Hedeselskabet's history

2023-

Biodiversity and the marine environment are key focus areas for Hedeselskabet, where several initiatives are being launched and new business areas are being established. Among these is the introduction of Nature-Based Solutions, offering comprehensive services to large companies in Denmark that wish to make a positive impact on nature. This includes afforestation projects across the country, with a focus on biodiversity, groundwater protection, and CO₂ sequestration.

As part of this development, in 2024 Hedeselskabet obtained ecosystem services certification for biodiversity in the Jenssen-Buch Plantation. This certification highlights natural processes and supports our work with biodiversity in combination with production forestry.

Hedeselskabet has joined forces with the Danish Forest Association, Skovdyrkerne, and the Wood and Furniture Industry in the Partnership for Danish Forestry. Under this partnership, the campaign “Thanks to the Forest” was launched, aiming to highlight the value of active forest management.

In 2024, Hedeselskabet’s business changed its name from HedeDanmark A/S to Dalgas A/S. Named after founder Enrico Mylius Dalgas, the company continues to serve the interests of society, nature, and the climate.

2016-2022

In 2016, Hedeselskabet entered into a strategic partnership with VandCenter Syd and the municipalities of Assens and Odense to protect a groundwater reservoir near Brylle. The Brylle Vandskov project was completed in 2020 with a newly forested area of 130 hectares.

Later in 2016, Hedeselskabet and Thyborøn Invest launched the company Blå Biomasse A/S to work with mussel cultivation in the Limfjord. From 2021, the company aimed for an annual production of up to 7,000 tons of mussels, capable of removing approximately 100 tons of nitrogen and 8 tons of phosphorus from the water each year.

In 2020, Hedeselskabet entered a new collaboration with VandCenter Syd and Assens Municipality for another afforestation project aimed at groundwater protection.

At the end of 2020, Hedeselskabet launched an ambitious 2025 strategy, “Natural Growth”, focusing on a greener and more sustainable future. The strategy includes concrete goals and initiatives to reduce the climate footprint and improve conditions for nature.

2001-2015

In 2001, Hedeselskabet Skov og Landskab began trading forest properties in Denmark and the Baltic countries. Hedeselskabet Miljø og Energi expanded with assignments for private companies and consulting in the marine environment.

In 2003, DDH Contractors A/S developed a biogas system that became popular in the agricultural sector.

In 2004, Hedeselskabet Skov og Landskab was spun off as an independent subsidiary. DDH Contractors A/S changed its name to Xergi A/S in 2005 and established biogas plants in the United States. That same year, Hedeselskabet Skov og Landskab A/S established a company in Abu Dhabi.

From 2005 to 2006, Hedeselskabet developed a new strategic platform and naming structure. The holding company became Dalgasgroup A/S, Hedeselskabet Skov og Landskab A/S became HedeDanmark a/s, and Hedeselskabet Miljø og Energi a/s became Orbicon A/S. Hedeselskabet Dalgas Innovation was established to promote innovation in nature, environment, and energy.

In 2008, the Polish subsidiary, Hedeselskabet Sp. z o.o, entered into an agreement with the Danish state to transfer climate credits from Poland to Denmark through the use of landfill gas for energy production. At the same time, Hedeselskabet divested all shares in the Silvatec companies to AgromasgHolding in the Netherlands.

In 2009, Orbicon A/S acquired the construction consultancy Leif Hansen Engineering A/S to deliver integrated solutions in the fields of environment, climate, energy, and construction.

1983-2000

In 1982, the fixed annual subsidies for civil servant positions at Hedeselskabet were removed, and since the 1990s, the company has operated under free market conditions. In 1986, subsidies for land drainage were also discontinued, prompting the development of new activities in the environmental and energy sectors.

Hedeselskabet became a leader in planting and developed new technologies and machinery, which led to the establishment of Silvatec Forest Machines. Forestry and planting activities were consolidated under Hedeselskabet Skov og Landskab, which experienced significant growth in the construction and maintenance of green spaces.

In 1999, Hedeselskabet Miljø og Energi was spun off as an independent subsidiary.

Hedeselskabet’s Laboratory merged with MILJØ-KEMI, which later merged with Eurofins Scientific, after which Hedeselskabet divested its ownership stake.

Hedeselskabet also focused on internationalization and achieved strong growth in international markets, primarily in the UK, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe by the year 2000.

1962-1982

From 1962 to 1971, Hedeselskabet carried out the Skjern River Project, which involved regulating the river and draining surrounding meadows. The project became a catalyst for the Danish environmental debate and symbolized Denmark’s transition from an agricultural to an industrial society.

Legislative changes in 1966 halted large-scale land reclamation projects but continued to support drainage of waterlogged soils. In the 1970s, public subsidies to Hedeselskabet began to be phased out. At the same time, the organization developed new activities, introduced new technologies, and focused on international projects—particularly in the developing world.

1946-1961

After World War II, employment considerations became less central to Hedeselskabet, which instead began working closely with the agricultural sector on land reclamation and drainage projects.

The laboratory shifted its focus from peat and lignite analysis to soil analysis for agriculture, and Hedeselskabet worked to mitigate damage in plantations that had been heavily logged during the war.

At the same time, there was renewed interest in establishing new plantations. To support more efficient forest management, Hedeselskabet’s Plantation Regulation was established, aiming to map, among other things, the volume of timber in forests.

The first projects in nature conservation and landscape management were also initiated, including the construction of wastewater pipelines and treatment plants, as well as screening plantations in former lignite mining areas.

1933-1945

During the economic crisis of the 1930s, Hedeselskabet focused on socially beneficial and employment-promoting projects. Additional government subsidies were granted when unemployed workers were used for bog cultivation, peat production, marl spreading, dike construction, drainage, and planting.

During the war, Hedeselskabet played a key role as the national directorate for peat, administering state loans for peat production and controlling the fuel value of peat for pricing purposes. As a result, the analysis of peat and lignite became a significant activity at Hedeselskabet’s Laboratory.

1894-1932

After the death of Enrico Mylius Dalgas in 1894, a new era began, marked by strong personalities—including his son, Chr. Dalgas—who vied for leadership and helped shape the company’s mission and responsibilities.

In the 1890s, Hedeselskabet began supplying newly cultivated heathlands with marl, including locating marl deposits and establishing railways for transportation. Bog cultivation also became a new area of focus, involving agricultural development of bogs and peat production, especially during World War I.

Debates arose over the choice of tree species for heathland planting, leading to new forestry experiments and the development of knowledge in forest and plantation management. At the same time, Hedeselskabet’s Laboratory was established in 1910.

In 1921, the Danish state gained a seat on the board as part of a significant public commitment to the company’s land improvement activities.

1866-1893

Around 1800, Denmark’s heathlands were widespread due to deforestation and soil depletion. The first initiatives for cultivation and afforestation began as early as the 18th century. On March 28, 1866, Det danske Hedeselskab was founded at Hotel Royal in Aarhus. The company was established by leading figure and director Enrico Mylius Dalgas, barrister Georg Morville, and landowner and chairman Ferdinand Mourier-Petersen. Together with other visionary men, they set out to organize and unite efforts to create artificial meadows, cultivate the heath, and establish plantations.

Hedeselskabet made the transformation of the heathlands into a national cause in Denmark, thanks to the efforts of its three pioneers. After its founding, the company focused on geological surveys, meadow irrigation, and the establishment of plantations and shelterbelts.