Environment & Resources

Active commitment to environmentally friendly production

K+S continuously work on minimizing the impact on nature associated with the extraction and processing of raw materials. We use state-of-the-art mining and treatment methods to achieve environmentally friendly production and a high level of economic efficiency at the same time. Through active research and development, we are always operating at the cutting edge.

Area of action Environment & Resources

Concrete Goals and KPIs

Resource Efficiency

The efficient use of resources plays a very decisive role for K+S. Our efforts are aimed at the responsible handling of liquid and solid mining residues. We want to continue to reduce our saline waste water and develop new disposal options. By the end of 2021, K+S will no longer disposal waste water into subsurface (deep well injection) in Germany and will further reduce discharges into surface waters. Furthermore, 500,000 m³ of saline process water from potash production is to be reduced annually in Germany by 2030. Solid residues are produced in the mining industry during the extraction and processing of potash crude salts. By 2030, K+S wants to be able to use three million tons of residue annually for other purposes than tailings piles. We want to reduce the environmental impact of tailings piles in the future by further covering.

Freight cars from K+S on a railroad line

Energy & Climate

We will reduce our CO2 emissions by 10 percent by 2030 compared with 2020. With the help of our climate protection fund, further greenhouse gas reduction projects will be promoted and implemented. In the area of transport, we want to work with our logistics partners to reduce emissions by 10 percent by 2030.

Environmental management

Our environmental management supports us in achieving our goals. It is coordinated Group-wide and across all topics. The Group companies specify requirements. The sites are also assisted in the implementation process to continuously improve our HSE performance. This is achieved through the ongoing introduction of management systems based on DIN EN ISO 14001 for environmental management and DIN EN ISO 50001 for energy management for key sites. National and international expert committees have been set up to increase efficiency and to exchange experience.

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Water protection

Water is a very important resource for K+S. We use water of various qualities in many processes. We need water in production processes and in mining and extraction at certain deposits. Saline wastewater, which we have to dispose of, is generated from production processes and in the area of tailings piles. Across the Group, we aim to keep water-related impacts to a minimum.

Potash Mining & Water Protection

Long-term disposal perspectives, water protection, handling of wastewater ► Mining in harmony with nature

Nature and species conservation

Inevitable interventions provide us with the opportunity to achieve significant added value for the respective habitat with qualitative compensatory measures as well as additional improvements in the vicinity of our sites. We, therefore, specifically focus on nature conservation projects with long-term potential, while supporting them from beginning to completion. Together with partners such as farmers, associations, and local nature conservation initiatives, we find the best solutions.

Our appreciation of nature and the environment is illustrated by the selected projects presented in the brochure. They are just like our natural world: diverse and vibrant.

K+S Nature Conservation Brochure