US-based food processing by-products recycling company Darling International Inc. has reported net sales of $138.6 million for the first quarter ended March 31, a significant improvement over the $76.4 million reported for the first quarter of 2006. The increase was primarily attributed to the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of National By-Products in May last year, which accounted for the majority of the $62.2 million increase.

Net income increased to $9.6 million compared with $0.4 million, as a result of improved prices for finished products, the substantial completion of the integration of National By-Products, increased raw material volume, and a $2.2 million gain on the closing of a transaction for sale of a judgment against a service provider.

Darling International claims to be the largest publicly traded, food processing by-products recycling company in the United States. The company recycles by-products from the beef, pork and poultry processing industries into useable products such as hides, tallow, feed-grade fats, meat and bone meal.