DANREC is part of a large German family – ARAN Holding. The name means “home” in Frisian and reflects the Group’s DNA: to create stability and take responsibility for relationships, financial performance and the environment. These values form the core of DANREC.
Environment, people and business
These are the core values of the German company ARAN Holding, of which DANREC is a part.
The name means “home” and originates from Frisian, spoken in northern parts of the Netherlands and northwestern Germany.
“Environmental responsibility and business development go hand in hand. They are not driven by short-term trends, but by a fundamental belief that economic growth and responsible resource use must support one another,” says Henrik Immerkær Ohm.
ARAN Holding is led by Adolf Hilmer. Early on, he recognised the value of recycling and waste reduction, and over the years the holding company has invested in advanced technologies and solutions that reduce environmental impact.
“The goal is to combine environmental responsibility with economic growth – thereby taking responsibility for both the present and future generations,” adds Henrik Immerkær Ohm.
As a natural part of the Group’s values and responsibilities, ARAN Holding also sets high environmental and social standards for its partners and suppliers.
A high degree of autonomy
ARAN Holding is based in Bad Schwartau near Lübeck and owns more than 30 small and medium-sized companies in Germany and Denmark. These operate within three main areas – recycling and environmental solutions, real estate development, and technology and services.
The portfolio ranges from waste collection and landfill operations to the production of chemical membranes, holiday home rentals – and the production of ground protection boards made from 100% recycled plastic at the factory in Karup.
DANREC was founded in 1992 – the same year Germany began sorting household and construction waste, while Denmark at that time recycled only cardboard, paper and bottles and incinerated the rest.
“ARAN saw the opportunity to build an industry around recycling household waste. When EU development and production funds were made available to Denmark, the Germans established a factory in Karup,” explains Henrik Immerkær Ohm. explains Henrik Immerkær Ohm.
Today, the Group in Germany supports DANREC with functions such as finance and IT – while daily operations remain highly autonomous.
“We share a strong value foundation across the Group, but each company has a high degree of independence. The ownership model is built on trust and short decision-making processes,” says Henrik Immerkær Ohm.
A long-term perspective
DANREC’s financial results – with revenue of DKK 102.4 million in 2025 – demonstrate that ARAN Holding’s vision of combining economic growth with environmental responsibility is achievable. DANREC aims to become Denmark’s greenest manufacturing company by achieving CO₂ neutrality and reducing waste across the entire organisation.
“Across the Group, companies work systematically to reduce resource consumption, minimise waste and lower CO₂ emissions. This includes improving energy efficiency, using renewable energy and developing durable, recyclable solutions designed for a long lifespan,” explains Henrik Immerkær Ohm.
Over the years, ARAN Holding has evolved alongside the market – without compromising its core values.
“This allows us to develop long-term with a focus on responsibility, quality and solutions that benefit the environment and last for many years – where stability and change go hand in hand,” emphasises Henrik Immerkær Ohm.
