The Zielitz potash plant in Saxony-Anhalt is the largest single K+S site and extracts crude salts containing potassium for the production of fertilizers, products for industrial applications as well as products for the feed and food industry. In terms of annual production volumes, the plant is one of the largest and most modern potash plants in the world.
After the political changes in 1989, the plant was privatized and has belonged to the K+S Group since the potash merger at the end of 1993 - the merger of the East and West German potash industries.
Due to its diverse product range, Zielitz is an important K+S production site. The rich deposits are among the most valuable in Germany due to their high potassium chloride content and their thickness.
With crude salt production of about 12 million tonnes per year, it is one of the largest and most modern potash plants in the world.
Every year, Zielitz produces about 1.9 million tonnes of saleable end products from the raw material, i.e. potash fertilizers (potassium chloride 60%), potassium chloride 99% for industrial applications and products in food (KaliSel) and feed quality (KaSa K99®), which are shipped worldwide. The Zielitz potash plant therefore generates considerable added value.
Partner of the region
The Zielitz potash plant currently employs around 1,900 people, making it one of the largest and most important employers in the region. The plant has around 150 trainees in technical and managerial positions. This corresponds to a training ratio of just under 8 percent.
As a partner to the region, the plant regularly commissions supplies and services to companies in the surrounding area, therefore providing the economic basis for numerous regional jobs. The potash production contributes stable added value to the region and makes the plant an important partner for the surrounding communities and their population. The site's social commitment involves social institutions, associations, and clubs in the region, with a focus on promoting regional youth sports.
The Zielitz plant at a glance
| Founding year: | 1968 |
| Type of site: | Production |
| Crude salt extraction: | approx. 12 million t/a (41,000 t/d is equivalent to 25 freight trains) |
| Capacity / production: | Capacity / production: approx. 2 million t/a Goods (of which 350k t products fro industrial application and feed and food industry) |
| Employees: | 1,900 total workforce Training ratio: approx. 8% (approx. 120 trainees in 6 occupations) approx. 650 above ground approx. 1,250 underground |
One employer – many opportunities
Discover the attractive and versatile job opportunities at K+S and learn more about us as an employer. In motivated teams, you have the opportunity to contribute your knowledge, strengths, and ideas in a targeted manner. We also offer attractive social benefits, extensive development opportunities, corporate health management and much more.
We look forward to meeting you!
High school students
Leaving school and planning a career is not easy. What type of job is interesting for you – administration or technology?
Long-term safe disposal of hazardous waste
As a certified waste management company, REKS offers solutions in the areas of waste management, covering of potash tailings piles as well as complete services for the recycling of aluminum slag containing salt.
Zielitz underground disposal
Our two underground waste disposal sites at Herfa-Neurode and Zielitz are the safest place for heavily contaminated waste that cannot be recovered. With almost 50 years of experience, we are now capable of disposing a wide range of hazardous wastes from various industries.
In the abandoned mine fields of our potash mines, we optimally utilize the geological conditions for the permanent and safe disposal of your waste at depths of approx. 500 to 800 meters. Far below the groundwater level, sealed gas-tight by salt rock up to 300 meters thick and additionally insulated by further water-blocking layers, people and the environment are safe from this waste also in the future. In Zielitz, packaged waste can be delivered not only in trucks but also in sea containers.
Zielitz underground recovery
Many mineral substances can be recovered underground. We deposit this waste in the cavities once created during the extraction of potash and rock salt, where raw materials are no longer mined. We support the pillars between the mining chambers and therefore not only use the waste as a resource, but also ensure mining safety at the same time. In around 25 years of underground recovery, we have developed numerous proprietary processes for utilizing the material properties of less contaminated waste, and are constantly working on new processes and techniques for recovering even more waste.
At the Zielitz site, pneumatically conveyable material is handled in above-ground silos and filled into plastic bags via an automatic packing machine. After the bags have been stacked in a shipping container, the container is taken underground and the material is moved to the backfill site. The resulting area is covered with rock salt.
The history of the Zielitz potash plant
1960 – Start of the drilling program for the exploration of the potash deposit "Scholle von Calvörde"
1963 – Decision on the construction of the potash plant
1964 – Symbolic ground-breaking ceremony as official start of construction
1968 – Foundation of the VEB Zielitz potash plant
1969 – Start of crude salt mining, expansion of underground infrastructure
1973 – Start of potash production in continuous operation
1975 – First use of a load transportation vehicle (LTF) S 10000, with a transportation volume of 10 tonnes
1976 – Introduction of the mine radio system
1989 – Production of the 100 millionth tonne of crude salt
1990 – German reunification and foundation of Zielitzer Kali AG
1991 – Integration of the site into Mitteldeutsche Kali AG (MdK)
1993 – The Zielitz plant becomes a part of the new Kali und Salz GmbH, Kassel, with the merger of the East and West German potash industries.
1995 – Start of the underground disposal site
1996 – Commissioning of the hot-leach facility
2001 – Production of the 200 millionth tonne of crude salt
2008 – Start of underground recovery
2009 – Commissioning of the KCl-food-grade facility for the production of potassium chloride in food quality
2010 – Production of the 300 millionth tonne of crude salt
2014 – Commissioning of the plant for the production of high purity compacted potassium chloride - KCl 99 compacted
Questions about Zielitz?
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