Edgar Filing: DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC

mm11-1210_s3.htm

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 12, 2010

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_________________

FORM S-3

_________________

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

36-2495346

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number )

_________________

251 O'Connor Ridge Blvd., Suite 300

Irving, Texas 75038

(972) 717-0300

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,

Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

Randall C. Stuewe

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

Darling International Inc.

251 O'Connor Ridge Blvd., Suite 300

Irving, Texas 75038

(972) 717-0300

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,

Including Area Code, of Agent For Service)

_________________

Copy to:

Mary R. Korby

Michael A. Saslaw

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

200 Crescent Court, Suite 300

Dallas, TX 75201

(214) 746-7700

_________________

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. x

If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

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 Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). (Check one):

Large accelerated filer x

Accelerated filer o

Non-accelerated filer o

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

________________________

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered(1)	Proposed Maximum Aggregate offering Price(2)(3)(4)	Amount of Registration Fee(5)
Common Stock ($0.01 par value)(6)
Preferred Stock ($0.01 par value)(6)
Debt Securities
Warrants
Units
Total	$400,000,000	$28,520.00

(1)	These offered securities may be sold separately, together or as units with other securities.

(2)	There are being registered under this Registration Statement such indeterminate principal amount or number of shares of common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities and units as may be sold by the registrant from time to time, which together shall have an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $400,000,000. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. Pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the Securities Act, the securities registered hereunder also include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may be issued upon conversion or exchange of any preferred stock or debt securities registered hereunder that provide for conversion or exchange, upon exercise of warrants, or pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of any such securities. No separate consideration will be received for the preferred stock or common stock issued upon such conversion or exchange. In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act, the shares being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and shares of preferred stock as may be issuable with respect to the shares being registered hereunder as a result of stock splits, anti-dilution adjustments, stock dividends, or similar transactions.

(3)	The offering prices per class of securities will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered under this Registration Statement and are not specified as to each class of security pursuant to General Instruction II.D of Form S-3 under the Securities Act.

(4)	The proposed maximum aggregate offering price has been estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.

(5)	The registration fee has been calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act on the basis of the maximum aggregate offering price of the securities listed.

(6)	There is also being registered such indeterminate number of shares of preferred stock and common stock as may be issued upon conversion or exchange of any other securities that provide for conversion or exchange.

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the SEC acting pursuant to said Section 8(a) may determine.

PROSPECTUS

The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted until the registration statement is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED November 12, 2010

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.

$400,000,000

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share

Debt Securities

Warrants

Units

This prospectus relates solely to the offer and sale, from time to time, of securities of Darling International Inc. by us. The securities are being offered on a continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

We may offer and sell from time to time up to $400,000,000 of the following securities in one or more transactions, classes or series and in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of our offerings: (i) our common stock, $0.01 par value; (ii) our preferred stock, $0.01 par value; (iii) warrants to purchase securities; (iv) debt securities, which may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities; and (v) units that include any combination of the foregoing securities. These securities also may be resold by security holders. We may offer the securities from time to time in amounts and on terms as we may determine through public or private transactions or through other means described in the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” at prices different than prevailing market prices or at privately negotiated prices. The prices at which we may sell the securities may be determined by the prevailing market price for the shares at the time of sale.

Each time our securities are offered, we will provide a prospectus supplement containing more specific information about the particular offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell securities without a prospectus supplement, which will include a description of the method and terms of such offering.

You should carefully read this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the documents we incorporate by reference, before you invest in our securities.

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. The prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectus will provide the specific terms of the plan of distribution.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “DAR.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on November 11, 2010 was $12.53 per share.

Our corporate headquarters corporate headquarters are located at 251 O’Connor Ridge Boulevard, Suite 300, Irving, Texas, our telephone number at that location is (972) 717-0300, and our website can be accessed at www.darlingii.com. Information contained in our website does not constitute part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference herein.

Investing in our securities involves risks. You should read “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 of this prospectus and the risk factors described in any prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus or in other documents incorporated by reference herein or therein before investing in our securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is ______________, 2010.

PROSPECTUS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS	7
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION	8
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE	8
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS	10
ABOUT DARLING	11
RISK FACTORS	12
USE OF PROCEEDS	12
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES	13
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER	14
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK	14
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES	17
DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS	23
DESCRIPTION OF UNITS	24
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION	25
LEGAL MATTERS	26
EXPERTS	26

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, offer and/or sell the securities referenced herein in one or more offerings up to a total amount of $400,000,000. This prospectus includes a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time our securities are offered, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain more specific information about the terms of those securities. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you and any pricing supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any information in any subsequent filings, including, but not limited to, any prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectus, that is inconsistent with this prospectus will supersede the information in this prospectus or any earlier prospectus supplement. In addition, a prospectus supplement may include a discussion of any risk factors in addition to those described in this prospectus. We urge you to read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus together with the information incorporated by reference herein and therein as described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.” Information incorporated by reference after the date of this prospectus is considered a part of this prospectus and may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus.

As allowed by the SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. For further information, we refer you to the registration statement, including its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are not necessarily complete. If the SEC’s rules and regulations require that an agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see that agreement or document for a complete description of these matters.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities and we are not making an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, these securities in any state where such offer or solicitation is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus and any other document incorporated by reference herein or therein is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of those documents. Neither the delivery of this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus, nor any sale made under this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus will, under any circumstances, imply that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is correct as of any date after the date of this prospectus, any such prospectus supplement or such related free writing prospectus. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since then.

Unless otherwise indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to “Darling,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” means Darling International Inc. and all of our subsidiaries included in our consolidated financial statements.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we are 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 www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. We file electronically with the SEC. This information is also available on our website at www.darlingii.com and the address for our investor relations web site is www.darlingii.com/investors.aspx. Information contained in our website does not constitute part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference herein.

We have filed a registration statement and related exhibits on Form S-3 under the Securities Act with the SEC with respect to the securities to be sold hereunder. This prospectus has been filed as part of that registration statement. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement because certain parts of the registration statement are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. Our SEC filings, the registration statement and all exhibits to it are available for inspection and copying as set forth above.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we have filed with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information by referring you to those documents. All documents that we subsequently file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the termination of this offering, will be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Unless expressly incorporated into this prospectus, a Current Report (or portion thereof) furnished, but not filed, on Form 8-K shall not be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed below or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K.

We incorporate by reference the following documents that we have filed with the SEC and any filings that we will make with the SEC in the future under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until this offering is terminated:


l	Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2010, filed on March 3, 2010;

l	Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended April 3, 2010, July 3, 2010 and October 2, 2010, filed on May 13, 2010, August 12, 2010 and November 10, 2010, respectively;

l	Current Reports on Form 8-K filed January 4, 2010, January 14, 2010, March 17, 2010, March 19, 2010, May 13, 2010, May 19, 2010, June 1, 2010 and November 9, 2010;

This prospectus may contain information that updates, modifies or is contrary to information in one or more of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus or the date of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

The documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus are available from us upon request. We will provide a copy of any and all of the information that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus, without charge, upon written or oral request. If you would like to obtain this information from us, please direct your request, either in writing or by telephone, to:

Darling International Inc.

251 O'Connor Ridge

Suite 300

Irving, TX 75038

(972) 717-0300

Fax: (972) 717-1588

Attn: Investor Relations

Any statement made in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document is only a summary of the actual document. You may obtain a copy of any document summarized in this prospectus at no cost by writing to or telephoning us at the address and telephone number given above. Each statement regarding a contract, agreement or other document is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual document. Except for the specific incorporated documents listed above, no information available on or through our website shall be deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus or the registration statement of which it forms a part.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, any prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein contain historical information, as well as forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that involve known and unknown risks and relate to future events, our future financial performance or our projected business results. We use words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “future,” “intends,” “will,” “foresee,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “targets,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions to identify these forward-looking statements. In addition, from time to time we or our representatives have made or may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing. We caution investors that any such forward-looking statements we make are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results may differ materially from anticipated results or expectations expressed in our forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including many that are beyond Darling’s control. Although Darling 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.

Furthermore, such forward-looking statements may be included in various filings that we make with the SEC, or press releases or oral statements made by or with the approval of one of our authorized executive officers. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 12 of this prospectus; Darling’s continued ability to obtain sources of supply for its rendering operations; general economic conditions in the American, European and Asian markets; a decline in consumer confidence; prices in the competing commodity markets which are volatile and are beyond Darling’s control; energy prices; changes to worldwide government policies relating to renewable fuels and greenhouse gas emissions; the implementation of the feed rules related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (“BSE”); BSE and its impact on finished product prices, export markets, energy prices and government regulations, which are still evolving and are beyond Darling’s control; the occurrence of Bird Flu in the U.S.; possible product recall resulting from developments relating to the discovery of unauthorized adulterations (such as melamine) to food additives; and increased contributions to Darling’s multi-employer defined benefit pension plans as required by the Pension Protection Act of 2006. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained herein, which reflect management’s opinions only as of the date hereof. Darling cautions readers that all forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and, except as required by law, Darling undertakes no obligation to update, revise or publicly release the results of any revision to any forward-looking statements. You are advised, however, to consult any additional disclosures we have made or will make in our reports to the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this prospectus.

ABOUT DARLING

This summary description of us and our business highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus or incorporated herein by reference. This summary may not contain all of the information that you should consider before buying securities in this offering. You should carefully read this entire prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, including each of the documents incorporated herein or therein by reference, before making an investment decision.

Our Company

We were founded by the Swift meat packing interests and the Darling family in 1882 and are a leading provider of rendering and cooking oil recycling and recovery solutions to the nation’s food industry. After giving effect to the Merger (described below), we will be the largest publicly-traded independent provider of such recycling and recovery solutions and bakery feed in North America. We will operate approximately 71 processing facilities, 63 transfer stations and an extensive transportation network for the purpose of collecting and recycling animal by-products and used cooking oil from poultry and meat processors, commercial bakeries, grocery stores, butcher shops and food service establishments and providing grease trap cleaning services to many of the same establishments. Additionally, we will recycle and process these raw materials to produce finished products such as protein (primarily meat and bone meal and poultry meal), tallow (primarily bleachable fancy tallow), poultry fat, yellow grease, bakery feed and hides, as well as a range of branded and value-added products and, in turn, we will sell these products nationally and internationally, primarily to producers of livestock feed, oleo-chemicals, bio-fuels, soaps, pet foods and leather goods for use as ingredients in their products or for further processing.

Commencing in 1998, as part of an overall strategy to better commit financial resources, our operations were organized into two segments. These are: (1) Rendering, the core business of turning inedible food by-products from meat and poultry processors, butcher shops, grocery stores and food service establishments into high quality feed ingredients and fats for other industrial applications; and (2) Restaurant Services, a group focused on growing the grease collection business and grease collection equipment sales while expanding the line of services, which includes grease trap servicing, and the National Service Center (“NSC”), offered to food service establishments and food processors. The NSC schedules services such as fat and bone and used cooking oil collection as well as trap cleaning for contracted customers using our resources or third party providers.

Recent Developments

As more fully described in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 9, 2010 (which is incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement), on November 9, 2010, we announced that we had entered into an agreement for the acquisition of Griffin Industries, Inc. (“Griffin”), one of North America’s leading independent providers of value-added rendering, bakery feed and cooking oil recycling services, under the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), dated November 9, 2010, pursuant to which a newly-formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Darling will merge with and into Griffin with Griffin surviving as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Darling (the “Merger”). We anticipate that the transactions contemplated in the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, will be consummated in mid-December 2010.

Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and subject to certain adjustments as provided therein, Darling will pay Griffin’s stockholders an aggregate purchase price of $840.0 million, of which $740 million will be payable in cash and $100.0 million will be payable in Common Stock. We expect to finance the merger through (i) a combination of borrowings under a $625 million senior secured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”), which will include a $300 million term loan facility and a $325 million revolving credit facility, to be entered into in connection with the closing of the Merger, (ii) the proceeds from issuing and selling senior unsecured notes in a public offering or in a Rule 144A or other private placement on or prior to the closing date of the Merger (the “Senior Unsecured Notes Offering”) and (iii) cash on hand. If and to the extent we do not, or are unable to, complete the Senior Unsecured Notes Offering on or prior to the proposed closing date of the Merger yielding sufficient proceeds to pay the balance of the aggregate purchase price under the Merger Agreement, we anticipate obtaining a $250 million senior unsecured bridge facility (the “Bridge Facility”) in an amount (less the amount of any proceeds from the Senior Unsecured Notes Offering) sufficient to pay the balance of the aggregate purchase price under the Merger Agreement.

RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the specific risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement (and any related free writing prospectus) and under the caption “Risk Factors” in any of our filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2010, which are on file with the SEC and incorporated herein by reference, before making an investment decision. Each of the risks described in these headings could adversely and materially affect our business, financial condition and operating results. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business or operations. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement. For more information see the sections of this prospectus titled “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of securities that may be offered hereby to reduce our indebtedness, including, without limitation, repaying all or a portion of the Bridge Facility, if any, and/or the Credit Facility. As described more fully in the section of this prospectus titled “About Darling – Recent Developments,” the net proceeds from the Credit Facility and Bridge Facility will be used to pay a portion of the purchase price under the Merger Agreement.

We may also use a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of securities that may be offered hereby for general corporate purposes. Such general corporate purposes may include, but are not limited to, reducing or refinancing our other indebtedness, financing possible acquisitions, capital expenditures, working capital and redeeming outstanding securities.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table contains our historical consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated. You should read these ratios in connection with our consolidated financial statements, including the notes to those statements, incorporated by reference in this prospectus. As of the date of this prospectus, we have no shares of preferred stock outstanding, and consequently, our ratio of earnings to preferred share dividends and ratio of earnings to fixed charges would be identical.

	Nine Months Ended	Fiscal Year Ended

	October 2, 2010	January 2, 2010	January 3, 2009	December 29, 2007	December 30, 2006	December 31, 2005

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges	11.49	11.72	16.26	10.81	1.80	2.36

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement a description of the securities that may be offered under this prospectus. We will also include in the prospectus supplement information, when applicable, about material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the securities, and the securities exchange, if any, on which the securities will be listed.

In this prospectus, we refer to common stock, preferred stock, warrants, debt securities and units collectively as “securities.” The total dollar amount of all securities that we may issue under this prospectus will not exceed $400,000,000.

If we issue debt securities at a discount from their original stated principal amount, then, for purposes of calculating the total dollar amount of all securities issued under this prospectus, we will treat the initial offering price of the debt securities as the total original principal amount of the debt securities. For a more detailed description of the terms of the debt securities, please refer to the indentures attached as an exhibit to this prospectus, as well as any supplemental indenture, relating to the issuance of the particular debt securities which we will file with the SEC, in addition to any prospectus supplement related to such issuance. Any senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture to be entered into between us and the trustee named in the senior indenture. Any subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture to be entered into between us and the trustee named in the subordinated indenture.

This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

The following description of capital stock describes the general terms of our capital stock. For a more detailed description of these securities, you should read the applicable provisions of the Delaware law, our Restated Certificate of Incorporation (as amended, our “Certificate of Incorporation”) and our Amended and Restated Bylaws (our “Bylaws”). When we offer to sell a particular series of these securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. Accordingly, for a description of the terms of any series of securities, you must refer to both the prospectus supplement relating to that series and the description of the securities described in this prospectus. To the extent the information contained in the prospectus supplement differs from this summary description, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.

Currently, our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes 100,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value. As of November 5, 2010, there were 82,462,519 shares of common stock outstanding and no shares of preferred stock outstanding. On or about November 24, 2010, we intend to mail a Schedule 14A – Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement – to all of the holders of our common stock as of November 19, 2010 to solicit proxies for use at a special meeting of our stockholders to approve an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the total number of authorized shares of our common stock, par value $0.01, from 100,000,000 to 150,000,000. We anticipate that the special meeting of stockholders will be held on or about December 21, 2010 and, if the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation is approved, we intend to file such amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to increase the number of authorized shares of our common stock to 150,000,000 as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.

The following summary describes certain of the material provisions of our capital stock, but does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by Delaware General Corporation Law, our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws, each as amended.

Common Stock

The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably any dividends that may be declared from time to time by the board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of preferred stock then outstanding. The common stock has no conversion rights or other subscription rights. No holder of common stock has any preemptive right to subscribe for any shares of capital stock issued in the future. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock.

Preferred Stock

Our board of directors has the authority, without action by its stockholders, to designate and issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series. The board of directors may also designate the rights, preferences and privileges of each series of preferred stock, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock upon the rights of holders of the common stock until the board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of the preferred stock. However, these effects might include, among others:

•

restricting dividends on the common stock;

•

diluting the voting power of the common stock;

•

impairing the liquidation rights of the common stock; and

•

delaying or preventing a change in control of our company without further action by the stockholders.

Warrants

As of November 12, 2010, we have no warrants outstanding.

Anti-Takeover Provisions

Provisions of Delaware law, our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws could make the acquisition of Darling through a tender offer, a proxy contest or other means more difficult and could make the removal of incumbent officers and directors more difficult. We expect these provisions to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits provided by Darling’s ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals. We believe the negotiation of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal could result in an improvement of its terms for all stockholders.

Effects of Some Provisions of Delaware Law. We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, an anti-takeover law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless:

•

prior to the date of the transaction, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

•

the stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding (a) shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and (b) shares owned by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

•

on or subsequent to the date of the transaction, the business combination is approved by the board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Generally, a “business combination” for these purposes includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An “interested stockholder” for these purposes is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns or, within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, did own 15% or more of a corporation’s outstanding voting securities. We expect the existence of this provision to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions the board of directors does not approve in advance. We also anticipate that Section 203 may discourage takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Charter Documents. Our Bylaws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of our stockholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to the board of directors. At an annual meeting, stockholders may only consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the board of directors. Stockholders may also consider a proposal or nomination by a person who was a stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has given to the Secretary timely written notice, in proper form, of his or her intention to bring that business before the meeting. Our

Bylaws do not give the board of directors the power to approve or disapprove stockholder nominations of candidates or proposals regarding other business to be conducted at a special or annual meeting of the stockholders. However, our Bylaws may have the effect of precluding the conduct of business at a meeting if the proper procedures are not followed. These provisions may also discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.

Under Delaware law, a special meeting of stockholders may be called by the board of directors or by any other person authorized to do so in our Certificate of Incorporation or our Bylaws. Our Bylaws authorize a majority of our board of directors, the chairman of the board, the president or the chief executive officer to call a special meeting of stockholders. Our stockholders may also call a special meeting by providing a written demand to our corporate secretary to call a special meeting of the stockholders from stockholders that hold, in the aggregate, at least 10% of the voting power of our outstanding shares of capital stock, subject to the proper procedures being followed, as laid out in our Bylaws. Our Bylaws provide that stockholders may execute an action by written consent in lieu of a stockholder meeting if such consent sets forth the action so taken and is signed by all of the stockholders (acting for themselves or through a proxy) of our outstanding common stock.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “DAR.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare Investor Services, 250 Royall Street, Canton, MA 02021, telephone number (781) 575-2000.

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description sets forth some general terms and provisions of the debt securities we may offer, but it is not complete. The particular terms of the debt securities offered and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions may not apply to the debt securities so offered will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities. For a more detailed description of the terms of the debt securities, please refer to the indenture relating to the issuance of the particular debt securities.

Any senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture to be entered into between us and the trustee named in the senior indenture. Any subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture to be entered into between us and the trustee named in the subordinated indenture. As used in this prospectus, the term “indentures” refers to both the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture. The indenture(s) will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. As used in this prospectus, the term “debt trustee” refers to either the senior trustee or the subordinated trustee, as applicable.

The following summaries of the material provisions of the senior debt securities, the subordinated debt securities and the indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the indenture applicable to a particular series of debt securities, including the definitions therein of some terms. Except as otherwise indicated, the terms of any senior indenture and any subordinated indenture will be identical.

General

If applicable, each applicable prospectus supplement will describe the following terms relating to a series of debt securities:

·	the title of the debt securities;

·	whether the debt securities are senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities and, if they are subordinated debt securities, the terms of subordination;

·	any limit on the amount of debt securities that may be issued;

·	whether any of the debt securities will be issuable, in whole or in part, in temporary or permanent global form or in the form of book-entry securities;

·	the maturity dates of the debt securities;

·	the annual interest rates (which may be fixed or variable) or the method for determining the rates and the dates interest will begin to accrue on the debt securities, the dates interest will be payable, and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining the dates;

·	the places where payments with respect to the debt securities shall be payable;

·	our right, if any, to defer payment of interest on the debt securities and extend the maximum length of any deferral period;

·	the date, if any, after which, and the prices at which, the series of debt securities may, pursuant to any optional redemption provisions, be redeemed at our option and other related terms and provisions;

·	the dates, if any, on which, and the prices at which we are obligated, pursuant to any sinking fund provisions or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option to purchase, the series of debt securities and other related terms and provisions;

·	the denominations in which the series of debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

·	any mandatory or optional sinking fund or similar provisions with respect to the debt securities;

·	any index used to determine the amount of payments of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the debt securities and the manner in which the amounts shall be determined;

·	the terms pursuant to which the debt securities are subject to defeasance;

·	the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the debt securities are secured; and

·	any other material terms of the debt securities.

The debt securities may be issued as original issue discount securities. An original issue discount security is a debt security, including any zero-coupon debt security, which:

·	is issued at a price lower than the amount payable upon its stated maturity; and

·	provides that, upon redemption or acceleration of the maturity, an amount less than the amount payable upon the stated maturity shall become due and payable.

United States federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities sold at an original issue discount will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Under the indentures we will have the ability, without the consent of the holders, to issue debt securities with terms different from those of debt securities previously issued and to reopen a previous issue of a series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series, unless the reopening was restricted when the series was created, in an aggregate principal amount determined by us.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

The terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or other of our securities will be detailed in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, and may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock or other of our securities to be received by the holders of the series of debt securities would be subject to adjustment.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures will provide that we may not consolidate with or merge into any other person in a transaction in which we are not the surviving corporation, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any person, unless:

·	the successor entity is a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other entity existing under the laws of the United States, or any State or the District of Columbia;

·	the successor entity assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indentures;

·	immediately prior to and after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

·	certain other conditions are met.

Events of Default under the Indentures

Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following will be events of default under the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities issued:

·	failure to pay interest on the debt securities when due, which failure continues for a specified period set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement and the time for payment has not been deferred;

·	failure to pay the principal of or premium on the debt securities, if any, when due;

·	failure to deposit any sinking fund payment when due, which failure continues for 60 days;

failure to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the debt securities or the indentures other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, which failure continues for a specified period set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement after we receive notice from the debt trustee or holders of a specified percentage, set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series; or

·	particular events of our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization.

The supplemental indenture or the form of note for a particular series of debt securities may include additional events of default or changes to the events of default described above. For any additional or different events of default applicable to a particular series of debt securities, see the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the series.

If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the debt trustee or the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice in writing to us (and, to the debt trustee, if notice is given by the holders), may declare the unpaid principal of or premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, on the debt securities of that series due and payable immediately.

The holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding:

·	payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities; or

·	those covenants described under the subsection “- Modification of Indenture; Waiver” that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected.

Any waiver shall cure the default or event of default.

Subject to the terms of the indentures (as supplemented), if an event of default under an indenture occurs and is continuing, the debt trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless the holders have offered the debt trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to it. The holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the debt trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the debt trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:

·	it is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture;

·	the debt trustee may take any other action deemed proper by it that is not inconsistent with the direction;

·	subject to its duties set forth under the applicable indenture, the debt trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability; and

·	subject to its duties set forth under such indenture, the debt trustee need not take any action that it determines, upon the advice of counsel, may not lawfully be taken or in good faith determines would be unduly prejudicial to the holders of the debt securities.

A holder of the debt securities of any series will only have the right to institute a proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies if:

·	the holder has given written notice to the debt trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;

·	the holders of a specified percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request to the debt trustee, and the holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the debt trustee to institute proceedings; and

the debt trustee does not institute a proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within a specified period set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement after the notice, request and offer.

These limitations will not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities for payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities if we default in such payment.

We will periodically file statements with the debt trustee regarding our compliance with the covenants in the indentures.

Modification of Indenture; Waiver

We and the debt trustee may change an indenture without the consent of any holders with respect to specific matters, including:

·	to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture;

·	to provide for the assumption by a successor person;

·	to evidence and provide for successor trustees;

·	to add, change or eliminate any provision affecting only debt securities not yet issued;

·	to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualification of an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended;

·	to conform the indenture to the provisions set forth in the description of the securities in the applicable prospectus supplement; and

·	to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder.

In addition, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the debt trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, the following changes may only be made with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:

·	extend the fixed maturity of the series of debt securities;

·	change any obligation of ours to pay additional amounts with respect to the debt securities;

·	reduce the principal amount of, the rate of interest on, or any premium payable upon the redemption of any debt securities;

·	reduce the amount of principal of an original issue discount security or any other debt security payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;

·	impair the right to enforce any payment on, or with respect to, any debt security;

·	adversely change the right to convert or exchange, including decreasing the conversion rate or increasing the conversion price of, the debt security (if applicable);

·	in the case of the subordinated indenture, modify the subordination provisions in a manner adverse to the holders of the subordinated debt securities;

·	if the debt securities are secured, change the terms and conditions pursuant to which the debt securities are secured in a manner adverse to the holders of the secured debt securities;

·	reduce the percentage of principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series the consent of the holders of which is required for modification or amendment of the indenture or for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or for waiver of certain defaults; or

·	modify any of the above provisions.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

The debt securities of each series will be issuable only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The indentures will provide that debt securities of a series may be issuable in temporary or permanent global form and may be issued as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), unless the prospectus supplement provides otherwise.

At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

Subject to the terms of the indenture and the limitations applicable to global securities detailed in the applicable prospectus supplement, debt securities may be presented for exchange or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar) at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for that purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities to be transferred or exchanged, no service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges. The security registrar and any transfer agent (in addition to the security registrar) initially designated by us for any debt securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.

If the debt securities of any series are to be redeemed, we will not be required to:

issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or

·	register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except for the unredeemed portion of any debt securities being redeemed in part.

Information Concerning the Debt Trustee

The debt trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only the duties specifically set forth in the indenture and, upon an event of default under an indenture, must use the same degree of care in the exercise of the rights and powers vested in it as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs. Subject to this provision, the debt trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given to it by the indenture at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur. The debt trustee is not required to spend or risk its own money or otherwise become financially liable while performing its duties unless it reasonably believes that it will be repaid or receive adequate indemnity.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date will be made to the person in whose name the debt securities (or one or more predecessor securities) are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the payment of interest.

Principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, interest payments

may be made by check mailed to the holder. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the corporate trust office of the debt trustee in The City of New York will be designated as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. Any other paying agents initially designated by us for the debt securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will be required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.

Subject to applicable abandoned property laws, moneys paid by us to a paying agent or the debt trustee for the payment of the principal of, or any premium or interest on, any debt securities which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after the principal, premium, or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.

Governing Law

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, except to the extent that the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, is applicable.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

Any subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to some of our other indebtedness to the extent described in a prospectus supplement. The subordinated indenture will not limit the amount of subordinated debt securities that we may issue, nor will it limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.

Book-Entry Debt Securities

We will make payments on each series of book-entry debt securities to DTC or its nominee as the sole registered owner and holder of the global security. Neither we nor the debt trustee nor any of our or its agents will be responsible or liable for any aspect of DTC’s records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC’s records relating to the beneficial ownership interests or with respect to its performance of its obligations under the rules and regulations governing its operations.

We understand that when DTC receives any payment on a global security, it will immediately, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, credit the accounts of participants with payments in amounts proportionate to their beneficial interests in the global security as shown on DTC’s records. Payments by participants to you, as an owner of a beneficial interest in the global security, will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices (as is the case with securities held for customer accounts registered in “street name”) and will be the sole responsibility of the participants.

A global security representing a series will be exchanged for certificated debt securities of that series if (a) DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and we do not appoint a successor within 90 days or (b) we decide that the global security shall be exchangeable. If that occurs, we will issue debt securities of that series in certificated form in exchange for the global security. An owner of a beneficial interest in the global security then will be entitled to physical delivery of a certificate for debt securities of the series equal in principal amount to that beneficial interest and to have those debt securities registered in its name. We would issue the certificates for the debt securities in denominations of $1,000 or any larger amount that is an integral multiple thereof, and we would issue them in registered form only, without coupons.

We understand that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold the securities of its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among its participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of which (and/or their representatives) own DTC. Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC. No fees or costs of DTC will be charged to you.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue, either separately or together with other securities, warrants for the purchase of any, including any combination of, common stock, preferred stock or debt securities that we may sell under this prospectus. Warrants may be issued separately or together with other securities.

The warrants will be issued under warrant agreements to be entered into between us and a warrant agent as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to any or all warrants with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered. Copies of the form of agreement for each warrant, which we refer to collectively as “warrant agreements,” including the forms of certificates representing the warrants, which we refer to collectively as “warrant certificates,” and reflecting the provisions to be included in such agreements that will be entered into with respect to a particular offering of each type of warrant, will be filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K.

The following description sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The particular terms of the warrants to which any prospectus supplement may relate and the extent, if any, to which the general provisions may apply to the warrants so offered will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. To the extent that any particular terms of the warrants, warrant agreements or warrant certificates described in a prospectus supplement differ from any of the terms described in this section, then the terms described in this section will be deemed to have been superseded by that prospectus supplement. We encourage you to read the applicable warrant agreement and certificate for additional information before you purchase any of our warrants.

General

The prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the warrants with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, as well as the related warrant agreement and warrant certificates, including the following, where applicable:

•

the principal amount of, or the number of, securities, as the case may be, purchasable upon exercise of each warrant and the initial price at which the principal amount or number of securities, as the case may be, may be purchased upon such exercise;

•

the designation and terms of the securities, if other than common stock, purchasable upon exercise of the warrants and of any securities, if other than common stock, with which the warrants are issued;

•

the procedures and conditions relating to the exercise of the warrants;

•

the date, if any, on and after which the warrants, and any securities with which the warrants are issued, will be separately transferable;

•

the offering price, if any, of the warrants;

•

the date on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and the date on which that right will expire;

•

if applicable, a discussion of the material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the exercise of the warrants;

•

whether the warrants represented by the warrant certificates will be issued in registered or bearer form and, if registered, where they may be transferred and registered;

•

call provisions, if any, of the warrants;

•

antidilution provisions, if any, of the warrants; and

•

any other material terms of the warrants.

The description of warrants in the prospectus supplement will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the warrant agreement and warrant certificate relating to the warrants being offered.

Exercise of Warrants

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash that principal amount of, or number of, securities, as the case may be, at the exercise price set forth in, or to be determined as set forth in, the applicable prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. If mentioned in the relevant prospectus supplement, securities may be surrendered as all or part of the exercise of the warrants. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, warrants may be exercised as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement at any time up to the close of business, New York City time, on the expiration date set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business, New York City time, on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void. Upon receipt of payment of the warrant exercise price, together with the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed, we will, as soon as practicable, issue the securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrant. If less than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining amount of warrants.

No Rights of Security Holder Prior to Exercise

Before the exercise of their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon the exercise of the warrants, and will not be entitled to, among other things, vote or receive dividend payments or similar distributions on the securities purchasable upon exercise.

Exchange of Warrant Certificates

Warrant certificates may be exchangeable for new warrant certificates of different denominations as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units comprised of two or more of the other classes of securities described in this prospectus in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The units may be issued under unit agreements to be entered into between us and a unit agent, as detailed in the prospectus supplement relating to the units being offered. The prospectus supplement will describe:

·	the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances the securities comprising the units may be held or transferred separately;

·	a description of the terms of any unit agreement governing the units;

·	a description of the provisions for the payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units;

·	a discussion of material federal income tax considerations, if applicable; and

·	whether the units will be issued in fully registered or global form.

The descriptions of the units in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement are summaries of the material provisions of the applicable agreements. These descriptions do not restate those agreements in their entirety and may not contain all the information that you may find useful. We urge you to read the applicable agreements because they, and not the summaries, define your rights as holders of the units. For more information, please review the forms of the relevant agreements, which will be filed with the SEC promptly after the offering of units and will be available as described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the offered securities in one or more of the following ways:

• through an underwriter or underwriters;

• through dealers;

• through agents;

• directly to one or more purchasers, including affiliates of ours; or

• through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

The applicable prospectus supplement will contain the terms of the offerings of any securities. The initial public offering price and any discount or concessions allowed or reallowed to dealers may be changed from time to time. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain the expected time of delivery of the securities for which this prospectus is delivered.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, if underwriters are used in the sale of the securities, the underwriting agreement will provide that the obligations of the underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities if any are purchased. In connection with the sale of securities, underwriters may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agents in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers, and dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent.

Underwriters, agents or dealers participating in the distribution of securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. The securities may be sold in one or more transactions either at a fixed price or at prices which may be changed based on market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

We may indemnify the underwriters, agents or dealers who participate in the distribution of securities against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We may also contribute to payments that the underwriters, dealers or agents or any of their controlling persons may be required to make in respect of such liabilities. Underwriters, agents or dealers may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

If so indicated in a prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters, dealers and agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date stated in the prospectus supplement. These contracts will be subject only to those conditions contained in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will also contain the commission payable for solicitation of any of these contracts.

Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us and sales of securities may be made by us directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act, with respect to any resale of the securities. The terms of any such sales will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to the securities. Except as contained in the applicable prospectus supplement, no director, officer or employee of ours will solicit or receive a commission in connection with the direct sales by us of the securities, although these persons may respond to inquiries by potential purchasers and perform ministerial and clerical work in connection with any such direct sales.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the issuance of securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Dallas, Texas.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Darling as of January 2, 2010, and January 3, 2009, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 2, 2010, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of January 2, 2010, have been incorporated by reference herein and in this Registration Statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.

$400,000,000

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share

Debt Securities

Warrants

Units

______________, 2010

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

Expenses payable in connection with the registration and distribution of the securities being registered hereunder, all of which will be borne by the Registrant, are as follows. All amounts are estimates, except the SEC registration fee.

SEC registration fee	$	28,520.00
Listing Fee	$	+
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Fee	$	+
Printer expenses	$	+
Audit Fees and expenses	$	+
Trustee fees and expenses	$	+
Legal fees and expenses	$	+
Accounting fees and expenses	$	+
Transfer and disbursement agent fees	$	+
Miscellaneous fees and expenses	$	+
Total	$	+

+	Estimated expenses are not presently known; to be provided by amendment or as an exhibit to a filing with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“Section 145”) permits indemnification of officers and directors of a corporation under certain conditions and subject to certain limitations. Section 145 also provides that a corporation has the power to maintain insurance on behalf of its officers and directors against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by him or her in such capacity, or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of Section 145.

Article Eleven, Section 1, of our Certificate of Incorporation provides for mandatory indemnification of its directors and officers and permissible indemnification of employees and other agents to the maximum extent not prohibited by the Delaware General Corporation Law. The rights to indemnity thereunder continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of the person. In addition, expenses incurred by a director or executive officer in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of Darling (or was serving at Darling’s request as a director or officer of another corporation) shall be paid by Darling in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by Darling as authorized by the relevant section of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

As permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, Darling’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that, pursuant to Delaware law, its directors shall not be personally liable for monetary damages for breach of the directors’ fiduciary duty as directors to Darling and its stockholders. This provision in the Certificate of Incorporation does not eliminate the directors’ fiduciary duty, and in appropriate circumstances equitable remedies such as injunctive or other forms of non-monetary relief will remain available under Delaware law. In addition, each director will continue to be subject to liability for breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to Darling, for acts or omission not in good faith or involving international misconduct, for knowing violations of law, for any transactions from which the director derived an improper personal benefit, and for payment of dividends or approval of stock repurchases or redemptions that are unlawful under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Darling has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers and purchased directors’ and officers’ liability insurance. Generally, the indemnification agreements attempt to provide the maximum protection permitted by Delaware law as it may be amended from time to time. Moreover, the indemnification agreements provide for certain additional indemnification. Under such additional indemnification provisions, an individual will receive indemnification for expenses,

judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement if he or she is found to have acted in good faith and in a manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of Darling, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the indemnification agreement, Darling shall not indemnify any such director or executive officer seeking indemnification in connection with any action, suit, proceeding, claim or counterclaim, or part thereof, initiated by such person unless the initiation thereof was authorized in the specific case by the Board of Directors of Darling or Darling provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in Darling under applicable law. The indemnification agreements provide for Darling to advance to the individual any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of the final disposition thereof.

At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director, officer, employee or other agent of Darling in which indemnification is being sought, nor is Darling aware of any threatened litigation that may result in a claim for indemnification by any director, officer, employee or other agent of Darling.

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS

The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by reference herein:

Exhibit		Description

4.1		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).

4.2		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).

4.3*		Form of Senior Indenture for Debt Securities of Darling International Inc.

4.4*		Form of Subordinated Indenture for Debt Securities of Darling International Inc.

4.5		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).

4.6		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).

5.1*		Opinion of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.

12.1*		Statement of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

23.1*		Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

23.2*		Consent of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1 to this Registration Statement).

24.1*		Power of Attorney (included in signature page of this Registration Statement).

25.1*		Statement of Eligibility of U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, with respect to the Senior Indenture (included as Exhibit 4.4 to this Registration Statement).

25.2*		Statement of Eligibility of U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, with respect to the Subordinated Indenture (included as Exhibit 4.5 to this Registration Statement).

____________

*	Filed herewith.

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20-percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;

Provided, however, That:

Paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

(i) If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:

(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424 (b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (b)(2), or (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii),or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or

(ii) If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424 (b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this Registration Statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Exchange Act; and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X is not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.

(e) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(f) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“TIA”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)2 of the TIA.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe it meets all requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Irving, State of Texas, on November 12, 2010.

	DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC.


	By:	/s/ Randall C. Stuewe
		Randall C. Stuewe
		Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

POWERS OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned directors and officers of Darling International Inc. hereby constitute and appoint Randall C. Stuewe and John O. Muse, each with full power to act and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, our true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power to execute in our name and behalf in the capacities indicated below any and all amendments (including pre- or post-effective amendments and amendments thereto) to this Registration Statement and to file the same, with all exhibits and other documents relating thereto and any registration statement relating to any offering made pursuant to this Registration Statement that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act with the Securities and Exchange Commission and hereby ratify and confirm all that such attorney-in-fact or his substitute shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on November 12, 2010.

	Signature		Title



/s/ Randall C. Stuewe		Director, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Randall C. Stuewe

/s/ John O. Muse		Executive Vice President – Finance and Administration (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
John O. Muse

/s/ O. Thomas Albrecht		Director
O. Thomas Albrecht

/s/ C. Dean Carlson		Director
C. Dean Carlson

/s/ Marlyn Jorgensen		Director
Marlyn Jorgensen

/s/ Charles Macaluso		Director
Charles Macaluso

/s/ John D. March		Director
John D. March

/s/ Michael Urbut		Director
Michael Urbut