Jan van der Velden

Jan van der Velden leads Darling Ingredients’ international rendering and specialty ingredients operations, guiding business performance, operational strategy and regional growth across Europe and global markets. He focuses on strengthening operational excellence, product innovation and sustainable resource utilization throughout the company’s international platforms. Jan has played a key role in integrating several major acquisitions, ensuring smooth transitions and strong performance across newly added businesses. He also led the company’s entry into the Brazilian rendering market through the company’s acquisition of FASA.   

Jan joined the company in 2014 through the acquisition of VION Ingredients, bringing more than two decades of leadership experience across rendering, specialties and supply chain management. Since then, he has overseen multiple business groups and was appointed Executive Vice President – International Rendering and Specialties in 2017. His leadership has been central to integrating global operations and advancing market-leading specialty ingredient capabilities.  

Before joining Darling Ingredients, Jan held several senior roles within VION Ingredients. He was also a member of the VION Ingredients board, contributing to strategic decision-making and international business development. Jan has a master’s degree in business economics from Erasmus University in Rotterdam and an Executive MBA from Nyenrode Business University / University of Rochester.