Our contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

In fiscal year 2025, the K+S Group generated 37.6% of its revenues with potassium chloride.

Alongside nitrogen and phosphorus, potassium is one of the three primary nutrients that plants need to grow. With our potassium chloride, farmers supply their crops with this plant nutrient in a targeted manner. The potassium in potassium chloride is water-soluble and therefore directly available to the plant. Field trials show that fertilization with potassium chloride achieves higher yields than cultivation without potassium. Plant growth is thus promoted, and agricultural land can be used more efficiently. In this way, we contribute to efficient agriculture and thus to food security. Potassium is particularly important in times of drought: it controls the plant's water balance and regulates the stomata on the leaves through which the plant transpires water. Potassium thus improves plants' tolerance to drought stress. As climate models predict more frequent and longer periods of drought and heat in many regions, a needs-based potassium supply will become even more important in the future.¹

¹ External sources:
Cakmak & Rengel (2024): Humboldt Review: Potassium may mitigate drought stress by increasing stem carbohydrates and their mobilization into grains (Journal of Plant Physiology)
Cariochi et al. (2025): Quantifying potassium requirement and removal across crop species (Field Crops Research)
Zörb, Senbayram, & Peiter (2014): Potassium in agriculture – Status and perspectives (Journal of Plant Physiology)

We have explained the positive effect of our fertilizers on plant growth, water use and the efficient use of agricultural land in the Sustainability Statement of our 2025 Annual Report. In addition, we conduct our own research and field trials on plant nutrition.

In fiscal year 2025, the K+S Group generated 32.2% of its revenues with fertilizer specialties.

To reach their full yield potential, plants need magnesium and sulfur in addition to potassium. Our fertilizer specialties supply crops with this nutrient combination in a targeted manner. One basis for this is the crude salt in the Werra potash district, which contains not only potassium but also magnesium sulfate. Potassium controls the water balance and improves the plants’ tolerance to drought stress, magnesium strengthens root growth, and sulfur is essential for protein formation. Potassium and magnesium also support the transport of the carbohydrates formed in the leaves to the roots and harvestable organs. With a needs-based nutrient supply, crops can better realize their potential in terms of both quantity and quality – up to a higher nutrient content in the harvested product. By supplying plants with our fertilizers, we contribute to efficient agriculture and thus to food security.¹

¹ External sources:
Cakmak & Rengel (2024): Humboldt Review: Potassium may mitigate drought stress by increasing stem carbohydrates and their mobilization into grains (Journal of Plant Physiology)
Zörb, Senbayram, & Peiter (2014): Potassium in agriculture – Status and perspectives (Journal of Plant Physiology)

The nutrient contents of our fertilizer specialties are declared in the technical data sheets, e.g. PatentKALI® with 30% K₂O, 10% MgO and 44% SO₃, or ESTA® Kieserit GRAN. with 25% MgO and 52% SO₃. For our fertilizers, we issue declarations of conformity in accordance with the current Fertilizer Ordinance. We have explained the positive effect of our fertilizers on plant growth, water use and the nutrient content in the harvested product in the sustainability statement of our 2025 Annual Report.

Due to their natural origin, around 90% of our potassium chloride (MOP) products and fertilizer specialties are approved for use in organic farming. We can neither influence nor track their actual use.

Organic farming aims to preserve soil fertility in the long term and to protect the environment. The fertilizers that organic farms are permitted to use are governed by the EU Organic Regulation (EU) 2018/848 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1165.

Due to their natural origin, around 90% of our fertilizers are approved for use in organic farming. An overview can be found in our 2025 Annual Report and on our website. The nutrients in these products are extracted from natural crude salt deposits in Germany. In this way, our products contribute to organic farming in accordance with the EU Organic Regulation.

The approval for use in organic farming in accordance with Regulations (EU) 2018/848 and (EU) 2021/1165 is indicated on the product pages and in the technical data sheets of our products.

In fiscal year 2025, the K+S Group generated 1.3% of its revenues with pharmaceutical products.

Pharmaceutical salts are essential substances for the pharmaceutical industry. Sodium chloride and potassium chloride are used in dialysis and infusion solutions, among other applications. Solutions for hemodialysis and hemofiltration contain sodium chloride and, depending on their composition, also potassium chloride; they are used, for example, for patients with acute kidney failure or chronic kidney disease. Isotonic saline solution with 0.9% sodium chloride serves as a fluid and volume replacement and as a carrier solution for other medicines; infusions containing potassium chloride are used to treat potassium deficiency and to balance electrolytes. We produce high-purity sodium chloride and potassium chloride as active pharmaceutical ingredients. In this way, we contribute to the supply of medicines for dialysis and infusion therapy.

The use of sodium chloride and potassium chloride in dialysis and infusion solutions is documented in the publicly available summaries of product characteristics and package leaflets of authorized medicinal products. The quality of our pharmaceutical salts is described in our product information: APISAL® sodium chloride is manufactured in accordance with the principles of Good Manufacturing Practice for active pharmaceutical ingredients (GMP, ICH Q7) and meets the requirements of the European, US, British and Japanese Pharmacopoeias (Ph. Eur., USP, BP, JP). It is produced in individual batches and subsequently analyzed; each delivery is accompanied by an individual certificate of analysis. Our potassium chloride 99.9% KCl meets the requirements of the European and US Pharmacopoeias (Ph. Eur., USP). We manufacture it to GMP standards in a plant that is separate from other production areas. Customers and regulatory authorities regularly audit its production.

In fiscal year 2025, the K+S Group generated 2.0% of its revenues with products for water softening.

Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. These minerals cause limescale deposits in pipes, appliances and systems. In water softening systems based on ion exchange, resin beads bind the calcium and magnesium ions and release sodium ions in exchange, which softens the water. Once the resins are exhausted, they are regenerated – i.e. their exchange capacity is restored – with sodium chloride brine. Our AXAL® PRO evaporated salt tablets consist of high-purity, food-grade evaporated salt with more than 99.9% sodium chloride. Less calcium and magnesium in the water means fewer limescale deposits. This can protect pipes and appliances and help extend their service life; in addition, heat transfer, for example in water heaters, remains efficient because no insulating layer of limescale forms. AXAL® PRO meets the European standards EN 973 Type A and EN 14805 Type 1 for sodium chloride used for the treatment of water intended for human consumption. In this way, we contribute to the treatment of drinking water.

The effect of water softening can be measured by the water hardness or the calcium and magnesium concentration before and after softening. The purity of AXAL® PRO, with more than 99.9% sodium chloride, is documented in the technical data sheets on the basis of regular chemical analyses. Our quality management regularly analyzes the parameters relevant to the EN 973 Type A and EN 14805 Type 1 standards.