Sustainable food processing firm Darling Ingredients Inc said it had agreed to buy Valley Proteins Inc, a startup focused on collection and recycling of waste, for about $1.1 billion in an all-cash deal.
The acquisition will provide Darling Ingredients with additional low-carbon feedstock to produce renewable diesel and potentially sustainable aviation fuel, the company said.
Darling Ingredients is a producer of renewable clean energy and collects waste streams from the agri-food industry, repurposed into specialty ingredients, including animal proteins and meals, plasma, pet food and green bioenergy.
The closing of the deal is subject to customary closing conditions, including the expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period.
'Essential Services'
Randall C Stuewe, chairman and chief executive officer of Darling Ingredients, stated, "We are pleased to add Valley Proteins to our global ingredient family and we expect this acquisition to be accretive post integration.
"Valley Proteins has a rich 70 plus year history of providing essential services to the meat processing industry and restaurant locations and our teams will work diligently to complete this acquisition in a timely manner."
Climate awareness and investor interest in sustainable business practices have surged this year, with companies and investors looking to factor in environmental social governance (ESG) policies.
Earlier this month, packaging products provider Sonoco Products Co said it would buy sustainable metal packaging maker Ball Metalpack for $1.35 billion to expand its sustainable packing portfolio.
News by Reuters, additional reporting by ESM. For more A-Brands stories, click here. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
