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One of the world’s most pressing global challenges is securing sustainable nutrition. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), every ninth person goes to bed hungry.

Due to the persistent severe drought, the water level in the Werra river remains at an exceptionally low level. Therefore, production at the Hattorf site has also been temporarily interrupted today.

At today’s Capital Markets Day in the new Bethune Mine in Canada, the K+S Board of Executive Directors presents the business to analysts and investors. K+S CEO Dr. Burkhard Lohr emphasizes the progress made in implementing the “Shaping 2030” strategy towards the new “One K+S”: “We are continuing to make good progress with the implementation and have now developed the detailed concept of our new organization. The first synergies are already being realized. As planned, we want to achieve synergies of about 150 million euros per year by the end of 2020.”

The development of growth regions is an important component of the new K+S corporate “Shaping 2030” strategy. In doing so, K+S is focusing more closely on the sub-Saharan region which, because of the still underdeveloped agriculture, offers great potential. The use of fertilizers is comparatively low at only eight kilograms per hectare and crop yields are correspondingly low. By comparison, an average of 135 kilograms per hectare are used worldwide and in Europe, 150 kilograms are used. In addition, agriculture is characterized by small-scale farming structures without pronounced agricultural know-how. This is exactly where K+S comes in.

The persistent severe drought in recent months has led to production being temporarily interrupted at some Werra plants. Their main disposal method is currently restricted due to the exceptionally low water level in the Werra river.

K+S also increased its revenue and operating results in the second quarter compared to the same period last year. Revenue increased by more than 9 percent to € 812 million (Q2/17: € 742 million), while operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 3 percent to € 105 million (Q2/17: € 102 million). Growth was driven by higher sales volumes from the ramp up of the new Bethune potash plant in Canada and higher prices for potassium chloride and fertilizer specialties.

For the first time K+S has set a record with more than 200 new apprentices and trainees, thereby preparing for the growing demand of skilled workers. Having steadily ramped up its training commitment over the previous years, it is now even more effective in countering demographic trends. At the beginning of the new training year, a total of 609 men and women will complete a qualified vocational training or dual study program at K+S. They are expected to be the specialists of the future.

The K+S Group is now expecting earnings before interests, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in a range of € 660 – 740 million for the year 2018. This equals unchanged to a significant increase versus the previous year (€ 577 million).

The employees at the Sigmundshall potash mine, which will stop producing potash products at the end of the year, now have more personal security for their future. After long and difficult negotiations in the settlement proceedings, the company and works council have agreed on a social plan for the employees which are affected by the partial closure.

Click here to view the press release of 07/12/2018