Fair & respectful exchange
Dialogue with our key stakeholders is very important to us. The aim is to engage in a dialogue that is beneficial for all sides, to identify new developments, and to exchange views. K+S uses a variety of formats to inform its stakeholders and uses different channels for target group-specific exchange.
Our key stakeholders include the own workforce, customers, the general public, politics (including local politics), investors/shareholders/analysts, banks, municipalities and local communities/civil society, citizens' initiatives, the media, and Indigenous peoples (KSPC).
Overview stakeholder dialogue: Content and dialogue formats
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Own workforce The success of the undertaking is based on the skills and achievements of our own workforce. Own workforce's concerns are addressed at regular company meetings, as well as with the managers. The intranet, digital event formats, and the digital employee magazine (also in analog format) promote the exchange and transfer of information. |
Main topics |
Economic situation, HR decisions, remuneration, training and development, communication, corporate development, investment projects and initiatives, strategy, occupational health and safety, etc. |
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Methods |
Meetings, committee work, joint projects, events/conferences (digital or in person), Annual Report, social media, intranet, employee magazine, internal communication and employee meetings of the Board of Executive Directors at the sites, etc. | |
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Media representatives, municipalities and local communities/local civil society, Indigenous peoples (KSPC), general public As a multiplier for a broad public, we provide media representatives from a wide range of channels with regular and transparent information about new developments at K+S and are available to answer questions. |
Main topics for media representatives |
New developments, events, facts and figures, environmental and energy issues, site news |
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Methods for media representatives |
Press releases, newsletter, website, press conferences and discussions, on-site visits, telephone calls | |
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Maintaining good relations with the communities and regions in which we operate, including the local Indigenous peoples at our Bethune site in Canada, is important to us. We build trust and promote constructive cooperation through continuous and transparent dialogue with communities and residents. We maintain respectful relationships with the local Indigenous communities at our Bethune site and are committed to strengthening their participation in all areas. |
Main topics for site communities and regions, Indigenous peoples |
Social acceptance, understanding of operational processes,environmental topics, water protection projects, economic development, employment opportunities, structural change, etc. |
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Methods for site communities and regions, Indigenous peoples |
Meetings with selected stakeholders, events, information offices, open houses, press and public relations, plant tours, meetings with elected officials, neighborhood hotline, information about plant activities in local newspapers, public information events, website, citizen office hours, project presentations at district and city council meetings, bilateral meetings, etc., and mediation, round table discussions in conflict situations | |
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We inform the general public not only through media coverage, but also directly to provide them with unfiltered information on various topics. |
Main topics for the general public |
New developments, events, facts and figures, environmental and energy topics, raw material security, the fascination of mining, helping to feed the world |
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Methods for the general public |
Daily posts on various social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram), publication of press releases and other reports on the undertaking's website, newsletters, on LinkedIn, K+S employees act as authentic corporate influencers on their personal accounts as part of the ambassador program | |
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Customers The dialogue with our customers helps us to better understand their needs and align our products and services accordingly. We provide comprehensive information on the internet. In addition to personal discussions, satisfaction analyses provide us with concrete indications for improvements. |
Main topics |
Quality assurance, production conditions, adherence to rules and standards, compliance, etc. |
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Methods |
Surveys, meetings, user training, trade fairs, joint projects, social media, press and public relations, plant tours, etc. | |
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Investors/shareholders/analysts We present our business at regular roadshows and conferences, answer questions raised by representatives of the capital market, and gather suggestions and ideas. |
Main topics |
Corporate valuation, corporate strategy, targets, financing, capital allocation, earnings, risks and opportunities, competition, sustainability topics, etc. |
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Methods |
Annual General Meeting, Annual Report, quarterly reporting, Capital Markets Day, discussions with investors/shareholders/analysts/rating agencies, virtual meetings, website, surveys, telephone calls, conferences, roadshows, social media, etc. | |
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Politics, including local politics We contribute our positions to the political discussion in national and European dialogues with representatives of governments, specialist authorities, and parliaments, either directly or indirectly through our membership of associations and organizations. |
Main topics |
Social acceptance, social license to operate, environmental topics, climate and energy topics, industry and raw materials topics, economic developments, strategic direction, employment security, etc. |
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Methods |
Discussions (digital and face-to-face) background rounds, committee work, Parliamentary Evening, press and public relations, cover letters, CEO participation in business delegations on political trips abroad, site visits, etc. | |
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Citizens' initiatives We present knowledge about potash and salt mining in Germany under the conditions of international competitiveness and international and national environmental legislation in a comprehensible way using various formats. |
Main topics |
Systemic relevance, social acceptance, potash mining, water protection projects, environmental topics, employment security, etc. |
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Methods |
Public information events, presence at trade fairs and conferences, plant and mine tours, website, social media, face-to-face meetings, etc. | |
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Banks We regularly discuss our business and sustainability strategy, focusing on climate-related matters. |
Main topics |
Corporate valuation, corporate strategy, targets, financing, capital allocation, earnings, risks/opportunities, competition, sustainability topics, etc. |
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Methods |
Annual General Meeting, Annual Report, quarterly reporting, discussions with banks, virtual meetings, website, surveys, phone calls, etc. |
We support the UN Global Compact
K+S signed the United Nations Global Compact in 2015. We therefore support the ten principles of the Global Compact in the areas of human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.
These are reflected in the Code of Conduct to which all employees of the K+S Group are bound. Launched in 2000, the Global Compact provides a platform for exchange between its over 13,000 members worldwide: companies, cities, scientific institutions and non-governmental organizations.
EITI – Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
K+S is participating in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. The global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) advocates greater financial transparency and accountability in the extractive industries sector.
K+S is involved in D-EITI and is a member of the multi-stakeholder group (MSG) for the salt and potash sector. Since the German Federal Government announced its intention to implement the EITI in July 2014, many milestones have been achieved.
With this fifth report, the Multi-Stakeholder Group (MSG) of the D-EITI has once again prepared specific information of the extractive sector that promotes a factual debate on current extractive policies and the use of
natural resources.
K+S is actively involved
K+S is actively involved in global sustainability initiatives and promotes dialogue between different stakeholders. Here, it is important to us to be up to date and play our part in shaping the international sustainability discussion.
K+S is a member of many associations. Some of our company representatives perform official functions and are involved in working groups. These include:
- European Potash Producers Association (APEP)
- Federation of German Industry (BDI) via the Association of the Potash and Salt Industry (VKS)
- Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA) via the Association of the Potash and Salt Industry (VKS)
- European Association of Mining Industries, Metal Ores & Industrial Minerals (EUROMNINES)
- European Salt Producers’ Association (EUSALT)
- International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA)
- International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI)
- German Agrochemical Industry Association (IVA)
- Association of the Potash and Salt Industry (VKS)
