Sustainability in Danish mink farming

Fur is a natural material with many positive characteristics, and Danish mink is of exceptional quality – beautiful, warm, durable and can be handed down for generations. Best of all, it is completely biodegradable and naturally returns to the ecological cycle.

Making the most from mink

Most of Kopenhagen Fur's skins originate from Denmark, where local mink breeders use of 100 per cent of every animal bred for the trade to benefit the environment. After pelting, the remains of the mink are sent for bioprocessing to make optimum use of the residual products. Fat from the mink is used to produce biodiesel, which is added to fossil diesel. This biodiesel contributes directly to the EU directive that obliges countries to use 10 per cent renewable energy in the transport sector by 2020.

The remaining mink by-products are processed into bone meal, which can be used for heating as it has the same calorific value as wood chips. The ash from the incineration process is used as a component in cement, concrete and asphalt. Bone meal can also be used as a fertiliser component.

Leading the way

Danish mink breeders are at the forefront when it comes to making 100 per cent use of the mink. In Europe overall, more than two thirds of every animal bred for fur is used. The fur business is striving for 100 per cent utilisation of the mink at a European level too.

A key element of the fur trade's contribution to sustainability is feed, which is based on residual products from food production. Each year, more than one million tonnes of residual matter from the fish and poultry industry is used to produce feed for fur animals. This ensures the optimum use of resources.