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Environment & Resources

Environmental Aspects of Extraction and Processing

The extraction and processing of raw materials are associated with environmental impacts. K+S takes these impacts into account when designing its processes and technical procedures. In addition, research and development activities are carried out to further develop existing processes and evaluate potential technical improvements.

K+S Environmental Strategy

Our active commitment to environmentally friendly production is supported by an environmental strategy focused on sustainable mining and responsible business practices.

Our actions are based on compliance with environmental obligations, legal regulations, and high standards. In line with our corporate strategy, we have identified key issues for sustainable environmental protection. At all K+S sites, we focus on three areas of action with the following core topics:

Three areas of action with regard to the environmental strategy. First area — Areas of action regards to the K+S Environmental Strategy.

We use key performance indicators (KPIs), such as those related to sustainability, to visualize our progress in all three areas of action.

For K+S, environmentally friendly mining means identifying continuous improvements and balancing economic and ecological interests optimally. Our specific goals are as follows:

Improve the environmental performance of our sites and ensure they are future-proof.
Reduce CO2 emissions in line with our climate strategy by switching our energy consumption from fossil fuels to renewable energies and leveraging any available technology.
Further reduce the impact on groundwater and surface water.
Continue avoiding and recycling mining residues to mitigate the environmental impact of mining.
Identify strategic partnerships and further develop resource-saving technologies.

We aim to proactively and reliably shape the framework conditions for our operations. Transparent communication with our stakeholders is key to implementing effective measures and strengthening trust.

The K+S environmental strategy is an ongoing process in which we regularly review potential and continuously develop, implement, and refine measures.

Environment & Resources

Concrete Targets and KPIs

Resources

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. Injection in Germany ended in 2022. Furthermore, our target is to reduce the amount of process water from potash production that has to be disposed of in Germany by 0.5 million m³ by 2030. Solid residues are produced in the mining industry during the extraction and processing of potash crude salts. Our target is to use 3 million tonnes of mining residues per year for purposes other than tailings pile disposal from 2030 onwards. 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

Climate Change

Our target is to reduce our CO₂ emissions by 25 percent by 2030 compared with 2020. Our climate protection fund finances projects that are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In the area of transport, our target, in collaboration with our logistics partners, is to reduce emissions by 10 percent by 2030.

Environmental management

Our environmental management is coordinated Group-wide and across all topics. The Group companies specify requirements. The sites are also assisted in implementing HSE-related requirements. This includes the ongoing introduction and application of management systems based on DIN EN ISO 14001 for environmental management and DIN EN ISO 50001 for energy management for key sites. Furthermore, matrix certification ISO 45001 and the “Sicher mit System” seal of quality have been achieved. National and international expert committees support professional exchange and the discussion of relevant topics.

More about our certificates

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.

A peaceful landscape featuring a river running through the center. The banks are lined with grass and trees. In the background, there is a large white salt heap. A small building is located near the riverbank, surrounded by greenery. The sky is partly cloudy.

Potash Mining & Water Protection

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

Nature and species conservation

Where inevitable interventions occur, the required compensatory measures are implemented in accordance with the applicable legal and technical requirements. We select specifically nature conservation projects with long-term potential, while supporting them from beginning to completion. The development and implementation of these measures are carried out in cooperation with partners such as farmers, associations, and local nature conservation initiatives.

The cover of the K+S brochure called “strengthening nature”.

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