The exterior view of the K+S research facility, or ARC for short.
ARC Unterbreizbach

Analytics and Research Center

Welcome to the ARC, the research facility of K+S Aktiengesellschaft. At this research facility, new products are developed in state-of-the-art laboratories, processes for salt extraction as well as processing are improved, and specially adapted analytical methods are applied.

ARC in Portrait

The Research Facility of K+S

In the Hessian-Thuringian potash district, in close vicinity to the Unterbreizbach production site, more than 100 employees work in laboratories and test facilities of the technical center. In the central laboratory of the ARC, which is certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO / IEC 17025, around 30,000 samples are processed each year. Our production processes are tested, optimized, and innovatively developed on a small scale in the pilot plant. These activities are carried out in close coordination with our mining sites and in dialogue with colleges and universities.

Research with Foresight - An unusual working environment
Research with Foresight - An unusual working environment
News

Current topics at the ARC

Impressions

View into the ARC Technical Center
View into the ARC Technical Center
Samples for X-ray fluorescence analysis
Samples for X-ray fluorescence analysis
Salt crystal under the digital microscope
Salt crystal under the digital microscope
Sample analysis with the microwave digestion system
Sample analysis with the microwave digestion system
Materials testing with the spark emission spectrometer
Materials testing with the spark emission spectrometer
Wet chemical process analysis technology
Wet chemical process analysis technology
Mini salt lick blocks from the press
Mini salt lick blocks from the press
View of the documentation area
View of the documentation area
View of the ARC in the background the Hattorf tailings pile
View of the ARC in the background the Hattorf tailings pile
Responsibilities

Diverse Research Areas

The competence of our employees can be found at many different workplaces: In the area of responsibility of the ARC, they work in analytics, mechanical processing, sorting technology, and chemical process engineering.

360 Degree View into the Lab

Product Innovation - How does it work?

Kollegen mit Salzleckstein 16:9

It sounds as simple as it is obvious: a fertilizer granule must be sufficiently firm to prevent dust from forming on the field. Even before that, it must be capable of withstanding tough mechanical stresses, such as during transportation and storage. K+S has a great deal of experience in granulating potash and magnesium fertilizers meeting such requirements. What happens, however, when a micronutrient is added to the tried and tested fertilizer? Do the components of the granules still maintain their stability even then?

As part of product innovation, the employees of the Mechanical Processing department test grain stability, for example, by exposing the fertilizers to mechanical stress under varying climatic conditions in the laboratory. The check also includes chemical analysis, which is why such samples also end up in the central laboratory. There, it is then examined whether all admixed ingredients are contained in the correct concentration and evenly distributed.

Salzlecksteine 16:9

Our aim is to make processes more efficient and improve the quality of existing products. Supported by experts in our own company and external cooperation partners as well as research institutes, we are constantly developing the extraction and refining of raw materials for potash and salt.

A company like K+S can only be successful in global competition in the long term if new knowledge is continuously generated. It must also be capable of implementing this knowledge rapidly in practice - the ARC provides the basis for this.
Dr. Ludger Waldmann, Head of Research & Technology

100 Years of Potash Research

Systematic research into the extraction and processing of potash salts - a very "young" raw material at that time - began on October 28, 1919. Today, in the tradition of this special research sector, K+S has a recognized center of competence where potash history continues to be written.

Jobs

One Employer - Many Opportunities

Mitarbeiter am Schreibtisch 16:9
Collegial collaboration at the ARC

As an employer, K+S provides excellent working conditions at its Analytics and Research Center, also due to its state-of-the-art equipment.

Professions at the ARC in Unterbreizbach

At the ARC, our focus is on people: what our employees have in common is their ability to work in a team, their spirit of research, and a solid education. For many professions, opportunities for personal development are provided here, for example when entering professional life or as a career component on the further path of life.

The combination of a comprehensive technical center with very well-equipped laboratories provides an attractive environment for research in an interdisciplinary team.
The combination of a comprehensive technical center with very well-equipped laboratories provides an attractive environment for research in an interdisciplinary team.
Team players are welcome at the ARC. Personal development and professional training are promoted.
Team players are welcome at the ARC. Personal development and professional training are promoted.
Keen on sophisticated analytics?  Labs and equipment at the ARC enable qualified analyses for very different sectors. This diversity creates room for new ideas.
Keen on sophisticated analytics? Labs and equipment at the ARC enable qualified analyses for very different sectors. This diversity creates room for new ideas.
Technicians, CTAs, and laboratory assistants keep the many processes running smoothly.
Technicians, CTAs, and laboratory assistants keep the many processes running smoothly.
A workplace in the ARC in the direct vicinity of raw material processing.
A workplace in the ARC in the direct vicinity of raw material processing.

Current Vacancies

Discover open positions at the Unterbreizbach ARC.

Contact

Do you have questions about vacancies or application options?

Dräbing
Alina Dräbing
HR Recruiting for Philippsthal, Krayenberggemeinde, Unterbreizbach (incl. Analytics and Research Center), Heringen (Werk Werra)
Collaboration

The ARC as a Partner to Industry and in Exchange with Universities

K+S employees have advanced research and testing knowledge. They work according to established industry standards in chemical testing as well as in analysis and process development. Many years of experience make the ARC specialist groups valued partners in cooperative projects, working groups, and research projects with external institutions.

Directions & Contact

Contact and Directions

K+S Aktiengesellschaft Analytics and Research Center (ARC)
Engineering / Support
Address
Zum Salzberg 4
36414 Unterbreizbach
Germany
Contact
+49 6620 7947 92