# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000916540
**File Stem:** 0000916540-26-000006
**Filing Date:** 2026-2
**Character Count:** 12167
**Document Hash:** ede1bdcfa456dab73e4b96daa63ea9d7
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0000916540-26-000006.hdr.sgml**: 20260225

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0000916540-26-000006

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 14

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20260225

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260225

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260225

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** DARLING INGREDIENTS INC.
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000916540
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** FATS & OILS [2070]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 04 Manufacturing
- **EIN:** 362495346
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** DE
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 0103

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-13323
- **FILM NUMBER:** 26679742

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 5601 N MACARTHUR BLVD
- **CITY:** IRVING
- **STATE:** TX
- **ZIP:** 75038
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 9727170300

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 5601 N MACARTHUR BLVD
- **CITY:** IRVING
- **STATE:** TX
- **ZIP:** 75038

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** DARLING INTERNATIONAL INC
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19931223

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? dar-20260225

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

**FORM 8-K** 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

**CURRENT REPORT**

**Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the**

**Securities Exchange Act of 1934**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)** | **February 25, 2026** |

---

---

| |
|:---|
| **DARLING INGREDIENTS INC.** |
| **(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)** |

---

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | **001-13323** | **36-2495346** |
| **(State or Other Jurisdiction<br>of Incorporation)** | **(Commission<br>File Number)** | **(IRS Employer<br>Identification No.)** |

---

**<u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5601 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, Texas 75038&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u>**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

**Registrant's telephone number, including area code: <u>(972) 717-0300&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u>**

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (*see* General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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

---

| | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common stock $0.01 par value per share | DAR | New York Stock Exchange | ("NYSE") |
|  |  | NYSE Texas | NYSE Texas |

---

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

☐ Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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**Item 5.02.**&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.**

On February 25, 2026, Gary W. Mize, a member of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of Darling Ingredients Inc. (the "Company") since 2016, notified the Board that he plans to retire from the Board effective at the Company's 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "2026 Annual Meeting"). Mr. Mize will remain a director and maintain his roles as Lead Director and Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee through the 2026 Annual Meeting.

On February 25, 2026, the Board elected Robert Aspell to the Board effective immediately. In connection with Mr. Aspell's election to the Board, the size of the Board was increased to eleven members. In addition, Mr. Aspell was appointed to the Board's Audit Committee. The Board has determined that Mr. Aspell is an independent director under the applicable New York Stock Exchange listing standards and the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines.

In connection with his service as a director, Mr. Aspell will receive the Company's standard non-employee director compensation, which currently consists of an annual retainer equal to $100,000, paid in quarterly installments, and an annual grant of $150,000 in value of restricted stock units, with Mr. Aspell to receive a prorated amount of such grant, with the number of restricted stock units granted to be based on the closing price of our common stock on the date of his appointment to the Board. In addition, the Company will enter into its standard form of Indemnification Agreement for directors and executive officers with Mr. Aspell, which was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 25, 2008.

Mr. Aspell is a retired food and agribusiness executive with Cargill, Incorporated, where he worked for over 40 years. Prior to his retirement, he served as Cargill Asia Pacific President and Ag Supply Chain Group Leader, from 2018 to 2024, in Shanghai, China, with responsibility for supply chain and business development, including overseeing expansion and integration projects, as well as mergers and acquisitions. He also previously held leadership positions with Cargill, Incorporated in Egypt and Mexico and various trading positions.

There is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Aspell and any other persons pursuant to which he was selected as a director, nor are there any transactions in which Mr. Aspell has an interest requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

A copy of the press release announcing Mr. Mize's upcoming retirement and Mr. Aspell's election to the Board is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

**Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.**

(d) *Exhibits*.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;99.1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<u>[Press Release dated](exh991-pressrelease022526.htm)[F](exh991-pressrelease022526.htm)[ebruary](exh991-pressrelease022526.htm)[2](exh991-pressrelease022526.htm)[5](exh991-pressrelease022526.htm)[, 2026](exh991-pressrelease022526.htm)[.](exh991-pressrelease022526.htm)</u>

104 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within Inline XBRL document)

------

**SIGNATURES**

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| | DARLING INGREDIENTS INC. | DARLING INGREDIENTS INC. |
| Date: February 25, 2026 | By: | /s/ Nick Kemphaus |
|  |  | Nick Kemphaus |
|  |  | Executive Vice President,<br>General Counsel |

---

## Exhibit 99.1

**EXHIBIT 99.1 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;**

![darlingingredientslogoa.jpg](darlingingredientslogoa.jpg)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 25, 2026

**Darling Ingredients Director Gary Mize to retire from Board at Annual Meeting; Robert** 

**Aspell elected to Board of Directors**

IRVING, Texas – Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE: DAR), today announced that long-time board member Gary Mize has informed the board that he plans to retire, effective at the company's 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Mr. Mize will remain a director and maintain his committee membership through the 2026 Annual Meeting.

Additionally, the company announced that Robert Aspell has been elected to the board as an independent director, effective immediately. Mr. Aspell will serve on the board's Audit Committee.

Mr. Mize joined the Darling Ingredients Board of Directors in 2016 and has served as its Lead Director since 2021. His career includes tenure as a partner and business owner at MR & Associates, a consulting and advisory firm focused on agricultural-based enterprises.

"On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank Gary for his many years of dedicated service," said Randall C. Stuewe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Gary's significant and meaningful contributions to Darling Ingredients have helped transform our company. His extensive knowledge and experience in the agribusiness industry helped us grow and expand our global footprint. We wish Gary all the best in retirement."

Mr. Aspell brings 40 years of global, agriculture-based business experience from his leadership at Cargill. During his senior assignments in China, Egypt, Europe and Mexico, he successfully navigated regulatory and geopolitical complexity while managing risk across diverse environments. His career includes leading operational, supply chain and commercial organizations, and advancing strategic growth in both mature and emerging regions. He also played a key role in driving mergers, acquisitions and integrations across the global food and agriculture value chain.

"We are pleased to welcome Robert to our board of directors," said Stuewe. "Robert's broad international experience and decades of operational leadership in the agribusiness sector bring valuable insight to our board. His seasoned judgment and global business insight further strengthen our board's strategic oversight, as we continue advancing organizational growth and delivering value to our shareholders."

------

**About Darling Ingredients**

A pioneer in circularity, Darling Ingredients Inc. (NYSE: DAR) takes material from the animal agriculture and food industries, and transforms them into valuable ingredients that nourish people, feed animals and crops, and fuel the world with renewable energy. The company operates over 260 facilities in more than 15 countries and processes about 15% of the world's animal agricultural by-products, produces about 30% of the world's collagen (both gelatin and hydrolyzed collagen), and is one of the largest producers of renewable energy. To learn more, visit darlingii.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

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**Darling Ingredients Contacts**

**Investors:** Suann Guthrie

Senior VP, Investor Relations and Global Affairs

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(469) 214-8202; suann.guthrie@darlingii.com

**Media:** Jillian Fleming

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Director, Global Communications

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(972) 541-7115; jillian.fleming@darlingii.com

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