By participating in ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) ratings and rankings, K+S transparently presents its sustainability performance.
Ratings & Rankings
ESG Ratings & Rankings
ESG ratings and rankings are a useful tool for us, allowing external bodies to assess the sustainability goals, KPIs, and measures developed, as well as the improvements achieved. ESG ratings and rankings help to:
Identify and review current trends for the complex requirements in the area of sustainability;
Define a common quality grade for sustainability requirements;
Update investment decisions made by investors with a long-term focus;
Supply content for external stakeholder communication to enhance the company’s reputation;
Intensify dialogue between the Group’s departments and optimize improvement processes in sustainability management.
K+S is represented in numerous ESG ratings and rankings. We actively participate in the leading ESG ratings.
The assessments below were issued by independent rating agencies. They are based on each agency's own methodology, use different scales and are not comparable with one another. In each case, the assessment published by the respective agency as of the date indicated shall prevail.
EcoVadis assesses the quality of companies' sustainability management systems in the areas of environment, labour and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. In the assessment published in August 2026, K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH achieved 74 out of 100 points. Both the overall score and the results in all four areas were above the industry average reported by EcoVadis. In this assessment, K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH, together with the rock salt and potash production sites included in the scope, was awarded a silver medal. The silver medal indicates a ranking among the top 15% of all companies assessed by EcoVadis worldwide and across all industries over the preceding twelve months. The assessment follows a methodology developed by EcoVadis that takes into account, among other factors, company size, industry and geographical scope of operations. EcoVadis awards platinum, gold, silver and bronze medals on the basis of the respective ranking position among all companies assessed. The medal relates exclusively to the assessed company and its sustainability management system. It is neither a certification nor an assessment of individual products or services. Further information on the assessment and the methodology is available on the agency's website.
ISS ESG ratings are weighted according to an industry classification. The higher the ESG relevance of an industry, the more demanding the performance requirements. The ISS ESG rating system comprises 12 different classifications ranging from A+ to D-. Companies that reach an industry-specific threshold are additionally awarded "Prime" status; for K+S, this threshold is B-. K+S has been rated C+ since April 2026, which represents the top rating in the "medium" category. Previously, K+S was rated C (last preceding change: September 2025). The rating has therefore improved over the last 12 months. Further information on the methodology is available on the agency's website.
The MSCI ESG Rating measures a company's resilience to long-term, industry-related environmental, social and governance risks relative to its peer group. Ratings are assigned on a scale from AAA to CCC, which MSCI divides into the categories "Leader" (AAA and AA), "Average" (A, BBB and BB) and "Laggard" (B and CCC). K+S has been rated AA by MSCI since August 2026 and is therefore assigned to the class of "Leader". Previously, K+S was rated A (last preceding change: March 2026). The rating has therefore improved over the last 12 months. Further information on the methodology is available on the agency's website.
CDP's assessment is based on a questionnaire designed to provide transparency on the impact of a company's activities on climate change and on the measures taken to mitigate these environmental effects. Participating companies are assessed in four consecutive levels representing the steps a company takes on its path towards greater environmental responsibility: Disclosure (D-/D), Awareness (C-/C), Management (B-/B) and Leadership (A-/A). Our rating is C in the areas of climate change and water security, and B- in the Supplier Engagement Assessment (SEA). K+S was last assessed in the course of the 2025 annual reporting cycle. Further information on the methodology is available on the agency's website.
The Sustainalytics ESG Risk Rating measures a company's unmanaged risks. These comprise both risks that cannot be managed and those that, in Sustainalytics' assessment, are not sufficiently addressed by existing measures. Ratings are assigned on a scale from 0 to 40+, with a lower score indicating, as defined by Sustainalytics, a lower level of unmanaged risk. The scale is divided into five risk categories: negligible (0 to 10), low (10 to 20), medium (20 to 30), high (30 to 40) and severe (40+). K+S has had a score of 27.1 since July 2026 and is therefore classified in the "medium risk" category. Over the last 12 months, we have thus improved our rating from 28.6 in September 2025. Further information on the methodology is available on the agency's website.
Rating History
Engagement
International Engagement
EU principles for sustainable raw materials
K+S considers the impacts of its business activities towards people, the environment, communities and the economy in the regions in which it operates. The corporate strategy takes into account long-term economic, environmental and social developments. The K+S sustainability program is an integral part of this. Attention to the EU principles for sustainable extraction and processing of raw materials confirms our commitment. The principles were developed and agreed by the Raw Materials Supply Group (RMSG ), the EU Commission, as well as other authorities and institutions. These principles provide a better understanding of the conditions under which sustainable raw material extraction and processing takes place in Europe.
Reporting
ESG Reporting
Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD)
The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) pursues climate-related disclosure of information in the areas of governance, startegy, risk management, and metrics and targets. We support the recommendations of the TCFD and already report the following information as part of the CDP questionnaire
Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB)
The SASB standards serve as a guidance framework for the disclosure of material sustainability information in the communication of companies to their investors. SASB subdivides 77 industry standards, which can be subdivided in terms of content according to environmental, social and governance topics. These standards are essentially intended to support the disclosure of industry-related and financially relevant sustainability information to investors. K+S is assigned to the "Chemicals" standard and reports on the following topics accordingly.
