,
and blood products business, we do not have a single competitor that we compete with across all of our products or geographies.

SEASONALITY

Although the amount of raw materials made available to us by our suppliers is relatively stable on a weekly basis, it is 
impacted by seasonal factors, including holidays, during which the availability of raw materials declines because major meat and
poultry processors are not operating, and cold and other severe weather, which can hinder the collection of raw materials.  Warm
weather  can  also  adversely  affect  the  quality  of  raw  materials  processed  and  our  yields  on  production  because  raw  material 
deteriorates more rapidly in warm weather than in cooler weather.  Weather can vary significantly from one year to the next and
may impact the comparability of our operating results between periods. The amount of bakery residuals we process generally 
increases during the summer from June to September.  Gelatin sales generally decline in the summer.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

The  Company  maintains  valuable  trademarks,  service  marks,  copyrights,  trade  names,  trade  secrets,  proprietary 
technologies and similar intellectual property, and considers our intellectual property to be of material value.  We have registered
or applied for registration of certain of our intellectual property, including the tricolor triangle used in our signage and logos and 
the names "Darling," "Darling Ingredients", "Griffin Industries," "Dar Pro Solutions," "Dar Pro," "Rousselot," "Sonac," "Ecoson,"
"Rendac," "CTH," "BestHides." "Rothsay," "Rothsay Diesel," "Nature Safe," "CleanStar," "Peptan," "Cookie Meal," and "Bakery 
Feeds"  and certain patents, both domestically and internationally, relating to the process for preparing nutritional supplements
and the drying and processing of raw materials.

EMPLOYEES AND LABOR RELATIONS

As of December 28, 2013, the Company employed approximately 4,200 persons full-time.  With the addition of Darling 
Ingredients International, we globally employ approximately 10,000 persons full-time. While we have no national or multi-plant 
union contracts, at December 28, 2013, approximately 23% of the Company's employees were covered by multiple collective 
bargaining agreements.  In addition, approximately 46% of Darling Ingredients International's employees are covered by various 
collective  bargaining  agreements.  Management  believes  that  our  relations  with  our  employees  and  their  representatives  are 
satisfactory.  There can be no assurance, however, that these satisfactory arrangements will continue or that new agreements will
be reached without union action or will be on terms satisfactory to us.

REGULATIONS

We are subject to the rules and regulations of various federal, state, local and foreign governmental agencies.  Material 

rules and regulations and the applicable agencies include:

United States

•

The Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"), which regulates pharmaceutical products and food and feed safety. Effective 
August 1997, the FDA promulgated a rule prohibiting the use of mammalian proteins, with some exceptions, in feeds 
for cattle, sheep and other ruminant animals (21 C.F.R. 589.2000, referred to herein as the "BSE Feed Rule") to prevent 
further spread of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly referred to as "mad cow" disease ("BSE").  With respect 
to BSE in the United States, on October 26, 2009, the FDA began enforcing new regulations intended to further reduce 
the risk of spreading BSE (the "Enhanced BSE Rule"). These new regulations included amending the BSE Feed Rule to 
prohibit the use of tallow having more than 0.15% insoluble impurities in feed for cattle or other ruminant animals.  In 
addition, the FDA implemented rules that prohibit the use of brain and spinal cord material from cattle aged 30 months 
and  older  or  the  carcasses  of  such  cattle,  if  the  brain  and  spinal  cord  are  not  removed,  in  the  feed  or  food  for  all 
animals.  Management believes we are in compliance with the provisions of these rules. See Item 1A "Risk Factors - Our 
business may be affected by the impact of BSE and other food safety issues," for more information regarding certain 
FDA rules that affect our business, including changes to the BSE Feed Rule.

•  The United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA"), which regulates our collection and production methods.  Within 

the USDA, two agencies exercise direct regulatory oversight of our activities:

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- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service ("APHIS") certifies facilities and claims made for exported 
materials to meet importing country requirements and establishes and enforces import requirements for 
live animals and animal by-products and animal by-products as well as plant products, and

-  Food  Safety  Inspection  Service  ("FSIS")  regulates  sanitation  of  our  facilities  and  our  food  safety 
programs, among other things.

On December 30, 2003, the Secretary of Agriculture announced new beef slaughter/meat processing regulations to assure 
consumers of the safety of the meat supply.  These regulations prohibit non-ambulatory animals from entering the food 
chain, require removal of specified risk materials at slaughter and prohibit carcasses from cattle tested for BSE from 
entering the food chain until the animals are shown negative for BSE.

On November 19, 2007, APHIS implemented revised import regulations that allowed Canadian cattle over 30 months of 
age and born after March 1, 1999 and bovine products derived from such cattle to be imported into the United States for 
any use. Imports of Canadian cattle younger than 30 months of age have been allowed since March 2005. Imports of 
specialized risk material ("SRM") from Canadian born cattle slaughtered in Canada are not permitted.  On March 16, 
2012, APHIS proposed amending import regulations for all countries to establish a system for classifying regions as to 
BSE risk that is consistent with international standards set by the World Organization for Animal Health ("OIE") and to 
base importation requirements for cattle and beef products on: (i) the inherent risk of BSE infectivity in the commodity 
to be imported and (ii) the BSE risk status of the region from which the commodity originates.  The USDA announced 
the finalization of the proposed rule on November 1, 2013, which will become effective on March 4, 2014.

•  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"), which regulates air and water discharge requirements, as well as 

local and state agencies governing air and water discharge.

•

State Departments of Agriculture, which regulate animal by-product collection and transportation procedures and animal 
feed quality.

•  The United States Department of Transportation ("USDOT"), as well as local and state agencies, which regulate the 

operation of our commercial vehicles.

•  The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA"), which is the main federal agency charged with the 

enforcement of safety and health legislation.

•  The  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  ("SEC"),  which  regulates  securities  and  information  required  in  annual, 

quarterly and other reports filed by publicly traded companies.

Canada

•  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (“CFIA”), which regulates animal health and the disposal of animals and their 

products or by-products.

•

Canadian provincial ministries of agriculture, which regulate food safety and quality, air and water discharge requirements 
and the disposal of deadstock.

•  The Canadian Department of the Environment (“Environment Canada”), which ensures compliance with Canadian federal 

air and water discharge and wildlife management requirements.  

•  The Canadian Technical Standards and Safety Authority (“TSSA”), a non-profit organization that regulates the safety of 

fuels and pressure vessels and boilers.

European Union and the United Kingdom

•  The European Commission, Directorate for Health and Consumer, which addresses regulations for food, feed, human 

and animal health, technical uses of animal by-products and packaging. 

Page 15

•  The European Medicine Agency, which establishes guidance for pharmaceutical products, bovine products and metal 

residues.

•  The European Directorate for the Quality for Medicine, which certifies pharmaceutical products. 

•  The European Pharmacopeia, which establishes requirements for pharmaceutical products. 

•  The European Chemical Agency, which is responsible for the implementation of REACH (Registration, Evaluation, 

Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals).

•  The European Commission, Environment Directorate, which establishes regulations on pollution and waste, such as the 
Directives on Industrial Emissions, Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control and Best Available Techniques in the 
Slaughterhouses and Animal By-products Industries. 

•

European Union Member States  must ensure adequate control and supervision of principles set forth in numerous EU
Directives, such as minimum safety and health requirements for the workplace and use of work equipment by workers.
EU Member States are allowed to maintain or establish more stringent measures in their own legislation. In general, each 
EU Member State’s ministry of labor affairs is responsible for regulating health and safety at work and labor inspections 
services and is in charge of controlling compliance with applicable legislation and regulations. 

•  The  Dutch  Food  Safety  Authority  (Nederlandse  Voedsel-  en  Warenautoriteit),  which  issues  permits,  approvals  and 
registrations to establishments or plants engaged in certain activities related to the handling of animal by-products and 
food and feed production.

•  The Belgian Federal Food Safety Agency (Federal Agentschap voor de Veiligheid van de Voedselketen), which issues 
permits, approvals and registrations to establishments or plants engaged in certain activities related to the handling of 
animal by-products and food and feed production.

•  The Public Flemish Waste Agency (Openbare Vlaamse Afvalstoffen Maatschappij), which issues permits, approvals and 
registrations to establishments or plants carrying out certain activities related to the handling of animal by-products.

•  The German Competent Authorities at Länder level, which issue permits, approvals and registrations to establishments 
or plants carrying out certain activities related to the handling of animal by-products and food and feed production.

•  The United Kingdom’s Health and Safety Executive is the government body responsible for enforcing health and safety 
at work legislation, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974,  and enforcing health and safety law in industrial 
workplaces, together with local authorities.

•  The United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency issues permits, approvals and registrations to plants carrying out certain 

activities related to the handling of animal by-products.

•
China

•  The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, which supervises the import and export 

of food and feed.

•  The  Ministry  of  Health  of  the  People’s  Republic  of  China,  which  establishes  standards  for  food  and  pharmaceutical 

products.

•  The Chinese Pharmacopeia, which establishes standards for pharmaceutical products.

Brazil

•  The Ministry of Agriculture, Cattle and Supply (Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento), which regulates 

the production of gelatin.

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Argentina

•  The National Department for Food Safety and Quality (Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria), which 

regulates the production of gelatin.

•  The National Department of Animal Health (Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Animal), which at the local level is equivalent 

to the FDA in Argentina. 

Australia

•  The  Australian  Quarantine  and  Inspection  Service,  which  regulates  the  import  and  export  of  agricultural  products, 

including animal by-products.

•  The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, which administers meat and animal by-product legislation. 

•

PrimeSafe, which is the principal regulator of meat and animal by-product businesses in the State of Victoria. 

•  The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which regulates Australia’s competition and consumer protection 

law. 

•  The Australian Securities and Investments Commission, which regulates Australia’s company and financial services laws.

• Worksafe Victoria, which is the regulator responsible for administering and enforcing occupational health and safety laws 

and regulations in the State of Victoria.

•

•

Environment Protection Authority Victoria, which administers environmental protection laws in Victoria.

Goulburn-Murray Rural Water Corporation, which manages allocation and use of water under local water laws in 
Victoria.

Rules and regulations promulgated by these and other agencies may influence our operating results at one or more facilities.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company is required to file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy 
statements and other information with the SEC, which can be read and/or copies made at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 
100 F Street N.E., Washington D.C. 20549.  Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the Public 
Reference Room.  The SEC maintains a web site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, 
and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.  The Company files electronically with the SEC.

We make available, free of charge, through our investor relations web site, our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K 
and amendments to those reports, as well as all other filings with the SEC, as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials
are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

The Company's website is http://www.darlingii.com and the address for the Company's investor relations web site is 
http://ir.darlingii.com.  Information contained on these websites is not and should not be deemed to be a part of this report or any 
filing filed with or furnished to the SEC by us. 

ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS

An investment in Darling involves substantial risks. In consultation with your financial, tax and legal advisors, you should 
carefully consider, among other matters, the following risks in as well as the other information contained in or incorporated by
reference into this report. If any of the events described in the following risk factors actually occur, our business, financial condition, 
prospects or results of operations could be materially adversely affected, the market price of our common stock could decline and
you may lose all or part of your investment in the common stock. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only 
risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not currently known or that are currently deemed to be immaterial may
also materially and adversely affect our business operations and financial condition or the market price of our common stock. 

Page 17

The risks described below also include forward-looking statements and our actual results may differ substantially from those 
discussed in these forward-looking statements. See the section entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” in this filing. 

Risks Related to the Company 

The prices of many of our products are subject to significant volatility associated with commodities markets.

Our principal finished products include MBM, BFT, YG and hides, which are commodities.  We also manufacture and 
sell a number of other products that are derived from animal by-products and many of which are commodities or compete with 
commodities.  The prices of these commodities are quoted on, or derived from prices quoted on, established commodity markets. 
Accordingly, our results of operations will be affected by fluctuations in the prevailing market prices of these finished products
or of other commodities that may be substituted for our products by our customers. Historically, market prices for commodity 
grains, fats and food stocks have fluctuated in response to a number of factors, including global changes in supply and demand 
resulting from changes in local and global economic conditions, changes in global government agriculture programs, changes in 
energy policies of U.S. and foreign governments, changes in international agricultural trading policies, impact of disease outbreaks
on protein sources and the potential effect on supply and demand, as well as weather conditions during the growing and harvesting
seasons. While we seek to mitigate the risks associated with price declines, including by diversifying our finished products offerings,
through the use of formula pricing tied to commodity prices for a substantial portion of our raw materials (which may not protect
our margins in periods of rapidly declining prices) and hedging, a significant decrease in the market price of any of our products
or of other commodities that may be substituted for our products would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations
and cash flow. 

In addition, increases in the market prices of raw materials would require us to raise prices for our premium, value-added 
and branded products to avoid margin deterioration. There can be no assurance as to whether we could implement future price 
increases in response to increases in the market prices of raw materials or how any such price increases would affect future sales
volumes to our customers. Our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected in the future by this volatility.

Our business is dependent on the procurement of raw materials, which is the most competitive aspect of our business.

Our management believes that the most competitive aspect of our business is the procurement of raw materials rather 
than the sale of finished products.  Many of our raw materials are derived directly or indirectly from animal by-products, which
results in the following challenges:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

In North America, consolidation within the meat processing industry has resulted in bigger and more efficient 
slaughtering operations, the majority of which utilize "captive" renderers (rendering operations integrated with 
the meat or poultry packing operation).

Concurrently, the number of small U.S. meat processors, which have historically been a dependable source of 
supply for non-captive U.S. renderers, such as us, has decreased significantly.

The slaughter rates in the meat processing industry are subject to decline during poor economic conditions when 
consumers generally reduce their consumption of protein, and as a result, during such periods of decline, the 
availability, quantity and quality of raw materials available to the independent renderers decreases.

In addition, the Company has seen an increase in the use of used cooking oil in the production of biodiesel, 
which has increased competition for the collection of used cooking oil from restaurants and other food service 
establishments and contributed to an increase in the frequency and magnitude of theft of used cooking oil in the 
United States.

Furthermore, a decline in the general performance of the global economy (including a decline in consumer 
confidence) and any inability of consumers and companies to obtain credit in the financial markets could have 
a negative impact on our raw material volume, such as through the forced closure of any of our raw material 
suppliers. A significant decrease in available raw materials or a closure of a significant number of raw material 
suppliers  could  materially  and  adversely  affect  our  business,  results  of  operations  and  financial  condition, 
including the carrying value of certain of our assets.

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The rendering industry is highly fragmented and both the rendering and bakery residual industries are very competitive. 
We compete with other rendering businesses and alternative methods of disposal of animal by-products, bakery residue and used 
cooking oil provided by trash haulers, waste management companies and biodiesel companies, as well as the alternative of illegal
disposal. See Item 1. “Competition.” In addition, U.S. restaurants experience theft of used cooking oil, the frequency and magnitude 
of which has increased with the rise in value of used cooking oil. Depending on market conditions, we either charge a collection
fee to offset a portion of the cost incurred in collecting raw material or will pay for the raw material. To the extent suppliers of 
raw materials look to alternate methods of disposal, whether as a result of our collection fees being deemed too expensive, the
payments we offer being deemed too low or otherwise, our raw material supply will decrease and our collection fee revenues will
decrease, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

A majority of the Company's U.S. volume of animal by-product raw materials, including all of its significant U.S. poultry 
accounts, and substantially all of the Company's U.S. bakery feed raw materials, are acquired on a “formula basis,” which in most
cases is set forth in contracts with our suppliers, generally with multi-year terms. These “formulas” allow us to mitigate the risks
associated with decreases in commodity prices by adjusting our costs of materials based on changes in the price of our finished
products, while also permitting us, in certain cases, to benefit from increases in commodity prices. The formulas provided in these
contracts are reviewed and modified both during the term of, and in connection with the renewal of, the contracts to maintain an
acceptable level of sharing between us and our suppliers of the costs and benefits from movements in commodity prices. Changes 
to these formulas or the inability to renew such contracts could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations
and financial condition. A majority of Rothsay’s animal by-product raw materials are acquired based on prices fixed on a quarterly
basis with suppliers, with the remaining portion acquired on a “formula basis.” A majority of Darling Ingredients International’s 
volume of animal by-product raw materials is acquired at spot or quarterly fixed prices. Although Darling Ingredients International,
in general, has no long term contracts with its key suppliers, it has procured a series of four-year supply agreements with VION
Food that became effective concurrently with the completion of the VION Acquisition and are expected to provide approximately 
11% of Darling Ingredients International’s raw material supply (based on raw materials procured in fiscal 2013). 

We are highly dependent on natural gas and diesel fuel.

Our operations are highly dependent on the use of natural gas and diesel fuel. We consume significant volumes of natural 
gas to operate boilers in our plants, which generate steam to heat raw materials. Natural gas prices represent a significant cost of 
facility operations included in cost of sales. We also consume significant volumes of diesel fuel to operate our fleet of tractors and 
trucks used to collect raw materials. Diesel fuel prices represent a significant component of cost of collection expenses included
in cost of sales. Prices for both natural gas and diesel fuel can be volatile and therefore represent an ongoing challenge to our
operating results. Although we continually manage these costs and hedge our exposure to changes in fuel prices through our 
formula pricing and from time to time derivatives, a material increase in prices for natural gas and/or diesel fuel over a sustained
period of time could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

A significant percentage of our revenue is attributable to a limited number of suppliers and customers. 

In fiscal 2013, Darling's top ten customers for finished products (excluding Rothsay) accounted for approximately 35% 
of product sales. In addition, Darling's top ten raw material suppliers accounted for approximately 26% of its raw material supply
in the same period. 

In fiscal 2013, Rothsay’s top ten customers for finished products accounted for approximately 64% of its product sales, 
with approximately 13% of that revenue generated from its largest customer. In addition, Rothsay’s top ten raw material suppliers
accounted for approximately 62% of its raw material supply in the same period. MFI, Rothsay’s largest raw materials supplier, 
accounted for approximately 23% of Rothsay’s raw materials supply in fiscal 2013. In connection with the Rothsay Acquisition, 
we entered into a seven-year supply agreement with MFI to supply us with substantially all of the MFI raw materials processed 
by Rothsay prior to the sale.

In fiscal 2013, Darling Ingredients International’s top ten customers for finished products accounted for approximately 
22% of Darling Ingredients International’s product sales, with approximately 5% of its products sales generated from its largest
customer. In addition, Darling Ingredients International’s top ten raw material suppliers accounted for approximately 30% of its
raw material supply in the same period. VION Food, Darling Ingredients International’s largest raw materials supplier, accounted
for approximately 11% of Darling Ingredients International’s raw materials supply in fiscal 2013. Darling Ingredients International
has entered into supply agreements with VION Food pursuant to which VION Foods will continue to supply Darling Ingredients 
International with substantially all of the raw materials currently processed by Darling Ingredients International that are by-products
generated by VION Food’s operations. The supply agreements all have a term of four years and became effective concurrently 
with the completion of the VION Acquisition.

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Disruptions or modifications to, or termination of, our relationships with any of our significant suppliers or customers, 
or financial difficulties experienced by any of our suppliers or customers that lead to curtailment or termination of their operations,
could cause our businesses to suffer significant financial losses and could have a material adverse impact on our business, earnings,
financial condition and/or cash flows. 

Certain of our operating facilities are highly dependent upon a single or a few suppliers.

Certain of our operating facilities are highly dependent on one or a few suppliers. Should any of these suppliers choose 
alternate methods of disposal, cease their operations, have their operations interrupted by casualty, curtail their operations or
otherwise cease using our collection services, these operating facilities may be materially and adversely affected, which could
materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We  face  risks  associated  with  our  international  activities,  which  could  negatively  affect  our  sales  to  customers  in  foreign 
countries and our operations and assets in such countries.

Sales of our products to international customers accounted for approximately 10% of our net sales in fiscal 2013. As a 
result of the Rothsay and VION Acquisitions, we conduct foreign operations in Canada, Europe, South America, Asia and Australia.
While we expect that our expanded geographical diversity from the acquisitions will reduce our exposure to risks in any one 
country or part of the world, such expansion will also further subject us to the various risks and uncertainties relating to international
sales and operations, including: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

imposition of tariffs, quotas, trade barriers and other trade protection measures imposed by foreign countries 
regarding the importation of poultry, beef and pork products, in addition to operating, import or export licensing 
requirements imposed by various foreign countries;

imposition of border restrictions by foreign countries with respect to the import of poultry, beef and pork products 
due to animal disease or other perceived health or safety issues;

impact of currency exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies, particularly the 
euro, the Canadian dollar, the Chinese renminbi, the Brazilian real, the British pound, the Japanese yen and the 
Argentine peso, which may reduce the U.S. dollar value of the revenues, profits and cash flows we receive from 
non-U.S. markets or of our assets in non-U.S. countries or increase our supply costs, as measured in U.S. dollars 
in those markets;

exchange controls and other limits on our ability to import raw materials, import or export finished products or 
to repatriate earnings from overseas, such as exchange controls in effect in China, that may limit our ability to 
repatriate earnings from those countries;

different regulatory structures (including creditor rights that may be different than in the United States) and 
unexpected  changes  in  regulatory  environments,  including  changes  resulting  in  potentially  adverse  tax 
consequences or imposition of onerous trade restrictions, price controls, industry controls, animal and human 
food safety controls, employee welfare schemes or other government controls;

political or economic instability, social or labor unrest or changing macroeconomic conditions or other changes 
in political, economic or social conditions in the respective jurisdictions; 

changes in our effective tax rate including, tax rates that may exceed those in the U.S., earnings that may be 
subject to withholding requirements and incremental taxes upon repatriation, changes in the mix of our business 
from year to year and from country to country, changes in rules related to accounting for income taxes, changes 
in tax laws in any of the jurisdictions in which we operate and adverse outcomes from tax audits;

difficulties and costs associated with complying with, and enforcement of remedies under, a wide variety of 
complex domestic and international laws, treaties and regulations, including, without limitation, anti-bribery 
laws such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”), the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, the new Brazilian 
corporate anti-corruption law and similar anti-corruption legislation in many jurisdictions in which we operate, 
as well as economic and trade sanctions enforced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign 
Assets Control, the E.U. and other governmental entities; and

• 

distribution costs, disruptions in shipping or reduced availability or increased costs of freight transportation.    

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These risks and uncertainties could jeopardize or limit our ability to transact business in one or more of our international 
markets or in other developing markets and may have a material adverse affect on our business, results of operations, cash flows
and financial condition. 

Our business may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates, which could affect our ability to comply with our 
financial covenants. 

As a result of the Rothsay and VION Acquisitions, our international operations have expanded significantly and our 
exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates has increased accordingly. As a result of the acquisitions, we now carry out
transactions in a number of foreign currencies, principally the euro, the Canadian dollar, the Chinese renmibi, the Brazilian real,
the British pound, the Japanese yen and the Argentine peso. To the extent possible, we attempt to match revenues and expenses 
in each of the currencies in which we operate. However, we will still be exposed to currency fluctuations when we translate the
results  of  our  overseas  operations  into  U.S.  dollar,  our  functional  currency,  in  the  preparation  of  our  consolidated  financial 
statements. The exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. dollars may fluctuate and these fluctuations may affect our
U.S. dollar-denominated results of operations and financial condition even if our underlying operations and financial condition,
in local currency terms, remain unchanged. While we may from time to time enter into the use of currency hedging instruments 
to provide us with protection from adverse fluctuations in currency exchange rates, there can be no assurance that such instruments
will successfully protect us from more pronounced swings in such exchange rates.  Further, by utilizing these instruments we 
potentially forego the benefits that might result from favorable fluctuations in currency exchange rates.

We also face risks arising from the possible future imposition of exchange controls and currency devaluations.  Exchange 
controls may limit our ability to convert foreign currencies into U.S. dollars or to remit dividends and other payments by our 
foreign subsidiaries located in or business conducted within a country imposing such controls.  Currency devaluations would result
in a diminished value of funds denominated in the currency of the country instituting the devaluation.

Any fluctuations in exchange rates or the imposition of exchange controls or currency devaluation may adversely impact 
our ability to comply with the financial and other covenants under the documents governing our indebtedness, which could affect
our ability to incur indebtedness, pay dividends, make investments or take other actions that might be in our best interest. As we 
continue to implement our international expansion strategy, our international operations will represent a larger part of our business
and such exchange rate fluctuations may have a greater impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

The DGD Joint Venture subjects us to a number of risks.

In January 2011, our wholly-owned subsidiary entered into a limited liability company agreement with a wholly-owned 
subsidiary of Valero to form the DGD Joint Venture, which was formed to design, engineer, construct and operate the DGD Facility, 
which is capable of producing approximately 9,300 barrels per day of renewable diesel fuel and certain other co-products. The 
DGD Facility, which is located adjacent to Valero’s refinery in Norco, Louisiana, reached mechanical completion and began 
production of renewable diesel in late June 2013. On August 27, 2013, we announced that a heat exchanger at the DGD Facility 
required replacement to improve the plant’s reliability, and that during the replacement, through put rates would be lowered to 
approximately 5,000-7,000 barrels per day. During the replacement, the DGD Facility operated at approximately 6,000-7,000 
barrels per day, but during this process, other metallurgical wear issues were identified. We completed the replacement of the heat
exchanger and other related equipment at the DGD Facility as of November 13, 2013, thereby restoring the DGD Facility to its 
approximately  9,300  barrels  per  day  capacity. As  of  December  28,  2013,  under  the  equity  method  of  accounting,  we  had  an 
investment in the DGD Joint Venture of approximately $115.1 million included on the consolidated balance sheet.

We are aware that a third party patent holder has filed patent infringement claims against a producer of renewable diesel 
fuel and its owners. The producer is unrelated to us, the DGD Joint Venture or, to our knowledge, Valero. We have not, and to our
knowledge neither the DGD Joint Venture nor Valero has, received any communication from such patent holder regarding similar 
claims against the DGD Joint Venture. The DGD Joint Venture has licensed a process from UOP LLC, a subsidiary of Honeywell 
International Inc., that it will utilize in producing renewable diesel fuel. We believe that the DGD Joint Venture’s process differs 
from the process that is the subject of the infringement suit. Accordingly, any patent infringement claim that might be asserted in 
the future against either us or the DGD Joint Venture would be vigorously opposed. However, if any patent holder successfully 
challenged the patents under which the DGD Joint Venture operates, the DGD Joint Venture could incur increased expenses or 
the need to modify its operation which could negatively impact the DGD Joint Venture’s results of operations. 

There are no guarantees that other unforeseen issues (such as the need for replacement of the DGD Facility’s heat exchanger 
referred to above) will not arise in connection with the operation of the DGD Facility that could require us or the DGD Joint 
Venture to incur significant costs. Further, while the two principal technologies licensed to the DGD Joint Venture are established
Page 21

technologies, their use together in the manner currently operated by the DGD Joint Venture is innovative and has not been employed
previously. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the DGD Joint Venture will be profitable or allow us to make a return on our
investment. In addition, if substantial operational issues develop or prices for the renewable diesel the DGD Joint Venture produces
are not sustained, we could lose our entire investment in the DGD Joint Venture.

The DGD Joint Venture is dependent on governmental energy policies and programs, such as the National Renewable 
Fuel Standard Program (“RFS2”), which positively impact the demand for and price of renewable diesel. Any changes to, a failure
to enforce or a discontinuation of any of these programs could have a material adverse affect on the DGD Joint Venture. See the
section entitled “Risk Factors-Risks Related to the Company-Our biofuels business may be affected by energy policies of U.S. and 
foreign governments.” Similarly, the DGD Joint Venture is subject to the risk that new or changing technologies may be developed 
that could meet demand for renewable diesel under governmental mandates in a more efficient or less costly manner than the 
technologies used by the DGD Joint Venture, which could negatively affect the price of renewable diesel and have a material 
adverse affect on the DGD Joint Venture.

In addition, the operation of a joint venture such as this involves a number of risks that could harm our business and result 

in the DGD Joint Venture not performing as expected, such as: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

problems integrating or developing operations, personnel, technologies or products;

the unanticipated breakdown or failure of equipment or processes;

the failure of the end product to perform as anticipated;

unforeseen engineering or environmental issues, including new or more stringent environmental regulations 
affecting operations; 

the inaccuracy of our assumptions about the timing and amount of anticipated revenues and operating costs 
including feed stock prices;

the diversion of management time and resources; 

difficulty in obtaining and maintaining permits and other regulatory issues, potential license revocation and 
changes in legal requirements; 

insufficient experience with the technologies and markets involved;

difficulties in establishing relationships with suppliers and end user customers;

limitations in the DGD Joint Venture’s operating agreement restricting the payment of dividends to the DGD 
Joint Venture partners in certain circumstances, including prior to the time that the DGD Joint Venture’s existing 
debt has been repaid and reserves for contingent liabilities have been made; 

risks commonly associated with the start-up of “greenfield” projects; 

the risk that one or more competitive new renewable diesel plants are constructed that use different technologies 
from the DGD Joint Venture facility and result in the marketing of products that are more effective as a substitute 
for carbon-based fuels or less expensive than the products marketed by the DGD Joint Venture; 

performance below expected levels of output or efficiency;

reliance on Valero and its adjacent refinery facility for many services and processes;

if any of the risks described in connection with the DGD Joint Venture occur, possible impairment of the acquired 
assets, including intangible assets; 

possible third party claims of intellectual property infringement; and

being forced to sell our equity interests in the DGD Joint Venture pursuant to buy/sell provisions in the DGD 
Joint Venture’s operating agreement and not realizing the benefits of the DGD Joint Venture.   
Page 22

If any of these risks described above were to materialize and the operations of the DGD Joint Venture were significantly 

disrupted, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations could result. 

Our biofuels business may be affected by energy policies of U.S. and foreign governments.

Pursuant  to  the  requirements  established  by  the  Energy  Independence  and  Security Act  of  2007,  the  EPA  finalized 
regulations for RFS2 in 2010. The regulation mandated the domestic use of biomass-based diesel (biodiesel or renewable diesel) 
of 1.0 billion gallons in 2012. Beyond 2012, the regulation requires a minimum of 1.0 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel for
each year through 2022, which amount is subject to increase by the Administrator of the EPA. On September 14, 2012, the EPA 
issued a final rule establishing the biomass-based diesel and the advance biofuel volumes for calendar year 2013 to be 1.28 billion
gallons and 2.75 billion gallons, respectively. Though a final rule is yet to be issued, the EPA recently proposed maintaining the
biomass-based diesel volume for calendar years 2014 and 2015 at the 2013 calendar year level of 1.28 billion gallons, but has 
proposed reducing the advance biofuel volume to 2.20 billion gallons. Biomass-based diesel also qualifies to fulfill the non-
specified portion of the advanced biofuel requirement. In order to qualify as a “renewable fuel” each type of fuel from each type
of feed stock is required to lower greenhouse gas emissions (“GHG”) by levels specified in the regulation. The EPA has determined
that biofuels (either biodiesel or renewable diesel) produced from waste oils, fats and greases result in an 86% reduction in GHG
emissions, exceeding the 50% requirement established by the regulation. Prices for our finished products may be impacted by 
worldwide government policies relating to renewable fuels and GHG. Programs like RFS2 and tax credits for biofuels both in the 
United States and abroad may positively impact the demand for our finished products. Conversely, legal challenges to, changes 
to, a failure to enforce, reductions in the mandated volumes under, or discontinuing any of these programs could have a negative
impact on our business and results of operations.

We may incur material costs and liabilities in complying with government regulations. 

We are subject to the rules and regulations of various governmental agencies in the United States, Canada and the rules 
and regulations of various governmental agencies in other countries in which Darling Ingredients International operates. These 
include rules and regulations administered by governmental agencies at the federal, state, provincial or local level, including the 
following principal governmental agencies in the following countries: 

In the United States

• 

• 

• 

•

• 

• 

• 

The FDA, which regulates pharmaceutical products and food and feed safety;

The USDA, including its agencies APHIS and FSIS, which regulates our collection and production methods;

The EPA, which regulates air and water discharge requirements, as well as local and state agencies, which monitor 
air and water discharges; 

State Departments of Agriculture, which regulate animal by-product collection and transportation procedures 
and animal feed quality; 

The USDOT, as well as local and state transportation agencies, which regulate the operation of our commercial 
vehicles;

The OSHA, which is the main federal agency charged with the enforcement of worker safety and health legislation; 
and

The SEC, which regulates securities and information required in annual and quarterly reports filed by publicly 
traded companies.

In Canada 

• 

•

The CFIA, which regulates animal health and the disposal of animals and their products or by-products;

Canadian provincial ministries of agriculture, which regulate food safety and quality, air and water discharge 
requirements and the disposal of deadstock;

Page 23

•

• 

Environment Canada, which ensures compliance with Canadian federal air and water discharge and wildlife 
management requirements; and

The TSSA, a non-profit organization that regulates the safety of fuels and pressure vessels and boilers.  

In the European Union and the United Kingdom

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The European Commission, Directorate-General for Health and Consumers, which addresses regulations for 
food, feed, human and animal health, technical uses of animal by-products and packaging;

The European Medicines Agency, which establishes guidance for pharmaceutical products, bovine products and 
metal residues;

The European Pharmacopeia, which establishes requirements for pharmaceutical products;

The European Directorate for the Quality for Medicine, which certifies pharmaceutical products;

The  European  Chemicals  Agency,  which  is  responsible  for  the  implementation  of  the  European  Council’s 
Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals;

The European Commission, Directorate-General for the Environment, which establishes regulations on pollution 
and waste, such as the Directives on Industrial Emissions and on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control 
as well as the Best Available Techniques Reference Document on Slaughterhouses and Animal By-products 
Industries;

European Union Member States must ensure adequate control and supervision of principles set forth in numerous 
EU Directives, such as minimum safety and health requirements for the workplace and use of work equipment 
by workers.  EU Member States are allowed to maintain or establish more stringent measures in their own 
legislation. In general, each EU Member State’s ministry of labor affairs is responsible for regulating health and 
safety at work and labor inspections services and is in charge of controlling compliance with applicable legislation 
and regulations.

The Dutch Food Safety Authority (Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit), which issues permits, approvals 
and registrations to establishments or plants engaged in certain activities related to the handling of animal by-
products and food and feed production;

The Belgian Federal Food Safety Agency (Federal Agentschap voor de Veiligheid van de Voedselketen), which 
issues permits, approvals and registrations to establishments or plants engaged in certain activities related to the 
handling of animal by-products and food and feed production;

The  Public  Flemish  Waste  Agency  (Openbare  Vlaamse  Afvalstoffen  Maatschappij),  which  issues  permits, 
approvals and registrations to establishments or plants carrying out certain activities related to the handling of 
animal by-products; and

The  German  Competent  Authorities  at  Länder  level,  which  issue  permits,  approvals  and  registrations  to 
establishments or plants carrying out certain activities related to the handling of animal by-products and food 
and feed production.

The United Kingdom’s Health and Safety Executive is the government body responsible for enforcing health 
and safety at work legislation, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974,  and enforcing health and safety 
law in industrial workplaces, together with local authorities.

The United Kingdom’s Food Standards Agency issues permits, approvals and registrations to plants carrying 
out certain activities related to the handling of animal by-products.

In China

• 

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, which supervises the import 
and export of food and feed;

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• 

•

The Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China, which establishes standards for food and pharmaceutical 
products; and

The Chinese Pharmacopeia, which establishes standards for pharmaceutical products.

In Brazil

• 

The Ministry of Agriculture, Cattle and Supply (Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento), which 
regulates the production of gelatin. 

In Argentina

• 

• 

The  National  Department  for  Food  Safety  and  Quality  (Servicio  Nacional  de  Sanidad  y  Calidad 
Agroalimentaria), which regulates the production of gelatin; and

The National Department of Animal Health (Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Animal), which at the local level is 
equivalent to the FDA in Argentina. 

In Australia

• 

• 

•

• 

• 

The  Australian  Quarantine  and  Inspection  Service,  which  regulates  the  import  and  export  of  agricultural 
products, including animal by-products;

The  Department  of  Agriculture,  Fisheries  and  Forestry,  which  administers  meat  and  animal  by-product 
legislation;

PrimeSafe, which is the principal regulator of meat and animal by-product businesses in the State of Victoria;

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which regulates Australia’s competition and consumer 
protection law; and

The  Australian  Securities  and  Investments  Commission,  which  regulates Australia’s  company  and  financial 
services laws.

The applicable rules and regulations promulgated by these and other agencies, which are likely to change over time, 
affect our operations and may influence our operating results at one or more facilities. Furthermore, the loss of or failure to obtain 
necessary federal, state, provincial or local permits and registrations at one or more of our facilities could halt or curtail operations
at impacted facilities, which could result in impairment charges related to the affected facility and otherwise adversely affect our 
operating results. In addition, our failure to comply with applicable rules and regulations, including obtaining or maintaining
required operating certificates or permits, could subject us to: (i) administrative penalties and injunctive relief; (ii) civil remedies, 
including fines, injunctions and product recalls; and (iii) adverse publicity. There can be no assurance that we will not incur material 
costs and liabilities in connection with these rules and regulations.

Because of our international operations throughout much of the world as a result of the Rothsay and VION Acquisitions, 
we could be adversely affected by violations of the FCPA and similar worldwide anti-bribery laws. The FCPA and similar worldwide
anti-bribery laws generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to government officials 
or other third parties for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. In addition, given the competitive nature of our industry, 
we could be adversely affected by violations of various countries’ antitrust, competition and consumer protection laws. These laws
generally prohibit companies and individuals from engaging in anticompetitive and unfair business practices. While our policies
mandate compliance with these laws, we cannot provide assurance that our internal control policies and procedures will always 
protect us from reckless or criminal acts committed by our employees, joint venture partners or agents. Violations of these laws,
or allegations of such violations, could result in lengthy investigations and possibly criminal and/or civil legal proceedings brought
by governmental agencies and/or third parties, which could disrupt our business, result in material fines and legal and other costs,
and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition and reputation. 

Page 25

Seasonal factors and weather, including the physical impacts of climate change, can impact the availability, quality and volume
of raw materials that we process and negatively affect our operations. 

The quantity of raw materials available to us is impacted by seasonal factors, including holidays, when raw material 
volumes decline, and cold weather, which can impact the collection of raw materials. In addition, warm weather can adversely 
affect the quality of raw materials processed and our yield on production due to more rapidly degrading raw materials. In addition
to seasonal impacts, depending upon the location of our facilities and those of our suppliers, our operations could be subject to
the physical impacts of climate change, including changes in rainfall patterns, water shortages, changing sea levels, changing 
storm patterns and intensities and changing temperature levels. Physical damage, flooding, excessive snowfall or drought resulting
from changing climate patterns could adversely impact our costs and business operations, the availability and costs of our raw 
materials, and the supply and demand for our end products. These effects could be material to our results of operations, liquidity
or capital resources.  The quality and volume of the finished products that we are able to produce could be negatively impacted
by unseasonable or severe weather or unexpected declines in the volume of raw materials available during holidays, which in turn
could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, severe weather
events may also impact our ability to collect or process raw materials or to transport finished products.

Downturns and volatility in global economies and commodity and credit markets could materially adversely affect our business, 
results of operations and financial condition. 

Our results of operations are materially affected by the conditions of the global economies and the credit, commodities 
and stock markets. Among other things, we may be adversely impacted if our domestic and international customers and suppliers 
are not able to access sufficient capital to continue to operate their businesses or to operate them at prior levels. A decline in 
consumer confidence or changing patterns in the availability and use of disposable income by consumers can negatively affect 
both our suppliers and customers. Declining discretionary consumer spending or the loss or impairment of a meaningful number 
of our suppliers or customers could lead to a dislocation in either raw material availability or customer demand. Any tightening
in credit supply could negatively affect our customers’ ability to pay for our products on a timely basis or at all and could result
in a requirement for additional bad debt reserves. Although many of our customer contracts are formula-based, continued volatility
in the commodities markets could negatively impact our revenues and overall profits. Counterparty risk on finished product sales
can also impact revenue and operating profits when customers either are unable to obtain credit or refuse to take delivery of finished
products due to market price declines.

Our substantial level of indebtedness as a result of the Rothsay and VION Acquisitions could adversely affect our financial 
condition.

As of December 28, 2013, our total indebtedness, including trade debt was approximately $1,223.2 million, which amount 
has increased substantially as a result of additional indebtedness incurred in connection with the Rothsay Acquisition as further
described in Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  As of February 7, 2014, the latest date for which information
is available, our total indebtedness, excluding trade debt, was approximately $2.4 billion, which amount has increased substantially
from the December 28, 2013 amounts as a result of additional indebtedness incurred in connection with the VION Acquisition as 
further described in Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Our high level of indebtedness could have important
consequences, including the following: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

making  it  more  difficult  for  us  to  satisfy  our  obligations  to  our  financial  lenders  and  our  contractual  and 
commercial commitments;

limiting our ability to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions 
or other general corporate requirements on commercially reasonable terms or at all;

requiring us to use a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to pay principal and interest on our 
indebtedness instead of other purposes, thereby reducing the amount of our cash flows from operations available 
for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;

increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic, industry and business conditions;

exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates as certain of our borrowings are at variable rates of interest;

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we 
operate;

Page 26

• 

• 

placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to other, less leveraged competitors; and

increasing our cost of borrowing.

In addition, the indenture that governs our senior notes and the credit agreement governing our senior secured credit 
facilities contain restrictive covenants that limit our ability to engage in activities that may be in our long-term best interest. Our 
failure  to  comply  with  those  covenants  could  result  in  an  event  of  default  which,  if  not  cured  or  waived,  could  result  in  the 
acceleration of all our funded indebtedness.  See Item 7. "Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results 
of Operations" - "Senior Secured Credit Facilities" and "5.375% Senior Notes due 2022."

Despite our existing level of indebtedness, we and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur substantially more indebtedness,
which could further exacerbate the risks to our financial condition described above.

We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, including additional secured 
indebtedness under the senior secured credit facilities.  Although the indenture that governs the senior notes and the credit agreement
governing the senior secured credit facilities contain restrictions on our incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions
are subject to a number of significant qualifications and exceptions, and the additional indebtedness that could be incurred in
compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. To the extent that we or our subsidiaries incur additional indebtedness,
the risks associated with our indebtedness, including our possible inability to service our indebtedness, could intensify.  See Item 
7. "Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" - "Senior Secured Credit Facilities"
and "5.375% Senior Notes due 2022."

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to 
satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial condition and 
operating performance, which are subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business, 
legislative, regulatory and other factors beyond our control. We may be unable to maintain a level of cash flows from operating
activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness.

If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations and to meet our other cash 
needs, we could be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures or to dispose of material assets or operations,
seek additional debt or equity capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. We may not be able to effect any such alternative
measures, if necessary, on commercially reasonable terms or at all and, even if successful, such alternative actions may not allow
us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations and our other cash needs. The credit agreement governing our senior secured 
credit facilities and the indenture governing our senior notes restrict our ability to use the proceeds from the disposition of assets, 
debt incurrence or sales of equity to repay other indebtedness when it becomes due.  We may not be able to consummate any such 
dispositions or to obtain debt or equity proceeds in amounts sufficient to meet any debt service obligations then due, and we may
be restricted under the credit agreement governing our Senior Secured Facilities or the Notes indenture from using any such 
amounts to service other debt obligations. 

If we cannot make scheduled payments under any of the agreements governing our debt, we would be in default under 
such agreement, which could allow lenders under any credit facilities to terminate their commitments to loan money and could 
allow the applicable lenders or other debt holders to declare all outstanding principal and interest of such debt to be immediately
due and payable, and, in the case of secured debt, to foreclose against the assets securing such debt and apply the proceeds from
such foreclosure to repay amounts owed to them. Any of these events would likely in turn trigger cross-acceleration or cross-
default provisions in our other debt instruments, which would allow the creditors under those instruments to exercise similar rights.
If any of these actions are taken, we could be forced into restructuring, bankruptcy or liquidation.

Our ability to repay our indebtedness depends in part on the performance of our subsidiaries, including our non-guarantor 
subsidiaries, and their ability to make payments or distributions.

We conduct a significant portion of our operations through our subsidiaries, a number of which operate outside the United 
States. Accordingly, repayment of our indebtedness is dependent, to a significant extent, on the generation of cash flow by our
subsidiaries and their ability to make such cash available to us, by dividend, debt repayment or otherwise. Unless they are guarantors
of the indebtedness, our subsidiaries do not have any obligation to pay amounts due on the indebtedness or to make funds available
for that purpose. Our subsidiaries may not be able to, or under applicable law and regulation may not be permitted to, make 
distributions to enable us to make payments in respect of our indebtedness. Under certain circumstances, legal and contractual 
restrictions may limit our ability to obtain cash from our subsidiaries.  For example, our subsidiaries that are organized under the 
Page 27

laws of, and operate in, China, currently have substantial regulatory restrictions on their ability to make cash available to us.  While 
the credit agreement governing the senior secured credit facilities, the indenture governing our senior notes and the agreements
governing certain of our other indebtedness will limit the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to incur consensual restrictions on 
their ability to pay dividends or make other intercompany payments to us, these limitations are subject to certain significant 
qualifications and exceptions. In the event that we do not receive distributions from our subsidiaries, we may be unable to make
required principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on our indebtedness.

Our business may be affected by the impact of BSE and other food safety issues. 

Effective August 1997, the FDA promulgated the BSE Feed Rule to prevent further spread of BSE. Detection of the first 
case of BSE in the United States in December 2003 resulted in additional U.S. government regulations, finished product export 
restrictions by foreign governments, market price fluctuations for our finished products and reduced demand for beef and beef 
products by consumers. Even though the export markets for U.S. beef rebounded to exceed pre-BSE levels and set records for 
volume in 2011 and value in 2012, most export markets remain closed to MBM derived from U.S. beef. On April 24, 2012, the 
USDA confirmed the occurrence of a new, single case of BSE in a dairy cow in central California. Even though the USDA confirmed
that material derived from the cow did not enter the food or feed supply and that this appears to be a single, isolated incident of 
“atypical” BSE which is not spread through feed and does not affect humans, Indonesia closed its markets to MBM derived from 
U.S. beef, and only recently reopened its markets to U.S. beef on June 17, 2013. On May 29, 2013, the USDA announced that the 
OIE had officially upgraded the BSE-status for the United States from “controlled risk” to “negligible risk” based on a thorough
review of BSE safeguards implemented in the United States. Although attaining a negligible risk status for BSE is an important 
step toward regaining access to export markets for U.S. MBM, no assurance can be given that currently closed export markets 
will be reopened as a result of the upgraded status. We do not expect this trade disruption to have material impact on our business,
financial condition or results of operations. Continued concern about BSE in the United States, and other countries in which we
operate now or in the future, may result in additional regulatory and market related challenges that may affect our operations or
increase our operating costs.

With respect to BSE in the United States, on October 26, 2009, the FDA began enforcing the Enhanced BSE Rule. These 
new regulations amended the BSE Feed Rule to also prohibit the use of tallow having more than 0.15% insoluble impurities in 
feed for cattle or other ruminant animals. In addition, the Enhanced BSE Rule prohibits brain and spinal cord material from cattle
aged 30 months and older or the carcasses of such cattle, if the brain and spinal cord are not removed (collectively, “Prohibited
Cattle Materials”), and tallow derived from Prohibited Cattle Materials that also contains more than 0.15% insoluble impurities
in the feed or food for all animals. We have followed the Enhanced BSE Rule since it was first published in 2008 and have made 
capital expenditures and implemented new processes and procedures to be compliant with the Enhanced BSE Rule at all of our 
U.S. operations. In Canada, the CFIA implemented feed restrictions, which were similar to the FDA’s BSE Feed Rule, in 1997 to 
prevent the spread of BSE. Following confirmation of nine positive cases of BSE between May 2003 and July 2007, however, the 
CFIA amended the Canadian Health of Animals Regulations to strengthen Canada’s BSE safeguards (“SRM Ban”). These enhanced 
safeguards, which became effective July 2007, required the removal of all SRMs from animal feed, pet food and fertilizer; placed
the removal, transport and disposal of SRM under direct CFIA control; prohibited the use of tallow containing more than 0.15% 
insoluble impurities in any animal feed; and extended the retention time for keeping relevant records from two years to 10 years.
Rothsay management had followed development of the SRM Ban from its inception and obtained the necessary permits and 
implemented new procedures and documentation needed to comply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we can provide no assurance 
that unanticipated costs and/or reductions in raw material volumes related to our compliance with the Enhanced BSE Rule or the 
SRM Ban will not negatively impact our operations and financial performance.

With respect to human food, pet food and animal feed safety in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration 
Amendments Act of 2007 (the “FDAAA”) directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) and the FDA to promulgate 
significant new requirements for the pet food and animal feed industries. The FDA was directed to establish a Reportable Food 
Registry, which was implemented on September 8, 2009. On June 11, 2009, the FDA issued “Guidance for Industry: Questions 
and Answers Regarding the Reportable Food Registry as Established by the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 
2007: Draft Guidance.” Stakeholder comments and questions about the Reportable Food Registry were incorporated into a revised 
guidance, which was published on September 8, 2009 and reissued May 2010, with new information and still identified as draft 
guidance (“RFR Draft Guidance”). In the RFR Draft Guidance, the FDA defined a reportable food, which the manufacturer or 
distributor would be required to report in the Reportable Food Registry, to include materials used as ingredients in animal feeds
and pet foods, if there is reasonable probability that the use of such materials will cause serious adverse health consequences or 
death to humans or animals. On July 27, 2010, the FDA released “Compliance Policy guide Sec. 690.800, Salmonella in Animal 
Feed, Draft Guidance”, finalized June 2013 (as finalized, the “CPG”), which describes differing criteria to determine whether pet
food and farmed animal feeds that are contaminated with salmonella will be considered to be adulterated under section 402(a)(1)
of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (“FD&C Act”). According to the CPG, any finished pet food contaminated with any species 
of salmonella will be considered adulterated because such feeds have direct human contact. Finished animal feeds intended for 
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pigs, poultry and other farmed animals, however, will be considered to be adulterated only if the feed is contaminated with a 
species of salmonella that is considered to be pathogenic for the animal species that the feed is intended for. The finalization of 
the RFR Draft Guidance by the FDA may impose additional requirements on us. We believe that we have adequate procedures in 
place to assure that our finished products are safe to use in animal feed and pet food and we do not currently anticipate that the
FDAAA will have a significant impact on our operations or financial performance. Any pathogen, such as salmonella, that is 
correctly or incorrectly associated with our finished products could have a negative impact on the demand for our finished products.

In addition, the Food Safety Modernization Act (“FSMA”) was enacted on January 4, 2011. The FSMA gave the FDA 
new authorities, which became effective immediately. Included among these is a mandatory recall authority for adulterated foods
that are likely to cause serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals, if the responsible party fails to cease
distribution and recall such adulterated foods voluntarily. The FSMA further instructed the FDA to amend existing regulations 
that define its administrative detention authority. Prior to the FSMA becoming law, the FDA had authority to order that an article
of food be detained only if there was credible evidence or information indicating that the article of food presented a threat of
serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals. On May 5, 2011, the FDA issued an interim final rule amending
its administrative detention authority and lowering both the level of proof and the degree of risk required for detaining an article
of food. This interim final rule, which became effective on July 3, 2011, gives the FDA authority to detain an article of food if
there is reason to believe the food is adulterated or misbranded. The FMSA also requires the FDA to develop new regulations that,
among other provisions, places additional registration requirements on food and feed producing firms. Section 102 of the FSMA 
amends facility registration requirements in the FD&C Act for domestic and foreign manufacturers, processors, packers or holders
of food for human or animal consumption. Such facility registrations were previously required to be updated when changes in a 
facility  occurred,  but  there  were  no  provisions  for  renewing  facility  registrations. The  FSMA,  however,  requires  that  facility 
registrations be renewed during the fourth quarter of each even-numbered year, beginning October 1, 2012. The FDA delayed the 
start  of  facility  registration  renewals  until  October  22,  2012,  while  it  completed  revisions  to  its  on-line  registration  site  and
subsequently exercised enforcement discretion with respect to companies not meeting the deadline for completing such registration
renewals, during the period from December 31, 2012 to January 31, 2013. Other new FDA regulations mandated by the FSMA 
and currently in the proposed stage will require registered facilities to perform hazard analyses and to implement preventive plans
to control those hazards identified to be reasonably likely to occur; increase the length of time that records are required to be
retained; and regulate the sanitary transportation of food, which is defined in Section 201(f) of the FD&C Act to include “articles
used for food or drink for man or other animals.” The FDA proposed new rules on January 16, 2013 and October 29, 2013 designed 
specifically to ensure the safety of food for humans and for animals, respectively. These proposed rules each creates new good 
manufacturing practice regulations specifically tailored to the manufacturing, processing, packing and holding of human or animal
food, as well as applies the preventive control provisions outlined in the FSMA for any food. These rules would establish mandatory
manufacturing procedures to protect against the possibility of a foodborne illness outbreak through contaminated food. These 
procedures  for  sanitary  operations,  sanitary  facilities  and  controls,  cleaning  and  maintenance,  pest  control,  process  controls,
warehousing  and  distribution  controls,  and  personnel  hygiene  apply  to  all  food  manufacturers,  distributors  and  warehouses, 
although certain standards proposed for animal foods may differ from those proposed for human food. These rules also require 
human and animal food producers to establish and implement a food safety system, including a written food safety plan, a hazard
analysis,  preventive  controls  for  hazards  that  are  reasonably  likely  to  occur,  monitoring,  corrective  actions,  verification  and
recordkeeping. Human and animal food facilities will need “qualified individuals,” those with appropriate training or job experience
in  the  development  and  application  of  risk-based  preventive  controls,  to  prepare,  evaluate  and  maintain  the  safety  plan  and 
preventive controls. If such risk-based food safety requirements are finalized for human and animal foods produced in the United
States, rulemaking proposed on July 29, 2013 would extend similar requirements to imported foods intended for humans or animals.
This proposed imported foods rule designates the importer as the party responsible for verifying that process controls and good
manufacturing practices were used by the foreign manufacturer to control hazards reasonably likely to occur in the imported food.
On  February  5,  2014,  the  FDA  proposed  new  regulations  for  the  sanitary  transportation  of  human  and  animal  foods,  which 
establishes sanitary transportation practices that are to be used by shippers, including motor vehicle and rail carriers, and receivers
engaged in the transportation of food.  We have followed the FSMA throughout its legislative history and have renewed registrations
for all of our facilities and implemented hazard prevention controls and other procedures that we are assessing under the proposed
rules to determine if they comply. Such rule-making could, among other things, limit our ability to import necessary raw materials
or finished products or require us to amend certain of our other operational policies and procedures. While unforeseen issues and
requirements may arise as the FDA promulgates the new regulations provided for by the FSMA, we do not anticipate that the costs
of compliance with the FSMA will materially impact our business or operations.

As a result of the VION Acquisition, we could be adversely affected by additional foreign regulations regarding BSE 
and other food safety issues. For example, an enforceable ban on the feeding of restricted animal material to ruminant animals 
was introduced in Australia in 1996. This ban is part of a comprehensive national program to prevent the entry and establishment
of the BSE agent in Australia. Inspections and audits are undertaken to ensure compliance. In addition, in the E.U., harmonized
rules have been adopted for prevention, control and eradication of transmissible spongiform encephalo (“TSEs”), which includes 
BSE, in Regulation 999/2001 (“TSE Regulation”) and in other instruments such as Regulation 1069/2009 on animal by-products 
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and food and feed hygiene regulations. The TSE Regulation establishes a “feed ban,” which is the basic preventive measure against
TSE and consists of a ban on the use of processed animal protein (“PAP”), in feed for farmed animals. A ban on the feeding of 
mammalian PAP to cattle, sheep and goats was first introduced in July 1994. The ban was expanded in January 2001 with the 
feeding of all processed animal proteins to all farmed animals being prohibited, with certain limited exceptions. Only certain 
animal proteins considered to be safe (such as fishmeal) can be used, and even then under very strict conditions. Other animal-
derived products besides PAP, such as collagen and gelatin from non-ruminants and hydrolyzed protein, are not subject to the 
“feed ban.” In June 2013, the “feed ban” was lifted for the feeding of aquaculture animals and the European Commission is 
currently investigating the options to lift the ban for other non-ruminants, such as pigs and poultry. Although Darling Ingredients
International may profit from the possible lifting of the ban for pigs and poultry, changes to the “feed ban” may adversely affect
Darling Ingredients International, possibly restricting the allowed use of some of their products. The TSE Regulation applies to
the production and placing on the market of live animals and products of animal origin. For that purpose, the BSE status of member
states of the European Union (E.U. Member States"), non-E.U. members of the European Economic Area-European Free Trade 
Association and other countries or regions (such other countries or regions, “third countries”) is to be determined by classification
into one of three categories depending on the BSE risk involved: a negligible risk, a controlled risk and an undetermined risk. This 
classification is in line with that of the OIE. The determination of BSE status is based on a risk assessment and the implementation
of a surveillance program. For each risk category there are trade rules to provide the necessary guarantees for protecting public
and animal health. Currently, the following E.U. Member States are classified as having a controlled BSE risk: Bulgaria, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Portugal, 
Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom. The other E.U. Member States are classified as having a negligible BSE risk. A change 
in the BSE status of one or more E.U. Member States may have negative impact on Darling Ingredients International. Under E.U. 
legislation, imported products from outside the E.U. must meet the same safety standards as products produced in E.U. Member 
States. Therefore, the TSE Regulation imposes strict import requirements related to TSEs for live animals and animal by-products,
such as full traceability of imported animals and animal by-products, a ban on the use of MBM in feed for ruminants and the 
prohibition of the import of specified risk material or mechanically recovered meat. The detailed import requirements depend on
the BSE status of third countries. Regulation 1069/2009 on animal by-products establishes rules intended to prevent the outbreak
of certain diseases such as BSE. Regulation 1069/2009 imposes, for example, rules for the use and disposal of specified risk 
material and other high risk material. A BSE outbreak or other event viewed as hazardous to animal or human health could lead 
to the adoption of more stringent rules on the use and disposal of animal by-products, which could require Darling Ingredients 
International to change its production processes and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or 
financial condition.

Our business may be negatively impacted by the occurrence of any disease correctly or incorrectly linked to animals. 

The emergence of diseases such as 2009 H1N1 flu (initially known as “Swine Flu”), highly pathogenic strains of avian 
influenza (collectively known as “Bird Flu”), including H5N1, H7N3, H7N9, and H10N8 strains of avian influenza and severe 
acute respiratory syndrome (“SARS”) that are in or associated with animals and have the potential to also threaten humans has 
created concern that such diseases could spread and cause a global pandemic. To date, the H5N1 strain has not been reported in 
North America. Outbreaks of the H7N3 strain, however, were reported on chicken farms in Mexico during 2012 and again in 
February 2013. Although there have been no reports of human cases of the H7N3 strain, the H7N9 strain was first reported in 
humans in China on March 31, 2013. World health experts, however, believe the H7N9 strain to be an animal virus that infects 
people in rare cases. This outbreak in China followed a seasonal pattern typical of flu viruses with few new cases reported between
May 30, 2013 and October 30, 2013, followed by a steady increase in new cases since November 1, 2013.  In addition, Chinese 
health officials reported two human cases of H10N8 on February 5, 2014.  The H10N8 virus is another new strain of Bird Flu that
may affect humans in rare cases. To date, however, there have been no incidences of person-to-person transmission of the H7N9 
or the H10N8 Bird Flus reported.

In April 2013, the first case of porcine epidemic diarrhea ("PED") virus was confirmed in the United States on a hog farm 
in Ohio. The disease has since spread into 23 states in the United States and, on January 23, 2014, was detected on hog farms in
Ontario, Canada. The PED virus is highly contagious among pigs, but does not affect other animals and is not transmissible to 
humans. The effects of the PED virus on hog production will vary according to the age of the pigs affected. Death rates can be 
very high among young pigs, while symptoms are mild in older animals. Hogs that have the disease and recover will typically 
develop immunity to the PED virus and this immunity can be passed on to future offspring. Because the PED virus is common in 
other parts of the world and poses no threat to human health or food safety, its presence in a country or region does not restrict
trade in pork or pork products. However, any outbreak that is severe enough to significantly reduce the pig population in a country
or region could reduce the availability of pork raw material to our plants.  Animal health experts believe the PED virus is spread
primarily through contaminated feces, although other transmission routes continue to be studied.  Any reports, proven or perceived,
that implicate animal feed or feed ingredients, including but not limited to animal byproducts, as contributing to the spread of the 
PED virus could negatively affect demand for our products as ingredients in pig feeds in the U.S and in Canada.

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From December 2002 to June 2003, China and some other countries experienced an outbreak of SARS, a highly contagious 
form of atypical pneumonia. On July 5, 2003, the World Health Organization declared that the SARS outbreak had been contained. 
In April 2004, however, a number of isolated new cases of SARS were reported, including in central China.

Although no global disease pandemic among humans has been linked to Bird Flu, Swine Flu, PED virus or SARS as of 
the date of this report, governments may be pressured to address these concerns, including by executive action such as temporarily
closing certain businesses, including meat and animal processing facilities, within their jurisdictions suspected of contributing to 
the spread of such diseases or by legislative or other policy action, such as prohibiting imports of animals, meat and animal by-
products from countries or regions where the disease is detected or suspected. For example, during May and June 2003, many 
businesses in China were temporarily closed by the Chinese government to prevent transmission of SARS.

 The E.U. has enacted several disease control directives, as well as other legislation regarding the notification of animal 
diseases within the community and veterinary and zoo technical checks, among others. The applicable legislation generally enables
the E.U. to take preventive measures, as well as act promptly in case of an outbreak, by restricting the circulation of livestock and 
products at risk of being infected within the E.U. and implementing bans on the imports of such products. For instance, there are
preventive measures against Bird Flu that must be implemented by all the E.U. Member States. In the event of an outbreak of Bird
Flu, the European Council’s Directive 2005/94/EC of December 20, 2005 on community measures for the control of avian influenza 
provides for preventive measures, relating to the surveillance and the early detection of Bird Flu and the minimum control measures
to be applied in the event of an outbreak of that disease in poultry or other captive birds. The E.U. is empowered to act quickly in 
the case of an outbreak, by defining protection and surveillance risk zones and adopting measures such as restricting the movement
of live poultry and certain poultry products to other E.U. Member States or to third countries. The most recent case where the E.U.
took certain measures in light of outbreaks of Bird Flu was in August 2013 in Italy. In addition, E.U. import bans have also been
placed on potentially risky poultry products and susceptible imports from third countries with Bird Flu outbreaks. 

If Swine Flu, Bird Flu, PED virus, SARS or any other disease that is correctly or incorrectly linked to animals and has 
a negative impact on meat or poultry consumption or animal production occurs in any jurisdiction in which we operate, such 
occurrence could have a material negative impact on the volume of raw materials available to us or the demand for our finished 
products.

If we or our customers are the subject of product liability claims or product recalls, we may incur significant and 
unexpected costs and our business reputation could be adversely affected. 

We and our customers for whom we manufacture products may be exposed to product liability claims and adverse public 
relations if consumption or use of our products is alleged to cause injury or illness to humans or animals. In addition, we and our 
customers may be subject to product recalls resulting from developments relating to the discovery of unauthorized adulterations
to food additives or from allegations that our food ingredients have not performed adequately in the end product, even where food
safety is not a concern. Product recalls in one jurisdiction may result in product recalls in other jurisdictions, as is the case in the 
E.U. where an E.U. Member State could recall a product in connection with the recall of such product in another E.U. Member 
State. Our insurance may not be adequate to cover all liabilities we incur in connection with product liability claims, whether or 
not legitimate, or product recalls, whether voluntary or mandatory. We may not be able to maintain our existing insurance or obtain
comparable insurance at a reasonable cost, if at all. A product liability judgment against us or against one of our customers for
whom we manufacture or provide products, or our or their agreement to settle a product liability claim or a product recall, could
also result in substantial and unexpected expenditures, which would reduce operating income and cash flow. In addition, even if
product liability claims against us or our customers for whom we manufacture products are not successful or are not fully pursued,
defending these claims would likely be costly and time-consuming and may require management to spend time defending the 
claims  rather  than  operating  our  business.   Any  such  claim  could  also  result  in  adverse  publicity  and  negatively  impact  our 
reputation.

Product liability claims, product recalls or any other events that cause consumers to no longer associate our brands or 
those of our customers for whom we manufacture products with high quality and safety may harm the value of our and their brands
and lead to decreased demand for our products. In addition, as a result of any such claims against us or product recalls, we may
be exposed to claims by our customers for damage to their reputations and brands. Product liability claims and product recalls 
may also lead to increased scrutiny by federal, state and foreign regulatory agencies of our operations and could have a material
adverse effect on our brands, business, results of operations and financial condition. 

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Our operations are subject to various laws, rules and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and to health 
and safety, and we could incur significant costs to comply with these requirements or be subject to sanctions or held liable for
environmental damages. 

Our operations subject us to various and increasingly stringent environmental, health and safety requirements in the 
various jurisdictions where we operate, including those governing air emissions, wastewater discharges, the management, storage
and disposal of materials in connection with our facilities, occupational health and safety, product packaging and labeling and our 
handling of hazardous materials and wastes, such as gasoline and diesel fuel used by our trucking fleet and operations. Failure to 
comply with these requirements could have significant consequences, including recalls, penalties, injunctive relief, claims for
personal injury and property and natural resource damages and negative publicity. Our operations require the control of air emissions
and odor and the treatment and discharge of wastewater to municipal sewer systems and the environment. We operate boilers at 
many of our facilities and store wastewater in lagoons or, as permitted, discharge it to publicly owned wastewater treatment 
systems, surface waters or through land application. We have incurred significant capital and operating expenditures to comply 
with environmental requirements, including for the upgrade of wastewater treatment facilities, and will continue to incur such 
costs in the future. 

We could be responsible for the remediation of environmental contamination and may be subject to associated liabilities 
and claims for personal injury and property and natural resource damages. We own or operate numerous properties, have been in 
business for many years and have acquired and disposed of properties and businesses over that time. During that time, we or other
owners or operators may have generated or disposed of wastes or stored or handled other materials that are or may be considered
hazardous or may have polluted the soil, surface water or groundwater at or around our facilities. Under some environmental laws,
such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 in the United States, also known 
as the Superfund law, responsibility for the cost of cleanup of a contaminated site can be imposed upon any current or former site
owners and operators, or upon any party that sent waste to the site, regardless of the lawfulness of the activities that led to the 
contamination. Similar laws outside the United States impose liability for environmental cleanup, often under the polluter pays
theory of liability but also based upon ownership in some circumstances. There can be no assurance that we will not face extensive
costs or penalties that would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. For example, we 
have been named as a third-party defendant in a pending lawsuit and have received notice from the EPA, both relating to alleged
river sediment contamination in the Lower Passaic River area of New Jersey. See Item 3. “Legal Proceedings.” In addition, future 
developments,  such  as  more  aggressive  enforcement  policies,  new  laws  or  discoveries  of  currently  unknown  contamination 
conditions, may also require expenditures that may have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. 

In addition, increasing efforts to control emissions of GHG are likely to impact our operations. We operate in certain 
jurisdictions subject to the Montreal Protocol, which mandates reduced GHG emissions in participating countries, and the EPA’s 
recent rule establishing mandatory GHG reporting for certain activities may apply to some of our facilities if we exceed the 
applicable thresholds. The EPA has also announced a regulatory finding relating to GHG emissions that may result in the imposition
of GHG air quality standards. Legislation to regulate GHG emissions has periodically been proposed in the U.S. Congress and a 
growing number of states and foreign countries are taking action to require reductions in GHG emissions. Future GHG emissions 
limits may require us to incur additional capital and operational expenditures. EPA regulations limiting exhaust emissions also
have become more restrictive, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the EPA have adopted new regulations 
that govern fuel efficiency and GHG emissions beginning in 2014. Compliance with these and similar regulations could increase 
the  cost  of  new  fleet  vehicles  and  increase  our  operating  expenses.  Compliance  with  future  GHG  regulations  may  require 
expenditures that could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

We have approximately 10,000 employees world-wide and are subject to a wide range of local, provincial and national 
laws and regulations governing the health and safety of workers, including, for example, OSHA in the United States.  We can be 
subject to potential fines and civil and, in egregious cases, criminal actions if we are found to be in violation of worker health and 
safety laws in any of these jurisdictions.  Further, as such laws and regulations change, we may sometimes be required to commit
to unplanned capital expenditures in order to continue to comply with workplace safety requirements at our facilities.  In addition,
we operate and maintain an extensive vehicle fleet to transport products to and from customer locations in all jurisdictions where
we have facilities.  Our fleets and drivers are subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and licensing requirements applicable
to commercial fleets, their cargo and their hours and methods of operation.  Failure to comply with these laws and regulations in
any location could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and reputation.

If we experience difficulties or a significant disruption in our information systems or if we fail to implement new systems and
software successfully, our business could be materially adversely affected. 

We depend on information systems throughout our business to collect and process data that is critical to our operations 
and accurate financial reporting. Among other things, these information systems process incoming customer orders and outgoing 
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supplier  orders,  manage  inventory,  and  allow  us  to  efficiently  collect  raw  materials  and  distribute  products,  process  and  bill 
shipments to and collect cash from our customers, respond to customer and supplier inquiries, contribute to our overall internal
control processes, maintain records of our property, plant and equipment, and record and pay amounts due vendors and other 
creditors.

If we were to experience a disruption in our information systems that involve interactions with suppliers and customers, 
it could result in a loss of raw material supplies, sales and customers and/or increased costs, which could have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any such disruption could adversely affect our
ability to meet our financial reporting obligations. We may also encounter difficulties in developing new systems or maintaining
and upgrading existing systems. Such difficulties may lead to significant expenses or losses due to unexpected additional costs
required to implement or maintain systems, disruption in business operations, loss of sales or profits, or cause us to incur significant
costs to reimburse third parties for damages, and, as a result, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and 
financial condition.  We could also experience impairment of our reputation if any of these events were to occur.

In order to enhance our technology, customer service and business processes, the Company has begun a multi-year project 
to replace our existing work management, financial and supply chain software applications with a new suite of systems, including
a company-wide enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system. This multi-year project will be extended to the replacement of 
Rothsay’s system as part of the process of integrating that system with Darling’s systems. We currently do not intend to replace
Darling Ingredients International’s system. The ERP system’s implementation process involves a number of risks that may adversely
hinder our business operations and/or affect our financial condition and results of operations, if not implemented successfully.
The need to implement this project in connection with the integration of the operations of Rothsay could create additional risks.
The new ERP system will replace multiple legacy systems, and successful implementation is expected to enhance and provide 
additional benefits to a variety of important business functions, including customer care and billing, procurement and accounts
payable, operational plant logistics, management reporting and external financial reporting. The ERP system’s implementation is
a complex and time-consuming project that involves substantial expenditures for implementation consultants, system hardware, 
software and implementation activities, as well as the transformation of business and financial processes. 

As with any large software project, there are many factors that may materially affect the schedule, cost, execution and 
implementation of this project. Those factors include: problems during the design, implementation and testing phases; system 
delays and/or malfunctions; the risk that suppliers and contractors will not perform as required under their contracts; the diversion
of management’s attention from daily operations to the project; re-works due to changes in business processes or financial reporting
standards; and other events, some of which are beyond our control. These types of issues could disrupt our business operations 
and/or our ability to timely and accurately process and report key components of our financial results and and/or complete important
business processes such as the evaluation of our internal controls and attestation activities pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002. Accordingly, material deviations from the project plan or unsuccessful execution of the plan may adversely 
affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

Increased information technology security threats and more sophisticated computer crime pose a risk to our systems, networks, 
products and services.

We rely upon our information systems and networks in connection with a variety of business activities, and we collect and 
store sensitive data.  Increased security threats to information systems and more sophisticated computer crime pose a risk to the
security of our systems and networks and the confidentiality, availability and integrity of our data.  A failure of or breach in
technology security could expose us and our customers and suppliers to risks of misuse of information or systems, the compromising
of  confidential  information,  manipulation  and  destruction  of  data,  defective  products,  production  downtimes  and  operating 
disruptions,  which  in  turn  could  adversely  affect  our  reputation,  competitive  position,  business  and  results  of  operations.    In
addition, such breaches in security could result in litigation, regulatory action and potential liability and the costs and operational
consequences of implementing further data protection measures.

Our success is dependent on our key personnel. 

Our success depends to a significant extent upon a number of key employees, including members of senior management. 
The loss of the services of one or more of these key employees could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations
and prospects. We believe that our future success (including our full realization of the anticipated benefits of the Rothsay and
VION Acquisitions) will depend in part on our ability to attract, motivate and retain skilled technical, managerial, marketing and
sales personnel in general, and in particular with respect to our new business lines acquired as part of the Darling Ingredients
International. Competition for these types of skilled personnel is intense and there can be no assurance that we will be successful
in attracting, motivating and retaining key personnel. The failure to hire and retain such personnel could materially adversely
affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

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In certain markets we are highly dependent upon a single operating facility and various events beyond our control can cause 
interruption in the operation of our facilities, which could adversely affect our business in those markets. 

Our facilities are subject to various federal, state, provincial and local environmental and other permitting requirements 
of the countries in which we operate, depending on the locations of those facilities. Periodically, these permits may be reviewed
and subject to amendment or withdrawal. Applications for an extension or renewal of various permits may be subject to challenge
by community and environmental groups and others. In the event of a casualty, condemnation, work stoppage, permitting withdrawal
or delay, severe weather event, or other unscheduled shutdown involving one of our facilities, in a majority of our markets we 
would utilize a nearby operating facility to continue to serve our customers in the affected market. In certain markets, however, 
we do not have alternate operating facilities. In the event of a casualty, condemnation, work stoppage, permitting withdrawal or
delay, severe weather event or other unscheduled shutdown in these markets, we may experience an interruption in our ability to
service our customers and to procure raw materials, and potentially an impairment of the value of that facility. Any of these 
circumstances may materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations in those markets. In addition, after an
operating facility affected by a casualty, condemnation, work stoppage, permitting withdrawal or delay or other unscheduled 
shutdown is restored, there could be no assurance that customers who in the interim choose to use alternative disposal services
would return to use our services. 

We could incur a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting that would require remediation. 

Our  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  were  deemed  to  be  effective  in  fiscal  2013.  However,  any  future  failures  to 
maintain the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, including our internal control over financial reporting, could
subject us to a loss of public confidence in our internal control over financial reporting and in the integrity of our financial statements 
and our public filings with the SEC and other governmental agencies and could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to
meet our regulatory reporting obligations in a timely manner. The need to integrate the operations of Rothsay and Darling Ingredients
International following the Acquisitions could create additional risks to our disclosure controls, including our internal controls
over financial reporting.

An impairment in the carrying value of our goodwill or other intangible assets may have a material adverse effect on our results
of operations. 

As of December 28, 2013, the Company had approximately $701.6 million of goodwill, which number will increase 
significantly as a result of the VION Acquisition. We are required to annually test goodwill to determine if impairment has occurred.
Additionally, impairment of goodwill must be tested whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may 
have occurred. If the testing performed indicates that impairment has occurred, we are required to record a non-cash impairment
charge for the difference between the carrying value of the goodwill and the implied fair value of the goodwill in the period the
determination  is  made.  The  testing  of  goodwill  for  impairment  requires  us  to  make  significant  estimates  about  our  future 
performance and cash flows, as well as other assumptions. These estimates can be affected by numerous factors, including changes
in economic, industry or market conditions, changes in business operations or regulation, or changes in competition. Changes in
these factors, or changes in actual performance compared with estimates of our future performance, may affect the fair value of
goodwill, which may result in an impairment charge. For example, a deterioration in demand for, or increases in costs for producing,
a supplier’s principal products could lead to a reduction in the supplier’s output of raw materials, thus impacting the fair value of 
a plant processing that raw material. We cannot accurately predict the amount and timing of any impairment of assets. Should the
value of goodwill become impaired, there may be a material adverse effect on our results of operations. 

We may be subject to work stoppages at our operating facilities, which could cause interruptions in the manufacturing or 
distribution of our products. 

While  we  currently  have  no  international,  national  or  multi-plant  union  contracts,  approximately  23%  of  Darling’s 
employees,  24%  of  Rothsay’s  employees  and  46%  of  Darling  Ingredients  International’s  employees  are  covered  by  various 
collective bargaining agreements. Furthermore, local laws and regulations in certain jurisdictions in which we operate provide for
worker groups with prescribed powers and rights with regard to working conditions, wages and similar matters.  In jurisdictions
where such groups do not exist, labor organizing activities could result in additional employees becoming unionized and higher 
ongoing labor costs. Darling’s collective bargaining agreements expire at varying times over the next five years, some of which
may have already expired and are in the process of being re-negotiated. In contrast, Darling Ingredients International’s collective
bargaining agreements generally have one to two year terms.  Rothsay agreements generally have terms up to three years. There 
can be no assurance that we will be able to negotiate the terms of any expiring or expired agreement in a manner acceptable to us.
If our workers were to engage in a strike, work stoppage, slowdown or other collective action in the future in any of our locations,
we could experience a significant disruption of our operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results
Page 34

of operations and financial condition. We may also be subject to general country strikes or work stoppages unrelated to our business
or collective bargaining agreements that could have a direct or indirect adverse effect on our business, results of operation or
financial condition. 

Litigation or regulatory proceedings may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial 
condition.

We are a party to several lawsuits, claims and loss contingencies arising in the ordinary course of our business, including 
assertions by certain regulatory and governmental agencies related to permitting requirements and air, wastewater and storm water
discharges from our processing facilities. These types of claims may increase as a result of the Rothsay and VION Acquisitions.
The outcome of litigation, particularly class action lawsuits, and regulatory proceedings is difficult to assess or quantify. Plaintiffs 
(including governmental agencies) in these types of lawsuits and proceedings may seek recovery of very large or indeterminate 
amounts, and the magnitude of the potential loss relating to such lawsuits or proceedings may remain unknown for substantial 
periods of time. The costs of responding to or defending future litigation or regulatory proceedings may be significant and any
future litigation or regulatory proceedings may divert the attention of management away from our strategic objectives. There may
also be adverse publicity associated with litigation or regulatory proceedings that may decrease customer confidence in our business,
regardless of whether the allegations are valid or whether we are ultimately found liable. As a result, litigation or regulatory
proceedings may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. For more information
related to our litigation and regulatory proceedings, see Item 3. “Legal Proceedings.”

Certain U.S. multiemployer defined benefit pension plans to which we contribute are underfunded and our U.S. and European 
pension funds may require minimum funding contributions. 

We participate in various U.S. multiemployer pension plans which provide defined benefits to certain employees covered 
by labor contracts. These plans are not administered by us and contributions are determined in accordance with provisions of 
negotiated labor contracts to meet their pension benefit obligations to their participants. Based upon the most currently available
information, certain of these multiemployer plans are under-funded due partially to a decline in the value of the assets supporting
these plans, a reduction in the number of actively participating members for whom employer contributions are required and the 
level of benefits provided by the plans. In addition, the U.S. Pension Protection Act, which went into effect in January 2008, 
requires under-funded pension plans to improve their funding ratios within prescribed intervals based on the level of their under-
funding. As  a  result,  our  required  contributions  to  these  plans  may  increase  in  the  future.  Furthermore,  under  current  law,  a 
termination  of,  our  voluntary  withdrawal  from  or  a  mass  withdrawal  of  all  contributing  employers  from  any  underfunded 
multiemployer defined benefit plan to which we contribute would require us to make payments to the plan for our proportionate 
share of such multiemployer plan’s unfunded vested liabilities. Also, if a multiemployer defined benefit plan fails to satisfy certain
minimum funding requirements, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) may impose a nondeductible excise tax of 5% on the amount 
of the accumulated funding deficiency for those employers not contributing their allocable share of the minimum funding to the 
plan. Requirements to pay increased contributions, withdrawal liability and excise taxes could negatively impact our liquidity and
results of operations. 

In Europe, the solvency of pension funds is mostly regulated on the national level. Although there are several differences 
among E.U. Member States, their common feature is the requirement of a certain percentage of minimum funding. In order to 
harmonize the national rules, the European Parliament and Council adopted a new Solvency Directive, according to which pension 
funds are required to have funding coverage of 99.5%. However, the current negotiations on the exact implementation of the new 
Solvency Directive in E.U. Member States are still pending. The deadlines for the transposition and application of the Solvency
Directive in E.U. Member States are due to be extended to January 31, 2015 and January 31, 2016, respectively. Eventually, upon
the  enforcement  of  the  Solvency  Directive,  pension  funds  in  Europe  will  have  to  comply  with  increased  minimum  coverage 
requirements, which could burden us and negatively impact our liquidity and results of operations. 

If the number or severity of claims for which we are self-insured increases, if we are required to accrue or pay additional 
amounts because the claims prove to be more severe than our recorded liabilities, if our insurance premiums increase or if we 
are unable to obtain insurance at acceptable rates or at all, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially
adversely affected. 

Our workers compensation, auto and general liability policies contain significant deductibles or self-insured retentions. 
We develop bi-yearly and record quarterly an estimate of our projected insurance-related liabilities. We estimate the liabilities
associated with the risks retained by us, in part, by considering historical claims experience, demographic and severity factors and 
other actuarial assumptions. Any actuarial projection of losses is subject to a degree of variability. If the number or severity of 
claims for which we are self-insured increases, or we are required to accrue or pay additional amounts because the claims prove
to be more severe than our original assessments, our financial condition and results of operations may be materially adversely 
Page 35

affected. In addition, in the future, our insurance premiums may increase and we may not be able to obtain similar levels of 
insurance on reasonable terms or at all. Any such inadequacy of, or inability to obtain, insurance coverage could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 

We may not successfully identify and complete acquisitions on favorable terms or achieve anticipated synergies relating to any 
acquisitions, and such acquisitions could result in unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures and require significant 
management resources. 

We regularly review potential acquisitions of complementary businesses, services or products. However, we may be 
unable to identify suitable acquisition candidates in the future. Even if we identify appropriate acquisition candidates, we may be 
unable to complete or finance such acquisitions on favorable terms, if at all. In addition, the process of integrating an acquired
business,  service  or  product  into  our  existing  business  and  operations  may  result  in  unforeseen  operating  difficulties  and 
expenditures. Integration of an acquired company also may require significant management resources that otherwise would be 
available for ongoing development of our business. Moreover, we may not realize the anticipated benefits of any acquisition or 
strategic alliance and such transactions may not generate anticipated financial results. Future acquisitions could also require us to 
incur debt, assume contingent liabilities or amortize expenses related to intangible assets, any of which could harm our business.
See the sections entitled “Risk Factors-Risks Related to the Acquisitions.”

Terrorist attacks or acts of war may cause damage or disruption to us and our employees, facilities, information systems, security
systems, suppliers and customers, which could significantly impact our net sales, costs and expenses and financial condition. 

Terrorist attacks, such as those that occurred on September 11, 2001, have contributed to economic instability in the U.S. 
and in certain other countries, and further acts of terrorism, bioterrorism, cyberterrorism, violence or war could affect the markets
in which we operate, our business operations, our expectations and other forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus
supplement. The potential for future terrorist attacks, the U.S. and international responses to terrorist attacks and other acts of war 
or hostility, including the ongoing war in Afghanistan and other conflicts in the Middle East, may cause economic and political
uncertainties and cause our business to suffer in ways that cannot currently be predicted. Events such as those referred to above
could cause or contribute to a general decline in investment valuations. In addition, terrorist attacks, particularly acts of bioterrorism,
that directly impact our facilities or those of our suppliers or customers could have an impact on our sales, supply chain, production
capability and costs and our ability to deliver our finished products. 

Our products may infringe the intellectual property rights of others, which may cause us to incur unexpected costs or prevent 
us from selling our products. 

We maintain valuable trademarks, service marks, copyrights, trade names, trade secrets, proprietary technologies and 
similar intellectual property, and consider our intellectual property to be of material value. We have in the past and may in the
future be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of our business, including claims of alleged infringement
of patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights of third parties by us or our customers. Any such claims, whether or 
not meritorious, could result in costly litigation and divert the efforts of our management. Moreover, should we be found liable
for infringement, we may be required to enter into licensing agreements (if available on acceptable terms or at all) or to pay 
damages and cease making or selling certain products. Any of the foregoing could cause us to incur significant costs and prevent
us from manufacturing or selling our products and thereby materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and 
financial condition.

The recently enacted legislation on healthcare reform in the United States and proposed amendments thereto could impact the 
healthcare benefits required to be provided by us in the U.S. and cause our compensation costs to increase, potentially reducing
our net income and adversely affecting our cash flows.

The recently enacted healthcare legislation in the U.S. and proposed amendments thereto contain provisions that could 
materially impact our future healthcare costs. While the legislation’s ultimate impact is not yet known, it is possible that these
changes could significantly increase our U.S. compensation costs, which would reduce our net income and adversely affect our 
cash flows. 

Because of our prior acquisitions and future acquisitions we may engage in, our historical operating results may be of limited 
use in evaluating our historical performance and predicting our future results. 

Darling has acquired a number of businesses in recent years, including Rothsay and VION Ingredients, and we expect 
that we will engage in acquisitions of other businesses from time to time in the future. The operating results of the acquired 
businesses are included in our financial statements from the date of the completion of such acquisitions. All of Darling’s acquisitions
Page 36

have been accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Use of this method has resulted in a new valuation of the 
assets and liabilities of the acquired companies. We expect a substantial increase in our depreciation and amortization and reduction
in our operating and net income commensurate with such increase. As a result of these acquisitions and any future acquisitions,
our historical operating results may be of limited use in evaluating our historical performance and predicting our future results.

Risks Related to the Acquisitions

Our efforts to combine Darling’s business, Rothsay’s business and Darling Ingredients International’s business may not be 
successful.

The Rothsay and VION Acquisitions constitute significant acquisitions for our business. Our management will be required 
to devote a significant amount of time and attention to the process of integrating the businesses and operations of Rothsay and
Darling Ingredients International with our business and operations, which may decrease the time it will have to serve existing 
customers, attract new customers and develop new products, services or strategies and could adversely affect the performance of
the combined company. The size and complexity of both businesses, particularly Darling Ingredients International’s business 
(including the multiple international locations of the businesses), and the process of using Darling’s existing common support 
functions and systems to manage Rothsay’s business and Darling Ingredients International’s business, if not managed successfully
by our management, may result in interruptions in our business activities, inconsistencies in our operations, standards, controls,
procedures and policies, a decrease in the quality of our services and products, a deterioration in our employee and customer 
relationships, increased costs of integration and harm to our reputation, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may not realize the growth opportunities that are anticipated from the Rothsay and VION Acquisitions. 

The benefits that we expect to achieve as a result of the Rothsay and VION Acquisitions will depend, in part, on our 
ability to realize anticipated growth opportunities and optimize best practices. Our success in realizing these opportunities and the 
timing of this realization depends on the successful integration of the businesses and operations of Rothsay and Darling Ingredients
International with our business and operations and the adoption of our respective best practices. Even if we are able to integrate
the businesses and operations successfully, this integration may not result in the realization of the full benefits of the growth
opportunities we currently expect from this integration within the anticipated time frame or at all. While we anticipate that substantial
expenses will be incurred in connection with the integration of Rothsay and Darling Ingredients International, such expenses are
difficult to estimate accurately, and may significantly exceed current estimates. Accordingly, the benefits from the acquisitions
may be offset by unanticipated costs incurred or unanticipated delays in integrating the companies. 

Our future results will suffer if we do not effectively manage our expanded operations resulting from the Rothsay and VION 
Acquisitions.

The Rothsay and VION Acquisitions will result in the expansion of our business lines and our geographic footprint. 
Without giving effect to the acquisitions, our business comprises primarily rendering and bakery feed operations, with production
facilities located solely in the U.S. In addition to expanding our business operations into Canada, the Rothsay Acquisition has
resulted in the expansion of our biodiesel operations through our operation of the commercial scale biodiesel plant located in 
Quebec,  Canada  that  we  acquired  in  connection  with  the  Rothsay Acquisition.  With  Darling  Ingredients  International’s  67 
production facilities, the completion of the VION Acquisition significantly extended our operations internationally, transforming
us into a business with over 200 locations, including 140 production facilities, spread across five continents. Through the completion
of the VION Acquisition, our business also expanded to cover a number of new products, including the production of gelatin, 
natural casings, renewable gas, renewable electricity, bio-phosphate and blood products (including plasma and hemoglobin), and 
we will increase the scale of our production of biodiesel and hides. 

Given the expansions in product scale and product lines, as well as the international expansion that the acquisitions entail, 
our future success will depend greatly upon our ability to manage our expanded operations (including the efficient and timely 
integration of the new operations into our existing business) and our ability to successfully monitor our operations, product costs,
regulatory compliance and service quality, and to maintain other necessary internal controls. Although the products from our 
existing business are also sold internationally, our management does not have any recent experience with overseeing production 
facilities located outside the U.S. and may confront various challenges in effectively monitoring the operations in all the production
facilities acquired in the acquisitions. In addition, our management does not have any prior experience in certain of the product
lines  that  have  resulted  from  the  acquisitions  and  will  need  to  rely  significantly  on  the  experience  of  Darling  Ingredients 
International’s personnel.  Accordingly, there is no assurance that we will be able to successfully manage the expansion opportunities
provided by the acquisitions, or that we will realize any operating efficiencies, revenue enhancements or other benefits from the
acquisitions.

Page 37

Risks Related to our Common Stock 

The market price of our common stock has been and may continue to be volatile, which could cause the value of your investment 
to decline. 

The market price of our common stock has been subject to volatility and, in the future, the market price of our common 
stock could fluctuate widely in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control. During the period from 
November 30, 2012 to February 14, 2014, our common stock has fluctuated from a high of $23.84 per share to a low of $15.54 
per share. Numerous factors, including many over which we have no control, may have a significant impact on the market price 
of our common stock. In addition to the risk factors discussed in this report, the price and volume volatility of our common stock
may be affected by:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

actual or anticipated fluctuations in ingredient prices;

actual or anticipated variations in our operating results;

our earnings releases and financial performance;

changes in financial estimates or buy/sell recommendations by securities analysts;

the integration of Darling Ingredients International and Rothsay, the effect of those acquisitions on our business 
going forward and our ability to realize growth opportunities as a result therefrom;

our ability to repay our debt;

our access to financial and capital markets to refinance our debt;

performance of our joint venture investments, including the DGD Joint Venture;

our dividend policy;

market conditions in the industry and the general state of the securities markets;

investor perceptions of us and the industry and markets in which we operate;

governmental legislation or regulation;

currency and exchange rate fluctuations; and

general economic and market conditions, such as U.S. or global reactions to economic developments, including 
regional recessions, currency devaluations,or political unrest.

Future sales of our common stock or the issuance of other equity may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. 

Except for certain restrictions agreed to with the underwriters in connection with our recently completed public offering 
of common stock, which restrictions expire in March 2014, we are not restricted from issuing additional common stock, including
securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, common stock. The issuance of
additional shares of our common stock or convertible securities, including our outstanding options, or otherwise, will dilute the
ownership interest of our common stockholders. 

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common stock or other equity-related securities in the public market could 
depress the market price of our common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities.
We cannot predict the effect that future sales of our common stock or other equity-related securities would have on the market 
price of our common stock. 

Page 38

Our common stock is an equity security and is subordinate to our existing and future indebtedness. 

Shares of our common stock are equity interests and do not constitute indebtedness. As such, the shares of common stock 
will rank junior to all of our indebtedness, including our trade debt, and to other non-equity claims on us and our assets available
to satisfy claims on us, including claims in a bankruptcy, liquidation or similar proceedings. Our existing indebtedness restricts,
and future indebtedness may restrict, payment of dividends on the common stock. 

Unlike indebtedness, where principal and interest customarily are payable on specified due dates, in the case of common 
stock, (i) dividends are payable only when and if declared by our board of directors or a duly authorized committee of the board
and (ii) as a corporation, we are restricted under applicable Delaware law to making dividend payments and redemption payments 
only from legally available assets. Further, under our certificate of incorporation, there are no restrictions on our business or
operations or on our ability to incur indebtedness or engage in any transactions arising as to our common stock, subject only to
the voting rights available to stockholders generally. 

In addition, our rights to participate in the assets of any of our subsidiaries upon any liquidation or reorganization of any 
subsidiary will be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary’s creditors (except to the extent we may ourselves be a creditor of 
that subsidiary), including that subsidiary’s trade creditors and our creditors who have obtained or may obtain guarantees from
the subsidiaries. As a result, our common stock will be subordinated to our and our subsidiaries’ obligations and liabilities, which
currently include borrowings and guarantees See Item 7. "Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results 
of Operations" - "Senior Secured Credit Facilities" and "5.375% Senior Notes due 2022."

Our ability to pay any dividends on our common stock may be limited and, consequently, your ability to achieve a return on 
your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our common stock. 

We have not paid any dividends on our common stock since January 3, 1989 and we have no current plans to do so. Our 
current financing arrangements permit us to pay cash dividends on our common stock within limitations defined by the terms of 
our existing indebtedness, including our senior secured credit facility and senior notes due 2022 and any indentures or other 
financing arrangements that we enter into in the future. For example, our senior secured credit facility restricts our ability to make 
payments of dividends in cash if certain coverage ratios are not met. Even if such coverage ratios are met in the future, any 
determination to pay cash dividends on our common stock will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be based 
upon  our  financial  condition,  operating  results,  capital  requirements,  plans  for  expansion,  business  opportunities,  restrictions
imposed by any of our financing arrangements, provisions of applicable law and any other factors that our board of directors 
determines are relevant at that point in time. 

The issuance of shares of preferred stock could adversely affect holders of common stock, which may negatively impact your 
investment.

Our board of directors is authorized to cause us to issue classes or series of preferred stock without any action on the part 
of our stockholders. The board of directors also has the power, without stockholder approval, to set the terms of any such classes
or series of preferred shares that may be issued, including the designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights senior to 
the rights of our common stock with respect to dividends or upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our business and
other terms. If we issue preferred shares in the future that have a preference over the common stock with respect to the payment
of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or if we issue preferred shares with voting rights that dilute the voting 
power of the common stock, the rights of holders of the common stock or the market price of the common stock could be adversely
affected. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we have no outstanding shares of preferred stock but we have available for
issuance 1,000,000 authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock. 

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

 None.

ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES

As of December 28, 2013, the Company's corporate headquarters is located at 251 O’Connor Ridge Boulevard, Suite 

300, Irving, Texas, 75038.

As of December 28, 2013, the Company operates over 130 processing and transfer facilities including the processing 
locations listed below.  All of the processing facilities are owned except for ten leased facilities and the Company owns or leases
a network of transfer stations in the United States and Canada.   As a result of the Rothsay and VION Acquisitions, the Company’s 
Page 39

business is now conducted through a global network of over 200 locations, including 140 production facilities, across five continents.
The following is a listing of the Company's material plants as of February 7, 2014 by operating segment with a description of the
plants principal process.

LOCATION
Feed Ingredients Segment
Bastrop, Texas, United States
Burgum, Netherlands
Butler, Kentucky, United States
Coldwater, Michigan, United States
Denderleeuw, Belgium
Dundas, Ontario
Jackson, Mississippi, United States
Moorefield, Ontario
Newark, New Jersey, United States
Newberry, Indiana, United States
Son, Netherlands
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Food Ingredients Segment
Dubuque, Iowa United States
Gent, Belgium
Guangdong, China
Peabody, Massachusetts, United States
President Epitacio, Brazil
Wenzhou, China

Fuel Ingredients Segment
Montreal, Quebec
Son, Netherlands

DESCRIPTION

Animal By-Products
Animal By-Products
Animal By-Products
Animal By-Products
Animal By-Products
Animal By-Products
Animal By-Products
Animal By-Products
Animal By-Products
Animal By-Products
Animal By-Products
Animal By-Products

Gelatin
Gelatin
Gelatin
Gelatin
Gelatin
Gelatin

Biodiesel
Bioenergy

Rent expense for our leased properties was $3.4 million in the aggregate in fiscal 2013.

Substantially all assets of the Company are either pledged or mortgaged as collateral for borrowings under our senior 

secured credit facilities. 

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is a party to several lawsuits, claims and loss contingencies arising in the ordinary course of its business, 
including assertions by certain regulatory and governmental agencies related to permitting requirements and air, wastewater and
storm water discharges from the Company's processing facilities.

The Company’s workers compensation, auto and general liability policies contain significant deductibles or self-insured 
retentions.  The Company estimates and accrues its expected ultimate claim costs related to accidents occurring during each fiscal
year and carries this accrual as a reserve until these claims are paid by the Company.

As a result of the matters discussed above, the Company has established loss reserves for insurance, environmental and 
litigation  matters.  At  December 28,  2013  and  December 29,  2012,  the  reserves  for  insurance,  environmental  and  litigation 
contingencies reflected on the balance sheet in accrued expenses and other non-current liabilities were approximately $35.5 million
and $37.0 million, respectively.  The Company has insurance recovery receivables of approximately $8.8 million and $9.3 million
as of December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively, related to these liabilities.  The Company’s management believes 
these  reserves  for  contingencies  are  reasonable  and  sufficient  based  upon  present  governmental  regulations  and  information 
currently available to management; however, there can be no assurance that final costs related to these matters will not exceed
current estimates.  The Company believes that the likelihood is remote that any additional liability from these lawsuits and claims
that may not be covered by insurance would have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or
cash flows.

Page 40

Lower Passaic River Area.  The Company has been named as a third party defendant in a lawsuit pending in the Superior 
Court of New Jersey, Essex County, styled New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, The Commissioner of the New 
Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Agency and the Administrator of the New Jersey Spill Compensation Fund, as 
Plaintiffs, vs. Occidental Chemical Corporation, Tierra Solutions, Inc., Maxus Energy Corporation, Repsol YPF, S.A., YPF, S.A.,
YPF Holdings, Inc., and CLH Holdings, as Defendants (Docket No. L-009868-05) (the "Tierra/Maxus Litigation").  In the Tierra/
Maxus Litigation, which was filed on December 13, 2005, the plaintiffs seek to recover from the defendants past and future cleanup
and removal costs, as well as unspecified economic damages, punitive damages, penalties and a variety of other forms of relief,
purportedly arising from the alleged discharges into the Passaic River of a particular type of dioxin and other unspecified hazardous
substances.  The damages being sought by the plaintiffs from the defendants are likely to be substantial.  On February 4, 2009,
two of the defendants, Tierra Solutions, Inc. ("Tierra") and Maxus Energy Corporation ("Maxus"), filed a third party complaint 
against over 300 entities, including the Company, seeking to recover all or a proportionate share of cleanup and removal costs,
damages or other loss or harm, if any, for which Tierra or Maxus may be held liable in the Tierra/Maxus Litigation.  Tierra and
Maxus allege that Standard Tallow Company, an entity that the Company acquired in 1996, contributed to the discharge of the 
hazardous substances that are the subject of this case while operating a former plant site located in Newark, New Jersey.  The 
Company is a party to a settlement in this matter pursuant to which it will pay the State of New Jersey $195,000 and be dismissed
from the case.  This amount was accrued in the first quarter of 2013.  The Superior Court approved the settlement on December 
12, 2013 and entered an order dismissing participating third-party defendants from the litigation.  We have paid our settlement
amount into escrow where it will be held by the Superior Court pending any appeal of the Superior Court’s order.  Additionally,
in December 2009, the Company, along with numerous other entities, received notice from the EPA that the Company (as successor-
in-interest to Standard Tallow Company) is considered a potentially responsible party with respect to alleged contamination in the
lower Passaic River area, which is part of the Diamond Alkali Superfund Site located in Newark, New Jersey.  In the letter, the
EPA requested that the Company join a group of other parties in funding a remedial investigation and feasibility study at the 
site.  As of the date of this report, the Company has not agreed to participate in the funding group.  The Company's ultimate liability
for investigatory costs, remedial costs and/or natural resource damages in connection with the lower Passaic River area cannot be
determined at this time; however, as of the date of this report, there is nothing that leads the Company to believe that these matters
will have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Fresno Facility Permit Issue.  The Company has been named as a defendant and a real party in interest in a lawsuit filed 
on April 9, 2012 in the Superior Court of the State of California, Fresno County, styled Concerned Citizens of West Fresno vs. 
Darling International Inc.  The complaint, as subsequently amended, alleges that the Company's Fresno facility is operating 
without a proper use permit and seeks, among other things, injunctive relief.  The complaint had at one time also alleged that the
Company's Fresno facility constitutes a continuing private and public nuisance, but the plaintiff has since amended the complaint
to drop these allegations.  The City of Fresno was also named as a defendant in the original complaint but has since had a judgment
entered in its favor and is no longer a defendant in the lawsuit; however, in December 2013 the City of Fresno filed a motion to
intervene as a plaintiff in this matter. The Superior Court heard the motion on February 4, 2014, and entered an order on February
18, 2014 denying the motion. Rendering operations have been conducted on the site since 1955, and the Company believes that 
it possesses all of the required federal, state and local permits to continue to operate the facility in the manner currently conducted
and that its operations do not constitute a private or public nuisance.  Accordingly, the Company intends to defend itself vigorously
in this matter.  Discovery has begun and this matter is currently scheduled for trial in July 2014.  While management cannot predict
the ultimate outcome of this matter, management does not believe the outcome will have a material effect on the Company's 
financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The  Company  is  engaged  in  other  legal  proceedings  from  time  to  time. The  proceedings  described  above  and  such 
other proceedings can be complex and take many months, or even years, to reach resolution, with the final outcome being dependent
upon a number of variables, some of which are not within the control of the Company. Therefore, although the Company will 
vigorously defend itself in each of the described actions, the ultimate resolution and potential financial impact on the Company
is uncertain.

ITEM 4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

Page 41

 
PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND 
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "DAR".  The 
following table sets forth, for the quarters indicated, the high and low closing sales prices per share for the Company's common
stock as reported on the NYSE.

Fiscal Quarter

2013:

First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

 2012:

First Quarter
Second Quarter
Third Quarter
Fourth Quarter

Market Price

High

Low

$
$
$
$

$
$
$
$

18.73
19.85
21.46
23.84

17.90
17.63
18.43
18.50

$
$
$
$

$
$
$
$

16.04
16.53
19.06
19.29

13.27
13.94
16.05
15.22

On February 19, 2014, the closing sales price of the Company's common stock on the NYSE was $19.90.  The Company 
has been notified by its stock transfer agent that as of February 19, 2014, there were 130 holders of record of the common stock.

The Company has not paid any dividends on its common stock since January 3, 1989 and does not expect to pay cash 
dividends in 2014.  The agreements underlying the Company's senior secured credit facilities and senior notes permit the Company
to pay cash dividends on its common stock within limitations defined in such agreements.  Any future determination to pay cash 
dividends on the Company’s common stock will be at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors and will be based upon 
the Company’s financial condition, operating results, capital requirements, plans for expansion, restrictions imposed by any existing
or future financing arrangements, and any other factors that the board of directors determines are relevant.

Set forth below is a line graph comparing the change in the cumulative total stockholder return on the Company's common 
stock with the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000 Index, the Dow Jones US Waste and Disposal Service Index, and the 
Agri-Equities Index - Tier One for the period from January 3, 2009 to December 28, 2013, assuming the investment of $100 on 
January 3, 2009 and the reinvestment of dividends.

Page 42

The stock price performance shown on the following graph only reflects the change in the Company's stock price relative 

to the noted indices and is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS

The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  information  as  of  December 28,  2013,  with  respect  to  the  Company's  equity 
compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which the Company's equity securities are authorized 
for  issuance,  aggregated  by  (i)  all  compensation  plans  previously  approved  by  the  Company's  security  holders,  and  (ii)  all 
compensation plans not previously approved by the Company's security holders.  The table includes:

• 

• 

• 

the number of securities to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding options and granted non-vested stock;

the weighted-average exercise price of the outstanding options and granted non-vested stock; and

the number of securities that remain available for future issuance under the plans.

Page 43

(a)
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights

(b)
Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights

(c)
Number of securities
remaining available
for future issuance
under equity
compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))

991,253

(1)

$9.78

10,286,222

             –
991,253

        –
$9.78

             –
10,286,222

Plan Category
Equity compensation plans

approved by security holders

Equity compensation plans not

approved by security holders

Total

(1)  Includes shares underlying options that have been issued and granted non-vested stock pursuant to the Company’s 
2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) as approved by the Company’s stockholders.  See Note 14 of 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the material features of the 2012 Plan.

Page 44

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The  following  table  presents  selected  consolidated  historical  financial  data  for  the  periods  indicated.  The  selected 
historical consolidated financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for the three years 
ended December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012, and December 31, 2011, and the related notes thereto.

Fiscal 2013
Fifty-two

Fiscal 2012
Fifty-two

Fiscal 2011
Fifty-two
Weeks Ended Weeks Ended Weeks Ended Weeks Ended Weeks Ended
December 28, December 29, December 31,
2012 (k)
2011
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

Fiscal 2010
Fifty-two

Fiscal 2009
Fifty-two

January 2,
2010 (i)

January 1,
2011 (j)

2013 (l)

Statement of Operations Data:

Net sales
Cost of sales and operating expenses (a)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization

   Acquisition costs
Operating income
Interest expense (b)
Other (income)/expense, net, (c), (d), (e), (f)
Equity in net loss of unconsolidated subsidiary
Income from continuing operations before income

taxes

Income tax expense
Net Income
Basic earnings per common share
Diluted earnings per common share
Weighted average shares outstanding
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

Other Financial Data:

Adjusted EBITDA  (a), (g)
Depreciation
Amortization
Capital expenditures (h)

Balance Sheet Data:
Working capital
Total assets
Current portion of long-term debt
Total long-term debt less current portion
Stockholders’ equity

$

$
$
$

$

1,723,550 $
1,261,101
170,825
98,787
23,271
169,566
38,108
(24,560)
(7,660)

163,678
54,711
108,967 $
0.91 $
0.91 $

119,526
119,924

268,353 $
66,691
32,096
118,307

1,701,429 $
1,232,604
151,713
85,371
—
231,741
24,054
(1,760)
2,662

206,785
76,015
130,770 $
1.11 $
1.11 $

117,592
118,089

317,112 $
57,305
28,066
115,413

1,797,249 $
1,268,221
136,135
78,909
—
313,984
37,163
2,955
1,572

272,294
102,876
169,418 $
1.47 $
1.47 $

114,924
115,525

392,893 $
50,891
28,018
60,153

724,909 $
531,699
68,042
31,908
10,798
82,462
8,737
3,382
—

70,343
26,100
44,243 $
0.53 $
0.53 $

82,854
83,243

114,370 $
26,328
5,580
24,720

$

950,698 $

158,578 $

92,423 $

30,756 $

3,244,133
19,888
866,947
2,020,952

1,552,416
82
250,142
1,062,436

1,417,030
10
280,020
920,375

1,382,258
3,009
707,030
464,296

597,806
439,817
61,062
25,226
468
71,233
3,105
1,249
—

66,879
25,089
41,790
0.51
0.51
82,142
82,475

96,459
21,398
3,828
23,638

75,100
426,171
5,009
27,539
284,877

(a)  Fiscal 2011 through fiscal 2009 includes certain prior year immaterial amounts that have been reclassified to conform to 

fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 presentation.

(b)  Included in interest expense for fiscal 2013 is approximately $13.0 million for bank financing fees from an unutilized  
bridge facility.  Fiscal 2012 includes the write-off of approximately $0.7 million in deferred loan costs as a result of the 
final payoff on the term loan portion of the Company's previous secured credit facilities. Included in interest expense for 
fiscal 2011 is approximately $4.9 million in deferred loan costs that were written off due to early payoff of a portion of 
a term loan from the Company's previous secured credit facilities and in fiscal 2010 is approximately $3.1 million for 
bank financing fees paid from a previous acquisition.

(c)  Included in other (income)/expense in fiscal 2010 is a write-off of deferred loan costs of approximately $0.9 million for 

the early termination of a previous senior credit agreement. 

Page 45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(d)  Included in other (income)/expense in fiscal 2010 is a write-off of property for fire and casualty losses of approximately 

$1.0 million for losses incurred in plant fires at two plant locations.

(e)  Included in other (income)/expense in fiscal 2012 are gain contingencies from insurance proceeds from fiscal 2012 and 

fiscal 2010 fire and casualty losses of approximately $4.7 million.

(f)  Included in other (income)/expense, net is a unrealized gain of approximately $27.5 million on a foreign currency forward 

hedge contracts. 

(g)  Adjusted EBITDA is presented here not as an alternative to net income, but rather as a measure of the Company’s operating 
performance and is not intended to be a presentation in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles 
("GAAP").  Since EBITDA is not calculated identically by all companies, the presentation in this report may not be 
comparable to those disclosed by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated below and represents, for any relevant 
period, net income/(loss) plus depreciation and amortization, goodwill and long-lived asset impairment, interest expense,  
(income)/loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, income tax provision, other income/(expense) and equity in net 
loss of unconsolidated subsidiary.  The Company believes adjusted EBITDA is a useful measure for investors because 
it is frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in the 
Company's industry.  In addition, management believes that adjusted EBITDA is useful in evaluating the Company's 
operating performance compared to that of other companies in its industry because the calculation of adjusted EBITDA 
generally eliminates the effects of financing, income taxes and certain non-cash and other items that may vary for different 
companies for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance.  As a result, the Company’s management uses adjusted 
EBITDA as a measure to evaluate performance and for other discretionary purposes.  However, adjusted EBITDA is not 
a  recognized  measurement  under    GAAP,  should  not  be  considered  as  an  alternative  to  net  income  as  a  measure  of 
operating results or to cash flow as a measure of liquidity, and is not intended to be a presentation in accordance with 
GAAP.  Also, since adjusted EBITDA is not calculated identically by all companies, the presentation in this report may 
not be comparable to those disclosed by other companies. In addition to the foregoing, management also uses or will use 
adjusted EBITDA to measure compliance with certain financial covenants under the Company’s senior secured credit 
facilities and senior unsecured notes that were outstanding at December 28, 2013.  The amounts shown below for adjusted 
EBITDA differ from the amounts calculated under similarly titled definitions in the Company’s Senior Secured Credit 
Facilities and Senior Unsecured Notes, as those definitions permit further adjustments to reflect certain other non-cash 
charges.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA

(dollars in thousands)

Net income

Depreciation and amortization
Interest expense
Income tax expense
Other, net
Equity in net loss of

unconsolidated subsidiary

Adjusted EBITDA

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

December 31,
2011

January 1,
2011

January 2,
2010

$

$

108,967 $
98,787
38,108
54,711
(24,560)

(7,660)
268,353 $

130,770 $
85,371
24,054
76,015
(1,760)

2,662
317,112 $

169,418 $
78,909
37,163
102,876
2,955

1,572
392,893 $

44,243 $
31,908
8,737
26,100
3,382

—

114,370 $

41,790
25,226
3,105
25,089
1,249

—
96,459

(h)  Excludes  the  capital  assets  acquired  as  part  of  the  TRS  acquisition  and  the  Rothsay Acquisition  in  fiscal  2013  of 
approximately $167.0 million.  Excludes the capital assets acquired as part of the RVO BioPur, LLC acquisition in fiscal 
2012 of approximately $0.6 million.  Also, excludes the capital assets acquired as part of the merger of Griffin Industries, 
Inc. (together with its subsidiaries "Griffin") and from Nebraska By-Products, Inc. of approximately $243.7 million in 
fiscal 2010.  Finally, also excludes the capital assets acquired in fiscal 2009 from Boca Industries, Inc. and Sanimax USA, 
Inc. of approximately $8.0 million.

(i)  Subsequent to the date of acquisition, fiscal 2009 includes 45 weeks of contribution from the acquired assets of Boca 
Industries, Inc. and does not include any contribution from assets acquired from Sanimax USA, Inc. as the acquisition 
occurred on December 31, 2009.

(j)  Subsequent to the date of acquisition, fiscal 2010 includes 2 weeks of contribution from the Griffin Industries, Inc. assets

and 31 weeks of contribution from the assets of Nebraska By-Products, Inc.

(k)  Subsequent to the date of acquisition, fiscal 2012 includes 29 weeks of contribution from the RVO BioPur, LLC assets.

(l)  Subsequent to the date of acquisition, fiscal 2013 includes 18 weeks of contribution from the TRS assets and 9 weeks of 

contribution from the assets of Rothsay.

Page 46

ITEM  7.  MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION  AND  ANALYSIS  OF  FINANCIAL  CONDITION  AND  RESULTS  OF 

OPERATIONS

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is a discussion 
of the Company’s financial condition and operating results during fiscal 2013, prior to the VION Acquisition.  In addition, our
fiscal 2013 results only reflect contributions from Rothsay following the closing of the Rothsay Acquisition on October 28, 2013.
Because of the anticipated material impact of the Rothsay Acquisition and the VION Acquisition on our financial condition and 
operating results going forward, the following discussion should not be read as indicative of future results.  Further, our future
financial performance and operating results are expected to differ materially from those of fiscal 2013, as discussed in this Item
7.  See "Forward Looking Statements" and elsewhere in this report, and Item 1A of this report under the heading "Risk Factors."

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements and notes 
thereto included in Item 8.  During fiscal 2013, the Company's operations were organized into two segments, Rendering, which 
includes the Company's Dar Pro Solutions® and the Rothsay brands, and Bakery (which includes the Company's Cookie Meal® 
brand).  See Note 21 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Except as otherwise noted, the historical financial results discussed in this section do not include Darling Ingredients 
International results and they do not reflect the significant effect that the Rothsay Acquisition and VION Acquisition are expected
to have on us, including significantly increased leverage and liquidity requirements.  Accordingly, our historical information is of 
limited comparative value because, among other things, of the impact of the Rothsay Acquisition and the VION Acquisition.

Fiscal 2013 Overview

At December 28, 2013 and prior to the VION Acquistion on January 7, 2014, the Company was a leading provider of 
animal by-product processing, used cooking oil and bakery residual recycling and recovery solutions to the U.S. and Canadian 
food industry.  The Company collects and recycles animal by-products, bakery residual and used cooking oil from poultry and 
meat processors, commercial bakeries, grocery stores, butcher shops, and food service establishments and provides grease trap 
cleaning services to many of the same establishments.  On October 28, 2013, Darling completed the acquisition of substantially 
all of the assets of Rothsay, the rendering and biodiesel division of MFI, pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement between MFI and
Darling dated August 23, 2013.  Rothsay is a leading recycler of animal by-products and producer of biodiesel in Canada.  Rothsay
processes raw materials into finished products of fats and proteins and manufactures biodiesel for domestic and international 
markets. Rothsay has a network of five rendering plants in Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia and a biodiesel operation in Quebec,
Canada. Prior to the Rothsay Acquisition, Darling had no facilities in Canada. This transaction not only adds significant scale by 
expanding  Darling's  geographic  footprint  into  Canada,  but  also  provides  Darling  with  an  opportunity  for  synergies  through 
transferring best practices between Rothsay and our existing operations and improving operational efficiencies. With the Rothsay
Acquisition, the Company operated over 130 processing and transfer facilities located throughout the United States and Canada 
to process raw materials into finished products such as protein (primarily MBM and PM), fats (primarily BFT, PG and YG), BBP 
and hides as well as a range of branded and value-added products.  The Company sells these products in North America and 
throughout the world, primarily to producers of animal feed, pet food, biodiesel, fertilizer and other consumer and industrial 
ingredients, including oleo-chemicals, soaps and leather goods for use as ingredients in their products or for further processing.  In 
fiscal 2013, all of the Company's finished products were commodities priced relative to competing commodities, primarily inedible
corn, soybean oil, inedible corn oil and soybean meal.  For these commodities, finished product prices will track as to nutritional
and industry value to the ultimate customer’s use of the product.  The Company's fiscal 2013 business and operations include nine
weeks of contribution from the assets acquired in the  Rothsay Acquisition as compared to no contributions from these assets in
fiscal 2012.  For additional information on the Company's business, see Item 1, "Business," and for additional information on the
Company's 2013 segments, see Note 21 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Fiscal 2013 was a year of tremendous growth for the Company.  We focused on strategic, long-term opportunities while 
navigating through a difficult and volatile price resetting environment.  Earnings performance moderated year-over-year, but even
with this challenging commodity environment, the Company achieved the third best year in its 131 year history.  The Company 
successfully commenced operation of its DGD Joint Venture with Valero, closed on and fully integrated the TRS food residuals 
and used cooking oil collection businesses, completed the acquisition of Rothsay and in early October announced the signing of 
a definitive agreement to acquire VION Ingredients, one of Europe's largest specialty ingredients and gelatin companies. The 
Company subsequently closed on the VION Acquisition on January 7, 2014.

The driver of fiscal 2013 performance in the Rendering segment was lower finished product prices for the Company's 
primary products.  This was a result of significantly larger grain and oilseed crops globally, which ultimately pressured corn and
protein prices.  Finished product markets have now returned to more historical pricing averages.   Overall, raw material volumes
for fat and bone for fiscal 2013 were up slightly relative to fiscal 2012, as the Company continued to grow with its core poultry
Page 47

suppliers, which more than offset the reduction in volumes from the Company's beef suppliers.  The Company's restaurant services
benefited from improved volumes as the U.S. economy strengthened and dining out normalized; however, used cooking oil margins 
continued to be challenged due to competition for raw material by the biofuel industry.  Energy costs for natural gas and diesel
fuel in fiscal 2013, were marginally higher than 2012.  Overall operating costs were effectively managed and a strong capital 
improvement program was deployed.

The Bakery segment made a solid contribution during fiscal 2013, although earnings were considerably lower than in 
2012.  Input volumes improved for fiscal 2013 as compared to fiscal 2012.  Cookie Meal®, which is the segments principal product,
realized lower prices in fiscal 2013 relative to fiscal 2012.  The price of Cookie Meal® tracks the price of corn, which on a bushel
basis dropped 13.7% year-over-year. The Bakery segment was moderately protected by the Company’s corn derivatives positions 
for the year, but the impact of the Company’s raw material purchasing formulas in its Bakery segment supply contracts, which 
are based on the published market price of corn, significantly lagged the rapid decline of our finished product prices in the fourth
quarter through the processing and sales cycles. The Company has continued its derivative positions in the Bakery segment into 
August 2014.  These hedges may prove ineffective and we may discontinue or interrupt all or a portion of the hedging strategy at
any time.

Operating income of $169.6 million decreased by $62.1 million in fiscal 2013 compared to fiscal 2012.  The continuing 
challenges faced by the Company as discussed below indicate there can be no assurance that operating results achieved by the 
Company  in  fiscal  2013  are  indicative  of  future  operating  performance  of  the  Company  particularly  in  light  of  the  Rothsay 
Acquisition and the VION Acquisition.

Summary of Critical Issues Faced by the Company during Fiscal 2013

•  Lower finished product prices for PM (pet food), BFT, PG, YG and corn in fiscal 2013 as compared to fiscal 2012 are a 
sign of decreased demand in domestic and export markets for PM (pet food), BFT, PG, YG and corn, which is used to 
price BBP.  Corn prices were down as corn supplies have increased.  These lower prices were partially offset by an overall 
increase in the prices of MBM and PM (feed grade).  Overall, finished product prices were unfavorable to the Company's 
sales revenue, but this unfavorable result was partially offset by the positive impact on raw material cost, due to the 
Company's U.S. formula pricing arrangements with raw material suppliers, which index raw material cost to the prices 
of finished product derived from the raw material; provided, however, that during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 the 
formula pricing arrangements in the Company's Bakery segment supply agreements significantly lagged the rapid decline 
of finished product prices through the processing and sales cycles.  The financial impact of finished goods prices on sales 
revenue and raw material cost is summarized below in Results of Operations.  Comparative sales price information from 
the Jacobsen Index (the "Jacobsen"), an established U.S. trading exchange publisher used by management to monitor 
U.S. performance, is provided below in Summary of Key Indicators.

•  Higher raw material volumes were collected from the Company's poultry suppliers, partially offset by lower raw material 
volumes  collected  from  the  Company's  beef  suppliers  during  fiscal  2013  as  compared  to  fiscal  2012.    Management 
believes the decrease in raw material volume is due to a decrease in beef slaughter and processor rates by the Company's 
raw material suppliers during the year as a result of decreased demand.  The financial impact of lower raw material 
volumes is summarized below in Results of Operations.

•  Energy prices for natural gas and diesel fuel increased in fiscal 2013 as compared to fiscal 2012.  The financial impact 

of energy costs is summarized below in Results of Operations.

Summary of Critical Issues and Known Trends Faced by the Company in Fiscal 2014 and Thereafter

Critical Issues and Challenges

• 

• 

Integration of current year domestic acquisition activity, as well as significant international acquisition activity, may not
achieve the desired growth and could result in unforeseen operating and integration difficulties that will require significant 
management resources for fiscal 2014 and into future periods.

Finished product prices for PM (pet food) BFT, PG, YG and corn (an indicator of BBP performance) decreased during 
fiscal 2013 as compared to fiscal 2012, while finished product prices for MBM and PM (feed grade) increased during 
fiscal 2013 as compared to fiscal 2012.  No assurance can be given that this decrease in commodity prices for certain of 
the Company's proteins and fats will not continue in the future or that commodity prices for various proteins and fats, 
including PM (pet food), BFT, PG , YG and corn, will not decrease further, as commodity prices are volatile by their 

Page 48

nature.  A decrease in commodity prices for some or all of the Company's products could have a significant impact on 
the Company’s earnings for the remainder of fiscal 2014 and into future periods.

•  The Company collected higher raw material volumes in fiscal 2013 as compared to fiscal 2012, as slaughter and processor 
rates for the Company's poultry raw material suppliers increased.  No assurance can be given that this increased activity 
from the Company's U.S. poultry raw material suppliers will continue in the future.  If raw material suppliers in any 
country in which we collect raw materials reduce their slaughter and processing rates in the future there could be a negative 
impact on the Company's ability to obtain raw materials for the Company's operations.

• 

From time to time certain markets for our products will close.  Those markets may remain closed for an indefinite and 
unpredictable period of time and may then reopen. We may have little or no warning of either closures or reopenings. 
The closing and reopening of markets can have both a positive and negative impact on the Company's earnings in future 
periods, and therefore the impact cannot be predicted.

•  The Company consumes significant volumes of natural gas to operate boilers in its plants, which generate steam to heat 
raw material.  Natural gas represents a significant component of factory cost included in cost of sales.  The Company 
also consumes significant volumes of diesel fuel, principally in the North America, to operate its fleet of tractors and 
trucks used to collect raw material.  Diesel fuel represents a significant component of collection costs included in cost 
of sales.  Higher natural gas and diesel fuel prices were incurred during fiscal 2013 as compared to fiscal 2012.  These 
prices can be volatile and there can be no assurance that these prices will not increase in the near future, thereby representing
an ongoing challenge to the Company’s operating results for future periods.  A material increase in energy prices for 
natural gas and/or diesel fuel over a sustained period of time could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, 
financial condition and results of operations.

Worldwide Government Energy and Trade Policies

•  As previously noted, prices for the Company’s finished products may be impacted by worldwide government policies 
relating to renewable fuels and GHG emissions, and programs such as RFS2 and tax credits for biofuels both in the U.S. 
and abroad may positively or negatively impact the demand for the Company’s finished products, depending on the 
government action that is taken.  See the risk factor entitled "Our biofuels business may be affected by energy policies 
of U.S. and foreign governments" on page 23 for more information regarding RFS2 and how changes to these worldwide 
government policies could have a negative impact on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

•  The Company’s exports are subject to the imposition of tariffs, quotas, trade barriers and other trade protection measures 
imposed by foreign countries relating to the import of the Company’s MBM, BFT and YG. General economic and political 
conditions as well as the closing of borders by foreign countries to the import of the Company’s products due to animal 
disease or other perceived health or safety issues can result in a material adverse impact on the Company. As a result 
trade policies of both the U.S. and foreign countries could have a negative impact on the Company’s business, financial 
condition and results of operations.

Other Food Safety and Regulatory Issues

•  Effective August 1997, the FDA promulgated the BSE Feed Rule prohibiting the use of mammalian proteins, with some 
exceptions, in feeds for cattle, sheep and other ruminant animals. The intent of this rule is to prevent the spread of BSE, 
commonly referred to as "mad cow disease."  As noted above, in October 2009, the FDA began enforcing the Enhanced 
BSE Rule and the Company made capital expenditures and implemented new processes and procedures to be compliant 
with the Enhanced BSE Rule at all of the Company's U.S. operations.

Even though the export markets for U.S. beef rebounded to exceed pre-BSE levels and set records for volume in 2011 
and value in 2012, most export markets remain closed to MBM derived from U.S. beef.  Continued concern about BSE 
in the U.S. or elsewhere may result in additional regulatory and market related challenges that may affect the Company's 
operations or increase the Company's operating costs.

•  With respect to U.S. human food, pet food and animal feed safety, the FDAAA was signed into law on September 27, 
2007 as a result of Congressional concern for pet and livestock food safety, following the discovery in March 2007 of 
pet and livestock food that contained adulterated imported ingredients.  As previously noted, the FDAAA establishes the 
Reportable  Food  Registry.   The  impact  of  the  FDAAA  and  implementation  of  the  Reportable  Food  Registry  on  the 
Company, if any, will not be clear until the FDA finalizes its RFR Draft Guidance and the Draft CPG, neither of which 
were finalized as of the date of this report.  The Company believes that it has adequate procedures in place to assure that 

Page 49

its finished products are safe to use in animal feed and pet food and the Company does not currently anticipate that the 
FDAAA will have a significant impact on the Company’s operations or financial performance.  Any pathogen, such as 
salmonella, that is correctly or incorrectly associated with the Company’s finished products could have a negative impact 
on the demands for the Company’s finished products.

In addition, on January 4, 2011 the FSMA was enacted into law.  As enacted, the FSMA gave the FDA new authorities, 
which became effective immediately. Included among these is mandatory recall authority for U.S. adulterated foods that 
are likely to cause serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals, if the responsible party fails to 
cease distribution and recall such adulterated foods voluntarily.  As previously noted, the Company has followed the 
FSMA  throughout  its  legislative  history  and  implemented  hazard  prevention  controls  and  other  procedures  that  the 
Company believes will be needed to comply with the FSMA.  Such rule-making could, among other things, require the 
Company to amend certain of the Company’s other U.S. operational policies and procedures.  While unforeseen issues 
and requirements may arise as the FDA promulgates the new regulations provided for by the FSMA, the Company does 
not anticipate that the costs of compliance with the FSMA will materially impact the Company’s business or operations.

In 2014, as a result of the Rothsay Acquisition and the VION Acquisition, our operations will also be subject to significant 
regulation in the E.U (and the E.U. member states in which we operate), China, Australia, Argentina, Brazil and other 
foreign countries into which we export our products.  Any significant change in governmental regulation of our facilities 
or products in any of these countries could have a material impact on our ability to distribute our products or operate our 
facilities profitably. 

See the risk factor entitled "Our business may be affected by the impact of BSE and other food safety issues," beginning 
on page 28, for more information about BSE, including the Enhanced BSE Rule, and other food safety issues and their 
potential effects on the Company, including the potential effects of additional government regulations, finished product 
import and/or export restrictions by foreign governments, market price fluctuations for finished goods, reduced demand 
for  beef  and  beef  products  by  consumers  and  increases  in  operating  costs  resulting  from  BSE  or  other  food-related 
concerns.

•  The emergence of diseases such as the 2009 H1N1 flu (initially known as “Swine Flu”), highly pathogenic and other 
strains of avian influenza (such strains are collectively known as Bird Flu), including H5N1, H7N3, H7N9 and H10N8 
strains of avian influenza, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (“SARS”) that are in or associated with animals and 
have the potential to also threaten humans has created concern that such diseases could spread and cause a global pandemic.  
As of the date of this report, neither these influenza strains nor SARS has been linked to a global disease pandemic among 
humans. Other diseases, such as the PED virus, that affect only certain species of animals and are not known to threaten 
human health, may spread easily and result in animal and economic losses to the animal industry.  The occurrence of 
Swine Flu, any Bird Flu, SARS, PED or any other disease in a region where we operate that is correctly or incorrectly 
linked to animals and has a negative impact on meat or poultry consumption or animal production could have a material 
negative impact on the volume of raw materials available to the Company or the demand for the Company's finished 
products. See the risk factor entitled “Our business may be negatively impacted by the occurrence of any disease correctly 
or incorrectly linked to animals” on page 30 for more information about these diseases.

These challenges indicate there can be no assurance that fiscal 2013 operating results are indicative of future operating 
performance of the Company. Further, because of the Rothsay Acquisition and the VION Acquisition, it is unlikely that our fiscal
2013 operating results are necessarily predictive of future operating results.  In addition, because we are in the midst of integrating
the Rothsay Acquisition and the VION Acquisition, we may discover new or unanticipated critical issues or trends that could have
a material affect on our operations or financial results.  

Results of Operations

Fifty-two Week Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 2013 (“Fiscal 2013”) Compared to Fifty-two Week Fiscal Year Ended December 
29, 2012 (“Fiscal 2012”)

Summary of Key Factors Impacting Fiscal 2013 Results:

Principal factors that contributed to a $62.1 million decrease in operating income, which are discussed in greater detail 

in the following section, were: 

•  Acquisition costs and expenses from current year acquisition activity,
• 

Increases in payroll and related benefit costs,
Page 50

•  Decrease in finished product prices, net of reduced raw material cost,
•  Decrease in yield, and
• 

Increase in energy costs, primarily natural gas and diesel fuel.

These decreases were partially offset by:

Increase in poultry raw material volumes, and

• 
•  Nine weeks of contribution from the acquisition of Rothsay.

Summary of Key Indicators of Fiscal 2013 Performance:

Principal indicators that management routinely monitored during Fiscal 2013 and compared to previous periods as an 

indicator of problems or improvements in operating results include:

•  Finished product commodity prices, 
•  Raw material volume,
•  Production volume and related yield of finished product,
•  Energy prices for natural gas quoted on the NYMEX index and diesel fuel,
•  Collection fees and collection operating expenses, and
•  Factory operating expenses.

These indicators and their importance are discussed below in greater detail.

Finished Product Commodity Prices.  Prices for finished product commodities that Darling produced in 2013 are reported 
each business day on the Jacobsen, an established agribusiness trading exchange price publisher.  The Jacobsen reports U.S. 
industry sales from the prior day's activity by product.  The Jacobsen includes reported prices for MBM, PM (both feed grade and
pet food), BFT, PG and YG, which are end products of the Company's Rendering segment. During the first quarter of Fiscal 2012, 
the Jacobsen stopped reporting BBP, which is the end product of the Company's Bakery segment.  As a result, the Company 
monitored prices for corn, which is a substitute commodity for BBP and generally indicative of BBP price performance. The 
Company regularly monitored Jacobsen reports on MBM, PM, BFT, PG, YG and corn because they provide a daily indication of 
the Company's U.S. revenue performance against business plan benchmarks.  Although the Jacobsen provides one useful metric 
of performance, the Company's 2013 finished products are commodities that compete with other commodities such as corn, soybean 
oil, inedible corn oil, palm oils, soybean meal and heating oil on nutritional and functional values and therefore actual pricing for 
the Company's finished products, as well as competing products, can be quite volatile.  In addition, the Jacobsen does not provide
data regarding international markets or forward or future period U.S. pricing.  The Jacobsen prices quoted below are for delivery
of the finished product at a specified U.S. location.  Although the Company's U.S. prices generally move in concert with reported
Jacobsen prices, the Company's actual sales prices for its finished products may vary significantly from the Jacobsen because of
delivery timing differences and because the Company's finished products are delivered to multiple locations in different geographic
regions which utilize different price indexes.  In addition, certain of the Company's premium branded U.S. finished products may
also sell at prices that may be higher than the closest related product quoted by the  Jacobsen.  During Fiscal 2013, the Company's
actual sales prices by product trended with the reported Jacobsen prices.  Average Jacobsen prices (at the specified delivery point)
for Fiscal 2013, compared to average Jacobsen prices for Fiscal 2012 follow:

Rendering Segment:
MBM (Illinois)
Feed Grade PM (Carolina)
Pet Food PM (Southeast)
BFT (Chicago)
PG (Southeast)
YG (Illinois)
Bakery Segment:
Corn (Illinois)

Avg. Price
Fiscal 2013

Avg. Price
Fiscal 2012

Increase/
(Decrease)

$434.03/ton
$503.86/ton
$693.68/ton
$  40.55/cwt
$  37.35/cwt
$  34.57/cwt

$405.58/ton
$483.78/ton
$713.76/ton
$  43.83/cwt
$  42.71/cwt
$  37.31/cwt

$      28.45/ton
$      20.08/ton
$   (20.08/ton)
$    (3.28/cwt)
$    (5.36/cwt)
$    (2.74/cwt)

%
Increase/
(Decrease)

7.0%
4.2%
(2.8)%
(7.5)%
(12.5)%
(7.3)%

$6.22/bushel

$7.21/bushel

$ (0.99/bushel)

(13.7)%

Page 51

The overall decrease in average PM (pet food), BFT, PG, YG and corn prices in Fiscal 2013 had an unfavorable impact 
on revenue that was partially offset by an overall increase in average MBM and PM (feed grade) and the reduction to the Company's
raw material cost resulting from our U.S. formula pricing arrangements, which compute raw material costs based upon the price 
of finished product.

During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2013, the Company experienced a significant decline in all of its average commodity 
prices as compared to the third quarter of Fiscal 2013 due to a favorable harvest of corn and competing North American crops, 
which increased supply and reduced prices.  The following table shows the average Jacobsen prices for the fourth quarter of Fiscal
2013 as compared to the average Jacobsen prices for the third quarter of Fiscal 2013.

Rendering Segment:
MBM (Illinois)
Feed Grade PM (Carolina)
Pet Food PM (Southeast)
BFT (Chicago)
PG (Southeast)
YG (Illinois)
Bakery Segment:
Corn (Illinois)

Avg. Price
4th Quarter 
2013

Avg. Price
3rd Quarter 
2013

Increase/
(Decrease)

%
Increase/
(Decrease)

$434.03/ton
$470.68/ton
$584.15/ton
$  34.79/cwt
$  30.69/cwt
$  27.70/cwt

$470.75/ton
$543.30/ton
$680.69/ton
$  43.15/cwt
$  38.73/cwt
$  35.84/cwt

$   (36.72/ton)
$   (72.62/ton)
$   (96.54/ton)
$     (8.36/cwt)
$     (8.04/cwt)
$     (8.14/cwt)

(7.8)%
(13.4)%
(14.2)%
(19.4)%
(20.8)%
(22.7)%

$4.33/bushel

$6.09/bushel

$(1.76/bushel)

(28.9)%

Raw Material Volume.  Raw material volume represents the quantity (pounds) of raw material collected from Rendering 
segment suppliers, such as beef, poultry and pork processors, grocery stores, butcher shops and food service establishments, or
in the case of the Bakery segment, commercial bakeries.  Raw material volumes from the Company's Rendering segment suppliers 
provide an indication of the future production of MBM, PM (feed grade and pet food), BFT, PG and YG finished products while 
raw material volumes from the Company's Bakery segment suppliers provide an indication of the future production of BBP finished
products.

Production Volume and Related Yield of Finished Product.  Finished product production volumes are the end result of 
the Company's production processes, and directly impact goods available for sale, and thus, become an important component of 
sales revenue.  In addition, physical inventory turnover is impacted by both the availability of credit to the Company's customers
and suppliers and reduced market demand, which can lower finished product inventory values.  Yield on U.S. production is a ratio
of  production  volume  (pounds),  divided  by  raw  material  volume  (pounds)  and  provides  an  indication  of  effectiveness  of  the 
Company's U.S. production process.  Factors impacting yield on production include the quality of raw material and warm weather 
during summer months, which rapidly degrades raw material.  The quantities of finished products produced varies depending on 
the mix of raw materials used in production.  For example, raw material from cattle yields more fat and protein than raw material
from pork or poultry.  Accordingly, the mix of finished products produced by the Company can vary from quarter to quarter 
depending on the type of raw material being received by the Company.  Thus, the increased volume of poultry raw material and 
decreased volume of beef raw material in Fiscal 2013 resulted in decreased Fiscal 2013 yield. The Company cannot increase the 
production of protein or fat based on demand since the type of raw material available will dictate the yield of each finished product.

Energy Prices for Natural Gas Quoted on the NYMEX Index and Diesel Fuel.  Natural gas and heating oil commodity 
prices are quoted each day on the NYMEX exchange for future months of delivery of natural gas and delivery of diesel fuel.  The
prices are important to the Company because natural gas and diesel fuel are major components of U.S. factory operating and 
collection costs and natural gas and diesel fuel prices are an indicator of achievement of the Company's business plan. 

Collection Fees and Collection Operating Expense.  In the U.S., the Company charges collection fees which are included 
in net sales.  Each month the Company monitors both the collection fee charged to suppliers, which is included in net sales, and
collection expense, which is included in cost of sales.  The importance of monitoring collection fees and collection expense is that 
they provide an indication of achievement of the Company's business plan.  Furthermore, management monitors collection fees 
and collection expense so that the Company can consider implementing measures to mitigate against unforeseen increases in these
expenses.

Page 52

 
Factory Operating Expenses.  The Company incurs factory operating expenses which are included in cost of sales.  Each 
month  the  Company  monitors  factory  operating  expense.   The  importance  of  monitoring  factory  operating  expense  is  that  it 
provides an indication of achievement of the Company's business plan.  Furthermore, when unforeseen expense increases occur, 
the Company can consider implementing measures to mitigate such increases.

Net Sales. The Company collects and processes animal by-products (fat, bones and offal), including hides, bakery residual 
and used cooking oil to produce its principal North American finished products of MBM, PM (feed grade and pet food), BFT, PG, 
YG, BBP and hides as well as a range of branded and value-added products.  Sales are significantly affected by finished goods 
prices, quality and mix of raw material, and volume of raw material.  Net sales include the sales of produced finished goods, 
collection fees, fees for grease trap services, and finished goods purchased for resale.

During Fiscal 2013, net sales were $1,723.6 million as compared to $1,701.4 million during Fiscal 2012.  The Rendering 
segments' operations process animal by-products and used cooking oil into fats (primarily BFT, PG and YG), protein (primarily 
MBM and PM (feed grade and pet food)) and hides.  Fat was approximately $777.9 million and $809.7 million of net sales for 
the year ended December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively, and protein was approximately $552.9 million and $496.2 
million of net sales for the year ended December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.  The increase in Rendering 
segment sales of $51.7 million and the decrease in Bakery segment sales of $29.5 million accounted for the $22.2 million increase
in sales.  The increase in net sales was primarily due to the following (in millions of dollars):

Increase in net sales due to acquisition of

Rothsay

Increase in other sales
Increase in raw material volume
Purchase of finished product for resale
Increase/(decrease) in finished product prices
Decrease in yield

Rendering

Bakery

Corporate

Total

$

$

32.4 $
23.3
11.7
12.2
(19.6)
(8.3)
51.7 $

— $
—
7.8
—
(36.5)
(0.8)
(29.5) $

— $
—
—
—
—
—
— $

32.4
23.3
19.5
12.2
(56.1)
(9.1)
22.2

Further detail regarding the $51.7 million increase in sales in the Rendering segment and the $29.5 million decrease in sales in
the Bakery segment is as follows:

Rendering

Net Sales from Acquisition of Rothsay:  The Company's net sales increased by $32.4 million in the Rendering segment as a 
result of nine weeks of contribution from the acquisition of Rothsay.

Other Sales:  The $23.3 million increase in other Rendering segment sales was primarily due to increased revenues from the 
acquired TRS food residuals business and  an increase in hide and pet food sales.

Raw Material Volume:  Rendering volumes have increased Rendering segment sales by approximately $11.7 million, which 
is a result of an increase in slaughter and processor rates of the Company's poultry raw material suppliers that more than offset
lower volumes from the Company's beef suppliers in Fiscal 2013 as compared to Fiscal 2012.

Purchases of Finished Product for Resale: The $12.2 million increase in sales resulted from the Company's purchasing more 
finished product for resale from third party suppliers in Fiscal 2013 as compared to the same period in Fiscal 2012.  We 
purchase finished product from third party suppliers from time to time in order to complete a full shipment for a specific 
customer.

Finished Product Prices:  Lower prices in the overall commodity market for soybean meal and soy oil, decreased demand 
from export and reduced corn values negatively impacted the Company's finished product prices for PM (pet food), BFT, PG 
and YG.  The $19.6 million decrease in Rendering segment sales resulting from decreases in finished product prices for PM 
(pet food), BFT, PG and YG more than offset the increase in the finished product price for MBM and PM (feed grade). The 
market decreases were due to changes in supply/demand in the domestic and international markets for commodity proteins 
and fats, including PM (pet food), BFT, PG and YG, driven principally by the large Fiscal 2013 production of corn and 
soybeans.

Page 53

Yield:  The $8.3 million decrease in the Rendering segment yield is primarily due to a decrease in the relative portion of beef
offal in the raw material collected during Fiscal 2013 as compared to Fiscal 2012, which impacted yields since beef offal is 
a higher yielding material than poultry and pork offal.

Bakery

Raw Material Volume:  Bakery segment volumes have increased Bakery segment sales by approximately $7.8 million, which 
is due to production increases by the Company's commercial bakery suppliers in Fiscal 2013 as compared to the same period 
in Fiscal 2012.

Finished Product Prices:  Lower prices in the commodity market for corn negatively impacted the Company's BBP finished 
product prices by approximately $36.5 million. The reason for the impact is that BBP formula contracts are priced relative to 
the price of corn.  During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 the formula pricing arrangements in the Company's Bakery segment 
supply agreements significantly lagged the rapid decline of finished product prices through the processing and sales cycles.

Yield: The $0.8 million decrease in the Bakery segment yield is primarily due to a decrease in the relative portion of dry based
bakery residuals collected during Fiscal 2013 as compared to the same period in Fiscal 2012, which impacted yields since 
dry based bakery residuals are a higher yielding material than moist bakery residuals and available blending stock.

Cost of Sales and Operating Expenses.   Cost of North American sales and operating expenses include the cost of raw 
material, the cost of product purchased for resale and the cost to collect raw material, which includes diesel fuel and processing
costs including natural gas. The Company utilizes both fixed and formula pricing methods for the purchase of raw materials. Fixed
prices  are  adjusted  where  possible  for  changes  in  competitive  circumstances.    Significant  changes  in  finished  goods  market 
conditions impact finished product inventory values, while raw materials purchased under formula prices are generally correlated
with specific finished goods prices, except in rapidly declining markets which can result in a delay in matching raw material 
purchase prices and end product sale prices.  Energy costs, particularly diesel fuel and natural gas, are significant components of 
the Company's cost structure.  The Company has the ability to burn alternative fuels at a majority of its North American plants to 
help manage the Company's price exposure to volatile energy markets.

During Fiscal 2013, cost of sales and operating expenses were $1,261.1 million as compared to $1,232.6 million during 
Fiscal 2012.  The increase in Rendering segment cost of sales and operating expenses of $42.2 million, offset by the decrease in
Bakery segment cost of sales and operating expenses of $13.7 million, accounted for substantially all of the $28.5 million increase
in cost of sales and operating expenses.  The increase in cost of sales and operating expenses was primarily due to the following
(in millions of dollars):

Rendering

Bakery

Corporate

Total

Increase/(decrease) in other cost of sales

$

30.2 $

(5.5) $

(0.7) $

Increase in cost of sales and operating expense

due to the Rothsay Acquisition

Purchase of finished product for resale
Increase in raw material volume
Increase in energy costs, primarily
      natural gas and diesel fuel

Decrease in raw material costs

19.6

11.8
4.1

6.0
(29.5)
42.2 $

—

—
3.7

0.7
(12.6)
(13.7) $

$

—

—
—

0.7

—
— $

24.0

19.6

11.8
7.8

7.4
(42.1)
28.5

Further detail regarding the $42.2 million increase in cost of sales and operating expenses in the Rendering segment and the $13.7
million decrease in Bakery segment is as follows:

Rendering

Other Cost of Sales:  The $30.2 million increase in other costs of sales is primarily due to increased costs from the acquired 
food residuals business of TRS, an increase in payroll and incentive-related benefits, an increase in repairs and maintenance 
expense, an increase in hide costs and other sales costs increases. 

Costs of Sales and Operating Expenses from the Rothsay Acquisition: The Company's cost of sales and operating expenses 
increased by $19.6 million in the Rendering segment as a result of nine weeks of contribution from the Rothsay Acquisition.

Page 54

Purchases of Finished Product for Resale: The $11.8 million increase in cost of sales resulted from the Company's purchasing 
more finished product for resale from third party suppliers in Fiscal 2013 as compared to Fiscal 2012.

Raw Material Volume: Production increases from the packers and processors who supply by-product we use as raw material 
resulted in higher raw material volumes available to be processed and formula pricing resulted in higher cost of sales of 
approximately $4.1 million.

Energy Costs:  Natural gas and diesel fuel are major components of our North American factory and collection operating 
costs, respectively.  During Fiscal 2013 energy costs, primarily natural gas and diesel fuel, were higher as compared to Fiscal
2012 and are reflected in the $6.0 million increase in cost of sales.

Raw Material Costs:  A portion of the Company’s North American volume of Rendering segment raw material is acquired on 
a formula basis.  Under a formula arrangement, the cost of raw material is tied to the finished product market for MBM, PM 
(both feed grade and pet food), BFT, PG and YG.  Although there was a higher demand for soybean meal and fish meal, which 
resulted in an increase in prices of the Company's finished products for MBM and PM (feed grade), the price decrease for 
our fats (BFT, PG and YG) and corresponding formula pricing more than offset the protein meal increase, resulting in a 
decrease in the cost of raw material of approximately $29.5 million in Fiscal 2013 as compared to Fiscal 2012. 

Bakery

Raw Material Costs:  The Company’s Bakery segment raw material is acquired on a formula basis.  Under these formula 
arrangements, the cost of raw material is tied to the market value of corn.  Since finished product prices overall for corn were
lower  in  Fiscal  2013  as  compared  to  the  same  period  in  Fiscal  2012,  the  Bakery  segment  raw  material  cost  decreased 
approximately $12.6 million.

Other Costs of Sales:   The $5.5 million decrease in other costs of sales is mainly due to a reduction to cost of sales as a result
of our corn hedging strategy, that was partially offset by an increase in payroll and incentive-related benefits and an increase
in repairs and maintenance costs. See “Item 7A - Quantitative and Qualatative Disclosures about Market Risk”. 

Raw Material Volume:  Production increases from the Company's suppliers resulted in more by-product available for our use 
as raw material to be processed and formula pricing resulted in higher cost of sales of approximately $3.7 million.

Energy Costs:  Natural gas is a component of factory operating costs. During Fiscal 2013, natural gas costs were higher as 
compared to Fiscal 2012 and are reflected in the $0.7 million increase in cost of sales.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.   Selling, general and administrative expenses were $170.8 million during 
Fiscal 2013, a $19.1 million increase (12.6%) from $151.7 million during Fiscal 2012.   Selling, general and administrative expenses
increased primarily due to the current year Rothsay Acquisition and payroll and related expense increases.  The increase in selling,
general and administrative expenses is primarily due to the following (in millions of dollars): 

Increase in other

Payroll and related benefits expense

Increases in selling, general and administrative expense
from nine weeks of contribution related to Rothsay

Increase in Oracle implementation costs

Rendering

Bakery

Corporate

Total

$

$

2.8 $

2.1

3.0
—
7.9 $

0.2 $
(0.2)

—
—
— $

5.2 $

3.5

—
2.5
11.2 $

8.2

5.4

3.0
2.5
19.1

Acquisition Costs.  Acquisition costs were $23.3 million during Fiscal 2013 and represent incurred acquisition related 
costs associated with the TRS acquisition that occurred in the third quarter as well as costs incurred in connection with the Rothsay
Acquisition that occurred on October 28, 2013 and the VION Acquisition that occurred on January 7, 2014.

Depreciation and Amortization.   Depreciation and amortization charges increased $13.4 million (15.7%) to $98.8 million 
during Fiscal 2013 as compared to $85.4 million during Fiscal 2012.  The increase in depreciation and amortization is primarily
due to a general increase in capital expenditures and an increase due to current year acquisition activity.

Page 55

Interest Expense.   Interest expense was $38.1 million during Fiscal 2013 compared to $24.1 million during Fiscal 2012, 
an increase of $14.0 million, primarily due to accrued bank fees of $13.0 million for an unutilized bridge facility and an increase
in bank debt outstanding as a result of the Rothsay Acquisition, which was partially offset by an increase in capitalized interest in 
Fiscal 2013 as compared to Fiscal 2012.

Foreign Currency Gains/(Losses).  Foreign currency gains/(losses) were $28.1 million during Fiscal 2013 and primarily 
represent gains of approximately $27.5 million recorded on foreign currency forward contracts entered into to hedge against foreign
exchange risks related to closing the VION Acquisition.

Other Income/Expense.   Other expense was $3.5 million in Fiscal 2013 as compared to other income of $1.8 million in 
Fiscal 2012.  This decrease in other income of $5.3 million is primarily due to lower insurance recovery proceeds in Fiscal 2013
as compared to Fiscal 2012 of approximately $1.9 million and a $2.4 million payment made in October 2013 pursuant to the terms 
of the Griffin purchase agreement to reimburse the Griffin shareholders for state income tax liability incurred by such shareholders
as a result of the Company’s election for certain tax treatment under Section 338(h)(10) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

Equity  in  Net  Income  /(Loss)  in  Investment  of  Unconsolidated  Subsidiary.  Represents  the  Company's  portion  of  the 
earnings of the DGD Joint Venture with Valero for Fiscal 2013.  Net equity income was $7.7 million compared to a net equity loss
of $2.7 million in Fiscal 2012.  The $10.4 million increase in net equity income is a direct result of the DGD Joint Venture's 
commencement of production and sale of renewable diesel fuel in late June 2013 as compared to non-capitalized expenses during 
construction phase in Fiscal 2012. 

Income Taxes.   The Company recorded income tax expense of $54.7 million for Fiscal 2013, compared to income tax 
expense of $76.0 million recorded in Fiscal 2012, a decrease of $21.3 million, primarily due to a decrease in pre-tax earnings of
the Company in Fiscal 2013.  The effective tax rate for Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012 is 33.4% and 36.8%, respectively.  The 
difference from the federal statutory rate of 35% in Fiscal 2013 is primarily due to state taxes and the receipt of biofuel tax incentives 
from the DGD Joint Venture, which began production in June 2013.  The difference in Fiscal 2012 is primarily due to to state 
taxes and the section 199 qualified domestic production deduction.

Results of Operations

Fifty-two Week Fiscal Year Ended December 29, 2012 (“Fiscal 2012”) Compared to Fifty-two Week Fiscal Year Ended December 
31, 2011 (“Fiscal 2011”)

Summary of Key Factors Impacting Fiscal 2012 Results:

Principal factors that contributed to a $82.3 million decrease in operating income, which are discussed in greater detail 

in the following section, were: 

•  Decrease in finished product prices, net of reduced raw material cost,
•  Decrease in raw material volumes,
• 
•  A prior year purchase contingency gain not re-occuring in the current year.

Increases in payroll and related benefit costs, and

These decreases were partially offset by:

•  Decrease in energy costs, primarily natural gas and diesel fuel, and
• 

Increase in yield.

Summary of Key Indicators of Fiscal 2012 Performance:

Principal indicators that management routinely monitors and compares to previous periods as an indicator of problems 

or improvements in operating results include:

•  Finished product commodity prices, 
•  Raw material volume,
•  Production volume and related yield of finished product,
•  Energy prices for natural gas quoted on the NYMEX index and diesel fuel,
•  Collection fees and collection operating expenses, and
•  Factory operating expenses.

Page 56

These indicators and their importance are discussed below in greater detail.

Finished Product Commodity Prices.  In Fiscal 2012, prices for finished product commodities that the Company produces 
were reported each business day on the Jacobsen, an established trading exchange price publisher.  The Jacobsen reports industry
sales from the prior day's activity by product.  The Jacobsen includes reported prices for MBM, PM (both feed grade and pet food),
BFT, PG and YG, which in fiscal 2012 were end products of the Company's Rendering segment. During the first quarter of Fiscal 
2012, the Jacobsen stopped reporting BBP, which is the end product of the Company's Bakery segment.  As a result, in Fiscal 2012
the Company reported prices for corn, which is a substitute commodity for BBP. In Fiscal 2012, the Company regularly monitored 
Jacobsen  reports  on  MBM,  PM,  BFT,  PG, YG  and  corn  because  they  provided  a  daily  indication  of  the  Company's  revenue 
performance against business plan benchmarks.  Although the Jacobsen provides one useful metric of performance, the Company's 
finished products are commodities that compete with other commodities such as corn, soybean oil, inedible corn oil, palm oils, 
soybean meal and heating oil on nutritional and functional values and therefore actual pricing for the Company's finished products,
as well as competing products, can be quite volatile.  In addition, the Jacobsen does not provide forward or future period pricing.
The Jacobsen prices quoted below are for delivery of the finished product at a specified location.  Although the Company's prices
generally move in concert with reported Jacobsen prices, the Company's actual sales prices for its finished products may vary 
significantly from the Jacobsen because of delivery timing differences and because the Company's finished products are delivered
to multiple locations in different geographic regions which utilize different price indexes.  In addition, certain of the Company's
premium branded finished products may also sell at prices that may be higher than the closest related product quoted by Jacobsen.
During Fiscal 2012, the Company's actual sales prices by product trended with the reported Jacobsen prices.  Average Jacobsen 
prices (at the specified delivery point) for Fiscal 2012, compared to average Jacobsen prices for Fiscal 2011 follow:

Rendering Segment:
MBM (Illinois)
MBM (California)
Feed Grade PM (Carolina)
Pet Food PM (Southeast)
BFT (Chicago)
PG (Southeast)
YG (Illinois)
Bakery Segment:
Corn (Illinois)

Avg. Price
Fiscal 2012

Avg. Price
Fiscal 2011

Increase/
(Decrease)

$405.58/ton
$356.02/ton
$483.78/ton
$713.76/ton
$  43.83/cwt
$  42.71/cwt
$  37.31/cwt

$354.84/ton
$360.32/ton
$400.21/ton
$637.30/ton
$  49.58/cwt
$  45.94/cwt
$  43.19/cwt

$   50.74/ton
$  (4.30/ton)
$   83.57/ton
$   76.46/ton
$  (5.75/cwt)
$  (3.23/cwt)
$  (5.88/cwt)

%
Increase/
(Decrease)

14.3%
(1.2)%
20.9%
12.0%
(11.6)%
(7.0)%
(13.6)%

$7.21/bushel

$6.89/bushel

$ 0.32/bushel

4.6%

The overall decrease in average California MBM, BFT, PG, and YG prices of the finished products the Company sells 
had an unfavorable impact on revenue that was partially offset by an overall increase in average Illinois MBM, average PM (both
feed grade and pet food) and corn prices and the reduction to the Company's raw material cost resulting from formula pricing 
arrangements, which compute raw material cost based upon the price of finished product.

During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2012, the Company experienced a significant decline in most of its average commodity 
prices as compared to the third quarter of Fiscal 2012.  The following table shows the average Jacobsen for the fourth quarter of
Fiscal 2012 as compared to the average Jacobsen for the third quarter of Fiscal 2012.

Page 57

 
Rendering Segment:
MBM (Illinois)
MBM (California)
Feed Grade PM (Carolina)
Pet Food PM (Southeast)
BFT (Chicago)
PG (Southeast)
YG (Illinois)
Bakery Segment:
Corn (Illinois)

Avg. Price
4th Quarter 
2012

Avg. Price
3rd Quarter 
2012

Increase/
(Decrease)

%
Increase/
(Decrease)

$417.76/ton
$372.16/ton
$510.87/ton
$777.99/ton
$  36.78/cwt
$  37.52/cwt
$  32.87/cwt

$461.10/ton
$369.04/ton
$557.35/ton
$713.75/ton
$  45.18/cwt
$  43.76/cwt
$  37.35/cwt

$   (43.34/ton)
$        3.12/ton
$   (46.48/ton)
$      64.24/ton
$     (8.40/cwt)
$     (6.24/cwt)
$     (4.48/cwt)

(9.4)%
0.8%
(8.3)%
9.0%
(18.6)%
(14.3)%
(12.0)%

$7.45/bushel

$8.19/bushel

$(0.74/bushel)

(9.0)%

Raw Material Volume.  Raw material volume represents the quantity (pounds) of raw material collected from Rendering 
segment suppliers, such as beef, poultry and pork processors, grocery stores, butcher shops and food service establishments, or
in the case of the Bakery segment, commercial bakeries.  Raw material volumes from the Company's Rendering segment suppliers 
provide an indication of the future production of MBM, PM (feed grade and pet food), BFT, PG and YG finished products while 
raw material volumes from the Company's Bakery segment suppliers provide an indication of the future production of BBP finished
products.

Production Volume and Related Yield of Finished Product.  Finished product production volumes are the end result of 
the Company's production processes, and directly impact goods available for sale, and thus, become an important component of 
sales revenue.  In addition, physical inventory turnover is impacted by both the availability of credit to the Company's customers
and suppliers and reduced market demand which can lower finished product inventory values.  Yield on production is a ratio of 
production volume (pounds), divided by raw material volume (pounds) and provides an indication of effectiveness of the Company's
production process.  Factors impacting yield on production include the quality of raw material and warm weather during summer 
months, which rapidly degrades raw material.  The quantities of finished products produced varies depending on the mix of raw 
materials used in production.  For example, raw material from cattle yields more fat and protein than raw material from pork or
poultry.  Accordingly, the mix of finished products produced by the Company can vary from quarter to quarter depending on the 
type of raw material being received by the Company.  The Company cannot increase the production of protein or fat based on 
demand since the type of raw material available will dictate the yield of each finished product.

Energy Prices for Natural Gas Quoted on the NYMEX Index and Diesel Fuel.  Natural gas and heating oil commodity 
prices are quoted each day on the NYMEX exchange for future months of delivery of natural gas and delivery of diesel fuel.  The
prices are important to the Company because natural gas and diesel fuel are major components of factory operating and collection
costs and natural gas and diesel fuel prices are an indicator of achievement of the Company's business plan. 

Collection Fees and Collection Operating Expense.  The Company charges collection fees which are included in net 
sales.  Each month the Company monitors both the collection fee charged to suppliers, which is included in net sales, and collection
expense, which is included in cost of sales.  The importance of monitoring collection fees and collection expense is that they 
provide an indication of achievement of the Company's business plan.  Furthermore, management monitors collection fees and 
collection expense so that the Company can consider implementing measures to mitigate against unforeseen increases in these 
expenses.

Factory Operating Expenses.  The Company incurs factory operating expenses which are included in cost of sales.  Each 
month  the  Company  monitors  factory  operating  expense.   The  importance  of  monitoring  factory  operating  expense  is  that  it 
provides an indication of achievement of the Company's business plan.  Furthermore, when unforeseen expense increases occur, 
the Company can consider implementing measures to mitigate such increases.

Net Sales. The Company collects and processes animal by-products (fat, bones and offal), including hides, bakery residual 
and used cooking oil to principally produce finished products of MBM, PM (feed grade and pet food), BFT, PG, YG, BBP and 
hides as well as a range of branded and value-added products.  Sales are significantly affected by finished goods prices, quality
and mix of raw material, and volume of raw material.  Net sales include the sales of produced finished goods, collection fees, fees
for grease trap services, and finished goods purchased for resale.

Page 58

During Fiscal 2012, net sales were $1,701.4 million as compared to $1,797.2 million during Fiscal 2011.  The Rendering 
segment's operations processes animal by-products and used cooking oil into fats (primarily BFT, PG and YG), protein (primarily
MBM and PM (feed grade and pet food)) and hides.  Fat was approximately $809.7 million and $950.8 million of net sales for 
the year ended December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and protein was approximately $496.2 million and $447.7 
million of net sales for the year ended December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  The decrease in Rendering 
segment sales of $95.2 million and the decrease in Bakery segment sales of $0.6 million accounted for the $95.8 million decrease
in sales.  The decrease in net sales was primarily due to the following (in millions of dollars):

Increase/(decrease) in finished product prices
Decrease in raw material volume
Decrease in other sales

Rendering

Bakery

Corporate

Total

$

$

(69.9) $
(27.2)
1.9
(95.2) $

9.7 $

(14.6)
4.3
(0.6) $

— $
—
—
— $

(60.2)
(41.8)
6.2
(95.8)

Further detail regarding the $95.2 million decrease in sales in the Rendering segment and the $0.6 million decrease in sales in the 
Bakery segment is as follows:

Rendering

Finished Product Prices:  Lower prices in the overall commodity market for soybean oil, inedible corn oil and palm oil which 
are competing fats to BFT and PG, negatively impacted the Company's finished product prices.  In addition, a decrease in 
global demand for use of YG in bio-fuels negatively impacted the Company's finished product prices.  The $69.9 million 
decrease in Rendering sales resulting from decreases in finished product prices is due to a market-wide decrease in California 
MBM, BFT, PG and YG prices, but was slightly offset by an increase in MBM (Illinois) and PM (both feed grade and pet 
food) prices for Fiscal 2012 as compared to Fiscal 2011.   The market decreases were due to changes in supply/demand in 
both the domestic and export markets for commodity fats and protein meals, including MBM, BFT, PG and YG.

Raw Material Volume:  Rendering volumes decreased Rendering segment sales by approximately $27.2 million, which is a 
result of weaker slaughter and processor rates as a result of economic conditions in the animal processing industry in Fiscal 
2012 as compared to Fiscal 2011.

Other Sales:  The $1.9 million increase in other Rendering segment sales was primarily due to increased purchases of finished 
product for resale and an increase in yield that more than offset a decrease in collection fees and hide sales.

Bakery

Finished Product Prices:  Higher prices in the commodity market for corn positively impacted the Company's BBP finished 
product prices by approximately $9.7 million.

Raw Material Volume:  Lower Bakery segment volumes decreased Bakery segment sales by approximately $14.6 million, 
which is due to production cutbacks by the Company's commercial bakery suppliers.

Other Sales: The $4.3 million increase in other Bakery segment sales is due to an increase in yields.  

Cost of Sales and Operating Expenses.   Cost of sales and operating expenses include the cost of raw material, the cost 
of product purchased for resale and the cost to collect raw material, which includes diesel fuel and processing costs including
natural gas. The Company utilizes both fixed and formula pricing methods for the purchase of raw materials. Fixed prices are 
adjusted where possible for changes in competition.  Significant changes in finished goods market conditions impact finished 
product inventory values, while raw materials purchased under formula prices are correlated with specific finished goods prices.
Energy costs, particularly diesel fuel and natural gas, are significant components of the Company's cost structure.  The Company
has the ability to burn alternative fuels at a majority of its plants to help manage the Company's price exposure to volatile energy 
markets.

During Fiscal 2012, cost of sales and operating expenses were $1,232.6 million as compared to $1,268.2 million during 
Fiscal 2011.  The decrease in Rendering segment cost of sales and operating expenses of $38.4 million and the increase in Bakery
segment cost of sales and operating expenses of $1.5 million accounted for substantially all of the $35.6 million decrease in cost

Page 59

of sales and operating expenses.  The decrease in cost of sales and operating expenses was primarily due to the following (in 
millions of dollars):

Increase/(decrease) in raw material costs
Decrease in raw material volume
Increase/(decrease) in other cost of sales
Decrease in energy costs, primarily
      natural gas and diesel fuel

Rendering

Bakery

Corporate

Total

$

$

(34.5) $
(9.4)
12.1

(6.6)
(38.4) $

9.9 $
(6.8)
(1.2)

(0.4)
1.5 $

— $
—
1.5

(0.2)
1.3 $

(24.6)
(16.2)
12.4

(7.2)
(35.6)

Further detail regarding the $38.4 million decrease in cost of sales and operating expenses in the Rendering segment and the $1.5
million increase in Bakery segment is as follows:

Rendering

Raw Material Costs:  A portion of the Company’s volume of Rendering segment raw material is acquired on a formula basis. 
Under a formula arrangement, the cost of raw material is tied to the finished product market for MBM, PM (both feed grade 
and pet food), BFT, PG and YG. Since finished product prices overall were lower in Fiscal 2012 as compared to the same 
period in Fiscal 2011, the raw material costs decreased $34.5 million. 

Raw  Material  volume:  Production  cutbacks  from  packers  and  processors  resulted  in  lower  raw  material  available  to  be 
processed and formula pricing resulted in lower cost of sales of approximately $9.4 million.  A portion of the Company's 
volume of raw material is acquired on a formula basis.  Under a formula arrangement, the cost of raw material is tied to 
finished product markets.

Other Cost of Sales:  The $12.1 million increase in other expense includes increases in purchase of finished product for resale
and increases in payroll and related benefits.

Energy Costs:  Both natural gas and diesel fuel are major components of factory and collection  operating costs to the Rendering
segment.  During Fiscal 2012, energy costs were lower and are reflected in the $6.6 million decrease due primarily to lower 
natural gas and diesel fuel costs as compared to the same period in Fiscal 2011.

Bakery

Raw Material Costs:  The Company’s Bakery segment raw material is acquired on a formula basis.  Under these formula 
arrangements, the cost of raw material is tied to the market value of corn.  Since finished product prices overall for corn were
higher in Fiscal 2012 as compared to the same period in Fiscal 2011, the raw material cost increased approximately $9.9 
million.

Raw Material Volume:  Production cutbacks from the Company's suppliers resulted in lower raw material available to be 
processed and formula pricing resulted in a decrease to cost of sales of approximately $6.8 million.

Other Costs of Sales:  The $1.2 million decrease in other cost of sales includes decreases in repairs and maintenance and other
general reductions as a result of less raw material processed.

Energy Costs:  Natural gas is a component of factory operating costs. During Fiscal 2012 natural gas costs were lower as 
compared to Fiscal 2011 and are reflected in the $0.4 million decrease in cost of sales.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.   Selling, general and administrative expenses were $151.7 million during 
Fiscal 2012, a $15.6 million increase (11.5%) from $136.1 million during Fiscal 2011.  Selling, general and administrative expenses
increased primarily due to payroll and related expense increases and a Fiscal 2011 purchase accounting contingency gain that did
not recur in Fiscal 2012.  The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is primarily due to the following (in millions
of dollars): 

Page 60

Payroll and related benefits expense
Increase from prior year purchase accounting contingency
Increase/(decrease) in other

Rendering

Bakery

Corporate

Total

$

$

5.4 $
3.1
0.2
8.7 $

0.9 $
0.7
(0.3)
1.3 $

5.9 $
—
(0.3)
5.6 $

12.2
3.8
(0.4)
15.6

Depreciation and Amortization.   Depreciation and amortization charges increased $6.5 million (8.2%) to $85.4 million 
during Fiscal 2012 as compared to $78.9 million during Fiscal 2011.  The increase in depreciation and amortization is primarily
due to a general increase in capital expenditures.

Interest Expense.   Interest expense was $24.1 million during Fiscal 2012 compared to $37.2 million during Fiscal 2011, 
a decrease of $13.1 million, primarily due to a decrease in debt outstanding as a result of prior year and current year payoffs of 
the Company's revolver and term debt facilities, which includes a reduction in the amount of the Company's term loan facility 
deferred loan costs due to write-offs of approximately $0.7 million in Fiscal 2012 as compared to approximately $4.9 million in
Fiscal 2011.

Other Income/Expense.   Other income was $1.8 million in Fiscal 2012, as compared to other expense of $3.0 million in 
Fiscal 2011.  This increase of $4.8 million is primarily due to insurance recovery proceeds on prior year and current year fire losses 
received in Fiscal 2012 and a decrease in other non-operating expenses that more than offset an increase in casualty loss from 
Hurricane Sandy. 

Equity in Net Loss in Investment of Unconsolidated Subsidiary. Represents the Company's portion of the expenses of the 
DGD Joint Venture with Valero in Fiscal 2012.  In Fiscal 2012 the net loss was $2.7 million compared to $1.6 million in Fiscal 
2011.  The $1.1 million increase in net loss was due to an increase in non-capitalized expenses during construction.

Income Taxes.   The Company recorded income tax expense of $76.0 million for Fiscal 2012, compared to income tax 
expense of $102.9 million recorded in Fiscal 2011, a decrease of $26.9 million, primarily due to a decrease in pre-tax earnings of 
the Company in Fiscal 2012.  The effective tax rate for Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011 is 36.8% and 37.8%, respectively.  The 
difference from the federal statutory rate of 35% in Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011 is primarily due to state taxes and the section 199 
qualified domestic production deduction.

FINANCING, LIQUIDITY, AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Indebtedness

Certain  Debt  Outstanding  at  February  7,  2014.    On  February  7,  2014,  debt  outstanding  under  our Amended  Credit 
Agreement and our 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 , as described below (the “5.375% Notes”), consists of the following (in 
thousands):

5.375% Notes:

5.375 % Notes due 2022

Amended Credit Agreement:

Term Loan A
Term Loan B
Revolving Credit Facility:
Maximum availability
Borrowings outstanding
Letters of credit issued
Availability

$

$
$

$

$

500,000

335,526
1,289,418

1,000,000
247,488
32,662
719,850

Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Facilities. On January 6, 2014 (the "CA Closing Date"), Darling, Darling 
Canada and Darling International NL Holdings B.V. ("Darling NL") entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement 
(the "Amended Credit Agreement") restating its then-existing  Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated September 27, 
2013  (the  "Former  Credit Agreement")  with  the  lenders  from  time  to  time  party  thereto,  JPMorgan  Chase  Bank,  N.A.,  as 
administrative agent, and the other agents from time to time party thereto.  For more information regarding the Former Credit 
Agreement, see Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Page 61

At February 7, 2014, the Company had outstanding debt under a term loan A  facility and revolving facility denominated 

in Canadian dollars of CAD$150.0 million and CAD$50.0 million, respectively.

In addition, at February 7, 2014, the Company had outstanding debt under a term loan B  facility and revolving facility 

denominated in euros of €510.0 million and €35.0 million, respectively.

The Amended Credit Agreement provides for senior secured credit facilities in the aggregate principal amount of $2.65 
billion comprised of (i) the Company's existing $350.0 million term loan A facility (all of which has been borrowed and is currently
outstanding), (ii) the Company's existing $1.0 billion five-year revolving loan facility (approximately $250.0 million of which is 
available for a letter of credit sub-facility and $50.0 million of which is available for a swingline sub-facility) and (iii) a new $1.3 
billion term loan B facility (collectively, the "Senior Secured Credit Facilities").  The Amended Credit Agreement also permits
Darling and the other borrowers thereunder to incur debt under ancillary facilities provided by any revolving lender party to the
Senior Secured Credit Facilities.  Up to $350.0 million of the revolving loan facility is available to be borrowed by the Company
in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, euros and other currencies to be agreed and available to each applicable lender, to be borrowed
in Canadian dollars by Darling Canada and to be borrowed in U.S. dollars, euros and other currencies to be agreed and available
to each applicable lender by Darling NL and certain other foreign subsidiaries of Darling. On the CA Closing Date, $600.0 million
of the term loan B facility was borrowed in U.S. dollars by Darling and the euro equivalent of $700.0 million of the term loan B
facility was borrowed in euros by Darling NL. Those borrowings under the term loan B facility are currently outstanding. The 
proceeds of the term loan B facility and a portion of the revolving loan facility were used to pay a portion of the consideration for 
the VION Acquisition by Darling and the revolving loan facility will also be used for working capital needs, general corporate 
purposes and other purposes not prohibited by the Amended Credit Agreement.

• 

The interest rate applicable to any borrowings under the term loan A facility and the revolving loan facility will equal 
either LIBOR/euro interbank offered rate/CDOR plus 2.50% per annum or base rate/Canadian prime rate plus 1.50% per 
annum,  subject  to  certain  step-downs  based  on  Company's  total  leverage  ratio.  The  interest  rate  applicable  to  any 
borrowings under the term loan B facility will equal (a) for U.S. dollar term loans, either the base rate plus 1.50% or 
LIBOR plus 2.50%, and (b) for euro term loans, the euro interbank offered rate plus 2.75%, in each case subject to a step-
down based on our total leverage ratio. For term loan B loans, the LIBOR rate cannot be less than 0.75%. 

• 

• 

• 

• 

As of February 7, 2014, the Company has borrowed all $350.0 million under the terms of the term loan A facility, which 
when repaid, cannot be reborrowed.  The term loan A facility is repayable in quarterly installments as follows: for the 
first eight quarters, 1.25% of the original principal amount of the term loan facility, for the ninth through sixteenth quarters,
1.875% of the original principal amount of the term loan facility, and for each quarterly installment after such sixteenth 
installment until September 27, 2018, 3.75% of the original principal amount of the term loan facility.  The term facility 
will mature on September 27, 2018. 

As of February 7, 2014, the Company has borrowed all $1.3 billion  under the terms of the term loan B facility, which 
when repaid, cannot be reborrowed.  The term loan B facility is repayable in quarterly installments of 0.25% of the 
aggregate principal amount of the relevant term loan B facility on the last day of each March, June, September and 
December of each year commencing on the last day of each month falling on or after the last day of the first full quarter 
of the closing date of the VION Acquisition and continuing until the last day of each quarter period ending immediately 
prior to the term loan B maturity date; and one final installment in the amount of the relevant term loan B facility then 
outstanding, due on the term loan B maturity date. 

The Amended Credit Agreement contains various customary representations and warranties by Darling and its subsidiaries, 
which  include  customary  use  of  materiality,  material  adverse  effect  and  knowledge  qualifiers. The Amended  Credit 
Agreement also contains (a) certain affirmative covenants that impose certain reporting and/or performance obligations 
on Darling and its subsidiaries, (b) certain negative covenants that generally prohibit, subject to various exceptions, 
Darling and its restricted subsidiaries from taking certain actions, including, without limitation, incurring indebtedness, 
making investments, incurring liens, paying dividends and engaging in mergers and consolidations, sale and leasebacks 
and asset dispositions, (c) financial covenants, which include a maximum total leverage ratio, a maximum secured leverage 
ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio, and (d) customary events of default (including a change of control) for 
financings of this type. Obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities may be declared due and payable upon the 
occurrence and during the continuance of customary events of default. 

Pursuant  to  the  Second  Amended  and  Restated  Security  Agreement,  dated  as  of  January  6,  2014  (the  "Security 
Agreement"), by and among Darling, its domestic subsidiaries signatory thereto and any other domestic subsidiary who 
may become a party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities 

Page 62

are secured, subject to certain carveouts and exceptions, by a first priority lien on substantially all of the assets of Darling
and such domestic subsidiaries. The obligations of Darling Canada, Darling NL and any other foreign borrower under 
the Senior Secured Credit Facilities will also be secured by a first priority lien on certain assets of certain of Darling’s 
foreign subsidiaries organized in Canada, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Brazil, subject to certain carveouts 
and exceptions.

• 

Pursuant  to  the  Second Amended  and  Restated  Guaranty Agreement,  dated  as  of  January  6,  2014  (the  "Guaranty 
Agreement"),  (a)  the  obligations  of  Darling  under  the  Senior  Secured  Credit  Facilities  are  guaranteed  by  certain  of 
Darling’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries and (b) the obligations of Darling Canada, Darling NL and any other 
foreign borrower under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are guaranteed by Darling and certain of its domestic and 
foreign wholly-owned subsidiaries, in each case subject to certain carveouts and exceptions.

5.375% Notes due 2022. On December 18, 2013, Darling Escrow Corporation ("Darling Escrow Sub"), a Delaware 
corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Darling, entered into a Purchase Agreement (the “Original Purchase Agreement”) 
with Goldman, Sachs & Co. ("Goldman Sachs") and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC ("J.P. Morgan"), for themselves and on behalf 
of BMO Capital Markets Corp. ("BMO" and together with Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan, the "Initial Purchasers"), for the sale 
of $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.375% Notes.  On January 2, 2014, the 5.375% Notes, which were offered in 
a private offering in connection with the VION Acquisition, were issued pursuant to a 5.375% Notes Indenture, dated as of January
2, 2014 (the "Original Indenture"), among Darling Escrow Sub, the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined in the Original Indenture) 
party thereto from time to time and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"), with the gross proceeds from the
offering of the 5.375% Notes and certain additional amounts deposited in an escrow account pending the satisfaction of certain 
conditions, including the completion of the VION Acquisition, which occurred on January 7, 2014. 

On January 8, 2014 (the "Notes Closing Date"), Darling Escrow Sub merged (the "Notes Merger") with and into Darling 
(with Darling as the survivor of the Notes Merger), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated January 8, 2014, between
Darling Escrow Sub and Darling.

In connection with the completion of the Notes Merger, pursuant to the provisions of the Original Indenture and the 
Original Purchase Agreement, Darling Escrow Sub, Darling and certain of Darling’s subsidiaries: Craig Protein, Darling AWS, 
Darling National, Darling Northstar, Darling Global Holdings, EV Acquisition, Griffin , Terra Holding and TRS (such subsidiaries,
the "Guarantors") entered into a supplemental indenture with the Trustee (the "Supplemental Indenture," and together with the 
Original Indenture, the "Indenture"), pursuant to which, upon effectiveness of the Notes Merger, Darling assumed all the obligations
of Darling Escrow Sub under the 5.375% Notes and the Indenture and the Guarantors guaranteed the 5.375% Notes and agreed 
to be bound by the terms of the Indenture applicable to subsidiary guarantors of the 5.375% Notes. In addition, in accordance with
the provisions of the Original Purchase Agreement, upon the completion of the Notes Merger, Darling and the Guarantors became 
parties to the Original Purchase Agreement, by entering into a Joinder to the Original Purchase Agreement, dated as of the Notes
Closing Date (together with the Original Purchase Agreement, the "Purchase Agreement"), with Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan, 
for themselves and on behalf of BMO. Upon satisfaction of the escrow release conditions on the Notes Closing Date, the proceeds
from the offering of the 5.375% Notes were released from the escrow account. Darling used a portion of the proceeds from the 
offering of the 5.375% Notes to pay the initial purchasers’ commission related to the offering of the 5.375% Notes and certain 
fees  and  expenses  (including  bank  fees  and  expenses)  related  to  the  financing  of  the VION Acquisition  and  for  purposes  of 
satisfying, discharging and redeeming our 8.5% Notes due 2018.  For the terms of the 8.5% Notes due 2018, see Note 11 of Notes 
to Consolidated Financial Statements.

• 

• 

• 

Darling used the remaining proceeds of the 5.375% Notes to pay certain other fees and expenses related to the completion 
of the VION Acquisition and its related financings, to repay a portion of the borrowings under its revolving credit facility 
used to fund a portion of the consideration for the VION Acquisition and for general corporate purposes, which may 
include the repayment of indebtedness. 

The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and agreements by Darling and the Guarantors. 
In addition, Darling and the Guarantors have agreed to indemnify the Initial Purchasers (as defined in the Original Purchase 
Agreement) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities 
Act"), or to contribute to payments the Initial Purchasers may be required to make because of any of those liabilities. 

The 5.375% Notes will mature on January 15, 2022. Darling will pay interest on the 5.375% Notes on January 15 and 
July 15 of each year, commencing on July 15, 2014. Interest on the 5.375% Notes will accrue at a rate of 5.375% per 
annum and be payable in cash. 

Page 63

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

The 5.375% Notes are currently guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by the Guarantors, which constitute all of 
Darling’s existing restricted subsidiaries that guarantee the Amended Credit Agreement (other than Darling’s foreign 
subsidiaries). Under the Indenture, each restricted subsidiary of Darling (other than Darling’s foreign subsidiaries and 
certain of Darling’s subsidiaries that engage solely in the financing of receivables and are so designated by Darling) is 
required to guarantee the 5.375% Notes (a) if the Amended Credit Agreement is outstanding and such restricted subsidiary 
guarantees the Amended Credit Agreement and (b) if the Amended Credit Agreement is not outstanding, if such restricted 
subsidiary incurs or guarantees certain indebtedness in excess of $50.0 million. 

The  5.375%  Notes  will  rank  senior  in  right  of  payment  to  all  existing  and  future  debt  of  Darling  that  is  expressly 
subordinated in right of payment to the 5.375% Notes. The 5.375% Notes will rank equally in right of payment with all 
existing and future liabilities of Darling that are not so subordinated. The 5.375% Notes will be effectively subordinated 
to all of the existing and future secured debt of Darling and the Guarantors, including debt under the Amended Credit 
Agreement, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt. The 5.375% Notes will be structurally subordinated 
to all of the existing and future liabilities (including trade payables) of each of the subsidiaries of Darling that do not 
guarantee the 5.375% Notes.

The guarantees by the Guarantors (the "5.375% Note Guarantees") will rank senior in right of payment to all existing 
and future debt of the Guarantors that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 5.375% Note Guarantees. The 
5.375% Note Guarantees will rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future liabilities of the Guarantors 
that are not so subordinated. The 5.375% Note Guarantees will be effectively subordinated to all of the existing and future 
secured debt of the Guarantors including debt under the Amended Credit Agreement, to the extent of the value of the 
assets securing such debt. Each Guarantee will be structurally subordinated to all of the existing and future liabilities 
(including trade payables) of each of the subsidiaries of such Guarantor that do not guarantee the 5.375% Notes.

Darling is not required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the 5.375% Notes. 
However, under certain circumstances, Darling may be required to offer to purchase 5.375% Notes as described below. 
Darling may at any time and from time to time purchase 5.375% Notes in the open market or otherwise. 

Darling may redeem some or all of the 5.375% Notes at any time prior to January 15, 2017, at a redemption price equal 
to 100% of the principal amount of the 5.375% Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date 
and an Applicable Premium (as defined below) as of the date of redemption, subject to the rights of holders on the relevant 
record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. The “Applicable Premium” means, with respect 
to any 5.375% Notes at any redemption date, the greater of: (i) 1.0% of the principal amount of such 5.375% Notes; and 
(ii) the excess, if any, of (A) the present value as of such redemption date of (1) the redemption price of such 5.375% 
Notes at January 15, 2017 (such redemption price being set forth in the table below), plus (2) all required interest payments 
due on such 5.375% Notes through January 15, 2017 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), 
computed using a discount rate equal to the applicable treasury rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points, over 
(B) the principal amount of such 5.375% Notes. 

On and after January 15, 2017, Darling may redeem all or, from time to time, a part of the 5.375% Notes (including any 
additional  5.375%  Notes),  at  the  following  redemption  prices  (expressed  as  a  percentage  of  principal  amount),  plus 
accrued and unpaid interest on the 5.375% Notes, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date (subject to the 
right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if 
redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on January 15 of the years indicated below:

Year
2017
2018
2019
2020 and thereafter

Percentage
104.031%
102.688%
101.344%
100.000%

In addition, prior to January 15, 2017, Darling may on one or more occasions redeem up to 40% of the original principal 
amount of the 5.375% Notes (calculated after giving effect to the issuance of any additional 5.375% Notes) with the net 
cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount thereof, 
plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record 
on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided that at least 50% of 
the original principal amount of the 5.375% Notes (calculated after giving effect to the issuance of any additional 5.375% 

Page 64

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Notes) remains outstanding after each such redemption; provided further that the redemption occurs within 90 days after 
the closing of such equity offering.

If a Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture) occurs, unless Darling has exercised its right to redeem all the 5.375% 
Notes as described above, each holder will have the right to require Darling to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 
or an integral multiple thereof) of such holder’s 5.375% Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal 
amount of the 5.375% Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of purchase (subject to 
the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

If Darling or its subsidiaries engage in certain Asset Dispositions (as defined in the Indenture), Darling generally must, 
within specific periods of time, either prepay, repay or repurchase certain of its or its restricted subsidiaries’ indebtedness
or make an offer to purchase a principal amount of the 5.375% Notes and certain other debt equal to the excess net cash 
proceeds, or invest the net cash proceeds from such sales in additional assets. The purchase price of the 5.375% Notes 
will be 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. 

The Indenture contains covenants limiting Darling’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to, among other 
things: incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock; pay dividends on or make other distributions or repurchase 
of Darling’s capital stock or make other restricted payments;  create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other 
amounts  from  Darling’s  restricted  subsidiaries  to  Darling  or  Darling’s  other  restricted  subsidiaries;  make  loans  or 
investments;  enter into certain transactions with affiliates; create liens;  designate Darling’s subsidiaries as unrestricted 
subsidiaries; and  sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all 
of Darling’s assets. 

The Indenture also provides for customary events of default, including, without limitation, payment defaults, covenant 
defaults,  cross  acceleration  defaults  to  certain  other  indebtedness  in  excess  of  specified  amounts,  certain  events  of 
bankruptcy and insolvency and judgment defaults in excess of specified amounts. If any such event of default occurs and 
is continuing under the Indenture, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the total outstanding 
5.375% Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then 
outstanding 5.375% Notes issued under the Indenture to be due and payable immediately. 

Holders of the 5.375% Notes have the benefit of registration rights. In connection with the assumption of the 5.375% 
Notes by Darling and the guarantee of the 5.375% Notes by the Guarantors, on the Notes Closing Date, Darling and the 
Guarantors became parties to, and Darling assumed all of Darling Escrow Sub’s obligations under, a registration rights 
agreement, dated as of January 2, 2014 (the "Original Registration Rights Agreement"), among Darling Escrow Sub, 
Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan, for themselves and on behalf of BMO, by entering into a Joinder to the Registration 
Rights Agreement, dated as of the Notes Closing Date (the "Registration Rights Agreement Joinder” and together with 
the Original Registration Rights Agreement, the “Registration Rights Agreement"), with Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan, 
for themselves and on behalf of BMO. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, Darling and the Guarantors have agreed 
to consummate a registered exchange offer for the 5.375% Notes under the Securities Act within 270 days after the Notes 
Closing Date. Darling and the Guarantors have agreed to file and keep effective for a certain time period under the 
Securities Act a shelf registration statement for the resale of the 5.375% Notes if an exchange offer cannot be effected 
and under certain other circumstances. Darling will be required to pay additional interest on the 5.375% Notes if it fails 
to timely comply with its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement until such time as it complies. 

Redemption of 8.5% Senior Notes due 2018. On December 17, 2010, Darling issued $250.0 million in aggregate principal 
amount of its 8.5% Senior Notes due 2018 (the "8.5% Notes") under an indenture with U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.
For the terms of the 8.5% Notes, see Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. On February 7, 2014, Darling 
completed the redemption of all of the 8.5% Notes for $280.4 million, which  included a redemption premium of approximately 
$27.3 million and accrued and unpaid interest of approximately $3.1 million, from the proceeds of the 5.375% Notes.  For a 
description of the terms of the 8.5% Notes, see Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The classification of long-term debt in the Company’s December 28, 2013 consolidated balance sheet is based on the 

contractual repayment terms of the 8.5% Notes and debt issued under the former Credit Agreement.

As a result of our borrowings under our Amended Credit Agreement and the Indenture, we are highly leveraged.  Investors 
should note that, in order to make scheduled payments on the indebtedness outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement and 
the 5.375% Notes, and otherwise, we will rely in part on a combination of dividends, distributions and intercompany loan repayments
from our direct and indirect U.S. and foreign subsidiaries.  We are prohibited under the Amended Credit Agreement and the 

Page 65

Indenture from entering (or allowing such subsidiaries to enter) into contractual limitations on our subsidiaries’ ability to declare
dividends or make other payments or distributions to us.  We have also attempted to structure our consolidated indebtedness in 
such a way as to maximize our ability to move cash from our subsidiaries to Darling or another subsidiary that will have fewer 
limitations on the ability to make upstream payments, whether to Darling or directly to our lenders as a Guarantor.  Nevertheless,
applicable laws under which our direct and indirect subsidiaries are formed may provide limitations on such dividends, distributions
and other payments.  In addition, regulatory authorities in various countries where we operate or where we import or export 
products may from time to time impose import/export limitations, foreign exchange controls or currency devaluations that may 
limit our access to profits from our subsidiaries or otherwise negatively impact our financial condition and therefore reduce our
ability to make required payments under our Amended Credit Agreement, our 5.375% Notes, or otherwise.   In addition, fluctuations
in foreign exchange values may have a negative impact on our ability to repay indebtedness denominated in U.S. or Canadian 
dollars or euros.   See “Risk Factors - Our business may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in exchange rates, which could 
affect our ability to comply with our financial covenants” and  “ - Our ability to repay our indebtedness depends in part on the
performance of our subsidiaries, including our non-guarantor subsidiaries, and their ability to make payments or distributions.”

Working Capital and Capital Expenditures

On December 28, 2013, the Company had working capital of $950.7 million and its working capital ratio was 6.38 to 1 
compared to working capital of $158.6 million and a working capital ratio of 2.20 to 1 on December 29, 2012.  The increase in 
working capital is primarily due to an increase in cash as a result of the proceeds from the issuance of 46,000,000 shares of Darling
common stock on December 18, 2013.  At December 28, 2013, the Company had unrestricted cash of $870.9 million and funds 
available under the revolving credit facility of $680.7 million, compared to unrestricted cash of $103.2 million and funds available
under the revolving credit facility of $384.9 million at December 29, 2012.  The Company diversifies its cash investments by 
limiting the amounts deposited with any one financial institution and invests primarily in government-backed securities. For a 
summary of certain Company indebtedness at February 7, 2014, see the table “Certain Debt at February 7, 2014” above. 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $210.7 million and $249.5 million for the fiscal years ended December 28, 
2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively, a decrease of $38.8 million due primarily to decrease in net income of approximately 
$21.8 million and changes in operating assets and liabilities that include a decrease in cash from income taxes refundable/payable
of approximately $33.1 million that more than offset an increase in cash provided by accounts receivable of approximately $6.7 
million and an increase in cash provided by inventory and prepaid expenses of approximately $17.3 million. Cash used by investing
activities  was  $895.4  million  during  Fiscal  2013,  compared  to  $153.8  million  in  Fiscal  2012,  an  increase  of  $741.6  million, 
primarily due to an increase in cash paid for acquisitions.  Net cash provided by financing activities was $1,457.4 million during
Fiscal 2013 compared to cash used in financing activities of $31.4 million in Fiscal 2012, an increase in cash provided  of $1,488.8
million primarily due to borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement for the purchase of Rothsay and the proceeds from the 
issuance of stock used to pay a portion of the VION Acquisition in January 2014. 

Capital expenditures of $118.3 million were made during Fiscal 2013 as compared to $115.4 million in Fiscal 2012, an 
increase of $2.9 million.  The increase is mainly due to the capital expenditures incurred by Rothsay since its acquisition  date.
As of December 28, 2013, the Company had spent approximately $32.3 million in capital expenditures for software and design 
costs related to the implementation of the Oracle E Business Suite ERP system.  The implementation is expected to be completed 
in 2015.  The expected cost of this project will be approximately $40.0 million. These costs are expected to be financed using cash
flows from operations. Capital expenditures related to compliance with environmental regulations were $4.7 million in Fiscal 
2013, $3.1 million in Fiscal 2012 and $3.7 million in Fiscal 2011.

Accrued Insurance and Pension Plan Obligations

Based upon the annual actuarial estimate, current accruals and claims paid during Fiscal 2013, the Company has accrued 
approximately $7.4 million as of December 28, 2013 that it expects will become due during the next twelve months in order to 
meet obligations related to the Company's self insurance reserves and accrued insurance obligations, which are included in current
accrued expenses at December 28, 2013.  The self insurance reserve is composed of estimated liability for claims arising for 
workers’ compensation and for auto liability and general liability claims.  The self insurance reserve liability is determined annually, 
based upon a third party actuarial estimate.  The actuarial estimate may vary from year to year, due to changes in costs of health
care, the pending number of claims and other factors beyond the control of management of the Company.  It is likely that the 
Company’s funding obligations under its self insurance reserve will increase in the future as a result of the Rothsay Acquisition
and VION Acquisition.

Based upon current actuarial estimates, the Company expects to make payments of approximately $2.0 million in order 
to meet minimum pension funding requirements to its U.S. and Canadian pension plans in fiscal 2014. In addition,  the Company 

Page 66

expects to make payments of approximately $7.4 million under the Darling Ingredients International pension plans in fiscal 2014.
The minimum pension funding requirements are determined annually, based upon a third party actuarial estimate.  The actuarial 
estimate may vary from year to year, due to fluctuations in return on investments or other factors beyond the control of management
of the Company or the administrator of the Company’s pension funds.  No assurance can be given that the minimum pension 
funding requirements will not increase in the future.  Additionally, the Company has made required and tax deductible discretionary
contributions to its U.S. pension plans in Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 2012 of approximately $4.0 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

The U.S. Pension Protection Act of 2006 ("PPA") went into effect in January 2008.  The stated goal of the PPA is to 
improve the funding of U.S. pension plans.  U.S. plans in an under-funded status are required to increase employer contributions
to improve the funding level within PPA timelines.  The impact of recent volatility in the world equity and other financial markets
have had and could continue to have a material negative impact on U.S. pension plan assets and the status of required funding 
under the PPA.  The Company participates in various U.S. multiemployer pension plans which provide defined benefits to certain 
employees covered by labor contracts.  These plans are not administered by the Company and contributions are determined in 
accordance  with  provisions  of  negotiated  labor  contracts  to  meet  their  pension  benefit  obligations  to  their  participants. The 
Company's contributions to each individual U.S. multiemployer plan represent less than 5% of the total contributions to each such
plan.    Based  on  the  most  currently  available  information,  the  Company  has  determined  that,  if  a  withdrawal  were  to  occur, 
withdrawal liabilities on two of the U.S. plans in which the Company currently participates could be material to the Company, 
with one of these material plans certified as critical or red zone. With respect to the other U.S. multiemployer pension plans in
which the Company participates and which are not individually significant, four plans have certified as critical or red zone and
three have certified as endangered or yellow zone as defined by the PPA.  The Company has received notices of withdrawal liability
from two U.S. multiemployer pension plans in which it participated.  As a result, the Company has an accrued aggregate current 
liability of approximately $2.1 million representing the present value of scheduled withdrawal liability payments under these 
multiemployer plans.  While the Company has no ability to calculate a possible current liability for under-funded multiemployer
plans that could terminate or could require additional funding under the PPA, the amounts could be material.

DGD Joint Venture 

The Company announced on January 21, 2011 that a wholly-owned subsidiary of Darling entered into a limited liability 
company agreement with Valero to form the DGD Joint Venture.  The DGD Joint Venture is owned 50% / 50% with Valero and 
was formed to design, engineer, construct and operate the DGD Facility, which is capable of producing approximately 9,300 barrels
per day of renewable diesel fuel and certain other co-products, and is located adjacent to Valero's refinery in Norco, Louisiana.
The DGD Facility reached mechanical completion and began the production of renewable diesel in late June 2013.

On May 31, 2011, the DGD Joint Venture and Diamond Green Diesel LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the DGD Joint 
Venture (“Opco”), entered into (i) a facility agreement (the “Facility Agreement”) with Diamond Alternative Energy, LLC, a 
wholly-owned subsidiary of Valero (the “Lender”), and (ii) a loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with the Lender, which 
provided the DGD Joint Venture with a 14 year multiple advance term loan facility of approximately $221,300,000 (the “JV Loan”)
to support the design, engineering and construction of the DGD Facility, which is now in production. The Facility Agreement and
the Loan Agreement prohibit the Lender from assigning all or any portion of the Facility Agreement or the Loan Agreement to 
unaffiliated third parties.  Opco has also pledged substantially all of its assets, consisting of substantially all of the plant, property 
and equipment of the DGD Facility, to the Lender, and the DGD Joint Venture has pledged all of Opco's equity interests to the 
Lender, until the JV Loan has been paid in full and the JV Loan has terminated in accordance with its terms.

Based on the sponsor support agreements executed in connection with the Facility Agreement and the Loan Agreement 
relating to the DGD Joint Venture with Valero, the Company has contributed a total of approximately $111.7 million for the 
completion of the DGD Facility including the Company's portion of cost overruns and working capital funding.  As of the date of
this report, it is anticipated that substantially all contributions have been made, except for possible additional working capital
funding. As of December 28, 2013, under the equity method of accounting, the Company has an investment in the DGD Joint 
Venture of approximately $115.1 million on the consolidated balance sheet.

Financial Impact of VION Acquisition

On January 7, 2014, the Company acquired the VION Ingredients business division of VION Holding by purchasing all 
of the shares of  the VION Companies.  The VION Ingredients business is now conducted under the name Darling Ingredients 
International.  Darling Ingredients International is a worldwide leader in the development and production of specialty ingredients
from animal by-products for applications in animal feed, pet food, fuel, bioenergy, fertilizer, food and pharmaceuticals.  Darling
Ingredients International operates a global network of 67 production facilities across five continents covering all aspects of animal
by-product processing through six brands: Rendac (fuel), Sonac (proteins, fats, edible fats and blood products), Ecoson (bioenergy), 
Rousselot (gelatin), CTH (natural casings) and Best Hides (hides and skins). Darling Ingredients International’s specialized portfolio
Page 67

of over 400 products covers all animal origin raw material types and thereby offers a comprehensive, single source solution for
suppliers. Darling Ingredients International’s 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 meals and fats. Rousselot is a global leading market provider of gelatin for the
food, pharmaceutical and technical industries with operations in Europe, the United States, South America and China. CTH is a 
market leader in natural casings for the sausage industry with operations in Europe, China and the United States. The purchase 
price for the transaction was approximately €1.6 billion in cash. The purchase price was financed through (i) borrowings under 
the Amended Credit Agreement; (ii) proceeds from the Company’s $874.0 million public common stock offering; and (iii) proceeds 
from the private offering of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 5.375% Notes.

As a result of the VION Acquisition, the Company has a substantial amount of indebtedness, which could make it more 
difficult for us to satisfy our obligations to our financial lenders and our contractual and commercial commitments, limit our ability
to  obtain  additional  financing  to  fund  future  working  capital,  capital  expenditures,  acquisitions  or  other  general  corporate 
requirements on commercially reasonable terms or at all, require us to use a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations
to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness instead of other purposes, thereby reducing the amount of our cash flows from
operations available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes, increase our
vulnerability to adverse economic, industry and business conditions, expose us to the risk of increased interest rates as certain of 
our borrowings are at variable rates of interest, limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the 
industry in which we operate, place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to other, less leveraged competitors, and/or increase
our cost of borrowing.

Cash Flows and Liquidity Risks

Management believes that the Company’s cash flows from operating activities consistent with the level generated in 
Fiscal 2013, as increased by anticipated cash flows from the Rothsay and VION Acquisitions, unrestricted cash and funds available
under the Amended Credit Agreement, will be sufficient to meet the Company’s working capital needs and maintenance and 
compliance-related capital expenditures, scheduled debt and interest payments, income tax obligations, and other contemplated 
needs  through  the  next  twelve  months.   Numerous  factors  could  have  adverse  consequences  to  the  Company  that  cannot  be 
estimated at this time, such as: existing and unknown future limitations on the ability of our direct and indirect subsidiaries to 
upstream their profits to us for payments on our indebtedness or other purposes; unanticipated costs or operating problems related
to the acquisition and integration of Rothsay and Darling Ingredients International (including transactional costs and integration
of the new ERP system); reductions in raw material volumes available to the Company due to weak margins in the meat production 
industry  as  a  result  of  higher  feed  costs,  reduced  consumer  demand  or  other  factors,  reduced  volume  from  food  service 
establishments, reduced demand for animal feed, or otherwise; reduced finished product prices;  changes to worldwide government
policies relating to renewable fuels and GHG emissions that adversely affect programs like RFS2 and tax credits for biofuels both
in the United States and abroad;  possible product recall resulting from developments relating to the discovery of unauthorized
adulterations to food or food additives;  the occurrence of Bird Flu, BSE, PED or other diseases associated with animal origin in
the U.S. or elesewhere;  unanticipated costs and/or reductions in raw material volumes related to the Company’s compliance with
the Enhanced BSE Rule; unforeseen new U.S. or foreign regulations affecting the rendering industry or value added products 
(including new or modified animal feed, H1N1 flu, Bird Flu, PED or BSE or similar or unanticipated regulations);  increased 
contributions  to  the  Company’s  pension  and  benefit  plans,  including  multiemployer  and  employer-sponsored  defined  benefit 
pension plans as required by legislation, regulation or other applicable U.S. or foreign law or resulting from a U.S. mass withdrawal
event; bad debt write-offs; loss of or failure to obtain necessary permits and registrations; continued or escalated conflict in the 
Middle East, North Korea or elsewhere; and/or unfavorable export or import markets.  These factors, coupled with volatile prices
for natural gas and diesel fuel, general performance of the U.S. and global economies and any decline in consumer confidence, 
including the inability of consumers and companies to obtain credit due to lack of liquidity in the financial markets, among others,
could negatively impact the Company’s results of operations in fiscal 2014 and thereafter.  Because of the Rothsay and VION 
Acquisition, the cash flows from operating activities generated in Fiscal 2013 are likely not indicative of the future cash flows
from  operating  activities  that  will  be  generated  by  the  Company’s  operations.  The  Company  reviews  the  appropriate  use  of 
unrestricted cash periodically.  Except for expenditures relating to the Company's ongoing installation activities with respect to 
its  planned  new  ERP  system  project  and  cost  related  to  the  acquisition  and  integration  of  Rothsay  and  Darling  Ingredients 
International, no decision has been made as to non-ordinary course cash usages at this time; however, potential usages could 
include:  opportunistic  capital  expenditures  and/or  acquisitions  and  joint  ventures;  investments  relating  to  the  Company’s 
developing a comprehensive renewable energy strategy, including, without limitation, potential investments in additional renewable
diesel and/or biodiesel projects;  investments in response to governmental regulations relating to human and animal food safety
or other regulations;  unexpected funding required by the legislation, regulation or mass termination of multiemployer plans; and
paying dividends or repurchasing stock, subject to limitations under the Amended Credit Agreement and the 5.375 % Notes, as 
well as suitable cash conservation to withstand adverse commodity cycles.

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Each of the factors described above has the potential to adversely impact its liquidity in a variety of ways, including 
through reduced raw materials availability, reduced finished product prices, reduced sales, potential inventory buildup, increased
bad debt reserves, potential impairment charges and/or higher operating costs.

The principal products that the Company sells are commodities, the prices of which are based on established commodity 
markets and are subject to volatile changes. Any decline in these prices has the potential to adversely impact the Company's 
liquidity. Any of a decline in raw material availability, a decline in commodities prices, increases in energy prices or the impact
of U.S. and foreign regulation, changes in foreign exchange rates, imposition of currency controls and currency devaluations has
the potential to adversely impact the Company's liquidity. A decline in commodities prices, a rise in energy prices, a slowdown in 
the U.S. or international economy or other factors, could cause the Company to fail to meet management's expectations or could 
cause liquidity concerns.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND OTHER COMMERCIAL COMMITMENTS

The following table summarizes the Company’s expected material contractual payment obligations, including both on- 
and off-balance sheet arrangements at December 28, 2013, except that long-term debt obligations and estimated interest payable 
are as of February 7, 2014 (in thousands):

Contractual obligations(a):
Long-term debt obligations (b)
Operating lease obligations (c)
Capital lease obligations (c)
Estimated interest payable (d)
Purchase commitments (e)
Pension funding obligation (f)
Other obligations
Total

Total

Less than
1 Year

1 – 3
Years

3 – 5
Years

More than
5 Years

$ 2,382,561 $
103,064
10,974
635,098
25,082
9,307
142

$ 3,166,228 $

29,333 $
20,944
3,208
121,903
25,082
9,307
88

209,865 $

72,215 $
32,559
4,868
176,610
—
—
54

286,306 $

552,438 $ 1,728,575
25,004
24,557
421
2,477
164,953
171,632
—
—
—
—
—
—
751,104 $ 1,918,953

(a)  The above table does not reflect uncertain tax positions at December 28, 2013.  The Company's uncertain tax position is 
approximately $0.7 million. In addition, the above table does not reflect contractual obligations assumed in connection 
with the VION Acquisition.

(b)  Represents debt obligations outstanding as of February 7, 2014, which represents a more accurate reflection of our debt 

after the Rothsay and VION Acquisitions, including the payoff of the 8.5% Notes.

(c)  See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements. This table does not reflect operating lease obligations assumed in 

connection with the VION Acquisition.

(d)  Interest payable was calculated using the current rate for the debt that was outstanding as of February 7, 2014 and includes

the premium paid and accrued interest paid as part of the payoff of the 8.5% Notes.

(e)  Purchase commitments were determined based on specified contracts for natural gas, diesel fuel and finished product 

purchases and do not reflect purchase commitments resulting from the VION Acquisition.

(f)  Pension funding requirements are determined annually based upon a third party actuarial estimate.  The Company expects 
to make approximately $2.0 million in required contributions to its U.S. and Canadian pension plans in fiscal 2014 and 
approximately $7.4 million in required pension contributions for Darling Ingredients International in fiscal 2014.  The 
Company is not able to estimate pension funding requirements beyond the next twelve months. The accrued pension 
benefit  liability  was  approximately  $11.1  million  at  the  end  of  Fiscal  2013.  The  Company  knows  certain  of    the 
multiemployer pension plans that have not terminated to which it contributes and which are not administered by the 
Company were under-funded as of the latest available information, and while the Company has no ability to calculate a 
possible current liability for the under-funded multiemployer plan to which the Company contributes, the amounts could 
be material.

The Company's off-balance sheet contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 28, 2013 relate 
to operating lease obligations, letters of credit, forward purchase agreements and employment agreements, and do not take into 
account obligations and commitments resulting from the VION Acquisition, which closed on January 7, 2014.  The Company has 
excluded these items from the balance sheet in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Page 69

 
The following table summarizes the Company’s other commercial commitments, including both on- and off-balance 

sheet arrangements at December 28, 2013 (in thousands):

Other commercial commitments:
Standby letters of credit
Total other commercial commitments:

$
$

32,662
32,662

OFF BALANCE SHEET OBLIGATIONS

Based upon the underlying purchase agreements, including those of Rothsay,  at December 28, 2013 the Company has 
commitments to purchase $25.1 million of commodity products, consisting of approximately $20.4 million of finished products 
and approximately $4.7 million of natural gas and diesel fuel, during the next twelve months, which are not included in liabilities
on the Company’s balance sheet at December 28, 2013. These purchase agreements are entered into in the normal course of the 
Company’s business and are not subject to derivative accounting. The commitments will be recorded on the balance sheet of the 
Company when delivery of these commodities occurs and ownership passes to the Company during fiscal 2014, in accordance 
with U.S. GAAP, but do not reflect purchase commitments resulting from the VION Acquisition..

Based upon underlying lease agreements, including those of Rothsay, at December 28, 2013 the Company is obligated 
to pay approximately $20.9 million for operating leases during fiscal 2014, which are not included in liabilities on the Company’s 
balance sheet at December 28, 2013.  These lease obligations are included in cost of sales or selling, general and administrative
expense on the Company’s Statement of Operations as the underlying lease obligation comes due, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, 
but does not reflect lease obligations resulting from the VION Acquisition.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The Company follows certain significant accounting policies when preparing its consolidated financial statements.  A 

complete summary of these policies is included in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Certain of the policies require management to make significant and subjective estimates or assumptions that may deviate 
from actual results.  In particular, management makes estimates regarding valuation of inventories, estimates of useful life of long-
lived assets related to depreciation and amortization expense, estimates regarding fair value of the Company’s reporting units and
future  cash  flows  with  respect  to  assessing  potential  impairment  of  both  long-lived  assets  and  goodwill,  self-insurance, 
environmental and litigation reserves, pension liability, estimates of income tax expense and estimates of expense related to stock
options granted.  Each of these estimates is discussed in greater detail in the following discussion.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue on sales when products are shipped and the customer takes ownership and assumes 
risk of loss.  Certain customers may be required to prepay prior to shipment in order to maintain payment protection against certain
foreign and domestic sales.  These amounts are recorded as unearned revenue and revenue is recognized when the products have 
shipped and the customer takes ownership and assumes risk of loss.  The Company has formula arrangements with certain suppliers
whereby the charge or credit for raw materials is tied to published finished product commodity prices after deducting a fixed 
processing fee incorporated into the formula and is recorded as a cost of sale by line of business.  The Company recognizes revenue
related to grease trap servicing and industrial residual removal in the fiscal month the trap service or industrial residual removal
occurs.

Inventories

The Company’s inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.  Finished product manufacturing cost is calculated 
using  the  first-in,  first-out  (FIFO)  method,  based  upon  the  Company’s  raw  material  costs,  collection  and  factory  production 
operating expenses, and depreciation expense on collection and factory assets.  Market values of inventory are estimated at each
plant location, based upon either: 1) the backlog of unfilled sales orders at the balance sheet date, or  2) unsold inventory, calculated
using regional finished product prices quoted in the Jacobsen at the balance sheet date.  Estimates of market value, based upon
the backlog of unfilled sales orders or upon the Jacobsen, assume that the inventory held by the Company at the balance sheet 
date will be sold at the estimated market finished product sales price, subsequent to the balance sheet date.  Actual sales prices
received on future sales of inventory held at the end of a period may vary from either the backlog unfilled sales order price or the 
Jacobsen quotation at the balance sheet date.  These variances could cause actual sales prices realized on future sales of inventory

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to be different than the estimate of market value of inventory at the end of the period.  Inventories were approximately $65.1 
million and $65.1 million at December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.

Long-Lived Assets, Depreciation and Amortization Expense and Valuation

The Company’s property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost when acquired.  Depreciation expense is computed on 
property, plant and equipment based upon a straight line method over the estimated useful life of the assets, which is based upon
a standard classification of the asset group.  Buildings and improvements are depreciated over a useful life of 15 to 30 years,
machinery and equipment are depreciated over a useful life of 3 to 10 years and vehicles are depreciated over a life of 2 to 6 
years.  These useful life estimates have been developed based upon the Company’s historical experience of asset life utility, and
whether the asset is new or used when placed in service.  The actual life and utility of the asset may vary from this estimated
life.  Useful lives of the assets may be modified from time to time when the future utility or life of the asset is deemed to change
from that originally estimated when the asset was placed in service.  Depreciation expense was approximately $66.7 million, $57.3
million and $50.9 million in fiscal years ending December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

The Company’s intangible assets, including permits, routes, non-compete agreements, trade names and royalty, consulting 
and leasehold agreements are recorded at fair value when acquired.  Amortization expense is computed on these intangible assets
based upon a straight line method over the estimated useful life of the assets, which is based upon a standard classification of the 
asset group. Collection routes are amortized over a useful life of 5 to 21 years; non-compete agreements are amortized over a 
useful life of 3 to 7 years; trade names with a finite life are amortized over a useful life of 4 to 15 years; royalty, consulting and 
leasehold agreements are amortized over the term of the agreement; and permits are amortized over a useful life of 10 to 20 
years.  The actual economic life and utility of the asset may vary from this estimated life.  Useful lives of the assets may be modified 
from time to time when the future utility or life of the asset is deemed to change from that originally estimated when the asset was 
placed in service.  Intangible asset amortization expense was approximately $32.1 million, $28.1 million and $28.0 million in 
fiscal years ending December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

The Company reviews the carrying value of long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances 
indicate that the carrying amount of an asset, or related asset group, may not be recoverable from estimated future undiscounted
cash flows.  Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or asset
group to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group.  If the carrying amount
of the asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying 
amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.  In Fiscal 2013, Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 2011, no triggering event occurred
requiring that the Company perform testing of its long-lived assets for impairment.

The net book value of property, plant and equipment was approximately $666.6 million and $453.9 million at December 28, 
2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.  The net book value of intangible assets was approximately $588.7 million and $337.4 
million at December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.

Goodwill Valuation

Goodwill and indefinite lived assets are tested for impairment annually as of the balance sheet date or more frequently 
if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.  The Company follows a two-step process for 
testing impairment.  First, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its carrying value to determine whether an indication
of impairment exists.  If impairment is indicated, then the fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is determined by allocating
the unit’s fair value of its assets and liabilities (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been 
acquired in a business combination.  The amount of impairment for goodwill is measured as the excess of its carrying value over
its implied fair value.

Based on the Company’s annual impairment testing at the end of the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2013, Fiscal 2012 and Fiscal 
2011, the fair values of the Company’s reporting units containing goodwill exceeded the related carrying value.  However, the fair
value of one of the Company's reporting units was approximately 24% greater than its carrying value, which was substantially 
less than the percentage by which the fair values of the Company's other seven reporting units with goodwill exceeded their 
carrying values.  It is possible, depending upon a number of factors that are not determinable at this time or within the control of 
the Company, that the fair value of this reporting unit could decrease in the future and result in an impairment to goodwill.  The
amount of goodwill allocated to this reporting unit was approximately $159.6 million.  The Company's management believes the 
biggest risk to this reporting unit is a prolonged economic slowdown that would impact raw material suppliers.   Goodwill was 
approximately $701.6 million and $381.4 million at December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.

Page 71

Self Insurance, Environmental and Legal Reserves

The Company’s workers compensation, auto and general liability policies contain significant deductibles or self insured 
retentions. The Company estimates and accrues for its expected ultimate claim costs related to accidents occurring during each 
fiscal year and carries this accrual as a reserve until these claims are paid by the Company. In developing estimates for self insured
losses, the Company utilizes its staff, a third party actuary and outside counsel as sources of information and judgment as to the
expected undiscounted future costs of the claims. The Company accrues reserves related to environmental and litigation matters 
based on estimated undiscounted future costs. With respect to the Company’s self insurance, environmental and litigation reserves,
estimates of reserve liability could change if future events are different than those included in the estimates of the actuary, consultants 
and management of the Company. At  December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the reserves for self insurance, environmental 
and litigation contingencies aggregated to approximately $35.5 million and $37.0 million, respectively.  The Company has insurance
recovery receivables of approximately $8.8 million and $9.3 million, respectively, related to these liabilities.

Pension Liability

The Company provides retirement benefits to employees under separate final-pay noncontributory pension plans for 
salaried  and  hourly  employees  (excluding  those  employees  covered  by  a  union-sponsored  plan),  who  meet  service  and  age 
requirements.  Benefits  are  based  principally  on  length  of  service  and  earnings  patterns  during  the  five  years  preceding 
retirement.  Pension expense and pension liability recorded by the Company is based upon an annual actuarial estimate provided 
by a third party administrator.  Factors included in estimates of current year pension expense and pension liability at the balance
sheet date include estimated future service period of employees, estimated future pay of employees, estimated future retirement
ages of employees, and the projected time period of pension benefit payments.  Two of the most significant assumptions used to 
calculate future pension obligations are the discount rate applied to pension liability and the expected rate of return on pension
plan assets.  These assumptions and estimates are subject to the risk of change over time, and each factor has inherent uncertainties
which neither the actuary nor the Company is able to control or to predict with certainty.  During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, 
as part of the initiative to combine the Darling and Griffin retirement benefit programs, the Company's Board of Directors authorized
the Company to proceed with the restructuring of its retirement benefit program effective January 1, 2012, to include the closing
of Darling's salaried and hourly defined benefit plans to new participants as well as the freezing of service and wage accruals
thereunder effective December 31, 2011 (a curtailment of these plans for financial reporting purposes) and the enhancing of benefits
under the Company's defined contribution plans.  See Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for summaries of 
North American pension plans.

The discount rate applied to the Company’s pension liability is the interest rate used to calculate the present value of the 
pension benefit obligation.  The weighted average discount rate was 4.66% and 3.90% at December 28, 2013 and December 29, 
2012, respectively.  The net periodic benefit cost for fiscal 2014 would increase by approximately $1.0 million if the discount rate 
was 0.5% lower at 4.2%.  The net periodic benefit cost for fiscal 2014 would decrease by approximately $0.9 million if the discount
rate was 0.5% higher at 5.2%.

The expected rate of return on the Company’s pension plan assets is the interest rate used to calculate future returns on 
investment of the plan assets.  The expected return on plan assets is a long-term assumption whose accuracy can only be assessed
over a long period of time.  The weighted average expected return on pension plan assets was 7.35% for Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 
2012,  respectively.  During  Fiscal  2013,  the  Company’s  actual  return  on  pension  plan  assets  was  a  gain  of  $13.1  million  or 
approximately 12.3% of pension plan assets as compared to Fiscal 2012 where the Company’s actual return on pension plan assets 
was a gain of $13.0 million or approximately 13.5% of pension plan assets.

The Company has recorded a net pension liability of approximately $11.1 million and $31.3 million at December 28, 
2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.  The Company’s net pension cost was approximately $3.9 million, $3.9 million and 
$3.2  million  for  the  fiscal  years  ending  December 28,  2013,  December 29,  2012  and  December 31,  2011,  respectively.  The 
projected net periodic pension expense for fiscal 2014 is expected to decrease by approximately $2.5 million as compared to Fiscal
2013.

Income Taxes

In calculating net income, the Company includes estimates in the calculation of income tax expense, the resulting tax 
liability and in future realization of deferred tax assets that arise from temporary differences between financial statement reporting
and tax recognition of revenue and expense.  The Company’s deferred tax assets include a net operating loss carry-forward which
is limited to approximately $0.7 million per year in future utilization due to the change in control resulting from the May 2002
recapitalization of the Company. Valuation allowances for deferred tax assets are recorded when it is more likely than not that
deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Page 72

Stock Option Expense

The calculation of expense of stock options issued utilizes the Black-Scholes mathematical model which estimates the 
fair value of the option award to the holder and the compensation expense to the Company, based upon estimates of volatility, 
risk-free rates of return at the date of issue and projected vesting of the option grants.  The Company recorded compensation 
expense related to stock options expense for the year ended December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011 of 
approximately $1.3 million, $1.0 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income.  The ASU amends ASC Topic 
220, Comprehensive Income.  The new standard eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income and its components 
in the statement of changes in equity and instead requires entities to present net income and other comprehensive income in either
a single continuous statement or in two separate, but consecutive, statements of net income and other comprehensive income.  
Reclassification adjustments between net income and other comprehensive income must be shown on the face of the statement
(s), with no resulting change in net earnings.  In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, Deferral of Effective Date 
for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting 
Standards Update No. 2011-05.  This ASU amends ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income.  The new standard deferred the 
requirement to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other 
comprehensive income to net income while the FASB further deliberates this aspect of the proposal. This update is effective for
the Company on January 1, 2012 and must be applied retrospectively.  The Company adopted this standard as of March 31, 2012.  
The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.  In February 2013, the FASB 
issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.  This ASU amends ASC 
Topic 220, Comprehensive Income.  This new standard requires an entity to report either on the income statement or disclose in 
the footnotes to the financial statement the effects on earnings from items that are reclassified out of other comprehensive income.
This update was effective for the Company on December 30, 2012. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's 
consolidated financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment.  The ASU 
amends ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.   The new standard is intended to reduce the cost and complexity of 
performing an impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets by providing entities an option to perform a "qualitative"
assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary.  The new standard allows an entity to first assess qualitative
factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying 
amount.  If based on its qualitative assessment an entity concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-
lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, quantitative impairment testing is required.   However, if an entity concludes
otherwise, quantitative impairment testing is not required.  The standards update is effective for annual and interim impairment
tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this 
standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2013. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial
statements.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating 
Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists.  The ASU amends ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes
The new standard requires, unless certain conditions exist, an unrecognized tax benefit to be presented as a reduction to a deferred
tax asset in the financial statements for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward.  The 
standard will become effective for the Company prospectively for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013, and interim 
periods within those years, with early adoption permitted.  Retrospective application is also permitted.  The Company is currently
assessing the impact, if any, the adoption of ASU 2013-11 will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes “forward-looking” statements that involve risks and uncertainties.   The 
words "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "estimate," "intend," "could," "may," "will," "should," "planned," "potential," and similar
expressions identify forward-looking statements.  All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this report,
including, without limitation, the statements under the sections entitled "Business," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Legal Proceedings" and located elsewhere herein regarding industry prospects
and the Company's financial position are forward-looking statements.  Actual results could differ materially from those discussed
in  the  forward-looking  statements  as  a  result  of  certain  factors,  including  many  that  are  beyond  the  control  of  the 

Page 73

Company.  Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it 
can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct.

In addition to those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of this report and elsewhere in this 
report, and in the Company's other public filings with the SEC, important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
from  the  Company's  expectations  include: existing  and  unknown  future  limitations  on  the  ability  of  our  direct  and  indirect 
subsidiaries to upstream their profits to us for payments on our indebtedness or other purposes; unanticipated costs or operating
problems related to the acquisition and integration of Rothsay and Darling Ingredients International (including transactional costs
and integration of the new ERP system); reductions in raw material volumes available to the Company due to weak margins in 
the meat production industry as a result of higher feed costs, reduced consumer demand or other factors, reduced volume from 
food service establishments, reduced demand for animal feed, or otherwise; reduced finished product prices;  changes to worldwide
government policies relating to renewable fuels and GHG emissions that adversely affect programs like RFS2 and tax credits for 
biofuels both in the United States and abroad;  possible product recall resulting from developments relating to the discovery of
unauthorized adulterations to food or food additives;  the occurrence of Bird Flu, BSE, PED or other diseases associated with 
animal origin in the U.S. or elesewhere;  unanticipated costs and/or reductions in raw material volumes related to the Company’s
compliance with the Enhanced BSE Rule; unforeseen new U.S. or foreign regulations affecting the rendering industry or value 
added  products  (including  new  or  modified  animal  feed,  H1N1  flu,  Bird  Flu,  PED  or  BSE  or  similar  or  unanticipated 
regulations);  increased  contributions  to  the  Company’s  pension  and  benefit  plans,  including  multiemployer  and  employer-
sponsored defined benefit pension plans as required by legislation, regulation or other applicable U.S. or foreign law or resulting
from a U.S. mass withdrawal event; bad debt write-offs; loss of or failure to obtain necessary permits and registrations; continued
or escalated conflict in the Middle East, North Korea or elsewhere; and/or unfavorable export or import markets.  These factors,
coupled with volatile prices for natural gas and diesel fuel, general performance of the U.S. and global economies and any decline
in consumer confidence, including the inability of consumers and companies to obtain credit due to lack of liquidity in the financial
markets.  Among other things, future profitability may be affected by the Company’s ability to grow its business, which faces 
competition from companies that may have substantially greater resources than the Company. The Company cautions readers that 
all forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward 
looking statements, whether as a result of changes in circumstances, new events or otherwise.

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risks affecting the Company are exposures to changes in prices of the finished products the Company sells, interest 
rates on debt, availability of raw material supplies and the price of natural gas and diesel fuel used in the Company’s plants.  Raw 
materials available to the Company are impacted by seasonal factors, including holidays, when raw material volume declines;  warm
weather, which can adversely affect the quality of raw material processed and finished products produced;  and cold or severe 
weather, which can impact the collection of raw material.  Predominantly all of the Company’s finished products are commodities
that are generally sold at prices prevailing at the time of sale. Additionally, with acquisition of foreign entities we are exposed to 
foreign currency exchange risks, imposition of currency controls and the possibility of currency devaluation.

The Company makes limited use of derivative instruments to manage cash flow risks related to interest expense, natural 
gas usage, diesel fuel usage, inventory, forecasted sales and foreign currency exchange rates.  The Company does not use derivative
instruments for trading purposes.  Interest rate swaps are entered into with the intent of managing overall borrowing costs by 
reducing the potential impact of increases in interest rates on floating-rate long-term debt.  Natural gas swaps and options are
entered into with the intent of managing the overall cost of natural gas usage by reducing the potential impact of seasonal weather
demands on natural gas that increases natural gas prices.  Heating oil swaps and options are entered into with the intent of managing
the overall cost of diesel fuel usage by reducing the potential impact of seasonal weather demands on diesel fuel that increases
diesel fuel prices.  Inventory swaps and options are entered into with the intent of managing seasonally high concentrations of
MBM, PM, BFT, PG, YG and BBP inventories by reducing the potential impact of changing prices.  Corn options and future 
contracts are entered into with the intent of managing forecasted sales of BBP by reducing the impact of changing prices.  Foreign
currency forward contracts are entered into to mitigate the foreign exchange rate risk for transactions designated in a currency
other than the Company's reporting currency.  Interest rate swaps and the natural gas swaps are subject to the requirements of 
FASB authoritative guidance.  Some of the Company’s natural gas and diesel fuel instruments are not subject to the requirements
of FASB authoritative guidance because some of the natural gas and diesel fuel instruments qualify as normal purchases as defined
in FASB authoritative guidance.  At December 28, 2013,  the Company had natural gas swaps and corn options outstanding that 
qualified and were designated for hedge accounting as well as natural gas swaps, heating oil swaps and foreign currency forward
contracts that did not qualify and were not designated for hedge accounting.

In November 2013, the Company entered into foreign currency exchange forward contracts that did not qualify for hedge 
accounting to mitigate the foreign exchange rate risk of the expected acquisition price of the VION Acquisition.  Under the terms 

Page 74

of  the  exchange  contracts,  the  Company  exchanged  U.S.  dollars  for  €1.0  billion  at  a  fixed  weighted  average  price  of 
approximately1.346 with a maturity date of early January 2014.  At December 28, 2013, the Company recorded an other current 
asset of approximately $27.5 million on the balance sheet. 

In fiscal 2013, the Company has entered into natural gas swap contracts that are considered cash flow hedges.  Under 
the terms of the natural gas swap contracts, the Company fixed the expected purchase cost of a portion of its plants expected 
natural gas usage into the first quarter of fiscal 2014.  As of December 28, 2013, the aggregate fair value of these natural gas swaps 
was  $0.1  million  and  is  included  in  other  current  assets  on  the  balance  sheet,  with  an  offset  recorded  in  accumulated  other 
comprehensive income for the effective portion.

In fiscal 2013, the Company entered into corn option contracts that are considered cash flow hedges.  Under the terms 
of the corn option contracts, the Company hedged a portion of its forecasted sales of BBP into the third quarter of fiscal 2014.  As 
of December 28, 2013, the aggregate fair value of these corn option contracts was $2.3 million and is included in other current
assets and accrued expenses on the balance sheet, with an offset recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income for the 
effective portion.

Additionally, the Company had heating oil swaps that are marked to market because they did not qualify for hedge 
accounting at December 28, 2013.  The heating oil swaps had an insignificant aggregate fair value and are included in current 
other assets and accrued expenses at December 28, 2013.

As of December 28, 2013, the Company had forward purchase agreements in place for purchases of approximately $4.7 
million of natural gas and diesel fuel in fiscal 2014.  As of December 28, 2013, the Company had forward purchase agreements 
in place for purchases of approximately $20.4 million of finished product in fiscal 2014.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

At December 28, 2013, the Company's fixed rate debt obligations consist of the 8.5% Notes and other immaterial debt 
that accrue interest at an annual weighted average fixed rate of approximately 8.5%.  On February 7, 2014, Darling completed the
redemption of the 8.5% Notes for $280.4 million, which  included a redemption premium of approximately $27.3 million and 
accrued and unpaid interest of approximately $3.1 million from the proceeds of the 5.375% Notes. The 5.375% Notes are not 
affected by changes in interest rates.

As of February 7, 2014, the Company has long-term debt of approximately $1.9 billion subject to variable interest rates 
under the Company's Senior Secured Credit Facilities.  This portion of the Company's debt is sensitive to fluctuations in interest
rates.    The  Company  estimates  that  a  1%  increase  in  interest  rates  will  increase  the  Company's  annual  interest  expense  by 
approximately $18.7 million.

Foreign Currency

Prior to fiscal 2013, the Company did not have significant operations outside of the U.S.  During fiscal 2013, the Company 
began operations in Canada with the closing of the Rothsay Acquisition.  In addition, in January 2014, the Company acquired 
VION Ingredients with significant foreign operations.  As a result of this increase in foreign activity, the Company expects to be 
affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly with respect to the euro, British pound, Canadian dollar, 
Australian dollar, Chinese renminbi, Brazilian real, Japanese yen and the Argentine peso.  

Page 75

 
ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Consolidated Financial
      Statements

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over
      Financial Reporting

Consolidated Balance Sheets -

December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012

Consolidated Statements of Operations -

Three years ended December 28, 2013

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income -
Three years ended December 28, 2013

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity -

Three years ended December 28, 2013

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -

Three years ended December 28, 2013

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Page

 77

 78

79

80

81

82

83

84

All other schedules are omitted since the required information is not present or is not present in amounts sufficient to require
submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements and notes 
thereto.

Page 76

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Darling International Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Darling International Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 28, 
2013 and December 29, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, 
and cash flows for each of the years in the 
period ended December 28, 2013. These consolidated financial statements 
are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures
in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by 
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable
basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position 
of  Darling International Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, and the results of their operations
period ended December 28, 2013, in conformity with U.S. generally 
and their cash flows for each of the years in the 
accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), 
Darling International Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 28, 2013, based on criteria established in
Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 
(COSO) (1992), and our report dated February 26, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the 
Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Dallas, Texas
February 26, 2014

/S/ KPMG LLP

Page 77

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Darling International Inc.:

We have audited Darling International Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 28, 2013, based on criteria
established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission (COSO) (1992). Darling International Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control 
over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the
accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an 
opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control
over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control
over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating
effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we 
considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets 
of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are 
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable 
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that
could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements. Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Darling International Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting
as of December 28, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) (1992).

During 2013, Darling International Inc. acquired Terra Renewal Services (TRS) and Rothsay and management excluded from its 
assessment of the effectiveness of Darling International Inc.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 28, 2013
TRS and Rothsay's internal control over financial reporting associated with total assets of $798.6 million and total revenues of
$49.8 million included in the consolidated financial statements of Darling International Inc. and subsidiaries as of and for the year 
ended December 28, 2013.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of Darling International Inc. also excluded an
evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of TRS and Rothsay.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the 
consolidated balance sheets of Darling International Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, and 
the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the 
years in the three-year period ended December 28, 2013, and our report dated February 26, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion
on those consolidated financial statements.

Dallas, Texas
February 26, 2014

/S/ KPMG LLP

Page 78

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

ASSETS
Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash

       Accounts receivable, less allowance for bad debts of $2,241
             at December 28, 2013 and $2,171 at December 29, 2012

Inventories
Income taxes refundable
Other current assets
Deferred income taxes

Total current assets

Property, plant and equipment, net
Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $105,070
         at December 28, 2013 and $73,021 at December 29, 2012
Goodwill
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary
Other assets

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:

Current portion of long-term debt
Accounts payable, principally trade
Accrued expenses

Total current liabilities

Long-term debt, net of current portion
Other noncurrent liabilities
Deferred income taxes

Total liabilities

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders’ equity:

Common stock, $.01 par value;  250,000,000 and 150,000,000 shares

authorized, 165,261,003 and 118,622,650 shares issued at
December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively

     Additional paid-in capital
     Treasury stock, at cost; 993,578 and 807,659 shares at
          December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Retained earnings

Total stockholders’ equity

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

$

870,857
354

$

112,844
65,133
14,512
46,513
17,289
1,127,502

103,249
361

98,131
65,065
—
10,847
12,609
290,262

666,573

453,927

$

$

588,664
701,637
115,114
44,643
3,244,133

19,888
43,742
113,174
176,804

866,947
40,671
138,759
1,223,181

337,402
381,369
62,495
26,961
1,552,416

82
54,014
77,588
131,684

250,142
61,539
46,615
489,980

1,653
1,454,250

(13,271)
(29,423)
607,743
2,020,952
3,244,133

$

1,186
603,836

(10,033)
(31,329)
498,776
1,062,436
1,552,416

$

$

$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Page 79

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three years ended December 28, 2013 
(in thousands, except per share data)

Net sales
Costs and expenses:

Cost of sales and operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Acquisition costs

Total costs and expenses
Operating income

Other expense:

Interest expense
Foreign currency gains/(losses)
Other income/(expense), net

Total other expense

Equity in net income/(loss) of unconsolidated subsidiary
Income from operations before income taxes
Income taxes

Net income

Net income per share:

Basic
Diluted

December 28,
2013
1,723,550

$

December 29,
2012
1,701,429

$

December 31,
2011
1,797,249

$

1,261,101
170,825
98,787
23,271
1,553,984
169,566

1,232,604
151,713
85,371
—
1,469,688
231,741

1,268,221
136,135
78,909
—
1,483,265
313,984

(38,108)
28,107
(3,547)
(13,548)

7,660
163,678
54,711

(24,054)
—
1,760
(22,294)

(2,662)
206,785
76,015

(37,163)
—
(2,955)
(40,118)

(1,572)
272,294
102,876

108,967

$

130,770

$

169,418

0.91
0.91

$
$

1.11
1.11

$
$

1.47
1.47

$

$
$

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Page 80

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Three years ended December 28, 2013 
(in thousands)

Net income
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Foreign currency translation
Pension adjustments
Natural gas swap derivative adjustments
Corn option derivative adjustments
Interest rate swap derivative adjustments

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Total comprehensive income

$

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

December 31,
2011

$

108,967

$

130,770

$

169,418

(14,502)
15,140
127
1,141
—
1,906
110,873

$

—
(1,169)
391
194
159
(425)
130,345

$

—
(10,146)
(482)
—
712
(9,916)
159,502

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Page 81

 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Three years ended December 28, 2013 
(in thousands, except share data)

Common Stock

Number of
Outstanding
Shares
92,559,671 $

$.01 par
Value

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

Treasury
Stock

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

Retained
Earnings

Total
Stockholders'
Equity

(4,340) $
—

(20,988) $
—

198,588 $
169,418

Balances at January 1, 2011
Net income
Pension liability adjustments, net

of tax

Interest rate swap derivative
adjustment, net of tax
Natural gas swap derivative
adjustment, net of tax
Issuance of non-vested stock
Stock-based compensation
Tax benefits associated with stock-

based compensation

Treasury stock
Issuance of common stock
Balances at December 31, 2011
Net income
Pension liability adjustments, net

of tax

Interest rate swap derivative
adjustment, net of tax
Natural gas swap derivative
adjustment, net of tax

Corn option derivative adjustment,

net of tax

Issuance of non-vested stock
Stock-based compensation
Tax benefits associated with stock-

based compensation

Treasury stock
Issuance of common stock
Balances at December 29, 2012
Net income
Pension liability adjustments, net

of tax

Natural gas swap derivative
adjustment, net of tax

Corn option derivative adjustment,

net of tax

Foreign currency translation
adjustments, net of tax
Issuance of non-vested stock

Stock-based compensation
Tax benefits associated with stock-

based compensation

Treasury stock
Issuance of common stock
Balances at December 28, 2013

930 $
—

—

—

—
2
—

—
—
244
1,176 $
—

—

—

—

—
5
—

—
—
5
1,186 $
—

—

—

—

—
4

—

—
—
463

—

—

—

—
174,285
—

—
(88,364)
24,402,846
117,048,438 $

—

—

—

—

—
486,697
—

—
(264,275)
544,131
117,814,991 $

—

—

—

—

—
387,681

—

—
(185,919)
46,250,672
164,267,425 $

290,106 $

—

—

—

—
2,538
492

1,125
—
293,424
587,685 $

—

—

—

—

—
6,808
3,727

2,652
—
2,964

—

—

—
—
—

—
(1,248)
—
(5,588) $
—

—

—

—

—
—
—

—
(4,445)
—

603,836 $ (10,033) $

—

—

—

—

—
6,535

50

1,138
—
842,691

—

—

—

—

—
—

—

—
(3,238)
—

(10,146)

712

(482)
—
—

—
—
—
(30,904) $
—

(1,169)

159

391

194
—
—

—
—
—
(31,329) $
—

15,140

127

1,141

(14,502)
—

—

—
—
—
(29,423) $

—

—

—
—
—

—
—
—

368,006 $
130,770

—

—

—

—
—
—

—
—
—

498,776 $
108,967

—

—

—

—
—

—

—
—
—

607,743 $

464,296
169,418

(10,146)

712

(482)
2,540
492

1,125
(1,248)
293,668
920,375
130,770

(1,169)

159

391

194
6,813
3,727

2,652
(4,445)
2,969
1,062,436
108,967

15,140

127

1,141

(14,502)
6,539

50

1,138
(3,238)
843,154
2,020,952

1,653 $ 1,454,250 $ (13,271) $

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Page 82

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Three years ended December 28, 2013 
(in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

     Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

December 31,
2011

$

108,967

$

130,770

$

169,418

Depreciation and amortization
Deferred income taxes
Loss/(gain) on sale of assets
Gain on insurance proceeds from insurance settlement
Increase/(decrease) in long-term pension liability
Stock-based compensation expense
Write-off deferred loan costs
Deferred loan cost amortization
Equity in net (income)/loss of unconsolidated subsidiary
Unrealized gain on foreign currency hedge

             Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net
                   of effects from acquisitions:

Accounts receivable
Escrow receivable
Income taxes refundable
Inventories and prepaid expenses
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Other

Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:

Capital expenditures
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary

     Gross proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other assets

Proceeds from insurance settlement
Payments related to routes and other intangibles

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt
Payments on long-term debt
Borrowings from revolving credit facility
Payments on revolving credit facility
Deferred loan costs
Issuance of common stock
Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

Net cash provided/(used) in financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalent
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Accrued capital expenditures
Cash paid during the year for:

Interest, net of capitalized interest
Income taxes, net of refunds

Non-cash financing activities

Debt issued for service contract assets

$

$

$
$

$

98,787
24,593
(1,245)
(1,981)
(9,010)
9,433
—
3,451
(7,660)
(27,516)

4,424
—
(15,316)
2,059
8,521
13,214
210,721

(118,307)
(734,075)
(44,959)
2,358
1,981
(2,423)
(895,425)

344,704
(580)
293,235
(5,000)
(13,320)
840,558
(3,289)
1,138
1,457,446
(5,134)
767,608
103,249
870,857

1,163

21,554
31,405

$

$

$
$

85,371
10,338
1,099
(4,272)
2,790
8,904
725
3,042
2,662
—

(2,324)
—
17,845
(15,168)
3,923
3,832
249,537

(115,413)
(3,000)
(43,424)
3,870
4,272
(137)
(153,832)

—
(30,032)
—
—
—
72
(4,084)
2,652
(31,392)
—
64,313
38,936
103,249

$

78,909
24,702
622
—
(895)
3,932
4,920
3,324
1,572
—

(10,086)
16,267
(15,568)
(5,760)
(29,083)
(1,410)
240,864

(60,153)
(1,754)
(23,305)
1,529
—
—
(83,683)

—
(270,009)
131,000
(291,000)
(399)
293,117
(1,281)
1,125
(137,447)
—
19,734
19,202
38,936

— $

—

20,181
43,491

$
$

$

28,690
88,241

—

— $

226

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Page 83

 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 1.  GENERAL

(a)  

NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Darling International Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Darling", and together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), is 
a leading provider of rendering, used cooking oil and bakery residual recycling and recovery solutions to the U.S. and 
Canadian food industry.  Darling collects and recycles animal by-products, bakery residual and used cooking oil from 
poultry and meat processors, commercial bakeries, grocery stores, butcher shops, and food service establishments and 
provides grease trap cleaning services to many of the same establishments.  The Company operates over 130 processing 
and transfer facilities located throughout the United States and Canada to process raw materials into finished products 
such as protein (primarily meat and bone meal ("MBM") and poultry meal ("PM")), hides, fats (primarily bleachable 
fancy tallow ("BFT"), poultry grease ("PG") and yellow grease ("YG")) and bakery by-products ("BBP") as well as 
a range of branded and value-added products.  The Company sells these products domestically and internationally, 
primarily to producers of animal feed, pet food, fertilizer, bio-fuels and other consumer and industrial ingredients 
including oleo-chemicals, soaps and leather goods for use as ingredients in their products or for further processing.  As 
further discussed in Note 2, on October 28, 2013, Darling completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets 
of  Rothsay  ("Rothsay"),  a  division  of  Maple  Leaf  Foods,  Inc.  ("MFI"),  a  Canadian  corporation,  pursuant  to  an 
Acquisition Agreement between MFI and Darling dated August 23, 2013 (the "Rothsay Acquisition").   The Company's 
fiscal 2013 year end results include 9 weeks of contribution from the assets acquired in the Rothsay Acquisition.  The 
Company's operations are currently organized into two segments: Rendering and Bakery.  For additional information 
on the Company’s segments, see Note 21.

(b) 

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(1)   Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All significant 
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

(2)  Fiscal Year 

The Company has a 52/53 week fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest December 31.  Fiscal years for the 
consolidated financial statements included herein are for the 52 weeks ended December 28, 2013, the 52 weeks 
ended December 29, 2012, and the 52 weeks ended December 31, 2011.

(3)   Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all short-term highly liquid instruments, with an original maturity of three months or 
less, to be cash equivalents.

(4)   Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from customers’ non-
payment of trade accounts receivable owed to the Company.  These trade receivables arise in the ordinary course 
of business from sales of raw material, finished product or services to the Company’s customers.  The estimate 
of  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts  is  based  upon  the  Company’s  bad  debt  experience,  prevailing  market 
conditions,  and  aging  of  trade  accounts  receivable,  among  other  factors.  If  the  financial  condition  of  the 
Company’s customers deteriorates, resulting in the customers’ inability to pay the Company’s receivables as 
they come due, additional allowances for doubtful accounts may be required.

(5)   Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is primarily determined using the first-in, first-out 
(FIFO) method.

Page 84

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(6)   Long Lived Assets

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost.  Depreciation is computed by the straight-line method over 
the estimated useful lives of assets:  1) Buildings and improvements, 15 to 30 years; 2) Machinery and equipment, 
3 to 10 years; 3) Vehicles, 3 to 8 years; and 4) Aircraft, 7 to 10 years.

Maintenance  and  repairs  are  charged  to  expense  as  incurred  and  expenditures  for  major  renewals  and 
improvements are capitalized.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with indefinite lives, and therefore, not subject to amortization, consist of trade names acquired 
in the acquisition of Griffin Industries Inc. on December 17, 2010 (which was subsequently converted to a limited 
liability  company)  and  its  subsidiaries  ("Griffin").  Intangible  assets  subject  to  amortization  consist  of:  1) 
collection routes which are made up of groups of suppliers of raw materials in similar geographic areas from 
which the Company derives collection fees and a dependable source of raw materials for processing into finished 
products;  2) permits that represent licensing of operating plants that have been acquired, giving those plants the 
ability to operate; 3) non-compete agreements that represent contractual arrangements with former competitors 
leasehold 
whose  businesses  were  acquired;  4) 
agreements.  Amortization expense is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives 
of the assets ranging from:  5 to 21 years for collection routes; 10 to 20 years for permits; 3 to 7 years for non-
compete  covenants;  and  4  to  15  years  for  trade  names.  Royalty,  consulting  and  leasehold agreements  are 
amortized over the term of the agreement.

royalty,  consulting  and 

trade  names;  and  5) 

(7)   Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed of

The  Company  reviews  the  carrying  value  of  long-lived  assets  for  impairment  when  events  or  changes  in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset, or related asset group, may not be recoverable from 
estimated  future  undiscounted  cash  flows.  Recoverability  of  assets  to  be  held  and  used  is  measured  by  a 
comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected 
to be generated by the asset or asset group.  If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated future cash 
flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount for which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds 
the fair value of the asset.  In fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 no such events occurred requiring that the Company 
perform testing of its long-lived assets for impairment.

(8)  Goodwill

Goodwill and indefinite lived assets are tested for impairment annually as of the balance sheet date or more 
frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.  The Company follows 
a two-step process for testing impairment.  First, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its carrying 
value to determine whether an indication of impairment exists.  If impairment is indicated, then the fair value 
of  the  reporting  unit’s  goodwill  is  determined  by  allocating  the  unit’s  fair  value  of  its  assets  and  liabilities 
(including  any  unrecognized  intangible  assets)  as  if  the  reporting  unit  had  been  acquired  in  a  business 
combination.  The amount of impairment for goodwill is measured as the excess of its carrying value over its 
implied fair value.

In fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, the fair values of the Company’s reporting units containing goodwill exceeded 
the related carrying values.  Goodwill was approximately $701.6 million and $381.4 million at December 28, 
2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.  See Note 7 for further information on the Company’s goodwill. 

Page 85

  
 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(9)  Environmental Expenditures

Environmental expenditures incurred to mitigate or prevent environmental impacts that have yet to occur and 
that otherwise may result from future operations are capitalized.  Expenditures that relate to an existing condition 
caused by past operations and that do not contribute to current or future revenues are expensed or charged against 
established environmental reserves.  Reserves are established when environmental impacts have been identified 
which are probable to require mitigation and/or remediation and the costs are reasonably estimable.

(10)  Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method.  Under the asset and liability 
method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences 
between  the  financial  statement  carrying  amounts  of  existing  assets  and  liabilities  and  their  respective  tax 
bases.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income 
in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred 
tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment 
date.

The Company periodically assesses whether it is more likely than not that it will be able to realize its deferred 
income tax assets.  In making this determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative 
evidence and makes certain assumptions.  The Company considers, among other things, its deferred tax liabilities, 
the overall business environment, its historical earnings and losses, current industry trends and its outlook for 
taxable income in future years.

The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax 
position  will  be  sustained  upon  examination  by  the  relevant  taxing  authority.   Adjustments  are  made  to  the 
reserves for uncertain tax positions when facts and circumstances change or additional information is available. 
Judgment is required to assess the impact of ongoing audits conducted by tax authorities in determining the 
Company’s consolidated income tax provision. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties on tax 
related matters as a component of income tax expense. 

(11)  Earnings per Share

Basic income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common 
shares including non-vested and restricted shares with participation rights outstanding during the period.  Diluted 
income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common 
shares  outstanding  during  the  period  increased  by  dilutive  common  equivalent  shares  determined  using  the 
treasury stock method.  As a result of the use of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the 
period, the full effect of the issuance of 46,000,000 shares during the fourth quarter  as discussed in Note 14, is 
not included in the below earnings per share calculations for fiscal 2013.

Basic:

Net income

Diluted:

Effect of dilutive securities

Add: Option shares in the money and
dilutive effect of nonvested stock

Less: Pro-forma treasury shares

Diluted:

Net income

Net Income per Common Share (in thousands)

December 28,

2013

December 29,

2012

December 31,

2011

Income

Shares

Per-
Share

Income

Shares

Per-
Share

Income

Shares

Per-
Share

$ 108,967

119,526

$ 0.91

$130,770

117,592

$ 1.11

$169,418

114,924

$ 1.47

—

—

848

(450)

—

—

—

—

806

(309)

—

—

—

—

972

(371)

—

—

$ 108,967

119,924

$ 0.91

$130,770

118,089

$ 1.11

$169,418

115,525

$ 1.47

Page 86

 
 
 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

For  fiscal  2013,  2012  and  2011,  respectively,  135,733,  207,890  and  63,272  outstanding  stock  options  were 
excluded from diluted income per common share as the effect was antidilutive.  For fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011, 
respectively, 57,257, 105,486 and 330,268 non-vested stock were excluded from diluted income per common 
share as the effect was antidilutive.

(12)  Stock Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of the share-based payments 
(e.g., stock options and non-vested and restricted stock) granted to employees and non-employee directors or 
by incurring liabilities to an employee or other supplier (a) in amounts based, at least in part, on the price of the 
entity’s shares or other equity instruments, or (b) that require or may require settlement by issuing the entity’s 
equity shares or other equity instruments.

Total stock-based compensation recognized in the statement of operations for the years ended December 28, 
2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was approximately $9.4 million, $8.9 million and $3.9 million, 
respectively, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses, and the related income tax benefit 
recognized was approximately $3.7 million, $3.5 million and $1.9 million, respectively.  See Note 14 for further 
information on the Company’s stock-based compensation plans. 

The benefits of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation expense are reported as a financing cash 
flow.  For  the  year  ended  December 28,  2013,  December 29,  2012  and  December 31,  2011  the  Company 
recognized $1.1 million, $2.7 million and $1.1 million as an increase in financing cash flows related to such 
deductions.

(13)  Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting 
principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets 
and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements 
and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from 
those estimates.

If it is at least reasonably possible that the estimate of the effect on the financial statements of a condition, 
situation, or set of circumstances that exist at the date of the financial statements will change in the near term 
due to one or more future confirming events, and the effect of the change would be material to the financial 
statements, the Company will disclose the nature of the uncertainty and include an indication that it is at least 
reasonably possible that a change in the estimate will occur in the near term.  If the estimate involves certain 
loss contingencies, the disclosure will also include an estimate of the probable loss or range of loss or state that 
an estimate cannot be made.

(14)  Financial Instruments

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses 
approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.   The Company's term loans and revolver 
borrowings outstanding at December 28, 2013, as described in Note 11 have a fair value based on market valuation 
from a third-party bank.  At December 28, 2013, the Company's term loans had a fair value of approximately 
$341.7 million compared to a carrying amount of $340.0 million and the Company's revolving loans had a fair 
value of approximately $282.4 million compared to a carry amount of $286.7 million at December 28, 2013. 
The Company had no term and revolving borrowings outstanding at December 29, 2012.  The  carrying amount 
for the Company’s other debt is not deemed to be significantly different than the carrying value and all other 
financial instruments' fair values have been disclosed in Note 18. 

Page 87

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(15)  Derivative Instruments

The Company makes limited use of derivative instruments to manage cash flow risks related to interest expense, 
natural  gas  usage,  diesel  fuel  usage,  inventory,  forecasted  sales  and  foreign  currency  exchange  rates.  The 
Company does not use derivative instruments for trading purposes.  Interest rate swaps are entered into with the 
intent of managing overall borrowing costs by reducing the potential impact of increases in interest rates on 
floating-rate long-term debt.  Natural gas swaps and options are entered into with the intent of managing the 
overall cost of natural gas usage by reducing the potential impact of seasonal weather demands on natural gas 
that increases natural gas prices.  Heating oil swaps and options are entered into with the intent of managing the 
overall cost of diesel fuel usage by reducing the potential impact of seasonal weather demands on diesel fuel 
that  increases  diesel  fuel  prices.  Inventory  swaps  and  options  are  entered  into  with  the  intent  of  managing 
seasonally high concentrations of MBM, PM, BFT, PG, YG and BBP inventories by reducing the potential impact 
of changing prices.  Corn options and future contracts are entered into with the intent of managing forecasted 
sales of BBP by reducing the impact of changing prices.   Foreign currency forward contracts are entered into 
to mitigate the foreign exchange rate risk for transactions designated in a currency other than the Company's 
reporting currency. 

Entities are required to report all derivative instruments in the statement of financial position at fair value. The 
accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it 
has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, if so, on the reason for holding the 
instrument. If certain conditions are met, entities may elect to designate a derivative instrument as a hedge of 
exposures to changes in fair value, cash flows or foreign currencies.  If the hedged exposure is a cash flow 
exposure, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported initially as a component 
of other comprehensive income (outside of earnings) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings when the 
forecasted transaction affects earnings. Any amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness as 
well as the ineffective portion of the gain or loss is reported in earnings immediately. If the derivative instrument 
is not designated as a hedge, the gain or loss is recognized in earnings in the period of change.  Hedge accounting 
treatment ceases if or when the hedge transaction is no longer probable of occurring or the hedge relationship 
correlation no longer qualifies for hedge accounting.

At December 28, 2013, the Company had natural gas swaps and corn options outstanding that qualified and 
were designated for hedge accounting as well as heating oil swaps and foreign currency forward contracts that 
did not qualify and were not designated for hedge accounting.

(16)  Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue on sales when products are shipped and the customer takes ownership and 
assumes risk of loss.  Certain customers may be required to prepay prior to shipment in order to maintain payment 
protection against certain foreign and domestic sales.  These amounts are recorded as unearned revenue and 
revenue is recognized when the products have shipped and the customer takes ownership and assumes risk of 
loss.  The  Company  has  formula  arrangements  with  certain  suppliers  whereby  the  charge  or  credit  for  raw 
materials  is  tied  to  published  finished  product  commodity  prices  after  deducting  a  fixed  processing  fee 
incorporated into the formula and is recorded as a cost of sale by line of business.  The Company recognizes 
revenue related to grease trap servicing and industrial residual removal in the fiscal month the trap service or 
industrial residual removal  occurs.

(17)  Related Party Transactions

The Company announced on January 21, 2011 that a wholly-owned subsidiary of Darling entered into a limited 
liability company agreement with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation ("Valero") to form 
Diamond  Green  Diesel  Holdings  LLC  (the  "DGD  Joint  Venture").    The  Company  has  related  party  sale 
transactions with the DGD Joint Venture.  Additionally, Darling through its wholly-owned subsidiary Griffin 
Industry LLC ("Griffin"), leases two real properties located in Butler, Kentucky and real properties located in 
each of Jackson, Mississippi and Henderson, Kentucky from Martom Properties, LLC, an entity owned in part 
by Martin W. Griffin, the Company’s Executive Vice President – Chief Operations Officer, North America.  See 
Note 10 and Note 23 for further information on the Company's related party transactions.

Page 88

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(18)  Foreign Currency Translation and Remeasurement

Foreign currency translation is included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and reflects 
the  adjustments  resulting  from  translating  the  foreign  currency  denominated  financial  statements  of  foreign 
subsidiaries into U.S. dollars. The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is the currency of 
the primary economic environment in which the entity operates, which is generally the local currency of the 
country.  Accordingly, assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at fiscal year 
end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at daily or average monthly exchange rates. Changes 
in exchange rates that affect cash flows and the related receivables or payables are recognized as transaction 
gains and losses in determining net income. The Company incurred net foreign currency translation losses of 
approximately $14.5 million in fiscal year 2013 and no currency translation in fiscal years 2012 and 2011. In 
addition, the Company incurred foreign currency gains in the statement of operations of approximately $28.1 
million in fiscal 2013 with $27.5 million representing an unrealized gain on a hedge transaction, which is included 
in other assets on the balance sheet.

(19)  Reclassification

Certain prior year immaterial amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

(20)  Subsequent Events

The Company evaluates subsequent events from the end of the most recent fiscal year through the date the 
consolidated financial statements are issued. 

NOTE 2.  ACQUISITIONS

On October 28, 2013, Darling completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Rothsay for approximately 
CAD $640.2 million (approximately USD$612.6 million at the exchange rate of CAD$1.00:USD$0.9569) comprised 
of cash of CAD$644.5 million less a contingent receivable of approximately CAD$4.3 million due to over payment 
for working capital, which was returned by MFI in fiscal 2014.  The cash portion of the Rothsay Acquisiton was 
funded through a combination of borrowings under Darling's senior secured revolving credit facility and term loan 
facility.  Rothsay has a network of five rendering plants in Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia and a biodiesel operation 
in Quebec, Canada.  The Rothsay Acquisition not only adds significant scale by expanding the Company's geographic 
footprint into Canada, but also provides the Company with an opportunity for synergies through transferring best 
practices between Rothsay and the Company's existing operations and improving efficiencies.  

The amount of Rothsay's revenue and net income/loss included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations 
for the year ended December 28, 2013 were $32.4 million and a loss of approximately $7.3 million, which includes 
certain acquisition costs allocated to the business, respectively.

As a result of the Rothsay Acquisition, effective October 28, 2013, the Company began including the operations of 
Rothsay  into  the  Company's  consolidated  financial  statements.  The  following  table  presents  selected  pro  forma 
information, for comparative purposes, assuming the Rothsay Acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2012 for the 
periods presented (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data):

Net sales
Income from continuing operations
Net income
Earnings per share

Basic
Diluted

December 28, 2013

December 29, 2012

$

$
$

1,920,960 $
194,834
129,218

1.08 $
1.08 $

1,928,840
229,963
145,836

1.24
1.23

The selected unaudited pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of operations 
for future periods or the results of operations that would have been realized had the Rothsay Acquisition actually 
occurred on January 1, 2012.

Page 89

 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Rothsay 
Acquisition as of October 28, 2013 (in thousands):

$

Accounts receivable
Inventory
Other current assets
Property and equipment
Identifiable intangibles
Goodwill
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses
Deferred tax liability
Capital lease obligations
Other non-current liabilities

Purchase price, net of cash acquired

$

13,220
5,479
312
139,304
240,386
261,668
(12,159)
(5,701)
(15,031)
(10,741)
(4,102)
612,635

The $261.7 million of goodwill was assigned to the rendering segment 75% of which is expected to be deductible for 
tax purposes.  Identifiable intangibles include definite lived intangible assets including routes of approximately $172.6 
million with a weighted average useful life of 21 years, $55.6 million in permits with a weighted average useful life 
of 13 years, trade names of approximately $9.0 million with a weighted average useful life of 4 years and $3.2 million 
in non-compete with a weighted average useful life of 7 years.  As a result of the complexity and timing of the Rothsay 
Acquisition,  the  Company  is  still  assessing  the  assets  acquired  and  accrued  liabilities  assumed  thus,  the  final 
determination of the value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed may result in adjustments to the values presented 
above with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill.

The  Company  also  incurred  selling  and  general  administrative  expenses  as  part  of  the  Rothsay Acquisition  for 
consulting  and  legal  expenses  in  the  amount  of  approximately  $10.8  million.   Additionally,  approximately  $14.4 
million was capitalized as deferred loan costs, which are included in other assets on the Company’s consolidated 
balance sheets in fiscal 2013.

The Company notes the acquisitions discussed below are not considered related businesses, therefore are not required 
to be treated as a single business combination.  Pro forma results of operations for these acquisitions have not been 
presented because the effect of each acquisition individually or in the aggregate is not deemed material to revenues 
and net income of the Company for any fiscal period presented.

On August 26, 2013, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Darling, Darling AWS LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, 
acquired all of the shares of Terra Holding Company, a Delaware corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, 
Terra Renewal Services, Inc., an Arkansas corporation ("TRS"), and EV Acquisition, Inc., an Arkansas corporation 
(the "Terra Transaction").  The Terra Transaction will increase the Company's rendering portfolio by adding to the 
Company's existing rendering segments grease collection businesses and adds an industrial residuals business as a 
new line of service for the Company's rendering raw material suppliers within the rendering segment.

Effective August 26, 2013, the Company began including the operations acquired in the Terra Transaction into the 
Company's consolidated financial statements.  The Company paid approximately $121.4 million in cash for assets 
and assumed liabilities consisting of property, plant and equipment of $27.7 million, intangible assets of $46.2 million, 
goodwill of $65.0 million, deferred tax liability of $24.1 million and working capital of $6.6 million on the closing 
date.  The goodwill from the Terra Transaction was assigned to the Rendering segment and is not deductible for tax 
purposes,  though  TRS  has  approximately  $5.2  million  of  goodwill  deductible  for  tax  purposes  related  to  prior 
acquisitions. The identifiable intangibles have a weighted average life of 12 years.  Final determination of the value 
of assets acquired and liabilities assumed may result in adjustments to the values presented above with a corresponding 
adjustment to goodwill.

On  June 8,  2012,  the  Company completed  its  acquisition  of  substantially  all  of  the  assets  of  RVO  BioPur,  LLC 
("BioPur") for approximately $3.0 million including property plant and equipment of $0.6 million and intangible 
assets of $2.4 million.  Headquartered in Waterbury, Connecticut, BioPur provides used cooking oil collection and 
grease trap services to restaurants and food service establishments in the New England area of the Company's existing 
East coast operations.  The identifiable intangibles have a weighted average life of 9 years.

Page 90

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 3.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On January 6, 2014 (the "CA Closing Date"), Darling, Darling International Canada Inc. ("Darling Canada") and 
Darling International NL Holdings B.V. ("Darling NL") entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement 
(the "Amended Credit Agreement") with the lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 
as Administrative Agent, and the other agents from time to time party thereto.  For additional information on the 
Company’s Amended Credit Agreement, see Note 11.

On January 2, 2014, the Company issued for sale $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its Senior Notes due 
2022 (the "5.375% Notes"), which were offered in a private offering in connection with the January 7, 2014 acquisition 
of the VION Ingredients business division of VION Holding, N.V. as further described below.  The 5.375% Notes 
were issued pursuant to a 5.375% Notes Indenture, dated as of January 2, 2014 (the "Original Indenture"). For additional 
information on the Company's 5.375% Notes, see Note 11.

On January 7, 2014, the Company acquired the VION Ingredients business division (“VION Ingredients”) of VION 
Holding, N.V., a Dutch limited liability company (“VION”) by purchasing all of the shares of VION Ingredients 
International (Holding) B.V., and VION Ingredients Germany GmbH, and 60% of Best Hides GmbH (collectively, 
the "VION Companies"), pursuant to a Sale and Purchase Agreement dated October 5, 2013, as amended, between 
Darling and VION (the “VION Acquisition”).  The VION Ingredients business is now conducted under the name 
Darling Ingredients International.  Darling Ingredients International is a worldwide leader in the development and 
production of specialty ingredients from animal by-products for applications in animal feed, pet food, fuel, bioenergy, 
fertilizer, food and pharmaceuticals.  Darling Ingredients International operates a global network of 67 production 
facilities across five continents covering all aspects of animal by-product processing through six brands: Rendac (fuel), 
Sonac (proteins, fats, edible fats and blood products), Ecoson (bioenergy), Rousselot (gelatin), CTH (natural casings) 
and Best Hides (hides and skins). Darling Ingredients International’s specialized portfolio of over 400 products covers 
all animal origin raw material types and thereby offers a comprehensive, single source solution for suppliers. Darling 
Ingredients International’s 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 meals and fats. Rousselot is a global leading market provider of 
gelatin for the food, pharmaceutical and technical industries with operations in Europe, the United States, South 
America and China. CTH is a market leader in natural casings for the sausage industry with operations in Europe, 
China and the United States. The purchase price for the transaction was approximately €1.6 billion  in cash. The 
purchase price was financed through (i) borrowings under the Company’s senior secured revolving credit facility and 
term loan facilities; (ii) proceeds from the Company’s $874.0 million public common stock offering; and (iii) proceeds 
from the private offering of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.375% Notes, that closed 
on January 2, 2014. 

In connection with the closing of the VION Acquisition, in January 2014, the Company made awards of Performance 
Units and common stock under the Company’s 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan to certain of the Company’s executives 
selected by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.  For North American-based executives, 
each award was in the form of “Performance Units” for a specified number of shares of common stock of the Company.  
For European-based executives, each award was in the form of a combination of fully vested shares (representing 
25% of the total award), and Performance Units for a specified number of shares common stock of the Company 
(representing the other 75% of the award).  The awards covered an aggregate of 975,000 shares of the Company’s 
common stock.  Performance Units will vest in three equal installments on the first, second and third anniversaries 
of the closing of the VION Acquisition based on attainment of specified levels of adjusted EBITDA for the Company 
and/or Darling Ingredients International for fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.  If the target level of 
adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year for both the Company and/or Darling Ingredients International is not achieved, 
the installment for the related vesting date will be forfeited.  Generally, an award recipient must remain employed 
with the Company and its subsidiaries through each vesting date to become vested in the award on that vesting date, 
subject  to  the  performance  requirements  described  above.  If  an  award  recipient  terminates  employment  before  a 
vesting date for any reason other than death or disability, any unvested portion of the award will be forfeited.  In case 
of termination of employment due to death or disability, a prorated portion (based upon the award recipient’s actual 
period of service prior to the vesting date) of the award will vest on each vesting date based on actual performance 
results.

Page 91

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

The following table presents pro forma condensed balance sheet information for the Company with the pro forma 
effect  of  estimated  purchase  price  allocation  of  the  VION Acquisition  as  of  December 28,  2013  (unaudited)  (in 
thousands):

Current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net
Intangible assets, net
Goodwill
Other long-term assets
Total assets

Current liabilities
Debt
Other long-term liabilities
Stockholders' equity
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

December 28, 2013
2,338,185
$
1,428,590
1,205,381
1,451,570
224,269
6,647,995

$

$

$

724,760
2,316,947
742,272
2,864,016
6,647,995

The following table presents selected pro forma information, for comparative purposes assuming the VION Acquisition 
and Rothsay Acquisition had occurred on December 30, 2012 (unaudited) (in thousands, except per share data):

Net sales
Income from continuing operations
Net income
Earnings per share

Basic
Diluted

December 28, 2013
4,105,673
$
357,182
158,334

$
$

0.96
0.96

NOTE 4. 

INVENTORIES

A summary of inventories follows (in thousands):

Finished product
Supplies and other

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

$

$

57,681
7,452
65,133

$

$

60,064
5,001
65,065

NOTE 5.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

A summary of property, plant and equipment follows (in thousands):

Page 92

 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Land
Buildings and improvements
Machinery and equipment
Vehicles
Aircraft
Construction in process

Accumulated depreciation

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

$

$

67,375
163,523
526,641
136,649
18,465
135,234
1,047,887
(381,314)
666,573

$

$

49,619
129,243
414,535
97,198
18,465
71,068
780,128
(326,201)
453,927

NOTE 6. 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The gross carrying amount of intangible assets not subject to amortization and intangible assets subject to amortization 
is as follows (in thousands):

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets

Trade names

Finite Lived Intangible Assets:

Routes
Permits
Non-compete agreements
Trade names
Royalty, consulting and leasehold 

Accumulated Amortization:

Routes
Permits
Non-compete agreements
Trade names
Royalty, consulting and leasehold

$

92,002
92,002

$

259,326
321,763
7,218
12,698
727
601,732

(38,231)
(63,145)
(2,352)
(724)
(618)
(105,070)
588,664

$

92,002
92,002

61,951
251,550
3,654
539
727
318,421

(27,681)
(43,209)
(1,525)
(73)
(533)
(73,021)
337,402

Total Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization

$

Gross intangible routes, permits, trade names and non-compete agreements increased in fiscal 2013 mainly due to the  
Rothsay Transaction and Terra Transaction.  Amortization expense for the three years ended December 28, 2013, 
December 29,  2012  and  December 31,  2011,  was  approximately  $32.1  million,  $28.1  million  and  $28.0  million, 
respectively.  Amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is estimated to be $47.4 million, $46.7 million, $41.4 
million, $40.0 million and $37.2 million.

NOTE 7.  GOODWILL

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill (in thousands):

Page 93

 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Balance at December 29, 2012

Goodwill
Accumulated impairment losses

Goodwill acquired during year
Impairment losses
Foreign currency translation
Balance at December 28, 2013

Goodwill
Accumulated impairment losses

Rendering

Bakery

Total

$

$

344,133 $
(15,914)
328,219
326,669
—
(6,401)

664,401
(15,914)
648,487 $

53,150 $
—
53,150
—
—
—

53,150
—
53,150 $

397,283
(15,914)
381,369
326,669
—
(6,401)

717,551
(15,914)
701,637

Certain of the Company's rendering facilities are highly dependent on one or few suppliers.  It is reasonably possible 
that certain of those suppliers could cease their operations or choose a competitor’s services, which could have a 
significant impact on these facilities.

The process of evaluating goodwill for impairment involves the determination of the fair value of the Company's 
reporting units.  In fiscal 2013, fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011, the fair values of the Company’s reporting units containing 
goodwill exceeded the related carrying value pursuant to a quantitative assessment completed as of the balance sheet 
date of each fiscal year.

NOTE 8. 

INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARY

The Company announced on January 21, 2011 that a wholly-owned subsidiary of Darling entered into a limited liability 
company agreement with Valero to form the DGD Joint Venture.  The DGD Joint Venture is owned 50% / 50% with 
Valero and was formed to design, engineer, construct and operate a renewable diesel plant (the "DGD Facility"), which 
is capable of producing approximately 9,300 barrels per day of renewable diesel fuel and certain other co-products, 
and is located adjacent to Valero's refinery in Norco, Louisiana.  The DGD Joint Venture reached mechanical completion 
and began the production of renewable diesel in late June 2013.

On May 31, 2011, the DGD Joint Venture and Diamond Green Diesel LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the DGD 
Joint Venture (“Opco”), entered into (i) a facility agreement (the “Facility Agreement”) with Diamond Alternative 
Energy, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Valero (the “Lender”), and (ii) a loan agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) 
with the Lender, which will provide the DGD Joint Venture with a 14 year multiple advance term loan facility of 
approximately $221,300,000 (the “JV Loan”) to support the design, engineering and construction of the DGD Facility, 
which is now in production.  The Facility Agreement and the Loan Agreement prohibit the Lender from assigning all 
or any portion of the Facility Agreement or the Loan Agreement to unaffiliated third parties.  Opco has also pledged 
substantially all of its assets to the Lender, and the DGD Joint Venture has pledged all of Opco's equity interests to 
the Lender, until the JV Loan has been paid in full and the JV Loan has terminated in accordance with its terms.

Based on the sponsor support agreements executed in connection with the Facility Agreement and the Loan Agreement 
relating to the DGD Joint Venture with Valero, the Company has contributed a total of approximately $111.7 million 
for the construction of the DGD Facility including the Company's portion of cost overruns and working capital funding. 

Selected financial information for the Company's DGD Joint Venture is as follows (in thousands):

As of December 31, 2013

Year Ended
December 31, 2013

Year Ended
December 31, 2012

Total Assets

Members' Equity

Revenues

Net Income

Revenues

Net Loss

$

488,435

$

230,228

$ 213,552

$

15,320

$

— $

(5,324)

As of December 28, 2013, under the equity method of accounting, the Company has an investment in the DGD Joint 
Venture of approximately $115.1 million on the consolidated balance sheet and has recorded approximately $7.7 
million in equity net income and $2.7 million in equity net losses in the unconsolidated subsidiary for the years ended 
December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively.

Page 94

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 9.  ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses consist of the following (in thousands):

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

Compensation and benefits
Utilities and sewage
Accrued income, ad valorem, and franchise taxes
Reserve for self insurance, litigation, environmental and 

$

tax matters  (Note 20)

Medical claims liability
Accrued operating expenses
Accrued acquisition costs
Accrued financing fees
Other accrued expense

$

$

38,902
6,802
3,651

7,878
5,960
9,512
4,306
18,592
17,571
113,174

$

36,087
5,114
4,817

8,810
4,671
3,258
—
—
14,831
77,588

NOTE 10.  LEASES

The Company leases ten processing plants and storage locations, land surrounding certain processing plants, four 
office  locations  under  operating  leases  and  a  portion  of  its  transportation  equipment  under  operating  and  capital 
leases.  Leases are noncancellable and expire at various times through the year 2040.  Minimum rental commitments 
under noncancellable leases as of December 28, 2013, are as follows (in thousands):

Period Ending Fiscal
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Thereafter

Less amounts representing interest
Capital lease obligations included in current and long-term debt

Operating Leases

Capital Leases

$

$

20,944 $
17,482
15,077
13,023
11,534
25,004
103,064 $

$

3,208
2,715
2,153
1,611
866
421
10,974
(987)
9,987

Darling through its wholly-owned subsidiary Griffin, leases two real properties located in Butler, Kentucky and real 
properties located in each of Jackson, Mississippi and Henderson, Kentucky from Martom Properties, LLC, an entity 
owned  in  part  by  Martin W.  Griffin,  the  Company's  Executive Vice  President  –  Chief  Operations  Officer,  North 
America. See Note 23 for further information on the Company's related party lease transactions.

Rent  expense  was  approximately  $14.4  million,  $12.6  million  and  $12.3  million,  for  the  fiscal  years  ended 
December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

The Company's capital lease assets are included in property, plant and equipment and the capital lease obligations are 
included in the Company's current and long-term debt obligations on the consolidated balance sheet.

Page 95

 
 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 11.  DEBT

Debt consists of the following (in thousands):

Credit Agreement and Former Credit Agreement:

Revolving Credit Facility
Term Loan

8.5% Senior Notes due 2018
Other Notes and Obligations

Less Current Maturities

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

$

$

286,676
340,030
250,000
10,129
886,835
19,888
866,947

$

$

—
—
250,000
224
250,224
82
250,142

At December 28, 2013, the Company had outstanding debt under a term loan facility and revolving facility denominated 
in Canadian dollars of CAD$150.0 million and CAD$50.0 million, respectively.  See below for discussion relating 
to the Company's debt agreements.

In addition, at December 28, 2013, the Company had capital lease obligations denominated in Canadian dollars.  The 
current capital lease obligation and long-term capital lease obligation in Canadian dollars was approximately CAD
$3.0 million and CAD$7.7 million, respectively.

Senior Secured Credit Facilities.  On September 27, 2013, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit 
Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") restating its then existing credit agreement dated December 17, 2010 (as amended 
by the First Amendment dated March 25, 2011) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.  The Credit Agreement provides 
for senior secured credit facilities (the “Senior Secured Facilities”) in the aggregate principal amount of $1.35 billion 
comprised of a five-year revolving loan facility of $1.0 billion (approximately $100.0 million of which will be available 
for a letter of credit sub-facility and $50.0 million of which will be available for a swingline sub-facility) and a five-
year delayed-draw term loan facility of $350.0 million.  Under the delayed-draw term loan facility $200.0 million is 
available to be borrowed in U.S. dollars by the Company and $150.0 million of the term loan facility is available to 
be borrowed in Canadian dollars by Darling Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.  The revolving loan 
facility is available to be borrowed by the Company in U.S. dollars and Canadian dollars, and up to $225.0 million 
of the revolving loan facility is available to be borrowed in Canadian dollars by Darling Canada.  The Company and 
Darling Canada used the proceeds of the term loan facility and a portion of the revolving loan facility to pay a portion 
of the consideration of Darling Canada’s acquisition of Rothsay, to pay related fees and expenses and to refinance 
certain existing indebtedness and will use the revolving loan facility to provide for working capital needs, general 
corporate purposes and for other purposes not prohibited by the Credit Agreement.

As of December 28, 2013, The Company has borrowed all $350.0 million of the term facility which, when repaid, 
cannot be reborrowed.  The term loan facility is repayable in quarterly installments as follows: for the first eight 
quarters, 1.25% of the original principal amount of the term loan  facility, for the ninth through sixteenth quarters, 
1.875% of the original principal amount of the term loan facility, and for each quarterly installment after such sixteenth 
installment until September 27, 2018, 3.75% of the original principal amount of the term loan facility.  The term 
facility will mature on September 27, 2018.

The interest rate applicable to any borrowings under the revolving loan facility and the term loan facility is variable 
based upon the Company's consolidated total leverage ratio and ranges from London Inter-Bank Offer Rate ("LIBOR")/
Canadian Dealer Offered Rate ("CDOR") plus 1.50% to 2.75% per annum or base rate/Canadian prime rate plus 0.50% 
to 1.75% per annum.  Base rate means a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the prime rate in effect, (b) the 
federal funds effective rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) plus ½ of 1% and (c) the adjusted LIBOR for a one 
month interest period plus 1%.  Canadian prime rate means the rate per annum to be the higher of (i) the rate of interest 
per annum most recently announced or established by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch as its reference 
rate in effect on such day for determining interest rates for Canadian Dollar denominated commercial loans in Canada 
and (ii) the sum of the yearly interest rate to which the one-month CDOR rate is equivalent plus 1%.

Page 96

 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

At December 28, 2013, the Company had $200.0 million outstanding under the term loan facility and $225.0 million 
under the revolver at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.0% per annum for a total of 2.1875% per annum and $15.0 million 
outstanding under the revolver at base rate plus a margin of 1.0% per annum for a total of 4.25% per annum.  The 
Company had CAD$150.0 million outstanding under the term loan Facility and CAD$50.0 million outstanding under 
the revolver at CDOR plus a margin of 2.0% per annum for a total of 3.32% per annum.  As of December 28, 2013, 
the Company had availability of $680.7 million under the Credit Agreement taking into account amounts borrowed 
and letters of credit issued of $32.7 million.  In addition, the Company has capitalized approximately $18.8 million 
of deferred loan costs.

The Credit Agreement contains various customary representations and warranties by the Company, which include 
customary use of materiality, material adverse effect and knowledge qualifiers.  The Credit Agreement also contains 
(a) certain affirmative covenants that impose certain reporting and/or performance obligations on the Company and 
its restricted subsidiaries, (b) certain negative covenants that generally prohibit, subject to various exceptions, the 
Company  and  its  restricted  subsidiaries  from  taking  certain  actions,  including,  without  limitation,  incurring 
indebtedness, making investments, incurring liens, paying dividends, and engaging in mergers and consolidations, 
sale leasebacks and sales of assets, (c) financial covenants comprising a maximum total leverage ratio, a maximum 
secured leverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and (d) customary events of default (including a 
change  of  control).    Obligations  under  the  Senior  Secured  Facilities  may  be  declared  due  and  payable  upon  the 
occurrence and during the continuance of such customary events of default.

Senior Notes due 2018.  On December 17, 2010, Darling issued $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.5% 
Senior Notes due 2018 (the “8.5% Notes”) under an indenture with U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the 
"Notes Indenture").  Darling used the net proceeds from the sale of the 8.5% Notes to finance in part the cash portion 
of the purchase price paid in connection with Darling's acquisition of Griffin Industries, Inc.  The Company will pay 
8.5% annual cash interest on the 8.5% Notes on June 15 and December 15 of each year.  Other than for extraordinary 
events  such  as  change  of  control  and  defined  assets  sales,  the  Company  is  not  required  to  make  any  mandatory 
redemption or sinking fund payments on the 8.5% Notes. 

The Company may at any time and from time to time purchase 8.5% Notes in the open market or otherwise.  The 
Company may redeem some or all of the 8.5% Notes at any time prior to December 15, 2014, at a redemption price 
equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 8.5% Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption 
date and an Applicable Premium (as defined below) as of the date of redemption subject to the rights of holders on 
the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. 

On and after December 15, 2014, the Company may redeem all or, from time to time, a part of the 8.5% Notes (including 
any additional 8.5% Notes) upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the following redemption prices 
(expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest on the 8.5% Notes, if any, to the 
applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due 
on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on December 15 of the 
years indicated below:

Year
2014
2015
2016 and thereafter

Percentage
104.250%
102.125%
100.000%

In addition, until December 15, 2013, the Company had the option to, redeem up to 35% of the original principal 
amount of the 8.5% Notes with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 
108.5% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, subject to 
the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date; 
provided that at least 65% of the original principal amount of the 8.5% Notes remains outstanding immediately after 
each such redemption; provided further that the redemption occurs within 90 days after the closing of such equity 
offering. 

Page 97

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

The Company is permitted to redeem some or all of the 8.5% Notes at any time prior to December 15, 2014, at a 
redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 8.5% Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest 
to the redemption date and an Applicable Premium (as defined in the Note Indenture) as of the date of redemption 
subject to the rights of holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

The Notes Indenture contains covenants limiting Darling's ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to, among 
other things, incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock, pay dividends on or make other distributions or 
repurchase of Darling's capital stock or make other restricted payments, create restrictions on the payment of dividends 
or other amounts from Darling's restricted subsidiaries to Darling or Darling's other restricted subsidiaries, make loans 
or  investments,  enter  into  certain  transactions  with  affiliates,  create  liens,  designate  Darling's  subsidiaries  as 
unrestricted subsidiaries, and sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies or otherwise dispose of all or 
substantially all of Darling's assets.

The Notes Indenture also provides for customary events of default, including, without limitation, payment defaults, 
covenant defaults, cross acceleration defaults to certain other indebtedness in excess of specified amounts, certain 
bankruptcy and insolvency events of default and judgment defaults in excess of specified amounts. If any such event 
of default occurs and is continuing under the indenture, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount 
of  the  total  outstanding  8.5%  Notes  may  declare  the  principal,  premium,  if  any,  interest  and  any  other  monetary 
obligations on all the then outstanding 8.5% Notes issued under the indenture to be due and payable immediately.

On February 7, 2014, the Company completed the redemption of the 8.5% Notes for $280.4 million, which  included 
a redemption premium of approximately $27.3 million and accrued and unpaid interest of approximately $3.1 million. 

The Credit Agreement and the 8.5% Notes consisted of the following elements at December 28, 2013 and December 29, 
2012, respectively (in thousands):

Senior Notes

8.5% Notes due 2018

Credit Agreement and Former Credit Agreement:

Term Loan
Revolving Credit Facility:
Maximum availability
Borrowings outstanding
Letters of credit issued
Availability

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

$

$

$

$

250,000

$

250,000

340,030

1,000,000
286,676
32,662
680,662

$

$

$

—

415,000
—
30,119
384,881

The obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by Darling National LLC, a Delaware 
limited  liability  company  ("Darling  National"),  Griffin  Industries  LLC,  a  Kentucky  limited  liability  company 
("Griffin"),  and  its  subsidiary,  Craig  Protein  Division,  Inc  ("Craig  Protein"),  Darling AWS  LLC,  Terra  Holding 
Company, Darling Global Holdings Inc., Darling Northstar LLC, Terra Renewal Services, Inc. and EV Acquisition, 
Inc., each of which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company,  and are secured, subject to certain exceptions, by 
a perfected first priority security interest in all tangible and intangible personal property of the Company and the 
guarantors, including a pledge of 100% of the equity interests of certain domestic subsidiaries and 65% of the equity 
interests of certain foreign subsidiaries.  The 8.5% Notes are guaranteed by each of the foregoing subsidiaries, and 
effective as of September 27, 2013, the 8.5% Notes are secured on an equal and ratable basis with the Company's and 
the guarantors' obligations under the Credit Agreement.  The 8.5% Notes and the guarantees thereof rank equally in 
right of payment to any existing and future senior debt of Darling and the guarantors, including debt that is secured 
by the collateral for the Credit Agreement and the 8.5% Notes.  The 8.5% Notes and the guarantees thereof will be 
effectively junior to existing and future debt of Darling and the guarantors that is secured by assets that do not constitute 
collateral for the Credit Agreement and the 8.5% Notes, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt.  
The 8.5% Notes and the guarantees thereof will be structurally subordinated to all of the existing and future liabilities 
(including trade payables) of each of the subsidiaries of Darling that do not guarantee the 8.5% Notes.

Page 98

 
 
 
 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

The Company's financial covenants are effective for fiscal quarter ending June 28, 2014, which is the first full fiscal 
quarter after January 6, 2014.  As of December 28, 2013, the Company believes it is in compliance with all other 
covenants contained in the Credit Agreement and Indenture.

Maturities of long-term debt at December 28, 2013 follow (in thousands):

2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
thereafter

Contractual
Debt Payment

$

$

19,888
19,502
27,487
27,027
792,527
404
886,835

Bridge Facility. During 2013, the Company entered into a Bridge Facility (the "Bridge Facility") commitment with 
the parties to the Senior Secured Facilities in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1.3 billion.  The proceeds 
of the Bridge Facility if drawn were to be used to finance the VION Acquisition.  The Bridge Facility was available 
to ensure that the VION Acquisition would close if either or both of certain contemplated unsecured financing and 
the contemplated issuance of the Company's stock did not occur prior to the closing of the VION Acquisition.  The 
Company accrued a commitment fee of approximately $13.0 million for the Bridge Facility.  The Company recorded 
the commitment fee as interest expense in December 2013 when it was determined that the Bridge Facility would not 
be utilized.

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Subsequent to December 28, 2013, on the CA Closing Date, Darling, Darling 
Canada and Darling NL entered into the Amended Credit Agreement, restating its then existing First Amended and 
Restated Credit Agreement dated September 27, 2013, with the lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan 
Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents from time to time party thereto.

The Amended Credit Agreement provides for Senior Secured Credit Facilities in the aggregate principal amount of 
$2.65 billion comprised of  (i) the Company's existing $350.0 million term loan A facility (all of which has been 
borrowed  and  is  currently  outstanding),  (ii)  the  Company's  existing  $1.0  billion  five-year  revolving  loan  facility 
(approximately $250.0 million of which will be available for a letter of credit sub-facility and $50.0 million of which 
will be available for a swingline sub-facility) and (iii) a new $1.3 billion term loan B facility.  The Amended Credit 
Agreement  also  permits  Darling  and  the  other  borrowers  thereunder  to  incur  ancillary  facilities  provided  by  any 
revolving lender party to the Senior Secured Credit Facilities.  Up to $350.0 million of the revolving loan facility is 
available to be borrowed by Darling in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, euros and other currencies to be agreed and 
available to each applicable lender, to be borrowed in Canadian dollars by Darling Canada and to be borrowed in U.S. 
Dollars, euros and other currencies to be agreed and available to each applicable lender by Darling NL and certain 
other foreign subsidiaries of Darling who will be added as borrowers following the CA Closing Date.  On the CA 
Closing Date, $600.0 million of the term loan B facility was borrowed in U.S. dollars by Darling and the euro equivalent 
of $700.0 million of the term loan B facility was borrowed in euros by Darling NL. Those borrowings under the term 
loan B facility are currently outstanding. The proceeds of the term loan B facility and a portion of the revolving loan 
facility were used to pay a portion of the consideration of the VION Acquisition by Darling of the Ingredients business 
of VION and the revolving loan facility will also be used for working capital needs, general corporate purposes and 
other purposes not prohibited by the Amended Credit Agreement. 

The interest rate applicable to any borrowings under the term loan A facility and the revolving loan facility will equal 
either LIBOR/euro interbank offered rate/CDOR plus 2.50% per annum or base rate/Canadian prime rate plus 1.50% 
per annum, subject to certain step-downs based on the Company's total leverage ratio. The interest rate applicable to 
any borrowings under the term loan B facility will equal (a) for U.S. dollar term loans, either the base rate plus 1.50% 
or LIBOR plus 2.50%, and (b) for euro term loans, the euro interbank offered rate plus 2.75%, in each case subject 
to a step-down based on Darling’s total leverage ratio. For term loan B loans, the LIBOR rate shall not be less than 
0.75%.

Page 99

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

The Amended  Credit Agreement  contains  various  customary  representations  and  warranties  by  Darling  and  its 
subsidiaries,  which  include  customary  use  of  materiality,  material  adverse  effect  and  knowledge  qualifiers.  The 
Amended  Credit Agreement  also  contains  (a)  certain  affirmative  covenants  that  impose  certain  reporting  and/or 
performance obligations on Darling and its subsidiaries, (b) certain negative covenants that generally prohibit, subject 
to various exceptions, Darling and its restricted subsidiaries from taking certain actions, including, without limitation, 
incurring  indebtedness,  making  investments,  incurring  liens,  paying  dividends  and  engaging  in  mergers  and 
consolidations, sale and leasebacks and asset dispositions, (c) financial covenants, which include a maximum total 
leverage ratio, a maximum secured leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio and (d) customary events of 
default (including a change of control) for financings of this type. Obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities 
may be declared due and payable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of customary events of default. 

Pursuant  to  the  Second Amended  and  Restated  Security Agreement,  dated  as  of  January  6,  2014  (the  "Security 
Agreement"), by and among Darling, its domestic subsidiaries signatory thereto and any other domestic subsidiary 
who  may  become  a  party  thereto  and  JPMorgan  Chase  Bank,  N.A.,  as  administrative  agent,  the  Senior  Secured 
Facilities, are secured, subject to certain carveouts and exceptions, by a first priority lien on substantially all of the 
assets of Darling and such domestic subsidiaries. The obligations of Darling Canada, Darling NL and any other foreign 
borrower under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities will also be secured by a first priority lien on certain assets of 
certain of Darling’s foreign subsidiaries (including, after the VION Acquisition, certain of the subsidiaries acquired 
from VION) organized in Canada, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Brazil, subject to certain carveouts and 
exceptions.

Pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2014 (the "Guaranty 
Agreement"), (a) the obligations of Darling under the Senior Secured Facilities are guaranteed by certain of Darling’s 
wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries and (b) the obligations of Darling Canada, Darling NL and any other foreign 
borrower under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities are guaranteed by Darling and certain of its domestic and foreign 
wholly-owned subsidiaries, in each case subject to certain carveouts and exceptions.

Senior Notes due 2022. On December 18, 2013, Darling Escrow Sub, a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned 
subsidiary of Darling entered into a purchase agreement (the “Original Purchase Agreement”) with the initial purchasers 
party thereto, for the sale of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.375% Notes due 2022.  On January 
2, 2014, the 5.375% Notes, which were offered in a private offering in connection with the VION Acquisition, were 
issued pursuant to a 5.375% Notes Indenture, dated as of January 2, 2014 (the "Original Indenture"), among Darling 
Escrow Sub, the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined in the Original Indenture) party thereto from time to time and U.S. 
Bank National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"), with the gross proceeds from the offering of the 5.375% Notes 
and certain additional amounts deposited in an escrow account pending the satisfaction of certain conditions, including 
the completion of the VION Acquisition, which occurred on January 7, 2014. 

On January 8, 2014 (the "Notes Closing Date"), Darling Escrow Sub merged (the "Notes Merger") with and into 
Darling (with Darling as the survivor of the Notes Merger), pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated 
January 8, 2014, between Darling Escrow Sub and Darling. 

In connection with the completion of the Notes Merger, pursuant to the provisions of the Original Indenture and the 
Original  Purchase Agreement,  Darling  Escrow  Sub,  Darling  and  certain  of  Darling’s  subsidiaries:  Craig  Protein 
Division, Inc., Darling AWS LLC, Darling National LLC, Darling Northstar LLC, Darling Global Holdings Inc., EV 
Acquisition, Inc., Griffin Industries LLC, Terra Holding Company and Terra Renewal Services Inc. (such subsidiaries, 
the "Guarantors") entered into a supplemental indenture with the Trustee (the "Supplemental Indenture," and together 
with the Original Indenture, the "Indenture"), pursuant to which, upon effectiveness of the Notes Merger, Darling 
assumed all the obligations of Darling Escrow Sub under the 5.375% Notes and the Indenture and the Guarantors 
guaranteed the 5.375% Notes and agreed to be bound by the terms of the Indenture applicable to subsidiary guarantors 
of the 5.375% Notes. In addition, in accordance with the provisions of the Original Purchase Agreement, upon the 
completion of the Notes Merger, Darling and the Guarantors became parties to the Original Purchase Agreement, by 
entering into a Joinder to the Purchase Agreement, dated as of the Notes Closing Date (together with the Original 
Purchase Agreement, the "Purchase Agreement"), with Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan, for themselves and on behalf 
of BMO. Upon satisfaction of the escrow release conditions on the Closing Date, the proceeds from the offering of 
the 5.375% Notes were released from the escrow account in accordance with Darling’s written instructions. Darling 
used a portion of the proceeds from the offering of the 5.375% Notes to pay the Initial Purchasers’ commission related 
to the offering of the 5.375% Notes and certain fees and expenses (including bank fees and expenses) related to the 

Page 100

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

financing of the VION Acquisition and for purposes of satisfying, discharging and redeeming its 8.5% Notes due 2018 
described above.

Darling used the remaining proceeds to pay certain other fees and expenses related to the completion of the VION 
Acquisition and its related financings, to repay a portion of the borrowings under its revolving credit facility used to 
fund a portion of the consideration for the VION Acquisition and for general corporate purposes, which may include 
the repayment of indebtedness. 

The  Purchase  Agreement  contains  customary  representations,  warranties  and  agreements  by  Darling  and  the 
Guarantors. In addition, Darling and the Guarantors have agreed to indemnify the Initial Purchasers against certain 
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or to contribute to 
payments the Initial Purchasers may be required to make because of any of those liabilities. 

The 5.375% Notes will mature on January 15, 2022. Darling will pay interest on the 5.375% Notes on January 15 and 
July 15 of each year, commencing on July 15, 2014. Interest on the 5.375% Notes will accrue at a rate of 5.375% per 
annum and be payable in cash. 

The 5.375% Notes are currently guaranteed on an unsecured senior basis by the Guarantors, which constitute all of 
Darling’s existing restricted subsidiaries that guarantee the Amended Credit Agreement (other than Darling’s foreign 
subsidiaries). Under the Indenture, each restricted subsidiary of Darling (other than Darling’s foreign subsidiaries and 
certain of Darling’s subsidiaries that engage solely in the financing of receivables and are so designated by Darling) 
is required to guarantee the 5.375% Notes (a) if the Amended Credit Agreement is outstanding and such restricted 
subsidiary guarantees the Amended Credit Agreement and (b) if the Amended Credit Agreement is not outstanding, 
if such restricted subsidiary incurs or guarantees certain indebtedness in excess of $50.0 million. 

The 5.375% Notes will rank senior in right of payment to all existing and future debt of Darling that is expressly 
subordinated in right of payment to the 5.375% Notes. The 5.375% Notes will rank equally in right of payment with 
all  existing  and  future  liabilities  of  Darling  that  are  not  so  subordinated.  The  5.375%  Notes  will  be  effectively 
subordinated to all of the existing and future secured debt of Darling and the Guarantors, including debt under the 
Amended Credit Agreement, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such debt. The 5.375% Notes will be 
structurally subordinated to all of the existing and future liabilities (including trade payables) of each of the subsidiaries 
of Darling that do not guarantee the 5.375% Notes. 

The guarantees by the Guarantors (the "5.375% Note Guarantees") will rank senior in right of payment to all existing 
and future debt of the Guarantors that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the 5.375% Note Guarantees. 
The  5.375%  Note  Guarantees  will  rank  equally  in  right  of  payment  with  all  existing  and  future  liabilities  of  the 
Guarantors that are not so subordinated. The 5.375% Note Guarantees will be effectively subordinated to all of the 
existing and future secured debt of the Guarantors including debt under the Amended Credit Agreement, to the extent 
of the value of the assets securing such debt. Each 5.375% Note Guarantee will be structurally subordinated to all of 
the existing and future liabilities (including trade payables) of each of the subsidiaries of such Guarantor that do not 
guarantee the 5.375% Notes. 

Darling is not required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the 5.375% 
Notes. However, under certain circumstances, Darling may be required to offer to purchase 5.375% Notes as described 
under "Change of Control" and "Asset Sale Proceeds" below. Darling may at any time and from time to time purchase 
5.375% Notes in the open market or otherwise. 

Darling may redeem some or all of the 5.375% Notes at any time prior to January 15, 2017, at a redemption price 
equal  to  100%  of  the  principal  amount  of  the  5.375%  Notes  redeemed,  plus  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  to  the 
redemption date and an Applicable Premium (as defined below) as of the date of redemption, subject to the rights of 
holders on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date. The “Applicable 
Premium” means, with respect to any Senior Note at any redemption date, the greater of: (i) 1.0% of the principal 
amount of such 5.375% Note; and (ii) the excess, if any, of (A) the present value as of such redemption date of (1) 
the redemption price of such 5.375% Note at January 15, 2017 (such redemption price being set forth in the table 
below), plus (2) all required interest payments due on such 5.375% Note through January 15, 2017 (excluding accrued 
but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the applicable treasury rate as of 
such redemption date plus 50 basis points, over (B) the principal amount of such 5.375% Note. 

Page 101

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

On and after January 15, 2017, Darling may redeem all or, from time to time, a part of the 5.375% Notes (including 
any additional Notes), at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued 
and unpaid interest on the 5.375% Notes, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right 
of  holders  of  record  on  the  relevant  record  date  to  receive  interest  due  on  the  relevant  interest  payment  date),  if 
redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on January 15 of the years indicated below:

Year
2017
2018
2019
2020 and thereafter

Percentage
104.031%
102.688%
101.344%
100.000%

In addition, prior to January 15, 2017, Darling may on one or more occasions redeem up to 40% of the original principal 
amount of the 5.375% Notes (calculated after giving effect to the issuance of any additional Notes) with the net cash 
proceeds of one or more equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount thereof, 
plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record 
on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided that at least 50% 
of the original principal amount of the 5.375% Notes (calculated after giving effect to the issuance of any additional 
Notes) remains outstanding after each such redemption; provided further that the redemption occurs within 90 days 
after the closing of such equity offering.

Change of Control. If a Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture) occurs, unless Darling has exercised its right 
to redeem all the 5.375% Notes as described above under “Optional Redemption,” each holder will have the right to 
require Darling to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of such holder’s 5.375%.

Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the 5.375% Notes, plus accrued and unpaid 
interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record 
date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

Asset Sale Proceeds. If Darling or its subsidiaries engage in certain Asset Dispositions (as defined in the Indenture), 
Darling generally must, within specific periods of time, either prepay, repay or repurchase certain of its or its Restricted 
Subsidiaries’ indebtedness or make an offer to purchase a principal amount of the 5.375% Notes and certain other 
debt equal to the excess net cash proceeds, or invest the net cash proceeds from such sales in additional assets. The 
purchase price of the 5.375% Notes will be 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, 
if any, to the date of purchase. 

The Indenture contains covenants limiting Darling’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to, among other 
things:  incur  additional  indebtedness  or  issue  preferred  stock;  pay  dividends  on  or  make  other  distributions  or 
repurchase of Darling’s capital stock or make other restricted payments;  create restrictions on the payment of dividends 
or other amounts from Darling’s restricted subsidiaries to Darling or Darling’s other restricted subsidiaries; make 
loans or investments;  enter into certain transactions with affiliates; create liens;  designate Darling’s subsidiaries as 
unrestricted subsidiaries; and  sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies or otherwise dispose of all or 
substantially all of Darling’s assets. 

The Indenture also provides for customary events of default, including, without limitation, payment defaults, covenant 
defaults, cross acceleration defaults to certain other indebtedness in excess of specified amounts, certain events of 
bankruptcy and insolvency and judgment defaults in excess of specified amounts. If any such event of default occurs 
and is continuing under the Indenture, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the total 
outstanding 5.375% Notes may declare the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on 
all the then outstanding 5.375% Notes issued under the Indenture to be due and payable immediately. 

Holders of the 5.375% Notes have the benefit of registration rights. In connection with the assumption of the 5.375% 
Notes by Darling and the guarantee of the 5.375% Notes by the Guarantors, on the Closing Date, Darling and the 
Guarantors became parties to, and Darling assumed all of Darling Escrow Sub’s obligations under, a registration rights 
agreement, dated as of January 2, 2014 (the "Original Registration Rights Agreement"), among Darling Escrow Sub, 
and Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan, for themselves and on behalf of BMO, by entering into a Joinder to the Registration 
Rights Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date (the "Registration Rights Agreement Joinder” and together with the

Page 102

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Original Registration Rights Agreement, the “Registration Rights Agreement"), with Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan, 
for themselves and on behalf of BMO. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, Darling and the Guarantors have 
agreed to consummate a registered exchange offer for the 5.375% Notes under the Securities Act within 270 days 
after the Closing Date. Darling and the Guarantors have agreed to file and keep effective for a certain time period 
under the Securities Act a shelf registration statement for the resale of the 5.375% Notes if an exchange offer cannot 
be effected and under certain other circumstances. Darling will be required to pay additional interest on the 5.375% 
Notes if it fails to timely comply with its obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement until such time as it 
complies.

NOTE 12.  OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES

Other noncurrent liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

Accrued pension liability (Note 16)
Reserve for self insurance, litigation, environmental and tax

matters (Note 20)

Other

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

$

$

11,097

$

31,278

27,603
1,971
40,671

$

28,209
2,052
61,539

NOTE 13.  INCOME TAXES

U.S. and foreign income from operations before income taxes are as follows (in thousands):

United States
Foreign
Income from operations before income taxes

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

December 31,
2011

$

$

174,470
(10,792)
163,678

$

$

206,785
—
206,785

$

$

272,294
—
272,294

Income tax expense attributable to income from continuing operations before income taxes consists of the following 
(in thousands):

Current:

Federal
State
Foreign

Total current

Deferred:

Federal
State
Foreign

Total deferred

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

December 31,
2011

$

$

8,109
7,213
482
15,804

40,396
505
(1,994)
38,907
54,711

$

$

54,982
10,368
58
65,408

10,015
592
—
10,607
76,015

$

$

58,903
13,461
467
72,831

26,233
3,812
—
30,045
102,876

Income tax expense for the years ended December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, differed 
from the amount computed by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to income from continuing operations 
before income taxes as a result of the following (in thousands):

Page 103

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Computed "expected" tax expense
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
Section 199 qualified domestic
production deduction
Change in valuation allowance
Biofuel tax incentives
Other, net

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

December 31,
2011

$

$

57,287
5,017

$

72,375
7,124

$

95,303
11,226

(619)
507
(9,342)
1,861
54,711

$

(4,830)
254
—
1,092
76,015

$

(5,306)
1
—
1,652
102,876

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred 
tax liabilities at December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 are presented below (in thousands):

Deferred tax assets:

Loss contingency reserves
Employee benefits
Pension liability
Intangible assets amortization, including taxable goodwill
Net operating losses
Investment in DGD Joint Venture
Other

Total gross deferred tax assets
Less valuation allowance
Net deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities:

Intangible assets amortization, including taxable goodwill
Property, plant and equipment depreciation
Investment in DGD Joint Venture
Other

Total gross deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax liability

Amounts reported on Consolidated Balance Sheets:

Current deferred tax asset
Non-current deferred tax liability

Net deferred tax liability

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

$

$

$

$

$

10,756
9,749
4,183
7,040
4,732
—
9,306
45,766
(871)
44,895

(63,779)
(67,535)
(31,842)
(3,209)
(166,365)
(121,470) $

10,399
8,700
12,132
1,981
1,925
1,134
7,733
44,004
(300)
43,704

(22,083)
(53,772)
—
(1,855)
(77,710)
(34,006)

$

17,289
(138,759)
(121,470) $

12,609
(46,615)
(34,006)

At December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the Company had net deferred tax liabilities of approximately $121.5 
million and $34.0 million, respectively.  The increase in the deferred tax liability is principally due to differences 
between the book and tax basis in the DGD Joint Venture related primarily to accelerated tax depreciation and deferred 
tax liabilities resulting from the carryover basis in the Terra Transaction, which was a stock acquisition.

At  December 28,  2013,  the  Company  had  net  operating  loss  carryforwards  for  federal  income  tax  purposes  of 
approximately $6.6 million, which begin to expire in 2019.  The availability of the net operating loss carryforwards 
to reduce future taxable income is subject to certain limitations.  As a result of the change in ownership which occurred 
pursuant to the May 2002 recapitalization, utilization of approximately $4.9 million of the federal net operating loss 
carryforwards is limited to approximately $0.7 million per year for the remaining life of the net operating losses.  The 
Company had approximately $7.9 million of net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes, which 
begin to expire in 2014.   Also at December 28, 2013, the Company had U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards of 
approximately $0.8 million, state tax credit carryforwards of approximately $0.5 million and a net operating loss 
carryforward in Canada of about $8.0 million, which expire through 2033.  As of December 28, 2013, the Company 
had a

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DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

valuation allowance of $0.9 million due to uncertainties in respect to its ability to utilize its U.S. foreign tax credit 
carryforwards and U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards before they expire.

At December 28, 2013, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $0.7 million.  During the year, 
the Company's unrecognized tax benefits increased by $0.7 million primarily as a result of tax positions taken in the 
current year.  All of the unrecognized tax benefit would favorably impact the Company's effective tax rate if recognized.  
The Company does not reasonably expect any material change to the Company's unrecognized tax positions in the 
next twelve months.  The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties, as appropriate, related to unrecognized 
tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. 

In fiscal 2013, the Company's major taxing jurisdictions are U.S. (federal and state) and Canada. During the year the 
Company concluded an Internal Revenue Service examination for the 2009 and 2010 tax years and paid approximately 
$0.7 million of taxes, which was accrued prior to the first quarter of 2013. The statute of limitations for the Company's 
federal return is open for the 2011, 2012 and 2013 tax years.  The Company is also currently being examined by 
several state tax agencies.  Although the final outcome of these examinations is not yet determinable, the Company 
does not anticipate that any of the state examinations will have a significant impact on the Company's results of 
operations or financial position.  The statute of limitations for the Company's state returns is open for varying periods 
and jurisdictions, but is generally closed through the 2008 tax year.

Prior to fiscal 2013, the Company did not have significant operations outside of the U.S. During fiscal 2013, the 
Company began operations in Canada through the acquisiton of Rothsay.  No deferred income taxes have been provided 
on the unremitted earnings attributable to foreign operations because as of the end of fiscal 2013 there are no positive 
unremitted earnings.

NOTE 14.  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

On November 26, 2013 a special meeting of the stockholders was held and a proposal to approve an amendment to 
Darling's restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, to increase the total number of authorized shares of common 
stock, par value $0.01, from 150,000,000 to 250,000,000 was approved.

On December 18, 2013, the Company offered and closed on the sale of  46,000,000 shares of its common stock at a 
price to the public of $19.00 per share, pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated December 12, 2013.  The Company 
used the net proceeds of approximately  $840.5 million to pay for a portion of the VION Acquisition, which closed 
on January 7, 2014.

On January 27, 2011, the Company entered into an underwritten public offering for 24,193,548 shares of its common 
stock, at a price to the public of $12.70 per share, pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement. The offering 
closed on February 2, 2011.  In addition, certain former stockholders of Griffin Industries, Inc. (pursuant to such 
stockholders'  contractual  registration  rights)  granted  the  underwriters  a  30-day  option,  which  the  underwriters 
subsequently exercised in full, to purchase from them up to an additional 3,629,032 shares of Darling common stock 
to cover over-allotments.  The Company used the net proceeds of approximately $292.7 million from the offering to 
repay all of its then outstanding revolver balance and a portion of its term loan facility under the Company's then 
existing senior credit agreement.  Darling did not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares by the former stockholders 
of Griffin.

On  May 8,  2012,  the  shareholders  approved  the  Company's  2012  Omnibus  Incentive Plan  (the  "2012  Omnibus 
Plan").  The 2012 Omnibus Plan replaced the Company's 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "2004 Omnibus Plan") 
for future grants.  Under the 2012 Omnibus Plan, the Company is allowed to grant stock options, stock appreciation 
rights, non-vested and restricted stock (including performance stock), restricted stock units (including performance 
units), other stock-based awards, non-employee director awards, dividend equivalents and cash-based awards.  There 
are up to 11,066,544 common shares available under the 2012 Omnibus Plan which may be granted to participants 
in any plan year (as such term is defined in the 2012 Omnibus Plan).  Some of those shares are subject to outstanding 
awards as detailed in the tables below.  To the extent these outstanding awards are forfeited or expire without exercise, 
the shares will be returned to and available for future grants under the 2012 Omnibus Plan.  The 2012 Omnibus Plan’s 
purpose is to attract, retain and motivate employees, directors and third party service providers of the Company and 
to  encourage  them  to  have  a  financial  interest  in  the  Company.  The  2012  Omnibus  Plan  is  administered  by  the 
Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors.  The Committee has the authority to select 
plan participants, grant awards, and determine the terms and conditions of such awards as provided in the 2012

Page 105

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Omnibus Plan.  The Committee has adopted an executive compensation program that includes a long-term incentive 
component (the "LTIP") for the Company's key employees, as a subplan under the terms of the 2012 Omnibus Plan.  The 
principal purpose of the LTIP is to encourage the Company's executives to enhance the value of the Company and, 
hence, the price of the Company’s stock and the stockholders' return.  In addition, the LTIP is designed to create 
retention incentives for the individual and to provide an opportunity for increased equity ownership by executives.  The 
Committee awarded dollar value performance based restricted stock and stock option opportunities under the LTIP 
in each of fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 to certain of the Company's key employees, including the Chief Executive 
Officer and other executive officers.   The restricted stock and stock options underlying the LTIP are issued only if a 
predetermined financial objective is met by the Company.  The Company met the financial objective for fiscal 2012 
and fiscal 2011 and those shares and options were issued in accordance with the terms of the LTIP.  See "Fiscal 2012 
Long-Term Incentive Opportunity Awards" below for a discussion of the fiscal 2013 LTIP award opportunities.  The 
Company’s stock options granted under the 2012 Omnibus Plan generally terminate 10 years after date of grant.  At 
December 28,  2013,  the  number  of  common  shares  available  for  issuance  under  the  2012  Omnibus  Plan  was 
10,286,222.

The  following  is  a  summary  of  stock-based  compensation  granted  during  the  years  ended  December 28,  2013, 
December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

Nonqualified Stock Options.  On March 8, 2011, the Company's board of directors granted 73,834 nonqualified stock 
options in the aggregate under the Company’s LTIP to certain of the Company’s employees.  The exercise price for 
the March 8, 2011 stock options was $14.50 per share (fair market value at the close of the trading day immediately 
preceding the grant date).  All of these awards vest 25 percent upon grant and 25 percent on each of the first three 
anniversary  dates  of  the  grant  thereafter.    On  March 6,  2012,  the  Company's  board  of  directors  granted  135,733 
nonqualified stock options in the aggregate under the Company's LTIP to certain of the Company's employees.  The 
exercise price for the March 6, 2012 stock options was $16.98 per share (fair market value at the close of the trading 
day immediately preceding the grant date).  All of these awards vest 25 percent upon grant and 25 percent on each of 
the first three anniversary dates of the grant thereafter. On March 5, 2013, the Company's board of directors granted 
195,634 nonqualified stock options in the aggregate under the Company's LTIP to certain of the Company's employees.  
The exercise price for the March 5, 2013 stock options was $16.53 per share (fair market value at the close of the 
trading day immediately preceding the grant date).  All of these awards vest 25 percent upon grant and 25 percent on 
each of the first three anniversary dates of the grant thereafter.

Incentive Stock Options. For fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 none of the options issued were incentive stock options.

A summary of all stock option activity as of December 28, 2013 and changes during the year ended is presented below.

Options outstanding at December 29, 2012

Granted
Exercised
Forfeited
Expired

Options outstanding at December 28, 2013
Options exercisable at December 28, 2013

Number of
shares

Weighted-avg.
exercise price
per share

Weighted-avg.
remaining
contractual life

722,617
195,634
(12,000)
—
—
906,251
673,617

$

$
$

8.07
16.53
2.67

—  
—  

9.97
7.71

5.0 years
3.7 years

The fair value of each stock option grant under the Company's stock option plan was estimated on the date of grant 
using the Black Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions and results for fiscal 
2013, 2012 and 2011.

Page 106

   
 
 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Weighted Average
Expected dividend yield
Risk-free interest rate
Expected term
Expected volatility
Fair value of options granted

2013
0.0%
1.01%
5.75 years
59.8%
$9.04

2012
0.0%
1.14%
5.75 years
62.0%
$9.16

2011
0.0%
2.53%
5.75 years
61.1%
$8.26

The expected lives for options granted during fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 were computed using the simplified method.

At December 28, 2013, $14.6 million of total future equity-based compensation expense (determined using the Black-
Scholes option pricing model and Monte Carlo model for non-vested stock grants with performance based incentives) 
related to outstanding non-vested options and stock awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted average 
period of 1.7 years.

For the year ended December 28, 2013, the amount of cash received from the exercise of options was insignificant 
and the related tax benefits were approximately $0.7 million.  For the year ended December 29, 2012 and December 31, 
2011, the amount of cash received from the exercise of options was approximately $0.1 million and $0.5 million, 
respectively, and the related tax benefits were approximately $2.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively. The total 
intrinsic value of options exercised for the years ended December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 
2011 was approximately $0.2 million, $3.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively.  The fair value of shares vested for 
the years ended December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was approximately $8.2 million, 
$8.1 million and $3.7 million, respectively.  At December 28, 2013, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding 
was  approximately  $9.8  million  and  the  aggregate  intrinsic  value  of  options  exercisable  was  approximately  $8.8 
million.

Non-Vested Stock Awards.  On March 8, 2011, the Company's board of directors granted 221,503 shares of stock all 
of which were under the Company's LTIP.  At the March 8, 2011 grant date 55,376 shares vested immediately and 
the remaining stock awards vest over the next three anniversary dates of the grants in equal installments.  On August 29, 
2011, the Company's board of directors made a discretionary grant of 10,878 shares of stock under the 2004 Omnibus 
Plan to certain key employees.  At the August 29, 2011 grant date 2,720 shares vested immediately and the remaining 
stock awards vest over the next three anniversary dates of the grants in equal installments. On March 6, 2012, the 
Company's board of directors granted 375,041 shares of stock under the 2004 Omnibus Plan, 300,041 shares of which 
were under the Company's LTIP and 75,000 shares of which were granted as discretionary grants to other employees 
not part of the Company's LTIP.  At the March 6, 2012 grant date 93,761 shares vested immediately and the remaining 
stock awards vest over the next three anniversary dates of the grants in equal installments.  On May 8, 2012, the 
Company's board of directors granted 5,000 shares of stock under the 2004 Omnibus Plan to a newly employed officer 
of the Company.  At the May 8, 2012 grant date 1,250 shares vested immediately and the remaining shares vest over 
the next three anniversary dates of the grant in equal installments.  On September 1, 2012, the Company's board of 
directors granted 50,000 shares of stock under the 2012 Omnibus Plan to the Company's new Chief Financial Officer. 
At the September 1, 2012 grant date 25,000 shares vested immediately and the remaining shares vest over the next 
three anniversary dates of the grant in equal installments. On March 5, 2013, the Company's board of directors granted 
495,575 shares of stock under the 2012 Omnibus Plan, 449,575 shares of which were under the Company's LTIP and 
46,000 shares of which were granted as a discretionary grants to other employees not part of the Company's LTIP.    
At the March 5, 2013 grant date 123,894 shares vested immediately and the remaining stock awards vest over the 
next three anniversary dates of the grants in equal installments. On August 5, 2013 the Company's board of directors 
granted  24,000  shares  to  one  of  the  Company's  officers.   At  the August  5,  2013  grant  date  8,000  shares  vested 
immediately and the remaining shares vest over the next two anniversary dates of the grant in equal installments 
provided that certain performance measures are achieved.

On  November 11,  2010,  the  Company's  board  of  directors  approved  award  opportunities  for  640,000  non-vested 
restricted shares at $12.53 (fair market value at grant date) under the Company's 2010 Special Incentive Program (as 
more fully described below).  These restricted shares vest upon the closing of the Griffin merger and achievement of 
certain varying market conditions over vesting periods spanning 4 years.

Page 107

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

A summary of the Company’s non-vested stock awards as of December 28, 2013, and changes during the year ended 
is as follows:

Stock awards outstanding December 29, 2012

Shares granted
Shares vested
Shares forfeited

Stock awards outstanding December 28, 2013

Non-Vested
Shares

Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

836,024
519,575
(527,725)
(6,667)
821,207

$

$

12.26
16.89
12.73
7.36
14.93

Nonemployee Director Restricted Stock Awards.  On February 24, 2011, the Company's Board of Directors approved 
an Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Plan (the "Director Restricted Stock Plan") 
pursuant to and in accordance with the 2004 Omnibus Plan in order to attract and retain highly qualified persons to 
serve as non-employee directors and to more closely align such directors' interests with the interests of the stockholders 
of the Company by providing a portion of their compensation in the form of Company common stock. Under the 
Director Restricted Stock Plan, $60,000 in restricted Company common stock (the "Restricted Stock") will be awarded 
to each non-employee director on the fourth business day after the Company releases its earnings for its prior completed 
fiscal year (the "Date of Award").  The amount of restricted stock to be issued will be calculated using the closing 
price of the Company’s common stock on the third business day after the Company releases its earnings.  The Restricted 
Stock will be subject to a right of repurchase at $0.01 per share upon termination of the holder as a member of the 
Company's board of directors for cause and will not be transferable. These restrictions will lapse with respect to 100% 
of the Restricted Stock upon the earliest to occur of (i) ten years after the Date of Award, (ii) a Change of Control (as 
defined in the 2004 Omnibus Plan), and (iii) termination of the non-employee director's service with the Company, 
other than for "cause" (as defined in the Director Restricted Stock Plan).  On March 5, 2013, the Company issued 
21,780 shares of restricted stock in the aggregate to its non-employee directors under the Director Restricted Stock 
Plan.  On March 6, 2012, the Company issued 21,204 shares of restricted stock in the aggregate to its non-employee 
directors under the Director Restricted Stock Plan.  On March 8, 2011, the Company issued 24,828 shares of restricted 
stock in the aggregate to its non-employee directors under the Director Restricted Stock Plan.  On May 18, 2011, the 
Company issued 4,652 shares of restricted stock in the aggregate to its two newly elected non-employee directors 
under the Director Restricted Stock Plan.

A summary of the Company’s non-employee director restricted stock awards as of December 28, 2013, and changes 
during the year ended is as follows:

Stock awards outstanding December 29, 2012

Restricted shares granted
Restricted shares where the restriction lapsed
Restricted shares forfeited

Stock awards outstanding December 28, 2013

Restricted
Shares

Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

108,458
21,780
—
—
130,238

$

$

9.59
16.53
—
—
10.75

Fiscal 2013 Long-Term Incentive Opportunity Awards.  The Committee awarded dollar value performance based 
restricted  stock  and  stock  option  opportunities  under  the  LTIP  for  fiscal  2013  to  certain  of  the  Company's  key 
employees, including the Chief Executive Officer, the President and certain of its Executive Vice Presidents (the "2013 
Restricted Stock and Option Awards").  The restricted stock and stock options underlying the 2013 Restricted Stock 
and Option Awards are issued only if a predetermined financial objective is met by the Company.  The Company met 
the financial objective for fiscal 2013.  Accordingly, in accordance with the terms of the 2013 Restricted Stock and 
Option Awards, it is anticipated that a portion of the restricted stock representing 80% of the potential award and stock 
options representing 20% of the potential award will be granted and issued to the recipients on the fourth business 
day after the Company releases its annual financial results for fiscal 2013. The amount of restricted stock and stock 
options to be issued was predetermined using a discounted per share price.  The "Discounted Per Share Price" is 
derived by discounting the closing market price of the Company's common stock as of the last trading day of the

Page 108

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

immediately preceding fiscal year to account for forfeiture of the restricted stock based on, among other things, the 
probability of the failure of the restricted stock to be granted and the failure of the Company to meet the required 
performance measures.  The stock options will have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company's 
common stock on the third business day after the Company releases its annual financial results.

The above 2013 Restricted Stock and Option Awards were deemed equity classified in fiscal 2013 as the shares are 
known, but have not yet been granted.  In addition, a portion of the fiscal 2013 LTIP stock awards are treated as a 
liability until the grant date when the number of shares to be issued is known, and then it becomes equity classified.
At December 28, 2013, the Company recorded a liability of approximately $0.3 million on the balance sheet for the 
long-term incentive opportunities.

2010 Special Incentive Program Awards. On November 11, 2010, the Committee approved a 2010 Special Incentive 
Program (the "2010 Special Incentive Program") for certain key employees of the Company pursuant to the Company's 
2004 Omnibus Plan, conditioned upon the closing of the Griffin merger.  Under the 2010 Special Incentive Program, 
certain key employees (the "Participating Employees") upon successful completion of the Griffin merger became 
eligible to receive a total of 640,000 shares of restricted stock of which 548,331 shares have been issued and 6,667 
shares have been forfeited as of December 28, 2013.  The stock vests upon the closing of the Griffin merger and 
achievement of certain varying market conditions over vesting periods spanning 4 years.  A Participating Employee 
will  not  be  entitled  to  receive  any  grant  under  these  restricted  stock  awards  if  such  Participating  Employee’s 
employment  with  the  Company  has  terminated,  voluntarily  or  involuntarily,  prior  to  the  determination  that  the 
conditions to receive such restricted stock award have been fulfilled.

NOTE 15.  COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The Company follows FASB authoritative guidance for reporting and presentation of comprehensive income or loss 
and its components.  Other comprehensive income (loss) is derived from adjustments that reflect pension adjustments, 
natural gas derivative adjustments, corn option adjustments, foreign currency translation adjustments and interest rate 
swap derivative adjustments. The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and the related tax impacts for 
the years ended December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

Page 109

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Before-Tax
Amount

Tax (Expense)
or Benefit

Net-of-Tax
Amount

$

$

$

$

$

Year Ended December 31, 2011

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

Actuarial (loss)/gain recognized
Amortization of actuarial loss
Actuarial prior service cost recognized
Amortization of prior service costs

Total defined benefit pension plans

Natural gas swap derivatives

Loss/(gain) reclassified to net income
Gain/(loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

Total natural gas derivatives

Interest swap derivatives

Loss reclassified to net income

Other comprehensive income

Year Ended December 29, 2012

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

Actuarial (loss)/gain recognized
Amortization of actuarial loss
Amortization of prior service costs

Total defined benefit pension plans

Natural gas swap derivatives

Loss/(gain) reclassified to net income
Gain/(loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

Corn option derivatives

Gain/(loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

Total natural gas derivatives

Total corn options

Interest swap derivatives

Loss reclassified to net income

Other comprehensive income

Year Ended December 28, 2013

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

Actuarial (loss)/gain recognized
Amortization of actuarial loss
Amortization of prior service costs

Total defined benefit pension plans

Natural gas swap derivatives

Loss/(gain) reclassified to net income
Gain/(loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)

Total natural gas derivatives

Corn option derivatives

Loss/(gain) reclassified to net income
Gain/(Loss) recognized in other comprehensive income

Total corn options

$

$

$

$

$

(19,280)
2,724
(103)
90
(16,569)

441
(1,229)
(788)

1,163
(16,194)

(6,768)
4,756
103
(1,909)

1,267
(628)
639

317

260
(693)

18,773
5,202
142
24,117

(41)
248
207

(5,486)
7,350
1,864

$

$

$

$

$

7,474
(1,056)
40
(35)
6,423

(170)
476
306

(451)
6,278

2,623
(1,844)
(39)
740

(491)
243
(248)

(123)

(101)
268

(6,904)
(2,018)
(55)
(8,977)

16
(96)
(80)

2,129
(2,852)
(723)

(11,806)
1,668
(63)
55
(10,146)

271
(753)
(482)

712
(9,916)

(4,145)
2,912
64
(1,169)

776
(385)
391

194

159
(425)

11,869
3,184
87
15,140

(25)
152
127

(3,357)
4,498
1,141

Foreign currency translation
Other comprehensive income

(14,502)
11,686

$

$

—
(9,780)

$

(14,502)
1,906

Page 110

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

December 28,
2013

Fiscal Year Ended
December 29,
2012

December 31,
2011

Statement of Operations
Classification

Derivative instruments
Natural gas swap derivatives
Corn option derivatives
Interest rate swap derivatives

Defined benefit pension plans
Amortization of prior service cost
Amortization of actuarial loss

$

$

41 $

5,486
—
5,527
(2,145)
3,382

(142) $

(5,202)
(5,344)
2,073
(3,271)

Total reclassifications $

111 $

(1,267) $
—
(260)
(1,527)
592
(935)

(103) $

(4,756)
(4,859)
1,883
(2,976)
(3,911) $

(441) Cost of sales and operating expenses
— Cost of sales and operating expenses

(1,163) Interest expense
(1,604) Total before tax
621 Income taxes
(983) Net of tax

(90) (a)
(2,724) (a)
(2,814) Total before tax
1,091 Income taxes
(1,723) Net of tax
(2,706) Net of tax

(a)  These items are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.  See Note 16 Employee Benefit Plans  

for additional information.

The following table presents changes in each component of accumulated comprehensive income (loss) as of December 28, 
2013  as follows (in thousands):

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

(loss) December 29, 2012, net of tax
Other comprehensive gain before

reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other

comprehensive income (loss)

Net current-period other comprehensive income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

(loss) December 28, 2013, net of tax

Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 2013

Foreign Currency
Translation

Derivative
Instruments

Defined Benefit
Pension Plans

Total

$

— $

180 $

(31,509) $

(31,329)

(14,502)

4,650

—
(14,502)

(3,382)
1,268

11,869

3,271
15,140

2,017

(111)
1,906

$

(14,502) $

1,448 $

(16,369) $

(29,423)

NOTE 16.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company has retirement and pension plans covering substantially all of its employees.  Most retirement benefits 
are provided by the Company under separate final-pay noncontributory and contributory defined benefit and defined 
contribution plans for all salaried and hourly employees (excluding those covered by union-sponsored plans) who 
meet service and age requirements. Defined benefits are based principally on length of service and earnings patterns 
during the five years preceding retirement.  During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, as part of the initiative to combine 
the Darling and Griffin retirement benefit programs, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company to 
proceed with the restructuring of its retirement benefit program effective January 1, 2012, to include the closing of 
Darling's salaried and hourly defined benefit plans to new participants as well as the freezing of service and wage 
accruals thereunder effective December 31, 2011 (a curtailment of these plans for financial reporting purposes) and 
the  enhancing  of  benefits  under  the  Company's  defined  contribution  plans.    Several  locations  of  the  Company-
sponsored hourly union plan have  been curtailed as a result of collective bargaining renewals for those sites.

Page 111

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Effective January 1, 2012, the Griffin hourly 401(k) plan merged into the Darling International Inc. Hourly 401(k) 
Savings Plan.  Effective January 1, 2012, all of the Company’s hourly employees are eligible to participate in this 
plan, which allows for elective deferrals, an employer match equal to 25% up to 6% of a participants deferrals each 
pay period and an employer contribution based on age (ranging from 2-5% of compensation per year).  Previously, 
the Company's employer match was equal to 100% of the first $10 per pay period deferred by a participant, with a 
maximum of $520 per year, and an employer contribution equal to $520 per year.  Effective January 1, 2012, Darling 
International Inc.'s Hourly 401(k) Savings Plan accepted  the transfer of assets and liabilities of the hourly employees 
of Griffin that had account balances in the Griffin plans which existed prior to January 1, 2012.  

In addition, effective January 1, 2012, the Griffin salaried 401(k) plan merged into the Darling International Inc. 
Salaried 401(k) Savings Plan, a defined contribution plan, which was amended and now includes an employer match 
equal to 25% up to 6% of a participants deferrals each pay period and an employer contribution based on age (ranging 
from 3-6% of compensation per year).  Previously, the Darling International Inc. Salaried 401(k) Savings Plan included 
an employer contribution based on age (ranging from 2-5% of compensation per year).  Effective January 1, 2012, 
Darling International Inc.'s Salaried 401(k) Savings Plan accepted the transfer of assets and liabilities of the salaried 
employees of Griffin that had account balances in the Griffin plans which existed prior to January 1, 2012.

The Company's matching portion and annual employer contribution to the Darling International Inc. Hourly 401(k) 
Savings  and  Darling  International  Inc.  Salaried  401(k)  Savings  Plans  for  the  fiscal  2013,  2012  and  2011  was 
approximately $8.2 million, $7.2 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

Under  Griffin's  old  defined  contribution  plans  the  Company  made  matching  contributions  for  fiscal  2011  of 
approximately $0.5 million.

As a result of the Rothsay Acquisition, certain employees of MFI became employees of the Company.  Pursuant to 
the terms of the purchase and sale agreement, the pension benefits of these employees in respect to service prior to 
October 28, 2013 remain the responsibility of MFI.  Benefits and rights accruing to these employees on and after 
October 28, 2013 (including earning increases on benefits accrued for non-Quebec employees prior to October 28, 
2013) are the responsibility of the Company.  The three plans created with an initial date of October 28, 2013 are the 
Darling International Canada Inc. Pension Plan for Eligible Salaried and Hourly Non-Union Employees (the "DICI 
Non-Union Plan"); the Darling International Canada Inc. Pension Plan for Eligible Unionized Employees; and the 
Darling  Supplemental  Employees  Retirement  Plan.    In  addition,  the  DICI  Non-Union  Plan  includes  a  defined 
contribution component.  In fiscal 2013, Rothsay made employer contributions of approximately $0.1 million.

The Company recognizes the over-funded or under-funded status of the Company's defined benefit post-retirement 
plans as an asset or liability in the Company's balance sheet, with changes in the funded status recognized through 
comprehensive income in the year in which they occur. 

The following table sets forth the plans’ funded status for the Company's domestic and foreign defined benefit plans 
and amounts recognized in the Company's consolidated balance sheets based on the measurement date (December 28, 
2013 and December 29, 2012) (in thousands):

Page 112

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Change in projected benefit obligation:

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period
Acquisition
Service cost
Interest cost
Employee contributions
Actuarial loss
Benefits paid
Other

Projected benefit obligation at end of period

Change in plan assets:

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period
Actual return on plan assets
Employer contributions
Employee contributions
Benefits paid

Fair value of plan assets at end of period

Funded status

Net amount recognized

Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance
   sheets consist of:

Non-current assets
Non-current liability

Net amount recognized

Amounts recognized in accumulated other
   comprehensive loss consist of:

Net actuarial loss
Prior service cost

Net amount recognized  (a)

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

137,797
4,102
507
5,307
20
(12,904)
(4,761)
(102)
129,966

106,519
13,147
3,973
20
(4,761)
118,898

(11,068)
(11,068) $

123,553
—
326
5,451
—
13,084
(4,617)
—
137,797

96,235
13,026
1,875
—
(4,617)
106,519

(31,278)
(31,278)

$

29
(11,097)
(11,068) $

—
(31,278)
(31,278)

26,738
32
26,770

$

$

50,714
174
50,888

 (a)  Amounts  do  not  include  deferred  taxes  of  $10.4  million  and  $19.4  million  at  December 28,  2013  and 

December 29, 2012, respectively.

The amounts included in "Other" in the above table reflect the impact of foreign exchange translation for plans in Canada.  The
Company's domestic pension plan benefits comprise approximately 97% of the projected benefit obligation.  Additionally, the 
Company has made required and tax deductible discretionary contributions to its U.S. pension plans in Fiscal 2013 and Fiscal 
2012 of approximately $4.0 million and $1.9 million, respectively.  All of these contributions were made to the domestic plans.

Projected benefit obligation
Accumulated benefit obligation
Fair value of plan assets

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

$

$

129,966
125,939
118,898

137,797
137,797
106,519

Page 113

 
      
 
      
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Net pension cost includes the following components (in thousands):

Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Net amortization and deferral
Curtailment
Net pension cost

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

December 31,
2011

$

$

507
5,307
(7,277)
5,261
83
3,881

$

$

326
5,451
(6,709)
4,845
14
3,927

$

$

1,178
6,052
(6,888)
2,814
63
3,219

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the year ended (in thousands):

Actuarial (loss)/gain recognized:
Reclassification adjustments
Actuarial (loss)/gain recognized during the

period

Prior service (cost) credit recognized:

Reclassification adjustments
Prior service cost arising during the period

2013

2012

$

3,184

$

2,912

11,869

(4,145)

87
—
15,140

$

64
—
(1,169)

$

The estimated amount that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic pension 
cost in fiscal 2014 is as follows (in thousands):

Net actuarial loss
Prior service cost

2014

2,078
16
2,094

$

$

Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations were:

Discount rate
Rate of compensation increase

December 28,
2013
4.66%
3.00%

December 29,
2012
3.90%
—%

December 31,
2011
4.50%
—%

Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for the employee benefit pension plans 
were:

Discount rate
Rate of increase in future compensation levels
Expected long-term rate of return on assets

December 28,
2013
3.96%
—%
7.35%

December 29,
2012
4.50%
—%
7.35%

December 31,
2011
5.55%
4.16%
7.85%

Page 114

 
      
 
      
 
 
 
 
      
 
 
      
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Consideration was made to the long-term time horizon for the plans' benefit obligations as well as the related asset 
class mix in determining the expected long-term rate of return.  Historical returns are also considered, over the long-
term time horizon, in determining the expected return.  Considering the overall asset mix of approximately 60% equity 
and 40% fixed income, several years in the last ten years (except for 2008) having strong double digit returns as well 
as several years of single digit losses, the Company believes it is reasonable to expect a long-term rate of return of 
7.35% for the plans' investments as a whole.

Plan Assets

The Company's pension plan weighted-average asset allocations at December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, by 
asset category, are as follows:

Asset Category

Equity Securities
Debt Securities
Total

Plan Assets at

December 28,
2013
51.7%
48.3%
100.0%

December 29,
2012
61.3%
38.7%
100.0%

The initial allocation of the Darling Canada pension plans will be invested in a diversified mix of global and Canadian 
equity and fixed income instruments.  The presumed allocation will approximate the percentages below:

Canada equity
Global equity
Canadian fixed income
Cash

30%
30%
35%
5%

The investment objectives have been established in conjunction with a comprehensive review of the current and 
projected financial requirements.  The primary investment objectives are:  1) to have the ability to pay all benefit and 
expense obligations when due; 2) to maximize investment returns within reasonable and prudent levels of risk in order 
to minimize contributions; and 3) to maintain flexibility in determining the future level of contributions.

Investment results are the most critical element in achieving funding objectives, while reliance on contributions is a 
secondary element.

The  investment  guidelines  are  based  upon  an  investment  horizon  of  greater  than  ten  years;  therefore,  interim 
fluctuations are viewed with this perspective.  The strategic asset allocation is based on this long-term perspective 
and  the  plans'  funded  status.  However,  because  the  participants’  average  age  is  somewhat  older  than  the  typical 
average plan age, consideration is given to retaining some short-term liquidity.  Analysis of the cash flow projections 
of the plans indicates that benefit payments will continue to exceed contributions.  The results of a thorough asset-
liability study completed during 2012 established a dynamic asset allocation glide path (the "Glide Path") by which 
the plans' asset allocations are determined.  The Glide Path designates intervals based on funded status which contain 
a corresponding allocation to equities/real assets and fixed income.  As the plans' funded status improves, the allocations 
become more conservative, and the opposite is true when the funded status declines.

Based upon the plans’ funded status, time horizon, risk tolerances, performance expectations, asset class constraints 
and asset-liability study results, target asset allocation ranges are as follows:

Fixed Income
Equities

35% - 80%
20% - 65%

The fixed income allocation is primarily invested in corporate and government bonds denominated in U.S. dollar, 
private and publicly traded mortgages, private placement debt and cash equivalents.  The average duration of the 
issues is managed to closely match the duration of the plans' liabilities.   The portfolio is expected to be well-diversified.

Page 115

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

The domestic equity allocation is invested in stocks traded on one of the U.S. stock exchanges.  Securities convertible 
into such stocks, convertible bonds and preferred stock, may also be purchased.  The majority of the domestic equities 
are invested in mutual funds that are well-diversified among growth and value stocks categorized in large, mid and 
small cap asset classes.  By definition, small cap investments carry greater risk than large and mid cap, but also are 
expected to create greater returns over time than large and mid cap.  By definition large cap investments carry less 
risk than small and mid cap, and are expected to return less than small and mid cap over time.  By definition mid cap 
investments  fall  between  small  and  large  cap  stocks  concerning  riskiness  and  expected  return.  Small  company 
definitions fluctuate with market levels but generally will be considered companies with market capitalizations between 
$300  million  and  $2  billion.  The  portfolio  will  be  diversified  in  terms  of  individual  company  securities  and 
industries.  No individual equity or individual fixed income investment comprised more than 1.5% of the defined 
benefit plans' total assets (excluding U.S. government issues).

The international equity allocation is invested in companies whose stock is traded outside the U.S. and/or companies 
that conduct the major portion of their business outside of the U.S.  The portfolio may invest in ADR's.  The emerging 
market portion of the international equity investment is held below 10% due to greater volatility in the asset class.  The 
portfolio is well-diversified in terms of companies, industries and countries.

The diversified asset portion of the allocation will invest in securities with a goal to outpace inflation and preserve 
their value.  The securities in this allocation may consist of inflation-indexed bonds, securities of real estate companies, 
commodity  index-linked  notes,  fixed-income  securities,  securities  of  natural  resource  companies,  master  limited 
partnerships, publicly-listed infrastructure companies, and floating rate debt.

All investment objectives are expected to be achieved over a market cycle anticipated to be a period of five to seven 
years.  Reallocations are performed on a monthly basis to retain target allocation ranges. On a quarterly basis the 
plans' funded status will be recalculated to determine which Glide Path interval allocation is appropriate.

The following table presents fair value measurements for the Company's defined benefit plans’ assets as categorized 
using the fair value hierarchy under FASB authoritative guidance (in thousands):

(In thousands of dollars)
Balances as  December 29, 2012
Fixed Income:
Long Term
Short Term
Equity Securities:

Domestic equities
International equities

Totals

Balances as December 28, 2013

Fixed Income:
Long Term
Short Term
Equity Securities:

Domestic equities
International equities

Totals

Total
Fair Value

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

$

$

$

$

$

40,255
954

44,997
20,313
106,519

60,654
771

40,028
17,445
118,898

$

$

14,064
542

43,563
19,551
77,720

22,906
—

38,137
16,465
77,508

$

$

$

$

26,191
412

1,434
762
28,799

37,748
771

1,891
980
41,390

$

$

$

$

—
—

—
—
—

—
—

—
—
—

During fiscal 2010 the Company increased its pension investment options allowing for investing directly into mutual 
funds whereby the Company believes it gives the pension plan assets more options and a greater long term return 
potential.  As a result the Company has transferred its pension assets in fiscal 2010 from pooled separate accounts

Page 116

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

("PSA") accounts to assets comprised primarily of mutual funds, which are publicly traded in an active market.  The 
particular shares used in the defined benefit plans are either retirement plan shares or A-shares with no loads.  The 
fair value of each mutual fund is based on the market value of the underlying investments. In fiscal 2013, the Glide 
Path directed the Company to invest in certain PSA's in an effort to minimize the plans' funded status variability as 
compared to fiscal 2012.

Contributions

The Company's funding policy for employee benefit pension plans is to contribute annually not less than the minimum 
amount  required  nor  more  than  the  maximum  amount  that  can  be  deducted  for  federal  income  tax 
purposes.  Contributions are intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date but also for those 
expected to be earned in the future.

Based on current actuarial estimates, the Company expects to make payments of approximately $2.0 million to meet 
funding requirements for its pension plans in fiscal 2014.

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid (in 
thousands):

Year Ending
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Years 2019 – 2023

$

Pension Benefits

5,770
6,179
6,444
6,681
7,002
39,800

Multiemployer Pension Plans

The Company participates in various multiemployer pension plans which provide defined benefits to certain employees 
covered by labor contracts.  These plans are not administered by the Company and contributions are determined in 
accordance  with  provisions  of  negotiated  labor  contracts  to  meet  their  pension  benefit  obligations  to  their 
participants.  The Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance requiring companies to provide 
additional disclosures related to individually significant multiemployer pension plans. The Company's contributions 
to each individual multiemployer plan represent less than 5% of the total contributions to each such plan.  Based on 
the most currently available information, the Company has determined that, if a withdrawal were to occur, withdrawal 
liabilities on two of the plans in which the Company currently participates could be material to the Company.  The 
following table provides more detail on these two significant multiemployer plans (contributions in thousands):

Pension

Fund

EIN Pension

Pension
Protection Act
Zone Status

Plan Number

2013

2012

FIP/RP
Status
Pending/
Implemented

Western Conference of Teamsters
Pension Plan

91-6145047 / 001 Green

Green

Central States, Southeast and
Southwest Areas Pension Plan (a) 36-6044243 / 001

Red

Red

No

Yes

All other multiemployer plans

Contributions

Expiration

Date of  Collective
Bargaining

2013

2012

2011

Agreement

$

1,254 $

1,371 $

1,386

May 2016 (b)

782

1,113

746

1,083

705

April 2016 (c)

1,009

Total Company Contributions

$

3,149 $

3,200 $

3,100

(a)  

In July 2005 this plan received a 10 year extension from the IRS for amortizing unfunded liabilities.

Page 117

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

(b)   The Company has several plants that participate in the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Plan under collective 
bargaining agreements that require minimum funding contributions.  Certain of these agreements have expired and are being 
renegotiated with others having expiration dates through May 31, 2016.

(c)   The Company has several processing plants that participate in the Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension 
Plan under collective bargaining agreements that require minimum funding contributions.  Certain of these agreements have 
expired and are being renegotiated with others having expiration dates through April 30, 2016.

With respect to the other multiemployer pension plans in which the Company participates and which are not individually 
significant, four plans have certified as critical or red zone,  three plan has certified as endangered or yellow zone as 
defined by the Pension Protection Act of 2006.   The Company's portion of contributions to all plans  amounted to 
$3.1  million,  $3.2  million  and  $3.1  million  for  the  years  ended  December 28,  2013,  December 29,  2012  and 
December 31, 2011, respectively. 

In June 2009, the Company received a notice of a mass withdrawal termination and a notice of initial withdrawal 
liability from a multiemployer plan in which it participated.  The Company had anticipated this event and as a result 
had accrued approximately $3.2 million as of January 3, 2009 based on the most recent information that was probable 
and estimable for this plan.  The plan had given a notice of redetermination liability in December 2009.  In fiscal 
2010, the Company received further third party information confirming the future payout related to this multiemployer 
plan.  As a result, the Company reduced its liability to approximately $1.2 million.  In fiscal 2010, another underfunded 
multiemployer  plan  in  which  the  Company  participates  gave  notification  of  partial  withdrawal  liability.  As  of 
December 28, 2013, the Company has an accrued liability of approximately $0.9 million representing the present 
value of scheduled withdrawal liability payments under this multiemployer plan.  While the Company has no ability 
to  calculate  a  possible  current  liability  for  under-funded  multiemployer  plans  that  could  terminate  or  could 
require additional funding under the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the amounts could be material.

NOTE 17.  DERIVATIVES

The Company’s operations are exposed to market risks relating to commodity prices that affect the Company’s cost 
of raw materials, finished product prices and energy costs and the risk of changes in interest rates and foreign currency 
exchange rates.

The Company makes limited use of derivative instruments to manage cash flow risks related to interest expense, 
natural gas usage, diesel fuel usage, inventory, forecasted sales and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company 
does  not  use  derivative  instruments  for  trading  purposes.  Interest  rate  swaps  are  entered  into  with  the  intent  of 
managing overall borrowing costs by reducing the potential impact of increases in interest rates on floating-rate long-
term debt.  Natural gas swaps and options are entered into with the intent of managing the overall cost of natural gas 
usage  by  reducing  the  potential  impact  of  seasonal  weather  demands  on  natural  gas  that  increases  natural  gas 
prices.  Heating oil swaps and options are entered into with the intent of managing the overall cost of diesel fuel usage 
by reducing the potential impact of seasonal weather demands on diesel fuel that increases diesel fuel prices.  Corn 
options and future contracts are entered into with the intent of managing forecasted sales of BBP by reducing the 
impact of changing prices.  Foreign currency forward contracts are entered into to mitigate the foreign exchange rate 
risk for transactions designated in a currency other than the Company's reporting currency.  At December 28, 2013, 
the  Company  had  natural  gas  swaps  and  corn  options  outstanding  that  qualified  and  were  designated  for  hedge 
accounting as well as natural gas swaps, heating oil swaps and foreign currency forward contracts that did not qualify 
and were not designated for hedge accounting.

Entities  are  required  to  report  all  derivative  instruments  in  the  statement  of  financial  position  at  fair  value.  The 
accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has 
been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship and, if so, on the reason for holding the instrument.  If 
certain conditions are met, entities may elect to designate a derivative instrument as a hedge of exposures to changes 
in fair value, cash flows or foreign currencies.  If the hedged exposure is a cash flow exposure, the effective portion 
of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported initially as a component of other comprehensive income 
(outside  of  earnings)  and  is  subsequently  reclassified  into  earnings  when  the  forecasted  transaction  affects 
earnings.  Any amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness as well as the ineffective portion of the 
gain or loss are reported in earnings immediately.  If the derivative instrument is not designated as a hedge, the gain 
or loss is recognized in earnings in the period of change.

Page 118

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

In November 2013, the Company entered into foreign currency exchange forward contracts that did not qualify for 
hedge accounting to mitigate the foreign exchange rate risk of the expected acquisition price of the VION Acquisition.
Under the terms of the exchange contracts, the Company exchanged U.S. dollars for €1.0 billion at a fixed weighted 
average price of approximately1.346 with a maturity date of early January 2014.  The foreign currency contract was 
not  designated  for  hedge  accounting.   At  December 28,  2013,  the  Company  recorded  an  other  current  asset  of 
approximately $27.5 million on the balance sheet and recorded an unrealized gain of $27.5 million in the fourth quarter 
of fiscal 2013. 

Cash Flow Hedges

On May 19, 2006, the Company entered into two interest rate swap agreements that were considered cash flow hedges 
according to FASB authoritative guidance.  In December 2010, as a result of the Merger and entry into a new Credit 
Agreement the term loan that specifically related to these interest swap transactions was repaid.  As such, the Company 
discontinued the interest rate swaps and paid approximately $2.0 million representing the fair value of these two 
interest  swap  transactions  at  the  discontinuance  date  with  the  effective  portion  recorded  in  accumulated  other 
comprehensive loss to be reclassified to income over the remaining original term of the interest rate swaps which 
ended April 7, 2012.

In fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013, the Company has entered into natural gas swap contracts that are considered cash flow 
hedges.  Under the terms of the natural gas swap contracts the Company fixed the expected purchase cost of a portion 
of its plants expected natural gas usage into the first quarter of fiscal 2014.  As of December 28, 2013, all of the fiscal 
2012 contracts and some of fiscal 2013 contracts have expired and settled according to the contracts while the remaining 
contract positions and activity are disclosed below.

In fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013, the Company entered into corn option contracts that are considered cash flow hedges.  
Under the terms of the corn option contracts the Company hedged a portion of it's forecasted sales of BBP into the 
third quarter of fiscal 2014.  As of December 28, 2013, all fiscal 2012 contracts and some of the fiscal 2013 contracts 
have settled while the remaining contract positions and activity are disclosed below.  From time to time, the Company 
may enter into corn option contracts in the future.

The  Company  estimates  the  amount  that  will  be  reclassified  from  accumulated  other  comprehensive  gain  at 
December 28, 2013 into earnings over the next 12 months will be approximately $2.4 million.  As of December 28, 
2013, no amounts have been reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges.

The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments as of December 28, 2013 and 
December 29, 2012 (in thousands):

Derivatives Designated
as Hedges

Natural gas swaps
Corn options

Balance Sheet
Location
Other current assets
Other current assets

Asset Derivatives Fair Value

December 28, 2013
120
$
2,349

December 29, 2012
11
$
490

Total derivatives designated as hedges

Derivatives not
Designated as
Hedges
Foreign currency contracts
Corn options and futures
Heating oil swaps

Total derivatives not designated as hedges

Total asset derivatives

$

$

$

$

2,469

$

501

27,516
—
43

27,559

30,028

$

$

$

—
117
104

221

722

Other current assets
Other current assets
Other current assets

Page 119

 
 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Derivatives Designated
as Hedges

Natural gas swaps
Corn options

Balance Sheet
Location

Accrued expenses
Accrued expenses

Total derivatives designated as hedges

Derivatives not
Designated as
Hedges
Corn options and futures
Heating oil swaps

Total derivatives not designated as hedges

Total liability derivatives

Accrued Expenses
Accrued Expenses

$

$

$

$

Liability Derivatives Fair Value

December 28, 2013
$

— $

December 29, 2012
21
—

$

21

1

1

— $

2

2

3

$

$

119
4

123

144

The effect of the Company's derivative instruments on the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended 
December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

Derivatives
Designated as
Cash Flow Hedges

Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in OCI
on Derivatives
(Effective Portion) (a)
2012
2013

Gain or (Loss)
Reclassified From
Accumulated OCI
into Income
(Effective Portion) (b)
2012
2013

Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in Income
On Derivatives
(Ineffective Portion and
Amount Excluded from
Effectiveness Testing) (c)

2013

2012

Interest rate swaps
Corn options
Natural gas swaps

Total

$

$

— $

— $

— $

7,350
248

317
(628)

5,486
41

(260) $
—
(1,267)

— $

274
(4)

7,598

$

(311) $

5,527

$

(1,527) $

270

$

—
159
13

172

(a)  Amount recognized in accumulated OCI (effective portion) is reported as accumulated other comprehensive 
loss of approximately $7.6 million and approximately $0.3 million recorded net of taxes of approximately $2.9 
million  and  approximately  $0.1  million  for  the  year  ended  December 28,  2013  and  December 29,  2012, 
respectively.

(b)  Gains and (losses) reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective portion) for interest rate swaps 
and natural gas swaps is included in interest expense and cost of sales, respectively, in the Company’s consolidated 
statements of operations.

(c)  Gains and (losses) recognized in income on derivatives (ineffective portion) for interest rate swaps and natural 
gas swaps is included in other income/(expense), net in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

At December 28, 2013, the Company had forward purchase agreements in place for purchases of approximately  $4.7 
million of natural gas and diesel fuel.  These forward purchase agreements have no net settlement provisions and the 
Company intends to take physical delivery.  Accordingly, the forward purchase agreements are not subject to the 
requirements of fair value accounting because they qualify as normal purchases as defined.

Page 120

 
 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 18.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

FASB authoritative guidance which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands 
disclosures about fair value measurements including guidance related to nonrecurring measurements of nonfinancial 
assets and liabilities.

The following table presents the Company's financial instruments that are measured at fair value on a recurring and 
nonrecurring basis as of December 28, 2013 and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy under FASB authoritative 
guidance.  The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine the fair 
value.

Fair Value Measurements at December 28, 2013 Using
Significant
Significant Other
Unobservable
Observable
Inputs
Inputs
(Level 3)
(Level 2)

Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

Total

$

$

30,028 $
30,028

3
275,000
275,003 $

— $
—

—
—
— $

30,028 $
30,028

3
275,000
275,003 $

—
—

—
—
—

(In thousands of dollars)
Assets

Derivative assets

Total Assets

Liabilities

Derivative liabilities

8.5% Notes
Total Liabilities

Derivative assets consist of the Company's natural gas swap contracts, heating oil swap contracts and corn oil option 
and futures, which represents the difference between the observable market rates of commonly quoted intervals for 
similar assets and liabilities in active markets and the fixed swap and option rate considering the instruments term, 
notional amount and credit risk.  See Note 17 Derivatives for breakdown by instrument type.

Derivative liabilities consist of the Company's natural gas swap contracts, heating oil swap contracts and corn option 
and futures, which represent the difference between the observable market rates of commonly quoted intervals for 
similar assets and liabilities in active markets and the fixed swap rate considering the instrument’s term, notional 
amount and credit risk.  See Note 17 Derivatives for breakdown by instrument type.

The  carrying  amount  of  cash  and  cash  equivalents,  accounts  receivable,  accounts  payable  and  accrued  expenses 
approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments and as such have been excluded from the table 
above.  The carrying amount for the Company's other debt is not deemed to be significantly different than the fair 
value and all other instruments have been recorded at fair value. 

The fair value of the senior notes is based on market quotation from a third-party bank.

NOTE 19.  CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

Concentration of credit risk is limited due to the Company's diversified customer base and the fact that the Company 
sells commodities.  No single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s net sales in fiscal years 2013, 
2012 and 2011.

NOTE 20.  CONTINGENCIES

The Company is a party to several lawsuits, claims and loss contingencies arising in the ordinary course of its business, 
including  assertions  by  certain  regulatory  and  governmental  agencies  related  to  permitting  requirements  and  air, 
wastewater and storm water discharges from the Company's processing facilities.

The Company’s workers compensation, auto and general liability policies contain significant deductibles or self-
insured retentions.  The Company estimates and accrues its expected ultimate claim costs related to accidents occurring 
during each fiscal year and carries this accrual as a reserve until these claims are paid by the Company.

Page 121

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

As a result of the matters discussed above, the Company has established loss reserves for insurance, environmental 
and litigation matters.  At December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the reserves for insurance, environmental and 
litigation  contingencies  reflected  on  the  balance  sheet  in  accrued  expenses  and  other  non-current  liabilities  were 
approximately $35.5 million and $37.0 million, respectively.  The Company has insurance recovery receivables of 
approximately $8.8 million and $9.3 million, as of December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, respectively, related 
to these liabilities.  The Company's management believes these reserves for contingencies are reasonable and sufficient 
based upon present governmental regulations and information currently available to management; however, there can 
be no assurance that final costs related to these matters will not exceed current estimates.  The Company believes that 
the likelihood is remote that any additional liability from these lawsuits and claims that may not be covered by insurance 
would have a material effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Lower Passaic River Area.  The Company has been named as a third party defendant in a lawsuit pending in the 
Superior  Court  of  New  Jersey,  Essex  County,  styled  New  Jersey  Department  of  Environmental  Protection,  The 
Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Agency and the Administrator of the New 
Jersey Spill Compensation Fund, as Plaintiffs, vs. Occidental Chemical Corporation, Tierra Solutions, Inc., Maxus 
Energy Corporation, Repsol YPF, S.A., YPF, S.A., YPF Holdings, Inc., and CLH Holdings, as Defendants (Docket
No. L-009868-05) (the “Tierra/Maxus Litigation”).  In the Tierra/Maxus Litigation, which was filed on December 13, 
2005, the plaintiffs seek to recover from the defendants past and future cleanup and removal costs, as well as unspecified 
economic damages, punitive damages, penalties and a variety of other forms of relief, purportedly arising from the 
alleged discharges into the Passaic River of a particular type of dioxin and other unspecified hazardous substances.  
The damages being sought by the plaintiffs from the defendants are likely to be substantial.  On February 4, 2009, 
two of the defendants, Tierra Solutions, Inc. (“Tierra”) and Maxus Energy Corporation (“Maxus”), filed a third party 
complaint against over 300 entities, including the Company, seeking to recover all or a proportionate share of cleanup 
and removal costs, damages or other loss or harm, if any, for which Tierra or Maxus may be held liable in the Tierra/
Maxus Litigation.  Tierra and Maxus allege that Standard Tallow Company, an entity that the Company acquired in 
1996, contributed to the discharge of the hazardous substances that are the subject of this case while operating a former 
plant site located in Newark, New Jersey.  The Company is a party to a settlement in this matter pursuant to which it 
will pay the State of New Jersey $195,000 and be dismissed from the case.  This amount was accrued in the first 
quarter of 2013. The Superior Court approved the settlement on December 12, 2013 and entered an order dismissing 
participating third-party defendants from the litigation.  We have paid our settlement amount into escrow where it 
will be held by the Superior Court pending any appeal of the Superior Court’s order. Additionally, in December 2009, 
the Company, along with numerous other entities, received notice from the United States Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) that the Company (as successor-in-interest to Standard Tallow Company) is considered a potentially 
responsible party with respect to alleged contamination in the lower Passaic River area which is part of the Diamond 
Alkali Superfund Site located in Newark, New Jersey.  In the letter, the EPA requested that the Company join a group 
of other parties in funding a remedial investigation and feasibility study at the site.  As of the date of this report, the 
Company has not agreed to participate in the funding group.  The Company's ultimate liability for investigatory costs, 
remedial costs and/or natural resource damages in connection with the lower Passaic River area cannot be determined 
at this time; however, as of the date of this report, there is nothing that leads the Company to believe that these matters 
will have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Fresno Facility Permit Issue.  The Company has been named as a defendant and a real party in interest in a lawsuit 
filed on April 9, 2012 in the Superior Court of the State of California, Fresno County, styled Concerned Citizens of 
West Fresno vs. Darling International Inc. The complaint, as subsequently amended, alleges that the Company's 
Fresno facility is operating without a proper use permit and seeks, among other things, injunctive relief.  The complaint 
had at one time also alleged that the Company's Fresno facility constitutes a continuing private and public nuisance, 
but the plaintiff has since amended the complaint to drop these allegations. The City of Fresno was also named as a 
defendant in the original complaint but has since had a judgment entered in its favor and is no longer a defendant in 
the lawsuit; however, in December 2013 the City of Fresno filed a motion to intervene as a plaintiff in this matter. 
The Superior Court heard the motion on February 4, 2014, and entered an order on February 18, 2014 denying the 
motion. Rendering operations have been conducted on the site since 1955, and the Company believes that it possesses 
all of the required federal, state and local permits to continue to operate the facility in the manner currently conducted 
and that its operations do not constitute a private or public nuisance.  Accordingly, the Company intends to defend 
itself vigorously in this matter.  Discovery has begun and this matter is currently scheduled for trial in July 2014.  
While management cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this matter, management does not believe the outcome 
will have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Page 122

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 21.  BUSINESS SEGMENTS

Effective January 2, 2011, as a result of the acquisition of Griffin, the Company's business operations were reorganized 
into two new segments, Rendering and Bakery, in order to better align its business with the underlying markets and 
customers that the Company serves.   All historical periods have been restated for the changes to the segment reporting 
structure.    The Company sells its products domestically and internationally.  The measure of segment profit (loss) 
includes all revenues, operating expenses (excluding certain amortization of intangibles), and selling, general and 
administrative expenses incurred at all operating locations and excludes general corporate expenses.

Included in corporate activities are general corporate expenses and the amortization of intangibles. Assets of corporate 
activities include cash, unallocated prepaid expenses, deferred tax assets, prepaid pension, and miscellaneous other 
assets.

Rendering
Rendering operations process animal by-products and used cooking oil into fats (primarily BFT, PG and YG), protein 
(primarily MBM and PM (feed grade and pet food)) and hides.  Fat was approximately $777.9 million, $809.7 million 
and $950.8 million of net sales for the year ended December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, 
respectively.  Protein was approximately $552.9 million, $496.2 million and $447.7 million of net sales for the year 
ended December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.  Rendering also provides grease 
trap servicing.  Included in Rendering is the National Service Center (“NSC”).  The NSC schedules services such as 
fat and bone and used cooking oil collection and trap cleaning for contracted customers using the Company's resources 
or third party providers.

Bakery
Bakery by-products are collected from large commercial bakeries that produce a variety of products, including cookies, 
crackers, cereal, bread, dough, potato chips, pretzels, sweet goods and biscuits, among others.  The Company processes 
the raw materials into BBP, including Cookie Meal®, an animal feed ingredient primarily used in poultry rations.

Business Segment Net Revenues (in thousands): 

Rendering
Bakery

Total

Business Segment Profit/(Loss)  (in thousands):

December 28,
2013
1,457,609
265,941
1,723,550

$

$

Year Ended
December 29,
2012
1,406,061
295,368
1,701,429

$

$

December 31,
2011
1,501,280
295,969
1,797,249

$

$

Rendering
Bakery
Corporate Activities
Interest expense
Net income

December 28,
2013

Year Ended
December 29,
2012

December 31,
2011

$

$
$

$

244,482
41,214
(138,621)
(38,108) $
$
108,967

$

267,511
57,126
(169,813)
(24,054) $
$
130,770

329,791
62,259
(185,469)
(37,163)
169,418

Page 123

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Business Segment Assets (in thousands):

Rendering
Bakery
Corporate Activities
Total

December 28,
2013
1,884,010
167,161
1,192,962
3,244,133

$

$

December 29,
2012
1,107,052
170,566
274,798
1,552,416

$

$

Business Segment Property, Plant and Equipment (in thousands):

Depreciation and amortization:

Rendering
Bakery
Corporate Activities

Total

Capital expenditures:

Rendering
Bakery
Corporate Activities

Total     (a)

December 28,
2013

December 29,
2012

December 31,
2011

$

$

$

$

80,482
10,486
7,819
98,787

75,612
9,166
33,529
118,307

$

$

$

$

66,964
10,711
7,696
85,371

70,873
13,537
31,003
115,413

$

$

$

$

66,412
8,647
3,850
78,909

51,888
6,247
2,018
60,153

(a)  Excludes the capital assets acquired as part of the acquisition of assets related to the Terra Transaction 
and the Rothsay Acquisition in fiscal 2013 of approximately $167.0 million and the BioPur acquisition 
in fiscal 2012 of approximately $0.6 million.

Geographic Area Net Trade Revenues (in thousands):

Domestic
Canada
Mexico

Total

December 28,
2013
1,683,078
32,397
8,075
1,723,550

$

$

December 29,
2012
1,687,004
—
14,425
1,701,429

$

$

December 31,
2011
1,769,765
—
27,484
1,797,249

$

$

The Company attributes revenues from external customers to individual foreign countries based on the origin of the 
Company's shipments. 

Prior to fiscal 2013, the Company did not have significant operations outside of the U.S. During fiscal 2013, the 
Company began operations in Canada through the acquisiton of Rothsay.  Net sales and long-lived assets related to 
the Company's operations in the U.S. and Canada were as follows (in thousands): 

United States
Canada

Total

Fiscal Year 2013

Sales

Long-Lived Assets

$

$

1,691,153
32,397
1,723,550

$

$

1,490,833
625,797
2,116,630

Page 124

   
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 22.  QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED AND IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS):

Net sales
Operating income
Income from operations before

income taxes

Net income

Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share

Year Ended December 28, 2013

First
 Quarter

Second
 Quarter (a)

Third
 Quarter (a)

Fourth
 Quarter (a)

$

445,422
58,576

$

423,593
50,802

$

425,786
41,652

$

428,749
18,536

52,823
32,405

0.27
0.27

42,753
26,418

0.22
0.22

45,024
27,651

0.23
0.23

23,078
22,493

0.18
0.18

(a)   Included in net income are $0.8 million in transaction costs in the second quarter of fiscal 2013, $8.3 million in 
transaction costs in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 and $14.2 million in the fourth quarter relating to the Terra 
Transaction, Rothsay Acquisition and the VION Acquisition. In addition, the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 includes 
approximately $27.5 million of an unrealized gain on a foreign currency forward contract.

Net sales
Operating income
Income from operations before

income taxes

Net income

Basic earnings per share
Diluted earnings per share

Year Ended December 29, 2012

First
 Quarter

Second
 Quarter

Third
 Quarter

Fourth
 Quarter

$

387,108
52,510

$

436,674
63,968

$

452,732
65,776

$

424,915
49,487

44,741
28,571

0.24
0.24

57,829
36,225

0.31
0.31

59,307
37,172

0.32
0.31

44,908
28,802

0.24
0.24

NOTE 23.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Lease Agreements

Darling through its wholly-owned subsidiary Griffin, leases two real properties located in Butler, Kentucky and real 
properties located in each of Jackson, Mississippi and Henderson, Kentucky from Martom Properties, LLC, an entity 
owned  in  part  by  Martin W.  Griffin,  the  Company's  Executive Vice  President  –  Chief  Operations  Officer,  North 
America. The lease term for each of the Butler properties and the Jackson property is thirty years, and the Company 
has the right to renew such leases for two additional terms of ten years each.  The annual rental payment for each of 
the Butler properties is $30,000 for the first five years of the lease term and is increased by the increase in the consumer 
price index every five years thereafter.  The annual rental payment for the Jackson property is $221,715 for the first 
five years of the lease term and is increased by the increase in the consumer price index every five years thereafter. 
The lease term for the Henderson property is ten years, and the Company has the right to renew such lease for four 
additional terms of five years each.  The annual rental payment for the Henderson property is $60,000 for the first 
five years of the lease term and is increased by the increase in the consumer price index every five years thereafter.  
Under the terms of each lease, the Company has a right of first offer and right of first refusal for each of the properties.

Page 125

 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Raw Material Agreement

The Company has entered into a Raw Material Agreement with the DGD Joint Venture pursuant to which the Company 
will offer to  supply certain animal fats and used cooking oil at market prices, up to the DGD Joint Venture's full 
operational requirement of feedstock, but the DGD Joint Venture is not obligated to purchase the raw material offered 
by the Company.  Additionally, the Company may offer other feedstocks to the DGD Joint Venture, such as inedible 
corn oil, purchased on a resale basis. For the year ended December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, the Company 
has recorded sales to the DGD Joint Venture of approximately $83.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively.   At 
December 28,  2013  and  December 29,  2012,  the  Company  has  approximately  $14.6  million  and  $0.3  million  in 
outstanding receivables due from the DGD Joint Venture, respectively.  In addition, the Company has eliminated 
additional sales for the year ended December 28, 2013, of approximately $3.7 million to the DGD Joint Venture to 
defer the Company's portion of profit on those sales relating to inventory assets still remaining on the DGD Joint 
Venture's balance sheet at December 28, 2013 of approximately $0.6 million.

NOTE 24.  NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income.  The ASU amends ASC 
Topic 220, Comprehensive Income.  The new standard eliminates the option to report other comprehensive income 
and its components in the statement of changes in equity and instead requires entities to present net income and other 
comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement or in two separate, but consecutive, statements of net 
income and other comprehensive income.  Reclassification adjustments between net income and other comprehensive 
income must be shown on the face of the statement(s), with no resulting change in net earnings.  In December 2011, 
the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, Deferral of Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications 
of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05.  This ASU 
amends ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income.  The new standard deferred the requirement to present on the face 
of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income 
to net income while the FASB further deliberates this aspect of the proposal. This update is effective for the Company 
on January 1, 2012 and must be applied retrospectively.  The Company adopted this standard as of March 31, 2012.  
The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.  In February 2013, 
the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.  This 
ASU amends ASC Topic 220, Comprehensive Income.  This new standard requires an entity to report either on the 
income statement or disclose in the footnotes to the financial statement the effects on earnings from items that are 
reclassified out of other comprehensive income.  This update was effective for the Company on December 30, 2012. 
The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment.  The 
ASU amends ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.   The new standard is intended to reduce the cost 
and complexity of performing an impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets by providing entities an option 
to perform a "qualitative" assessment to determine whether further impairment testing is necessary.  The new standard 
allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of an 
indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount.  If based on its qualitative assessment an entity 
concludes it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying 
amount,  quantitative  impairment  testing  is  required.      However,  if  an  entity  concludes  otherwise,  quantitative 
impairment testing is not required.  The standards update is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed 
for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this standard 
in the first quarter of fiscal 2013. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial 
statements.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating 
Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The ASU amends ASC Topic 740, Income
Taxes The new standard requires, unless certain conditions exist, an unrecognized tax benefit to be presented as a 
reduction to a deferred tax asset in the financial statements for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, 
or a tax credit carryforward. The standard will become effective for the Company prospectively for annual periods 
beginning  after  December  15,  2013,  and  interim  periods  within  those  years,  with  early  adoption  permitted. 
Retrospective application is also permitted.  The Company is currently assessing the impact, if any, the adoption of 
ASU 2013-11 will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Page 126

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

NOTE 25.  GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Company's 8.5% Notes (see Note 11) are guaranteed on an unsecured basis by the Company's 100% directly and 
indirectly owned subsidiaries Darling National, Griffin and its subsidiary Craig Protein, Darling AWS LLC, Terra 
Holding  Company,  Darling  Global  Holdings  Inc.,  Darling  Northstar  LLC, Terra  Renewal  Services,  Inc.  and  EV 
Acquisition, Inc. (collectively, the "8.5% Note Guarantors").  The 8.5% Note Guarantors fully and unconditionally 
guaranteed  the  8.5%  Notes  on  a  joint  and  several  basis.    The  following  financial  statements  present  condensed 
consolidating financial data for (i) Darling, the issuer of the 8.5% Notes, (ii) the combined 8.5% Note Guarantors, 
(iii) the combined other subsidiaries of the Company that did not guarantee the 8.5% Notes, including Darling Canada 
(the "Non-guarantors"), and (iv) eliminations necessary to arrive at the Company's consolidated financial statements, 
which include condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012, and the 
condensed consolidating statements of operations, the condensed consolidating statements of comprehensive income 
and the condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the years ended December 28, 2013, December 29, 
2012 and December 31, 2011.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 28, 2013
(in thousands)

ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable
Inventories
Income taxes refundable
Other current assets
Deferred income taxes
Total current assets
Investment in subsidiaries
Property, plant and equipment, net
Intangible assets, net
Goodwill
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary
Other assets

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current portion of long-term debt
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses
Total current liabilities
Long-term debt, net of current portion
Other noncurrent liabilities
Deferred income taxes
Total liabilities
Total stockholders' equity

Issuer

Guarantors

Non-guarantors

Eliminations

Consolidated

$

$

$

$

857,267 $
102
41,464
20,799
14,397
40,595
15,107
989,731
2,140,869
172,533
15,896
21,860
—
40,588

6,117 $
—
484,091
36,314
—
3,809
—
530,331
63,116
356,772
340,611
424,244
—
373,699

7,473 $
252
16,092
8,020
115
2,109
2,182
36,243
—
137,268
232,157
255,533
115,114
1,352

— $
—
(428,803)
—
—
—
—
(428,803)
(2,203,985)
—
—
—
—
(370,996)

870,857
354
112,844
65,133
14,512
46,513
17,289
1,127,502
—
666,573
588,664
701,637
115,114
44,643

3,381,477 $

2,088,773 $

777,667 $

(3,003,784) $

3,244,133

10,000 $
425,117
85,165
520,282
680,000
36,381
123,862
1,360,525
2,020,952
3,381,477 $

87 $

21,236
20,178
41,501
55
—
—
41,556
2,047,217
2,088,773 $

9,801 $
22,939
11,084
43,824
557,888
4,290
14,897
620,899
156,768
777,667 $

— $

(425,550)
(3,253)
(428,803)
(370,996)
—
—
(799,799)
(2,203,985)
(3,003,784) $

19,888
43,742
113,174
176,804
866,947
40,671
138,759
1,223,181
2,020,952
3,244,133

Page 127

 
 
 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
As of December 29, 2012
(in thousands)

ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Accounts receivable
Inventories
Other current assets
Deferred income taxes
Total current assets
Investment in subsidiaries
Property, plant and equipment, net
Intangible assets, net
Goodwill
Investment in unconsolidated subsidiary
Other assets

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current portion of long-term debt
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses
Total current liabilities
Long-term debt, net of current portion
Other noncurrent liabilities
Deferred income taxes
Total liabilities
Total stockholders' equity

Issuer

Guarantors

Non-guarantors

Eliminations

Consolidated

$

$

$

$

96,945 $
102
35,320
21,446
8,154
12,609
174,576
1,449,577
148,131
14,497
21,860
—
26,530

5,577 $
—
405,766
41,568
2,693
—
455,604
—
305,796
322,634
359,243
—
431

727 $
259
—
2,051
—
—
3,037
—
—
271
266
62,495
—

— $
—
(342,955)
—
—
—
(342,955)
(1,449,577)
—
—
—
—
—

103,249
361
98,131
65,065
10,847
12,609
290,262
—
453,927
337,402
381,369
62,495
26,961

1,835,171 $

1,443,708 $

66,069 $

(1,792,532) $

1,552,416

— $

82 $

359,778
54,977
414,755
250,000
61,365
46,615
772,735
1,062,436
1,835,171 $

36,546
22,590
59,218
142
—
—
59,360
1,384,348
1,443,708 $

— $

645
21
666
—
174
—
840
65,229
66,069 $

— $

(342,955)
—
(342,955)
—
—
—
(342,955)
(1,449,577)
(1,792,532) $

82
54,014
77,588
131,684
250,142
61,539
46,615
489,980
1,062,436
1,552,416

Page 128

 
 
 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the year ended December 28, 2013
(in thousands)

Issuer

Guarantors

Non-guarantors

Eliminations

$

679,789 $

1,231,617 $

40,472 $

(228,328) $

Consolidated
1,723,550

Net sales
Cost and expenses:

Cost of sales and operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Acquisition costs

Total costs and expenses

Operating income

Interest expense
Foreign currency gains/(losses)
Other income/(expense), net
Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiary
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries
Income/(loss) from operations before taxes
Income taxes (benefit)
Net income/(loss)

$

530,740
91,723
24,794
14,074
661,331

18,458

(36,964)
27,516
(3,373)
—
105,178
110,815
1,848
108,967 $

931,088
76,016
68,139
—
1,075,243

156,374

3,281
(42)
55
—
—
159,668
52,351
107,317 $

27,601
3,086
5,854
9,197
45,738

(5,266)

(4,425)
633
(229)
7,660
—
(1,627)
512
(2,139) $

(228,328)
—
—
—
(228,328)

—

—
—
—
—
(105,178)
(105,178)
—

(105,178) $

1,261,101
170,825
98,787
23,271
1,553,984

169,566

(38,108)
28,107
(3,547)
7,660
—
163,678
54,711
108,967

Net sales
Cost and expenses:

Cost of sales and operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Total costs and expenses

Operating income

Interest expense
Other income/(expense), net
Equity in net loss of unconsolidated subsidiary
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries
Income/(loss) from operations before taxes
Income taxes (benefit)
Net income/(loss)

$

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the year ended December 29, 2012
(in thousands)

Issuer

Guarantors

Non-guarantors

Eliminations

$

658,897 $

1,216,264 $

14,425 $

(188,157) $

Consolidated
1,701,429

512,199
80,432
23,542
616,173

42,724

(24,047)
(1,572)
—
119,953
137,058
6,288
130,770 $

894,820
71,141
61,807
1,027,768

188,496

(7)
3,355
—
—
191,844
70,523
121,321 $

13,742
140
22
13,904

521

—
(23)
(2,662)
—
(2,164)
(796)
(1,368) $

(188,157)
—
—
(188,157)

—

—
—
—
(119,953)
(119,953)
—

(119,953) $

1,232,604
151,713
85,371
1,469,688

231,741

(24,054)
1,760
(2,662)
—
206,785
76,015
130,770

Page 129

 
 
 
 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the year ended December 31, 2011
(in thousands)

Issuer

Guarantors

Non-guarantors

Eliminations

$

721,990 $

1,238,858 $

27,484 $

(191,083) $

Consolidated
1,797,249

Net sales
Cost and expenses:

Cost of sales and operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Depreciation and amortization
Total costs and expenses

Operating income

Interest expense
Other income/(expense), net
Equity in net loss of unconsolidated subsidiary
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries
Income/(loss) from operations before taxes
Income taxes (benefit)
Net income/(loss)

$

553,218
67,829
23,531
644,578

77,412

(37,161)
(2,533)
—
145,950
183,668
14,250
169,418 $

879,277
68,149
55,356
1,002,782

236,076

(2)
(479)
—
—
235,595
89,011
146,584 $

26,809
157
22
26,988

496

—
57
(1,572)
—
(1,019)
(385)
(634) $

(191,083)
—
—
(191,083)

—

—
—
—
(145,950)
(145,950)
—

(145,950) $

1,268,221
136,135
78,909
1,483,265

313,984

(37,163)
(2,955)
(1,572)
—
272,294
102,876
169,418

Net income
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Foreign currency translation
Pension adjustments
Natural gas swap derivative adjustments
Corn option derivative adjustments
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
Total comprehensive income (loss)

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the year ended December 28, 2013
(in thousands)

Issuer

Guarantors

Non-guarantors

Eliminations

$

108,967 $

107,317 $

(2,139) $

(105,178) $

Consolidated
108,967

—
15,060
127
1,141
16,328
125,295 $

$

—
—
—
—
—

107,317 $

(14,502)
80
—
—
(14,422)
(16,561) $

—
—
—
—
—

(105,178) $

(14,502)
15,140
127
1,141
1,906
110,873

Page 130

 
 
 
DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the year ended December 29, 2012
(in thousands)

Issuer

Guarantors

Non-guarantors

Eliminations

Net income
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Pension adjustments
Natural gas swap derivative adjustments
Corn option derivative adjustments
Interest rate swap derivative adjustments
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
Total comprehensive income (loss)

$

130,770 $

121,321 $

(1,368) $

(119,953) $

Consolidated
130,770

(1,169)
391
194
159
(425)
130,345 $

$

—
—
—
—
—

121,321 $

—
—
—
—
—
(1,368) $

—
—
—
—
—

(119,953) $

(1,169)
391
194
159
(425)
130,345

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the year ended December 31, 2011
(in thousands)

Issuer

Guarantors

Non-guarantors

Eliminations

$

169,418 $

146,584 $

(634) $

(145,950) $

Consolidated
169,418

Net income
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Pension adjustments
Natural gas swap derivative adjustments
Interest rate swap derivative adjustments
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
Total comprehensive income (loss)

(10,146)
(482)
712
(9,916)
159,502 $

$

—
—
—
—

146,584 $

—
—
—
—
(634) $

—
—
—
—

(145,950) $

(10,146)
(482)
712
(9,916)
159,502

Page 131

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the year ended December 28, 2013
(in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries
Other operating cash flows

Net cash provided/(used) by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:

Capital expenditures
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates

Note receivable from affiliates

Gross proceeds from sale of property, plant and

equipment and other assets

Proceeds from insurance settlements
Payments related to routes and other intangibles

Net cash provide/(used) in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt
Payments on long-term debt
Borrowings from revolving credit facility
Payments on revolving credit facility
Borrowings from affiliates
Deferred loan costs
Issuance of common stock

Issuer

Guarantors

Non-guarantors

Eliminations

Consolidated

$

108,967 $
(105,178)
135,315
139,104

107,317 $

—
(39,459)
67,858

(2,139) $
—
5,898
3,759

(105,178) $
105,178
—
—

108,967
—
101,754
210,721

(45,173)
—
(600,537)

—

1,329
1,531
(2,423)
(645,273)

200,000
—
245,000
(5,000)
—
(11,916)
840,558

(68,716)
(121,440)
(63,115)

(370,996)

1,029
450
—
(622,788)

—
(82)
—
—
—
—
—

(4,418)
(612,635)
(44,959)

—

—
—
—
(662,012)

144,704
(498)
48,235
—
370,996
(1,404)
—

108,100

—

—

—
—
663,652

370,996

—
—
—
1,034,648

—
—
—
—
(370,996)
—
—

(663,652)

—

—

(118,307)
(734,075)
(44,959)

—

2,358
1,981
(2,423)
(895,425)

344,704
(580)
293,235
(5,000)
—
(13,320)
840,558

—

(3,289)

1,138

Contributions from parent

—

555,552

Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation

(3,289)

1,138

—

—

Net cash provided/(used) in financing activities

1,266,491

555,470

670,133

(1,034,648)

1,457,446

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash

equivalent

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$

—

760,322
96,945
857,267 $

—

540
5,577
6,117 $

(5,134)

6,746
727
7,473 $

—

—
—
— $

(5,134)

767,608
103,249
870,857

Page 132

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the year ended December 29, 2012
(in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries
Other operating cash flows

Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:

Capital expenditures
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates

Gross proceeds from sale of property, plant and

equipment and other assets

Proceeds from insurance settlements

Payments related to routes and other intangibles

Net cash provided/(used) in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:

Payments on long-term debt
Issuances of common stock

Contributions from parent

Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards

Excess tax benefits from stock-based

compensation

Net cash provided/(used) in financing activities

Issuer

Guarantors

Non-guarantors

Eliminations

Consolidated

$

130,770 $
(119,953)
175,098
185,915

121,321 $

—
(56,445)
64,876

(1,368) $
—
114
(1,254)

(119,953) $
119,953
—
—

130,770
—
118,767
249,537

(49,619)
(3,000)
(43,449)

2,083

1,305

(137)
(92,817)

(30,000)
72

—

(4,084)

2,652

(31,360)

(65,794)
—
—

1,787

2,967

—
(61,040)

(32)
—

—

—

—

—
—
(43,424)

—

—

—
(43,424)

—
—

—
—
43,449

—

—

—
43,449

—
—

43,449

(43,449)

—

—

—

—

(32)

43,449

(43,449)

(115,413)
(3,000)
(43,424)

3,870

4,272

(137)
(153,832)

(30,032)
72

—

(4,084)

2,652

(31,392)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

$

61,738
35,207
96,945 $

3,804
1,773
5,577 $

(1,229)
1,956

727 $

—
—
— $

64,313
38,936
103,249

Page 133

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the year ended December 31, 2011
(in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income
Earnings in investments in subsidiaries
Other operating cash flows

Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:

Capital expenditures
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

Investment in subsidiaries and affiliates

Gross proceeds from sale of property, plant and

equipment and other assets
Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:

Payments on long-term debt
Borrowing from revolving credit facility
Payments on revolving credit facility
Deferred loan costs
Issuances of common stock

Contributions from parent

Minimum withholding taxes paid on stock awards

Excess tax benefits from stock-based

compensation

Issuer

Guarantors

Non-guarantors

Eliminations

Consolidated

$

169,418 $
(145,950)
184,027
207,495

146,584 $

—
(114,532)
32,052

(634) $
—
1,951
1,317

(145,950) $
145,950
—
—

169,418
—
71,446
240,864

(23,835)
(1,754)

(23,330)

961
(47,958)

(270,000)
131,000
(291,000)
(399)
293,117

—

(1,281)

1,125

(36,318)
—

—
—

—
—

—

(23,305)

23,330

568
(35,750)

—
(23,305)

—
23,330

(9)
—
—
—
—

—

—

—

(9)

—
—
—
—
—

—
—
—
—
—

23,330

(23,330)

—

—

—

—

(60,153)
(1,754)

(23,305)

1,529
(83,683)

(270,009)
131,000
(291,000)
(399)
293,117

—

(1,281)

1,125

Net cash provided/(used) in financing activities

(137,438)

23,330

(23,330)

(137,447)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

22,099
13,108
35,207 $

(3,707)
5,480
1,773 $

$

1,342
614
1,956 $

—
—
— $

19,734
19,202
38,936

Page 134

ITEM  9.  CHANGES  IN AND  DISAGREEMENTS  WITH ACCOUNTANTS  ON ACCOUNTING AND  FINANCIAL 

PART II

DISCLOSURE

 None.

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.

As  required  by  Rule  13a-15(b)  under  the  Securities  Exchange Act  of  1934,  as  amended  (the  "Exchange Act"),  the 
Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation, as of the 
end of the period covered by this report, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and 
procedures.  As defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, disclosure controls and procedures are controls
and other procedures of the Company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the
reports  it  files  or  submits  under  the  Exchange Act  is  recorded,  processed,  summarized  and  reported,  within  the  time  periods 
specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures
designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange
Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Based on management’s evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s 

disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

(a) Management’s  Annual  Report  on  Internal  Control  over  Financial  Reporting.  Management  of  the  Company  is 
responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act.  Those rules define internal control over financial reporting as a process designed
to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

• 

• 

• 

Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and 
dispositions of the assets of the Company;

Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements 
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are 
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition 
of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect 
misstatements.  Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of 
December 28, 2013. In making this assessment, the Company's management used the criteria established in Internal Control-
Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) (1992).

Based on their assessment, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was 

effective at the reasonable assurance level as of December 28, 2013.

In August 2013 and October 2013, the Company acquired TRS and Rothsay, respectively. The Company is currently in 
the process of integrating both TRS and Rothsay pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.  The Company is evaluating changes 
to processes, information technology systems and other components of internal controls over financial reporting as part of its 
ongoing integration activities, and as a result, controls will be periodically changed.  The Company believes, however, it will be 

Page 135

able to maintain sufficient controls over the substantive results of its financial reporting throughout this integration process.  Because 
of the size and complexity and the timing of these acquisitions, the internal controls over financial reporting of TRS and Rothsay
were excluded from management’s assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 28, 
2013.

KPMG LLP, the registered public accounting firm that audited the Company's financial statements, has issued an audit 
report on management’s assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which report is included herein.

(b) Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm.  The attestation report called for by Item 308(b) of 
Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference to Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal 
Control Over Financial Reporting, included in Part II, Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this report.

(c) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  As required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(d), the Company's 
management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, also conducted an evaluation of the Company's 
internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any change occurred during the last fiscal quarter of the period
covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting.  Based on that evaluation there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting
during the last fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report other than changes in certain modules of the Company's new 
enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system and financial reporting tools that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to 
materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Throughout fiscal 2013 including the fourth quarter of 
fiscal 2013, the Company has implemented new ERP modules and financial reporting tools and as a result related controls were 
modified as necessary. 

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.

Page 136

PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this Item with respect to Items 401, 405 and 407 of Regulation S-K will appear in the sections 
entitled "Election of Directors,"  "Our Management - Executive Officers and Directors," "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership 
Reporting Compliance" and "Corporate Governance-Committees of the Board - Audit Committee" included in the Company’s 
definitive Proxy Statement relating to the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, which information is incorporated herein by 
reference.

The Company has adopted the Darling International Inc. Code of Business Conduct ("Code of Business Conduct"), which 
is applicable to all of the Company’s employees, including its senior financial officers, the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial
Officer, Controller, Treasurer and General Counsel.  The Company has not granted any waivers to the Code of Business Conduct 
to  date.  A  copy  of  the  Company’s  Code  of  Business  Conduct  has  been  posted  on  the  “Investor”  portion  of  our  web  site,  at 
www.darlingii.com.  Shareholders may request a free copy of our Code of Business Conduct from:

Brad Phillips
Darling International Inc.
251 O’Connor Ridge Blvd, Suite 300
Irving, Texas  75038
Phone:  972-717-0300
Fax:  972-717-1588
Email:  bphillips@darlingii.com

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this Item will appear in the sections entitled "Executive Compensation," "Compensation 
Committee Report" and "Corporate Governance - Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" included in the 
Company’s definitive Proxy Statement relating to the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, which information is incorporated 
herein by reference.

ITEM 12.   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED 

STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this Item with respect to Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K appears in Item 5 of this report.

The information required by this Item with respect to Item 403 of Regulation S-K will appear in the section entitled 
"Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" included in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement 
relating to the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this Item will appear in the sections entitled "Transactions with Related Persons, Promoters 
and Certain Control Persons,"  "Corporate Governance – Code of Business Conduct" and "Corporate Governance - Independent 
Directors" included in the Company's definitive Proxy Statement relating to the 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, which 
information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.   PRINCIPAL  ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this Item will appear in the section entitled "Ratification of Selection of Independent 

Registered Public Accountant" included in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement relating to the 2014 annual meeting of 
stockholders, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

Page 137

PART IV

ITEM 15.   EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) Documents filed as part of this report:

(1)  The following consolidated financial statements are included in Item 8.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Consolidated Financial
      Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control Over
      Financial Reporting

Consolidated Balance Sheets -

December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012

Consolidated Statements of Operations -

Three years ended December 28, 2013

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income -
Three years ended December 28, 2013

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity -

Three years ended December 28, 2013

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -

Three years ended December 28, 2013

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Page

 77

 78

79

80

81

82

83

84

All other schedules are omitted since the required information is not present or is not present in amounts sufficient to require
submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements and notes 
thereto.

Page 138

(3)  Exhibits

Exhibit No.

2.1

2.2

2.3

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.6

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 9, 2010, by and among Darling International Inc., DG
Acquisition Corp., Griffin Industries, Inc. and Robert A. Griffin, in his capacity as the Shareholders’
Representative (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 9, 2010
and incorporated herein by reference).

Acquisition Agreement, dated as of August 23, 2013, by and between Darling International Inc. and Maple
Leaf Foods Inc. (the schedules and certain exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of
Regulation S-K and will be furnished to the SEC upon request) (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 26, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).

Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2013, by and between Darling International Inc. and
VION Holding N.V. (certain immaterial schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)
(2) of Regulation S-K and will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request) (filed
as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 10, 2013 and incorporated
herein by reference).

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed May 23, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).

Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 2, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 27, 2013 and incorporated herein by
reference).

Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed December 12, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).

Specimen Common Stock Certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form
S-1 filed May 27, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference).

Certificate of Designation, Preference and Rights of Series A Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the
Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed May 23, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).

Senior Notes Indenture, dated as of January 2, 2014, by and among Darling Escrow Corporation, the
subsidiary guarantors party thereto from time to time and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (filed
as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2014 and incorporated
herein by reference).

Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 8, 2014, by and among Darling Escrow Corporation, Darling
International Inc., Craig Protein Division, Inc., Darling AWS LLC, Darling National LLC, Darling Northstar
LLC, Darling Global Holdings Inc., EV Acquisition, Inc., Griffin Industries LLC, Terra Holding Company
and Terra Renewal Services Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

Form of Senior Indenture for Debt Securities of Darling International Inc. (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the
Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed November 17, 2010 and incorporated herein by
reference).

Form of Subordinated Indenture for Debt Securities of Darling International Inc. (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the
Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed November 17, 2010 and incorporated herein by
reference).

10.1 *

Form of Indemnification Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on
Form S-1 filed on May 27, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference).

Page 139

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

10.10

10.11

10.12

10.13

10.14

10.15

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2010, by and among Darling International Inc.
and each of the stockholders named therein (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K filed December 20, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).

Rollover Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2010, by and among Darling International Inc., certain
investors named therein and Robert A. Griffin, in his capacity as the Investors’ Representative (filed as
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 9, 2010 and incorporated
herein by reference).

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2014, by and among Darling
International Inc., the other borrowers party thereto from time to time, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other agents from time to time party thereto (filed as
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2014 and incorporated herein
by reference).

Second Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2014, by and among Darling
International Inc., its subsidiaries signatory thereto and any other subsidiary who may become a party
thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A, as administrative agent (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

Second Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2014, by and among Darling
International Inc., its subsidiaries signatory thereto and any other subsidiary who may become a party
thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 2, 2014, by and among Darling Escrow Corporation,
and Goldman, Sachs & Co. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, for themselves and on behalf of BMO Capital
Markets Corp. (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2014
and incorporated herein by reference).

Joinder to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 8, 2014, by and among Darling
International Inc., Craig Protein Division, Inc., Darling AWS LLC, Darling National LLC, Darling Northstar
LLC, Darling Global Holdings Inc., EV Acquisition, Inc., Griffin Industries LLC, Terra Holding Company
and Terra Renewal Services Inc., and Goldman, Sachs & Co. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, for
themselves and on behalf of BMO Capital Markets Corp. (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of January 21, 2011, by and among Diamond Green Diesel
Holdings LLC, Darling Green Energy LLC and Diamond Alternative Energy, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to
the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 21, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

Sponsor Support Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2011, by and between Darling International Inc., Diamond
Green Diesel LLC and Diamond Alternative Energy, LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K filed June 1, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

Raw Material Supply Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2011, by and between Diamond Green Diesel LLC
and Darling International Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed
August 11, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

Leases, dated July 1, 1996, between the Company and the City and County of San Francisco (filed pursuant
to temporary hardship exemption under cover of Form SE).

Lease, dated November 24, 2003, between Darling International Inc. and the Port of Tacoma (filed as
Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 29, 2004, and incorporated herein
by reference).

Ground Lease, dated as of December 17, 2010, by and between Martom Properties, LLC and Griffin
Industries, Inc. (Butler, Kentucky) (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed December 20, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).

Ground Lease, dated as of December 17, 2010, by and between Martom Properties, LLC and Griffin
Industries, Inc. (Henderson, Kentucky) (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed December 20, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).

Page 140

10.16 *

10.17 *

10.18 *

10.19*

10.20 *

10.21 *

10.22 *

10.23 *

10.24 *

10.25 *

10.26 *

10.27 *

10.28 *

10.29 *

10.30 *

10.31 *

10.32 *

10.33 *

10.34 *

1994 Employee Flexible Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 2 to the Company’s Revised Definitive Proxy
Statement filed on April 20, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference).

Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Registration
Statement on Form S-1/A filed on June 5, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference).

Darling International Inc. 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed May 11, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).

Amendment to Darling International Inc. 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 22, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

Darling International Inc. 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 99 to the Company’s Registration
Statement on Form S-8 filed May 31, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference).

Darling International Inc. Compensation Committee Long-Term Incentive Program Policy Statement (filed
as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 22, 2005, and incorporated herein
by reference).

Darling International Inc. Compensation Committee Executive Compensation Program Policy Statement
adopted January 15, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January
21, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

Darling International Inc. Compensation Committee Amended and Restated Executive Compensation
Program Policy Statement adopted January 8, 2010 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report
on Form 8-K filed January 14, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).

Darling International Inc. Compensation Committee 2011 Amended and Restated Executive Compensation
Program Policy Statement adopted February 3, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report
on Form 8-K filed February 9, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

Integration Success Incentive Award Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K filed March 15, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

2010 Special Incentive Program (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
November 17, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).

Form of Performance Unit Award Agreement under the Darling International Inc. 2012 Omnibus Incentive
Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 6, 2014 and
incorporated herein by reference).

Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed March 15, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

Amendment No. 1 to Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Plan, effective as of January 15, 2009
(filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 21, 2009 and
incorporated herein by reference).

Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Plan, (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

Notice of Amendment to Grants and Awards, dated as of October 10, 2006 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 10, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2009, between Darling International
Inc. and Randall C. Stuewe (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
January 21, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).

Form of Senior Executive Termination Benefits Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed November 29, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

Form of Addendum to Senior Executive Termination Benefits Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 12, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).

Page 141

10.35 *

10.36 *

10.37 *

10.38 *

10.39 *

10.40 *

10.41

10.42

14

21

23

31.1

31.2

32

101

Form of Addendum to Senior Executive Termination Benefits Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 13, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).

Form of Senior Executive Termination Benefits Agreement between Darling International Inc. and Colin
Stevenson (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 6, 2012 and
incorporated herein by reference).

Amendment One to the Senior Executive Termination Benefits Agreement dated as of April 23, 2013 by and
between Darling International Inc. and Colin Stevenson (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed April 23, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).

Transitional Services Agreement dated December 27, 2013 by and between Darling International Inc. and
John O. Muse (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 30,
2013 and incorporated herein by reference).

Transitional Services Agreement dated December 27, 2013 by and between Darling International Inc. and
Neil Katchen (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 30, 2013
and incorporated herein by reference).

Form of Indemnification Agreement between Darling International Inc. and its directors and executive
officers (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 25, 2008, and
incorporated herein by reference).

Underwriting Agreement, dated as of January 27, 2011, by and among Darling International Inc., the selling
stockholders signatory thereto and Goldman, Sachs & Co., as representative of the several underwriters
named in Schedule 1 thereto (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
January 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

Underwriting Agreement, dated December 12, 2013, between Darling International Inc. and Goldman,
Sachs & Co., as representative of the several underwriters named in Schedule I thereto (filed as Exhibit 1.1
to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 13, 2013 and incorporated herein by
reference).

Darling International Inc. Code of Business Conduct applicable to all employees, including senior executive
officers (filed as Exhibit 14 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 25, 2008, and
incorporated herein by reference).

Subsidiaries of the Registrant (filed herewith).

Consent of KPMG LLP (filed herewith).

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, of
Randall C. Stuewe, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (filed herewith).

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, of Colin
Stevenson, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company (filed herewith).

Written Statement of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350) (filed herewith).

Interactive Data Files Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011; (iii) Consolidated Statements of
Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31,
2011; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 28, 2013,
December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011; (vi) Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.

The Exhibits are available upon request from the Company.

*

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

Page 142

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report 

to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.

By:

/s/  Randall C. Stuewe
Randall C. Stuewe

Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer

Date:

February 26, 2014

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following 

persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

Title

Date

/s/  Randall C. Stuewe
Randall C. Stuewe

/s/  Colin Stevenson
Colin Stevenson

/s/  O. Thomas Albrecht
O. Thomas Albrecht

/s/  D. Eugene Ewing
D. Eugene Ewing

/s/ Dirk Kloosterboer
Dirk Kloosterboer

/s/  Charles Macaluso
Charles Macaluso

/s/  John D. March
John D. March

/s/  Michael Urbut
Michael Urbut

Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

February 26, 2014

Executive Vice President –

February 26, 2014

Global Finance and Adminstration
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

February 26, 2014

February 26, 2014

February 26, 2014

February 26, 2014

February 26, 2014

February 26, 2014

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Page 143

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS

2.1

2.2

2.3

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.6

10.1 *

10.2

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 9, 2010, by and among Darling International Inc., DG
Acquisition Corp., Griffin Industries, Inc. and Robert A. Griffin, in his capacity as the Shareholders’
Representative (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 9, 2010
and incorporated herein by reference).

Acquisition Agreement, dated as of August 23, 2013, by and between Darling International Inc. and Maple
Leaf Foods Inc. (the schedules and certain exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of
Regulation S-K and will be furnished to the SEC upon request) (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 26, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).

Sale and Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 5, 2013, by and between Darling International Inc. and
VION Holding N.V. (certain immaterial schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)
(2) of Regulation S-K and will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request) (filed
as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 10, 2013 and incorporated
herein by reference).

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s
Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed May 23, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).

Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 2, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to
the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 27, 2013 and incorporated herein by
reference).

Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on
Form 8-K filed December 12, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).

Specimen Common Stock Certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form
S-1 filed May 27, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference).

Certificate of Designation, Preference and Rights of Series A Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the
Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed May 23, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference).

Senior Notes Indenture, dated as of January 2, 2014, by and among Darling Escrow Corporation, the
subsidiary guarantors party thereto from time to time and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (filed
as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2014 and incorporated
herein by reference).

Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 8, 2014, by and among Darling Escrow Corporation, Darling
International Inc., Craig Protein Division, Inc., Darling AWS LLC, Darling National LLC, Darling Northstar
LLC, Darling Global Holdings Inc., EV Acquisition, Inc., Griffin Industries LLC, Terra Holding Company
and Terra Renewal Services Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

Form of Senior Indenture for Debt Securities of Darling International Inc. (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the
Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed November 17, 2010 and incorporated herein by
reference).

Form of Subordinated Indenture for Debt Securities of Darling International Inc. (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the
Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed November 17, 2010 and incorporated herein by
reference).

Form of Indemnification Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Registration Statement on
Form S-1 filed on May 27, 1994, and incorporated herein by reference).

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 17, 2010, by and among Darling International Inc.
and each of the stockholders named therein (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K filed December 20, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).

Page 144

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

10.10

10.11

10.12

10.13

10.14

10.15

10.16 *

10.17 *

Rollover Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2010, by and among Darling International Inc., certain
investors named therein and Robert A. Griffin, in his capacity as the Investors’ Representative (filed as
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 9, 2010 and incorporated
herein by reference).

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2014, by and among Darling
International Inc., the other borrowers party thereto from time to time, the lenders party thereto, JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other agents from time to time party thereto (filed as
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2014 and incorporated herein
by reference).

Second Amended and Restated Security Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2014, by and among Darling
International Inc., its subsidiaries signatory thereto and any other subsidiary who may become a party
thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A, as administrative agent (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's
Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

Second Amended and Restated Guaranty Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2014, by and among Darling
International Inc., its subsidiaries signatory thereto and any other subsidiary who may become a party
thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 2, 2014, by and among Darling Escrow Corporation,
and Goldman, Sachs & Co. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, for themselves and on behalf of BMO Capital
Markets Corp. (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2014
and incorporated herein by reference).

Joinder to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of January 8, 2014, by and among Darling
International Inc., Craig Protein Division, Inc., Darling AWS LLC, Darling National LLC, Darling Northstar
LLC, Darling Global Holdings Inc., EV Acquisition, Inc., Griffin Industries LLC, Terra Holding Company
and Terra Renewal Services Inc., and Goldman, Sachs & Co. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, for
themselves and on behalf of BMO Capital Markets Corp. (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed January 10, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).

Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated as of January 21, 2011, by and among Diamond Green Diesel
Holdings LLC, Darling Green Energy LLC and Diamond Alternative Energy, LLC. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to
the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 21, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

Sponsor Support Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2011, by and between Darling International Inc., Diamond
Green Diesel LLC and Diamond Alternative Energy, LLC (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current
Report on Form 8-K filed June 1, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

Raw Material Supply Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2011, by and between Diamond Green Diesel LLC
and Darling International Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed
August 11, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

Leases, dated July 1, 1996, between the Company and the City and County of San Francisco (filed pursuant
to temporary hardship exemption under cover of Form SE).

Lease, dated November 24, 2003, between Darling International Inc. and the Port of Tacoma (filed as
Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 29, 2004, and incorporated herein
by reference).

Ground Lease, dated as of December 17, 2010, by and between Martom Properties, LLC and Griffin
Industries, Inc. (Butler, Kentucky) (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed December 20, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).

Ground Lease, dated as of December 17, 2010, by and between Martom Properties, LLC and Griffin
Industries, Inc. (Henderson, Kentucky) (filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K
filed December 20, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).

1994 Employee Flexible Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 2 to the Company’s Revised Definitive Proxy
Statement filed on April 20, 2001, and incorporated herein by reference).

Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Registration
Statement on Form S-1/A filed on June 5, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference).

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10.18 *

10.19*

10.20*

10.21 *

10.22 *

10.23 *

10.24 *

10.25 *

10.26 *

10.27 *

10.28 *

10.29 *

10.30 *

10.31 *

10.32 *

10.33 *

10.34 *

10.35 *

Darling International Inc. 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed May 11, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference).

Amendment to Darling International Inc. 2004 Omnibus Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 22, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

Darling International Inc. 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 99 to the Company’s Registration
Statement on Form S-8 filed May 31, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference).

Darling International Inc. Compensation Committee Long-Term Incentive Program Policy Statement (filed
as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 22, 2005, and incorporated herein
by reference).

Darling International Inc. Compensation Committee Executive Compensation Program Policy Statement
adopted January 15, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January
21, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference).

Darling International Inc. Compensation Committee Amended and Restated Executive Compensation
Program Policy Statement adopted January 8, 2010 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report
on Form 8-K filed January 14, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).

Darling International Inc. Compensation Committee 2011 Amended and Restated Executive Compensation
Program Policy Statement adopted February 3, 2011 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report
on Form 8-K filed February 9, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

Integration Success Incentive Award Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K filed March 15, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

2010 Special Incentive Program (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
November 17, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).

Form of Performance Unit Award Agreement under the Darling International Inc. 2012 Omnibus Incentive
Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 6, 2014 and
incorporated herein by reference).

Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed March 15, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

Amendment No. 1 to Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Plan, effective as of January 15, 2009
(filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 21, 2009 and
incorporated herein by reference).

Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Plan, (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

Notice of Amendment to Grants and Awards, dated as of October 10, 2006 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 10, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference).

Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2009, between Darling International
Inc. and Randall C. Stuewe (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
January 21, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).

Form of Senior Executive Termination Benefits Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed November 29, 2007 and incorporated herein by reference).

Form of Addendum to Senior Executive Termination Benefits Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 12, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference).

Form of Addendum to Senior Executive Termination Benefits Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 13, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference).

Page 146

10.36 *

10.37 *

10.38 *

10.39 *

10.40 *

10.41 *

10.42

14

21

23

31.1

31.2

32

101

Form of Senior Executive Termination Benefits Agreement between Darling International Inc. and Colin
Stevenson (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 6, 2012 and
incorporated herein by reference).

Amendment One to the Senior Executive Termination Benefits Agreement dated as of April 23, 2013 by and
between Darling International Inc. and Colin Stevenson (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current
Report on Form 8-K filed April 23, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference).

Transitional Services Agreement dated December 27, 2013 by and between Darling International Inc. and
John O. Muse (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 30,
2013 and incorporated herein by reference).

Transitional Services Agreement dated December 27, 2013 by and between Darling International Inc. and
Neil Katchen (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 30, 2013
and incorporated herein by reference).

Form of Indemnification Agreement between Darling International Inc. and its directors and executive
officers (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 25, 2008, and
incorporated herein by reference).

Underwriting Agreement, dated as of January 27, 2011, by and among Darling International Inc., the selling
stockholders signatory thereto and Goldman, Sachs & Co., as representative of the several underwriters
named in Schedule 1 thereto (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed
January 28, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).

Underwriting Agreement, dated December 12, 2013, between Darling International Inc. and Goldman,
Sachs & Co., as representative of the several underwriters named in Schedule I thereto (filed as Exhibit 1.1
to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 13, 2013 and incorporated herein by
reference).

Darling International Inc. Code of Business Conduct applicable to all employees, including senior executive
officers (filed as Exhibit 14 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 25, 2008, and
incorporated herein by reference).

Subsidiaries of the Registrant (filed herewith).

Consent of KPMG LLP (filed herewith).

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, of
Randall C. Stuewe, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (filed herewith).

Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, of Colin
Stevenson, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company (filed herewith).

Written Statement of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer furnished pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350) (filed herewith).

Interactive Data Files Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended
December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011; (iii) Consolidated Statements of
Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31,
2011; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 28, 2013,
December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011; (vi) Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.

The Exhibits are available upon request from the Company.

*

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

Page 147

Principal Office

Directors

Officers

Darling International Inc.
251 O’Connor Ridge Blvd., Suite 300
Irving, Texas 75038
972.717.0300
www.darlingii.com

Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare
P.O. Box 30170
College Station, TX 77842-3170

Overnight correspondence
Computershare
211 Quality Circle, Suite 210
College Station, TX 77845
www.computershare.com/investor 

Randall C. Stuewe
Chairman and Director 
since February 2003

O. Thomas Albrecht
Director since 2002

D. Eugene Ewing
Director since 2011

Dirk Kloosterboer
Director since January 2014

Charles Macaluso
Director since 2002

Randall C. Stuewe
Chief Executive Officer

Dirk Kloosterboer
Chief Operating Officer
Darling International

Colin T. Stevenson
Executive Vice President
Global Finance and Administration

Martin W. Griffin
Executive Vice President
Chief Operations Officer
Darling North America

Jan van der Velden
World-class ingredients. Worldwide reach.
Executive Vice President
ERS

John D. March
Director since 2008

Independent Auditors
KPMG LLP
717 N. Harwood St., Suite 3100
Dallas, Texas 75201-6585

Annual Meeting
May 6, 2014
10:00 a.m.
Four Seasons Resort and Club
at Las Colinas
4150 North MacArthur Blvd.
Irving, Texas 75038

Michael Urbut
Director since 2005

Creating sustainable food, feed and fuel ingredients for a 

growing population, Darling International Inc. has 

traversed more than a century of expansion, strategically 

advancing from pioneer to global giant. 2013 proved to be 

John Bullock
Executive Vice President
Chief Strategy Officer

John F. Sterling
Executive Vice President
General Counsel and Secretary

a powerful testament to this forward-thinking approach 

Form 10-K
Darling International Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K is available upon request without charge:
c/o Investor Relations
Darling International Inc.
251 O’Connor Ridge Blvd., Suite 300
Irving, Texas 75038
www.darlingii.com

via the expansion of our product mix and continued focus 

on quality. As population growth continues to rise, and 

with it the demand for food, feed and fuel products, we 

will continue to develop and provide innovative and 

sustainable solutions, solidifying our position as a market 

leader and valuable investment partner. 

F O O D                     F E E D                    F U E L

C O R P O R AT E   I N F O R M AT I O N

cosmeticshair gelpersonal careinkscollagen peptidespharma capsulesheparingummy bearsmarshmallowsgelatinnatural sausage casingsspecialty meatsfine bone chinaphoto films & papersmatch sticksluxury leather car interiorshand sanitizergluesolventsspecialty methyl estersmetalworkingpulp & paperpaintball pelletsyellow greaseaquaculturefood grade fatsgreen energyanimal feed ingredientspet foodfertilizersgreen electricityrenewable dieselbiodieselminingrenewable propanerenewable butanedust controltextilessandpapernaphthaDarling International Inc.

251 O’Connor Ridge Blvd.

Suite 300

Irving, Texas 75038

Improvement by nature

Improvement by nature