The company strategy of K+S KALI GmbH’s is driven by long-term and sustainable growth. As the largest subsidiary of the K+S Group we believe the basic principle of sustainable growth is both opportunity and challenge at the same time. We describe sustainable growth as a balanced relationship between the economic, ecological and social objectives. One important component of our company strategy is the compliance with our fundamental
values. They are the foundation of our worldwide activities, and serve as the direction within our daily business. Our employees are committed to maintaining and implementing these fundamental values.
Progress requires research. Therefore, one of the main focal points for K+S KALI GmbH is the research and the development of enhanced products throughout all of our product divisions. For the fertiliser product division we strive to create requirement-oriented plant nutrition for the entire vegetation cycle. Based on worldwide agricultural trials of potassium and magnesium fertilisation, we develop efficient and sustainable fertilisation systems. An intensive dialog with universities and other scientific institutions supports this work. The knowledge obtained is communicated the agricultural industries by the K+S KALI GmbH agricultural advisory service day after day.
Another focus is the further development of our production processes for extracting and manufacturing our products. The K+S Research Institute pays particular attention to a continuous reduction of the resources required, such as energy, personnel and material. In the end, efficiency leads to more environmental protection.
The production of our speciality and standard range of fertilisers requires a large number of individual processing steps. The energy required for this process – electricity and steam – is currently still provided by natural gas.
Energy efficiency by comparison
(numbers provided as %)
Many of our sites operate their own power stations, which are equipped with state-of-the-art co-generation plants (CHP. At the works Neuhof-Ellers and Zielitz as well as at the amalgamated Werra works, we have also introduced condensing boiler technology. Here the heat contained in power plant emissions is used to heat boiler feed water or the extraction shaft. Due to successful optimisation measures the efficiency rate of our power plants is by now more than 90%. Energy efficiency of the locations mentioned is already extremely high, so that even by investing in the best available technology, further reductions would be barely noticeable. For the past years, these plants have considerably contributed to German climate protection goals.
K+S KALI GmbH conducts its mining operations in accordance with strict German environmental standards. Despite that, we are conscious that industrial production often interferes with nature. Therefore, we use state-of-the-art technology and research to minimise these interferences as much possible. Our patented ESTA®-process is one example for raising environmental compatibility through advanced technology, by processing crude potash salts with less water and energy.
We strive for a continuous reduction of residues created by mining and crude salt processing. Liquid production residues and salt-containing waste waters are deposited deep underground, or are discharged into rivers, in compliance with the authorised limits.
Within the K+S group, K+S KALI GmbH is by far the largest employer. Approximately 8,000 of the more than 14,000 group employees work for our company, with diverse activities from mining through to administration. K+S KALI GmbH is embedded in the inter-group and cross-divisional HR policy of their parent - K+S Aktiengesellschaft. K+S group as a whole implements a future-oriented personnel policy in order to be competitive and innovative – not only today, but also tomorrow. As a global business, K+S offers its employees a great number of financial and social benefits. Find out more about our commitment and the activities of the K+S Aktiengesellschaft for long-term and sustainable corporate development at the K+S-Website and in the current K+S Sustainability Report.
