Danalim — or Dana Lim A/S by its full name — is Denmark's largest domestic adhesive producer and one of the oldest in the Nordics. The company was founded in 1929 in Køge by Kai Leopold Hansen, barely a year after he, in the spring of 1928, dissolved old cinema films in acetone at the Hotel Postgaarden and produced what would become "the yellow tube" — one of Denmark's most iconic branded products [1][2].
Today Danalim manufactures adhesives, sealants and filler products at its Scandinavian main plant north of Køge (opened in 1948) and sells throughout most of Europe, as well as via subsidiaries in Sweden (since 2006), Norway, Lithuania and China. Ernst P is the Swedish distributor of their adhesive range and stocks four of the most in-demand products: Polyuretanlim D4, Kontaktlim 1 L, Kontaktlim 40 ml tub and Limspruta Epoxy.
This guide covers who Danalim is, what they manufacture, what sets them apart from the PVA competitors (Titebond, Gjöco) — and when you should choose which Danalim product.
History and ownership
The story of Danalim is Danish craft history in short form. Kai Hansen was in his thirties in the spring of 1928 when, according to the company's own account, he experimented with dissolving old cinema films (cellulose acetate) in acetone in his room at the Hotel Postgaarden in Køge. The result was an adhesive with unexpectedly high performance for its time. With the help of friends he set up a small production facility in the hotel's back house, and the following year — 1929 — Dansk Limfabrik A/S was established at Nørregade 56 in Køge [1][2].
Quick timeline:
- 1928 — Kai Hansen develops the glue at Hotel Postgaarden, Køge
- 1929 — Dansk Limfabrik A/S is founded at Nørregade 56
- 1930s — The yellow Dana Lim tube becomes one of Denmark's most iconic branded products; paradoxically, the global economic crisis increases demand
- 1948 — A new factory opens north of Køge (where Dana Lim is still located today) because flammable glue production in the middle of the town had become untenable
- 1973 — The company becomes an aktieselskab
- 1988 — Name change from Dansk Limfabrik A/S to Dana Lim A/S
- 2000 — Establishes operations in Lithuania
- 2006 — Dana Lim Sverige AB is established (org.nr 556245-3786)
- 2008 — Establishment in China
- 2015 — Establishment in Norway
The ownership structure is unusual and worth highlighting: Dana Lim A/S is 100% owned by Kai Hansens Fond, a Danish foundation named after the founder. This means profits are not distributed to external shareholders but reinvested in research, development and the foundation's purposes — including Dana Lim Prisen, awarded each year to outstanding Danish scientific research. It is one of the reasons why Danalim maintains high R&D intensity on its adhesive and sealant range [2].
Environment. Danalim is a licence holder of the Nordic Swan Ecolabel (the Nordic countries' official environmental label) for several product groups within chemical construction products, and has an explicit strategy for phasing out phthalates and tin from the range. Specific ISO 14001 certifications and product-level EPDs are published on danalim.se under "We work for a greener future" [4][5].
Product range we distribute
Ernst P stocks four Danalim products — the three largest adhesive categories in the construction and carpentry range (PU, contact, epoxy) plus a smaller tube variant of contact adhesive.
Polyurethane glue (D4)
Polyuretanlim 750 ml is Danalim's D4-classified wood glue based on single-component moisture-curing polyurethane — not PVA. It reacts with moisture in the air and in the wood, expands up to 3x in volume during curing and forms a tough, slightly foamy bond line that withstands water, cold and heat alike [3].
Key technical data:
- Classification: D4 according to EN 204:2016 (highest water resistance)
- Curing: Moisture-curing PU — reacts with H2O in air and substrate
- Expansion: Up to 3x volume (foams)
- Open time: approx. 30 min at 20°C
- Clamping time: approx. 180 min (3 h)
- Application temperature: +15 °C to +40 °C
- Wood moisture content: Handles timber up to approx. 20% MC
- Substrates: Wood, hard plastic, metal, stone, concrete, tiles, brick, cellular plastic, rubber
- Colour when cured: Light / beige foam structure
Polyurethane glue D4 is the first choice for outdoor use, damp timber and wood-to-something-else (wood to concrete, wood to metal, wood to hard plastic). The foam expansion also fills small unevennesses — useful where bond surfaces are less than perfect.
Contact adhesive (polychloroprene)
Danalim's contact adhesive is a classic solvent-based polychloroprene adhesive (neoprene rubber). Both surfaces are coated, the solvent is allowed to flash off for a few minutes, and then the surfaces bond immediately with strong adhesion on contact. The glue does not move afterwards — so placement must be accurate the first time.
Applications:
- Laminate on chipboard, MDF, kitchen worktops
- Rubber (seals, mats)
- Leather (furniture upholstery, repairs)
- Textile
- Cellular plastic to wood or metal
- Cork tiles to wall or floor
For larger jobs (laminating an entire kitchen worktop) — choose Kontaktlim 1 L. For repairs, smaller sealing strips or hobby jobs — Kontaktlim 40 ml tub.
Important: always use with good ventilation. The solvent is flammable and the vapours should not be inhaled for prolonged periods. There are also water-based contact adhesives (DanAtac Aqua Contact 288) in the Danalim range if you prefer a solvent-free option — contact us if you need it.
Epoxy glue syringe (universal)
Limspruta Epoxy 24 g is Danalim's two-component epoxy in twin-syringe format. One syringe contains the resin (component A), the other the hardener (component B), and the plunger dispenses both at the same time in an exact 1:1 ratio. You avoid weighing or dosing manually.
Specs (Epoxy Universal 335):
- Format: Twin syringe 24 g total (12 g resin + 12 g hardener)
- Mixing ratio: 1:1 (automatically via the syringe)
- Open / working time: approx. 5 min
- Hand-tight: approx. 5 min after application
- Full strength: 24 h
- Water-resistant: Yes
- Solvent-resistant: Yes, against most
- Substrates: Wood, metal, glass, ceramic, stone, hard plastic (not PE/PP/PTFE)
Epoxy is a universal agent for quick repairs where you need strength and where you have two materials that cannot be bonded with PVA or PU — typically metal to ceramic, glass to wood, hard plastic to wood. Not the first choice for large wood joints (too expensive per joint and too short an open time), but unbeatable for specialist jobs.
Danalim against the competition
Danalim plays in the same "professional adhesive range" segment as Titebond (USA, PVA-focused) and Gjöco (Norway, PVA-focused). The difference is not primarily quality — all three are serious manufacturers — but chemistry and product breadth.
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Three practical differences:
- Chemistry. Titebond III and Gjöco's D-glues are PVA (water-based polyvinyl acetate). Danalim Polyuretanlim is PU (solvent-free but reactive polyurethane). PVA gives a cleaner, harder bond line but only bonds porous materials. PU expands and is less neat — but bonds virtually anything.
- Breadth vs depth. Titebond makes only wood glue but does so across the entire D scale plus specialty products (Liquid Hide, Polyurethane). Danalim covers the whole adhesive universe: PVA (Trälim 421/422), PU, contact, epoxy, hot-melt, floor adhesives, as well as sealants and fillers.
- Food safety. Titebond III is FDA-approved (21 CFR 175.105) — may be used in indirect food contact (chopping boards, salad servers). Danalim Polyuretanlim has no FDA approval and should not be used on food surfaces. If you need D4 for a chopping board — Titebond III is the only option.
For a deeper comparison between Titebond III and Danalim Polyuretanlim on actual joint performance, see our paired test article: Titebond III vs Danalim Polyuretanlim — D4-limmen i direkt test.
Environment and safety
Danalim works with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel for several chemical construction products and has an explicit strategy for phthalate- and tin-free formulations [4][5]. That does not mean, however, that every product in the range is harmless — the chemistry dictates the instructions for use.
Safety data sheets (SDB / SDS) for each product are available on danalim.se or from Ernst P on request. Read them before starting larger projects — especially if you share a workspace with others.
When should you choose Danalim?
Quick decision guide. Assumes the alternatives are Danalim, Titebond or Gjöco from the Ernst P range for:
- Need D4 PU for outdoor use, boat, concrete+wood, damp timber → Polyuretanlim 750 ml. No other glue in Ernst P's range combines D4 water resistance with non-porous-substrate compatibility.
- Need D4 for food surfaces (chopping board, dining table) → Titebond III Ultimate. Not Danalim — PU lacks FDA approval.
- Need standard indoor wood glue D2/D3 for furniture → Titebond Original/II or Gjöco D2/D3. Danalim has its own PVA wood glues (Trälim 421/422) but Ernst P does not carry them for the Swedish market — we have chosen Titebond/Gjöco there.
- Need a universal glue for quick repair (metal, glass, ceramic, plastic) → Limspruta Epoxy 24 g. 5 min curing, twin syringe with no dosing, works on everything except polyolefins.
- Need a contact adhesive for laminate on a kitchen worktop → Kontaktlim 1 L. The standard choice across the Nordics for 60+ years.
- Need a contact adhesive for small jobs (strips, repairs) → Kontaktlim 40 ml tub. Goes a long way, no dry rim in the tube.
- Need a specialist adhesive (hot-melt, floor adhesive, sealant, filler) → contact us; we can order directly from Danalim Sverige AB.
Frequently asked questions
See the FAQ section structured above in the frontmatter (rendered by the page template).
Related articles
- Titebond III vs Danalim Polyuretanlim — D4-limmen i direkt test — when Danalim PU wins and when Titebond III does
- D2, D3 och D4 trälim förklarat — the EN 204 classification in plain English
- Titebond trälim — komplett guide — the entire Titebond range compared
The full Danalim range at Ernst P
We stock four Danalim products today, all covered in the guide above. If you need other Danalim products (sealants, hot-melt, floor adhesives, fillers, fire stopping) — contact us and we will order directly from Danalim Sverige AB.
See the full adhesive range at Ernst P →
Sources
All facts in this guide are verified against primary sources. Last updated 2026-04-18.
- Dana Lim — Historien om Dana Lim (official company history, founding in Køge, Kai Hansen, Hotel Postgaarden 1928, Dansk Limfabrik 1929). danalim.dk/om-dana-lim/historie
- Wikipedia (da) — Dana Lim (ownership structure Kai Hansens Fond, name change 1988, establishments in Sweden 2006, Norway 2015, Lithuania 2000, China 2008, CVR 49294514). da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_Lim
- Dana Lim — Trälim 421 D4 PU (official technical data: D4 EN 204/205, moisture-curing PU, open time 30 min, clamping time 180 min, +15–+40 °C, wood moisture content up to 20%). Available via paintpro.se paintpro.se/lim-fog-kitt-och-spackel/tralim-pu-ljus-d4-421-dana-lim
- Dana Lim — Vi arbetar för en grönare framtid (Nordic Swan licence, phthalate- and tin-free strategy). danalim.se/miljoe/certs
- Svanen — Licensinnehavare Dana Lim A/S (official verification of Nordic Swan licence). svanen.se/licensinnehavare/dana-lim-as
- Dana Lim — Epoxy Universal 335 (official product page, 2-component twin syringe, 5 min curing, 1:1, water-resistant). danalim.com/product/epoxy-universal-335
- Dana Lim — Kontaktlim 281 (polychloroprene / neoprene, adhesive for wood, laminate, rubber, leather, concrete, glass, metal). paintpro.se/lim-spackel/kontaktlim-281-dana-lim
Vanliga frågor
Who owns Danalim?
Dana Lim A/S is 100% Danish-owned and controlled by Kai Hansens Fond — named after the company's founder Kai Leopold Hansen. The company is an aktieselskab (CVR 49294514) with its head office in Køge, Denmark. Because the entire profit flows back into the foundation, it is reinvested in research and development — not paid out to external shareholders. That is one of the reasons Danalim is so strong in R&D within adhesives and sealants in the Nordics [1][2].
Is Danalim Polyurethane Glue D4 water-resistant enough for outdoor use?
Yes. Danalim Polyuretanlim 750 ml is D4-classified according to EN 204:2016 — the highest water-resistance class. The glue is moisture-curing (reacts with water in air and wood), expands up to 3x in volume during curing and also works on non-porous materials such as metal, concrete and hard plastic. However, for continuous immersion in water (boat hulls below the waterline) even D4 is not sufficient — epoxy is then required [3].
Which Danalim contact adhesive should I choose for laminate?
Kontaktlim 1 L (polychloroprene / neoprene) is the standard choice for laminate on chipboard, MDF and kitchen worktops. For occasional smaller jobs there is also Kontaktlim 40 ml tub. Both are solvent-based and give immediate strong bonding — which also means placement must be precise on first contact, because the glue will not move afterwards. Always use with good ventilation.
How long is the curing time of Danalim Limspruta Epoxy 24 g?
Limspruta Epoxy (Epoxy Universal 335) cures in about 5 minutes — that is, hand-tight after approximately 5 min and full strength after 24 h. The syringe is a twin syringe that dispenses resin and hardener in a 1:1 ratio automatically, so you avoid weighing the components manually. Ideal for quick repairs in metal, plastic, wood, glass and ceramic.
Is Danalim environmentally certified?
Yes. Dana Lim is a licence holder of the Nordic Swan Ecolabel (the Nordic countries' official environmental label) for several product groups within chemical construction products. The range also contains a number of phthalate- and tin-free products. Danalim operates under an explicit environmental policy and communicates via its section 'We work for a greener future' [4][5].
Does Ernst P distribute the entire Danalim range?
Ernst P stocks the Danalim adhesive range that is most in demand among Swedish carpenters and professional builders: Polyuretanlim 750 ml (D4 PU), Kontaktlim 1 L and 40 ml tub (polychloroprene), and Limspruta Epoxy 24 g (Epoxy Universal 335). If you need sealants or other Danalim products — contact us and we will help you order directly from Danalim Sverige AB.
