The vision of the Danish forest industry is to pave the way for a new, substantial yet sustainable, profitable production of services from forests. The multiple use of forests is an area of increasing interest, and Danish knowledge and experience is strong in this field. Danish research and practice synthesize scientific knowledge and practical experience with social, environmental and silvicultural aspects of multiple-use forest management. Danish forestry strives to become a sector that is capable of both delivering high quality products, and large volumes of material and biomass, while offering recreation for people and great diversity in nature.
Denmark has good experience with management tools that lead to high quality wood for industrial products and generate biomass for energy production on the one hand, while protecting biodiversity and hydrologic cycles, and providing opportunities for recreation, hunting and ecotourism on the other. The increased use of wood will only be possible if future wood supply can be secured. Since 1989 Denmark has had a national goal of doubling the forest coverage within one rotation (80-100 years).
Denmark has one of the world’s leading groups working specifically with Christmas trees and decorative greenery production. Christmas trees and greenery are interesting forest-based products, which diversify the portfolio of products available from traditional forestry and farming. Production is labour intensive and will benefit rural areas; it can facilitate interesting opportunities such as farm-based businesses and related tourist activities.
There is strong, internationally recognized research expertise in Denmark, both within liquid and solid biofuels, based on both agricultural products as well as wood. There are strong links with leading industries in this field such as Novozymes, Danisco, DONG energy, and HedeDanmark. A key challenge is to research the options and barriers for an “integrated biomass infrastructure”. Owing to their strong dispersion on a landscape level, the procurement of raw materials and resources provides a challenge in realizing the full potential of biomass for energy, chemicals and materials.
