Answers:

What does the name "K+S" mean, or how did you come to choose the name?

Our roots lie in the products "Kali" (Potash) and "Salz" (Salt). Our former name, Kali und Salz AG, reflected this. The subsequent evolution of the company into a diversified supplier meeting application needs for a very wide range of fields in agriculture and industry, the emergence of the new business segment Nitrogen fertilizers as well the extensive know-how that we possess in the waste management business mean that much more than Kali and Salz is involved today. That is what is behind the name "K+S Aktiengesellschaft" or "K+S Group".

In what sectors does K+S operate?

The K+S Group is one of the world's leading suppliers of potash and magnesium products for agricultural and industrial use. In our business segment Nirogen Fertilizers COMPO's many well-known branded products make us the market leader in the green market, and fertiva has enabled us to become the global market leader in ammonium sulphate. These three business segments combined have made us the second largest supplier of agricultural and speciality fertilizers in Europe. Through esco, K+S is Europe's largest supplier of salt, offering products for a wide range of applications. Waste Management and Recycling as well as Services and Trading are further sectors in which we operate. You can find out more about the different business segments by clicking on the following link

• Potash and Magnesium Products
• Nitrogen Fertilizers
• Salt
• Complementary Business Segments

What products does K+S sell ?

K+S offers an extensive and diverse range of products, services and solutions. Please visit our products page.

Where are your production sites located?

Mainly in Germany, although the Nitrogen Fertilizer and Salt business segments also have sites in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece and since just recently also Chile. Furthermore, we are represented worldwide in all the markets that are important for us through own distribution companies.

What companies belong to the K+S Group ?

You can download a list of our affiliates as of the end of 2008 as a pdf-file.

How many people does the K+S Group employ?

On 30 September 2009, a total of 12,378 people were employed by the K+S Group, a figure which is on about the same level as a year ago (12,323). There were 648 trainees at the end of the third quarter – a significant increase of 32 trainees in relation to the same period last year. In view of the acquisition of Morton Salt, the number of Group employees at the end of the year should amount to about 15,300 and thus be above the level for 2008. As for the end of 2010, we expect the number of employees to remain about the same. As a result of the inclusion of the Morton Salt employees in the fourth quarter of 2009, the average number of employees should amount to just under 13,100. With the inclusion of Morton Salt for the entire year, the average number of employees in the coming year should, however, increase significantly to just under 15,300. Despite the economic crisis, K+S continues to regard vocational training as an important investment in the future and will not fundamentally change its training policy for this reason.

Do your employees participate in the success of the company ?

Yes. Our employees are the cornerstone of our success. They are able to participate in our business success in a variety of ways:

• Employees covered by collective pay agreements receive an agreed annual bonus which, in the potash and salt business segments, will paid out in November and amount to 75% of a monthly basic salary. In the COMPO and fertiva business segments, a bonus of 95% has been paid on the basis of the collective pay agreement for chemical workers. In addition, all employees covered by collective pay agreements will receive a performance-related payment in May of the following year, calculated on the basis of the cashflow result of the previous fiscal year.
• The issuance of employee shares at a price discount. 
• A remuneration model that assesses and appropriately rewards personal performance in relation to agreed benchmarks as well as company success and applies to employees that are not covered by collective agreements.
• A share option programme for key executives that requires an own investment in K+S shares and that is capped. In addition, it avoids having the effect of diluting the share price by taking the form of a virtual model. 

When does the K+S financial year begin and end?

The financial year begins on 1 January and ends on 31 December.

What accountings standards does K+S apply?

The consolidated financial statements and interim reports will be prepared under observance of internationally recognized accounting principles (IFRSs) for the first time in relation to financial year 2005.

How can I order the current Financial Report ?

You can order the current Financial Report here.

When will the next figures be published ?

You can find out about the next dates here. However, we cannot provide any information that has not been released in advance.