SMO has been operating the salt processing business in the eastern Czech city of Olomouc since 1921 and currently employs about 70 people. Particularly in the table salt segment, the company has a brand that is well known nationwide and enjoys a high level of recognition, and is established in the market with a wide product range of food grade, industrial and de-icing salts. In a normal year, SMO sells around 100,000 tonnes of its various salt products and has until now been one of esco’s customers in the important Czech market.

About esco and K+S

esco – european salt company is responsible for the European salt business within the Salt business segment of the K+S Group. esco has three rock salt mines, two brine plants, and several plants processing evaporated salt in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain, and has numerous distribution sites. Its annual production capacity is about 9.7 million tonnes of crystallised salt and salt in brine per year. Further information about esco can be found at www.esco-salt.com.

The K+S Group is one of the world's leading suppliers of standard and speciality fertilizers. In the salt business, K+S is the world’s leading producer with sites in Europe as well as North and South America. K+S offers a comprehensive range of goods and services for agriculture, industry, and private consumers, which provides growth opportunities in virtually every sphere of daily life. More than 14,000 people work for the K+S Group worldwide. K+S – the commodity stock represented on the German share index, the DAX – is quoted on all German stock exchanges. More information about K+S can be found at www.k-plus-s.com.

Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Person, triggering the disclosure: ----------------------------- Name: Jan Peter Nonnenkamp (natural person)

Reason for the disclosure requirement: ------------------------------ Reason: Person performing managerial responsibilities Position: Member of a managing body

Details of the transaction: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transaction: ------------ Description of financial instrument: Unit share of no-par value ISIN: DE000KSAG888 Type of transaction: sales Date: 02.12.2011 Currency: Euro Price: 39.50000 No of items: 2000 Total amount traded: 79,000.00000 Place: Xetra Explanation:

Further inquiry note: ----------------- Christian Herrmann Telefon: +49 (0) 561 9301 1460 E-Mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com

Issuer subject to the publication requirement: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

issuer: K+S Aktiengesellschaft Bertha-von-Suttner-Straße 7 D-34131 Kassel phone: +49 (0)561 9301-1460 FAX: +49 (0)561 9301-2425 mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com WWW: http://www.k-plus-s.com sector: Chemicals ISIN: DE000KSAG888 indexes: DAX, Midcap Market Index, CDAX, Classic All Share, HDAX, Prime All Share stockmarkets: official dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, regulated dealing: Stuttgart, München, official dealing: Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover language: English

EAX0014 2011-12-02/15:17

The authority has approved the further injection of saline waste water from the Werra plant of K+S KALI GmbH into the dolomite layer until 30 November 2015. At the same time, the total volume for this period was limited to 18.4 million cubic metres.

"The new permit takes into consideration the fact that injection will be needed as a bridge into the future. It is an important component in maintaining our production and the associated work and training places, and takes the increased requirements for environmental protection into account", says Dr. Ralf Diekmann, senior management member of K+S KALI GmbH.

This applies in particular against the background of the implementation of the package of measures on water and groundwater protection, which began in October 2011. By the end of 2015, a further tangible contribution to improving the environment will have been achieved with investments of about € 360 million. The objective is to create the prerequisites for the long-term production of potash in the Hesse-Thuringia Werra district by halving the saline waste water and putting an end to the existing injection into the dolomite layer. Diekmann is convinced that this will make a responsible contribution to the sustainable use of raw materials in Hesse and Thuringia. In the light of this clear and binding objective, in applying for a new injection permit the company had expected that the intended bridging measure, covering the full duration and scope of the period until 2020, would be made possible. Regrettably, this has not yet happened.

For the coming four years, the permit also provides for decreasing maximum annual amounts for injection. According to Diekmann, these limits could, however, result in restrictions on operations in the event of persistent extreme dry weather, such as that which has been experienced in recent weeks in Hesse. The decision on continuing injection that has now been made would therefore also have to be compared in terms of its quantitative effects with the approval for discharge into the Werra that is awaiting re-approval at the end of 2012, if everything possible is to be done to prevent restrictions on production, Diekmann concludes.

About K+S KALI GmbH

Within the K+S Group, K+S KALI GmbH is responsible for the potash and magnesium products sphere of operation. In six mines in Germany, the company mines salts containing potash, magnesium and sulphur and produces a wide range of high-quality products from them for the agricultural, industrial, healthcare and food sectors. Of the 7,900 people employed by the company, some 5,000 are based at the production sites in Hesse and Thuringia.

The Supervisory Board of K+S Aktiengesellschaft approved the plan of the Board of Executive Directors to implement the Legacy Project in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. For this purpose, capital expenditure totalling 3.25 billion Canadian dollars (CAD, equivalent to about EUR 2.4 billion) have been approved.

"The Legacy Project is a significant step towards the expansion of our potash capacities and enables us to participate in the growth of the global potash market. Together with our existing potash mines in Germany, this will considerably strengthen the international competitiveness of K+S and consequently benefit the entire K+S Group in Europe and overseas,” says Norbert Steiner, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of K+S. “Furthermore, the new site will have a positive impact on our average production costs and increase our flexibility," Steiner continues.

Feasibility study revised and optimised

K+S had acquired the Canadian exploration and development company Potash One (now K+S Potash Canada), at the beginning of 2011, and has been revising and optimising the existing feasibility study over recent months. A concept was developed, which is optimally consistent with the production and market forecasts of K+S and demonstrates very positive viability.

Production start in 2015

Initial infrastructure construction works in the areas of water supply, electricity and road development as well as drilling activities have already begun at the site. Through to 2015, K+S will develop a potash production based on solution mining in southern Saskatchewan with first quantities of potassium chloride. By 2017 the two million tonne mark shall be reached. This will be followed by the gradual expansion of production capacity to 2.86 million tonnes by 2023.

In a further expansion phase, total output of 4 million tonnes of potassium chloride annually would be achieved about ten years later.

Attractive potash deposit with high material content

The Legacy Project area is located about 50 km north of the city of Moose Jaw (Saskatchewan). The initial exploration area at the Legacy Project, which only makes up a fraction of the total permitted area of K+S Potash Canada (formerly Potash One), has proven reserves of 160 million tonnes of final potash product. Considering the target annual production, this results in a useful life of more than 55 years, including the ramp-up curve. At about 18%, the K₂O content is significantly higher than that of the German sites and will therefore enable more efficient and more economic extraction. The remainder of this one potash lease area contains additional resources of almost a billion tonnes of potassium chloride.

Strong economic attractiveness

The sharp ramp-up curve means that the project in 2016 already will probably be significantly positive in terms of EBITDA and that EBIT practically should reach the profit threshold. In the coming years, parallel to the ramping up of production capacity, substantial contributions to earnings can be expected.

“Our Legacy Project is one of the world’s economically most attractive greenfield projects,” says Joachim Felker, member of the Board of Executive Directors of K+S Aktiengesellschaft whose responsibilities include the Potash and Magnesium Products business segment. “The benefits of the project include the already existing very good infrastructure, the significantly earlier availability of product that solution mining brings and, not least, our many years of expertise as an established potash producer,” continues Felker.

Expanding the global presence of K+S

The Legacy Project supplements the existing German production network of K+S with an important North American site. This makes possible a unique diversification of production among potash producers. In future, the new site will be the starting point primarily for sales to the emerging growth markets of Asia and South America as well as in North America. K+S will carry out distribution via its tried and tested infrastructure.

Financing of the project on a solid basis

With a level of indebtedness of under 25%, the K+S Group enjoys a very solid balance sheet structure. The financing of the Legacy Project should be able to be provided predominantly from liquidity and future cash flows. The refinancing of the bond maturing in 2014 is assumed in this.

K+S also intends to maintain its existing, essentially earnings-driven dividend policy with a payout ratio of 40 to 50% of adjusted Group earnings after taxes and, moreover, strive to retain its “Investment Grade” rating.

Further expansion potential exists

In addition to the Legacy Project, over the coming years, K+S will also explore in more detail the other permit areas taken over from Potash One in southern Saskatchewan. Due to the limited geological data, the deposits there cannot yet be divided into resources and reserves. However, the exploration permits are located in areas of known geologically high-quality potash deposits in Saskatchewan and should for that reason constitute a future potential that is not to be underestimated. Therefore, a Legacy Project II or III cannot be ruled out in the future.

Advantages for the province of Saskatchewan

With Legacy, the first greenfield potash project in over forty years will be implemented in Saskatchewan. At present, around 30 people are employed at K+S Potash Canada in Saskatoon. During the construction phase, more than 1,000 people will be working on the site during peak times. In its final expansion stage, the new K+S site will employ more than 300 people. Additionally, external contractors will support the brine plant and plant operations over the long term.

Assuming annual production of 2.86 million tonnes of KCl and on the basis of current potash prices, the province of Saskatchewan will in future receive considerable income in the form of taxes and royalties.

Experience growth

The K+S Group is one of the world's leading suppliers of standard and speciality fertilizers. In the salt business, K+S is the world’s leading producer with sites in Europe as well as North and South America. K+S offers a comprehensive range of goods and services for agriculture, industry, and private consumers which provides growth opportunities in virtually every sphere of daily life. The K+S Group employs more than 14,000 people. The K+S share – the commodities stock on the German DAX index – is listed on all German stock exchanges (ISIN: DE000KSAG888, symbol: SDF). Further information about K+S can be found at www.k-plus-s.com and information about the Legacy Project and K+S Potash Canada at www.ks-potashcanada.com.

Note to editors

We are offering a conference call with members of the Board of Executive Directors for investors and analysts in English today at 2:30 p.m. Shareholders, investors, representatives of the press and all other interested parties are invited to follow the conference via a live webcast at (http://www.k-plus-s.com/kspcen) or by phone under +49-(0)69-71044-5598. The presentation of the conference call can be found on our website. The conference will be recorded and will also be available as a podcast.

Forward-looking statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such statements represent management's best judgment as determined on the basis of all the information currently available. Statements in this press release other than purely historical information as well as statements on future plans and objectives or on expected results constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to all business-related risks and uncertainties. The companies assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained herein.

After the comprehensive examination by experts of all technically meaningful alternative means of disposal, K+S applied for the construction of a pipeline from Neuhof to Philippsthal in order to, in a manner that maximally protects the environment, dispose in particular of the saline waste water arising from the tailing pile and flowing into the Werra. The specialist reports had demonstrated that the alternatives to the pipeline either did not represent a long-term solution, were not technically feasible or were associated with serious ecological disadvantage. This applies in particular to the road transport required for the temporary solution, which was to end as quickly as possible due to the construction of the pipeline, but also applies to the different concepts for the evaporation of saline waste water.

Further improvements in water quality

For more than ten years, great efforts have been made to achieve further biolog-ical improvements in the Werra / Weser water system. Compared to 2006, prior to the start of transports of saline water from Neuhof to the Werra, the annual total volume of saline waste water has been reduced by more than two million cubic metres as a result of the adoption of technical measures. The officially approved thresholds will continue to be applied with consistently and offer good prerequisites for a further recovery of the river.

K+S is taking a great step forward with the package of measures on water pro-tection that is now beginning. By the end of 2015, a further tangible contribution to improving of the environment will have been achieved with investments of about € 360 million. The objective is to create the prerequisites for the long-term and sustainable production of potash in the Hesse-Thuringia Werra district by halving of the saline waste water and putting an end to the existing injection into the dolomite layer.

Overall strategy for sustainable potash production

As part of the long-term overall strategy, the company is furthermore preparing the planning documents for local and national means of disposal and will submit the corresponding applications next year. They comprise not only the concept of the local disposal of liquid production residue within the framework of the New Integrated Saline Waste Water Management System (NIS), but also, as alternatives, applications for non-local means of disposal by means of pipelines to the North Sea and in the area of the Oberweser. K+S is thus exploring all existing options in order to fulfil its responsibility for a fair balance between economic requirements, ecological objectives and social obligations. The proper disposal of the saline waste water from Neuhof via the environmental management of the Werra plant forms an integral part of this overall strategy.

About K+S

The K+S Group is one of the world's leading suppliers of standard and speciality fertilizers. In the salt business, K+S is the world’s leading producer with sites in Europe as well as North and South America. K+S offers a comprehensive range of goods and services for agriculture, industry, and private consumers which ensures growth in virtually every sphere of daily life. The K+S Group employs more than 14,000 people.

Within the K+S Group, K+S KALI GmbH is responsible for the potash and mag-nesium products sphere of operation. In six mines in Germany, the company mines salts containing potash, magnesium and sulphur and produced a wide range of high-quality products from them for the agricultural, industrial, healthcare and food sectors. Of the 7.900 people employed by the company, some 5,000 are based at the production sites in Hesse and Thuringia.

Thereafter his duties and responsibilities will be assumed by Mr Norbert Steiner, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, until further notice.

Experience growth

The K+S Group is one of the world's leading suppliers of standard and speciality fertilizers. In the salt business, K+S is the world’s leading producer with sites in Europe as well as North and South America. K+S offers a comprehensive range of goods and services for agriculture, industry, and private consumers which provides growth opportunities in virtually every sphere of daily life. The K+S Group employs more than 14,000 people. K+S – the commodities stock on the German DAX index – is listed on all German stock exchanges (ISIN: DE000KSAG888, symbol: SDF). More information about K+S can be found at www.k-plus-s.com.

In the third quarter of the current year too, the K+S Group was able to considerably increase revenues and earnings in comparison with the same period of the previous year. Globally high demand for fertilizers and the accompanying significantly higher potash price level played a decisive role in this development.

“Due to the attractive demand and price trends in the course of the first nine months, we continue to assume that our earnings will rise strongly this year,” says Norbert Steiner, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of K+S Aktiengesellschaft.

“The currently omnipresent uncertainty regarding the future economic development of the global economy has prompted us to be somewhat more cautious in respect of our estimate for 2012. With an expected stable development of revenues, from today’s perspective, we see good opportunities for the coming year to carry forward the high level of earnings of 2011,” Steiner continues.

Strong demand for fertilizers and significantly higher potash price level

The third quarter of 2011 was characterised by strong demand for fertilizers. The high level of agricultural prices favoured the income prospects of the agricultural sector, so that there was a significant incentive to raise yields per hectare through the needs-based use of fertilizers. For potash and magnesium products, this resulted in a very high utilisation of production capacities throughout the world. This environment favoured the development of prices for potassium chloride.

In the third quarter, the nitrogen fertilizer plants were also well utilised worldwide, and demand for complex and straight nitrogen fertilizers as well as ammonium sulphate stood at a high level. Prices for nitrogen fertilizers rose significantly in comparison to the same quarter of last year, after significant price increases were also recorded for raw materials.

Continued high demand for de-icing salt

In the Western European pre-stocking business, the above-average wintry weather conditions in the 2010/11 season led to continued high demand for de-icing salt in the third quarter. The price level has risen tangibly for the winter season 2011/12. However, as a result of lower freight rates for salt imports, moderate price declines occurred in the local tenders on the East Coast of the United States. In the other de-icing salt regions of the United States important for K+S and in Canada too, the demand for de-icing salt improved in the third quarter in comparison to the previous year. Prices are stable in the Midwest region, while a slight price increase is to be observed in Canada.

Third quarter revenues rise by 17%

At € 1,174.0 million, third-quarter revenues were up € 173.5 million or 17% on the figure for the same period last year. The Potash and Magnesium Products and Nitrogen Fertilizers business segments achieved significant revenue increases due to higher prices. Revenues of the Salt business segment were stable at a high level. In the first nine months, revenues of the K+S Group rose in particular due to price factors by 15% and reached about € 3.9 billion.

In the first nine months, 41% of revenues were generated in the Potash and Magnesium Products business segment, followed by Salt (33%) and Nitrogen Fertilizers (23%). The regional distribution of Group revenues continues to be balanced. Thus, about 51% of total revenues were generated in Europe and 49% overseas.

Operating earnings strongly up in the third quarter too

During the third quarter of 2011, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 49% to € 254.5 million (Q3/2010: € 170.8 million). In the first nine months, EBITDA achieved € 926.9 million, an increase of 34% (9M/2010: € 691.6 million).

In the third quarter of 2011, the K+S Group generated operating earnings EBIT I of € 198.5 million and was able to increase this by € 81.1 million or 69% in comparison to the same quarter of the previous year. The Potash and Magnesium Products business segment was able to strongly improve its result year on year. The significantly higher potash price level was the decisive factor here. In the Nitrogen Fertilizers business segment, rising prices more than made up for higher input costs. Against this backdrop, the result rose significantly here too. By contrast, the Salt business segment achieved a lower result than in the previous year. The decline can particularly be attributed to weather-related production losses on the Bahamas, higher costs for demurrage charges and negative currency effects. In the first nine months of 2011, the K+S Group achieved operating earnings of € 758.8 million. This exceeded the previous year’s figure (9M/2010: € 515.9 million) by 47%.

Adjusted earnings before income taxes improve strongly

The adjusted earnings before income taxes reached € 184.6 million in the quarter under review. It proved possible to increase this by € 118.9 million or 181% in comparison to the same period of the previous year. In addition to the good development of operating earnings, this also benefited from a significantly improved financial result. In the first nine months, the K+S Group achieved adjusted earnings before income taxes of € 714.4 million (9M/2010: € 414.5 million). Details of the adjustment can be found on pages 9 and 10 of the Quarterly Financial Report Q3/2011.

Adjusted Group earnings also increase strongly

It proved possible to increase adjusted Group earnings from continued operations by € 83.2 million or 171% to € 131.9 million during the third quarter. In the first nine months, adjusted Group earnings from continued operations of € 520.3 million were achieved. This corresponds to an increase of € 215.2 million or 71% in comparison to the same period of the previous year.

Adjusted earnings per share from continued operations in the third quarter at € 0.69 (Q3/2010: € 0.25) per share

For the quarter under review, adjusted earnings per share from continued operations amounted to € 0.69 and were thus about 176% above the previous year’s figure of € 0.25. As in the same quarter last year, it was computed on the basis of 191.40 million no-par value shares, being the average number of shares outstanding. In the first nine months of 2011, adjusted earnings per share from continued operations reached € 2.72, an increase of 71% after having been € 1.59 in the same period of the previous year.

More detailed outlook for 2011 as a whole

After the normalisation of demand for fertilizers in 2010, an increase in demand in the current year is to be expected. Although the prices of some agricultural products decreased in the course of the year after having been very high, they nevertheless remain at a level which should favour the income prospects of the agricultural sector and thus offer an incentive to increase the yield per hectare through a needs-based use of fertilizers. However, uncertainties currently exist on the trading side, which, with the financial crisis 2008/9 still on people’s minds, is rather cautiously attempting to manage its early stocking-up for the end of the year. But, on the other hand, the trading sector tries to avoid not having enough products in stock for the coming application season, while cereal prices remain attractive. Taking all this into consideration, unchanged global potash sales volumes of about 58 to 60 million tonnes in 2011 as a whole (2010: 58.3 million tonnes) can be assumed. Correspondingly, a globally high level of utilisation of production capacities is also to be expected during the remaining months of the year.

In the case of nitrogen fertilizers too, high demand will probably be observed for the rest of 2011. The average prices of nitrogen fertilizers should be at a significantly higher level year on year. However, considerably higher raw material costs, especially for ammonia, will counteract this.

In the last weeks of 2011, the de-icing salt business will be influenced decisively by wintry weather conditions in Europe and North America. In this respect, it can be assumed that sales volumes will be on their multi-year average level in the case of both the European and North American markets. While demand for industrial salt should remain stable in Europe and South America, in the case of water softening products, a certain degree of reluctance to purchase due to the muted economic situation in the United States can be assumed. Demand for food grade salt in Europe and North America should also be stable. The South American market for food grade salt should, however, further grow in line with the population development there. The demand of the chemical industry for salts for chemical use should continue to develop stably in Europe as well as in North and South America.

K+S Group revenues likely to rise significantly in 2011

Following up the estimates in the outlook of the Financial Report 2010 and against the backdrop of the better-than-expected demand and price trends during the first nine months of 2011, revenues of the K+S Group are likely to rise significantly in financial year 2011 against the previous year. A figure of between € 5.00 billion and € 5.25 billion (previously: € 5.0 billion to € 5.3 billion; previous year: € 4.63 billion) seems realistic from today’s perspective. While in the Potash and Magnesium Products business segment, we are assuming a significant increase in revenues and in the Nitrogen Fertilizers business segment (without COMPO) a strong one, in the Salt business segment we expect a stable revenue trend at the high level of the previous year. The revenue forecast assumes an average US dollar exchange rate of 1.40 USD/EUR (previously: 1.42 USD/EUR; 2010: 1.33 USD/EUR).

Operating earnings likely to rise strongly in 2011

In financial year 2011, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) and operating earnings EBIT I should increase strongly in comparison to the figures for the previous year. For the EBITDA of the K+S Group, a figure of € 1.15 billion to € 1.25 billion (previously: € 1.15 billion to € 1.30 billion; previous year: € 953.0 million) and operating earnings EBIT I of between € 0.95 billion and € 1.00 billion (previously: € 0.95 billion to € 1.05 billion; previous year: € 0.71 billion) is thus likely to be achieved. This can be attributed to the strongly rising earnings in the Potash and Magnesium Products and Nitrogen Fertilizers business segments. However, the operating earnings of the Salt business segment will probably decline moderately. On the basis of the average US dollar estimate of 1.40 USD/EUR for 2011 (previously: 1.42 USD/EUR; previous year: 1.33 USD/EUR) and the hedging instruments used, there is a significantly positive currency effect, which more than makes up for the currency-related revenue losses. The forecast is based on the following assumptions:

• continued attractive agricultural prices;
• in comparison to the previous year, significantly higher average prices and stable sales volumes in the Potash and Magnesium Products business segment (expected sales volume: about 7 million tonnes);
• sales volumes of a good 23 million tonnes of crystallised salt in the Salt business segment, of which about 14 million tonnes should be accounted for by de-icing salt. For the fourth quarter, this, as customary, assumes the average of multi-year de-icing salt sales volumes.

Group earnings after taxes will probably improve strongly in 2011

The adjusted Group earnings after taxes of the continued operations should also increase strongly in 2011 in line with the development of operating earnings and reach a value of between € 650 million and € 690 million (previously: € 650 million to € 720 million; previous year: € 447.8 million). This would correspond to adjusted earnings per share of the continued operations of about € 3.40 to € 3.60 (previously: € 3.40 to € 3.75; previous year: € 2.34). Taking into consideration the discontinued operations including the expected book loss arising from the disposal of COMPO, adjusted Group earnings after taxes of € 550 million to € 590 million (previously: € 560 million to € 630 million; previous year: € 445.3 million) are to be assumed. This would correspond to adjusted earnings per share of about € 2.90 to € 3.10 per share (previously: € 2.95 to € 3.30; previous year: € 2.33). This estimate is based not only on the effects described for revenues and operating earnings, but also on the following circumstances expected from today's perspective:

• a significantly better financial result, after this had been negatively impacted by special effects in 2010;
• a domestic Group tax rate of 28.3% and an adjusted Group tax ratio of about 27% (previously: 26% to 27%; 2010: 26.2%).

Forecast for 2012: Continued high global potash sales volumes expected

For 2012, the K+S Group expects global potash sales volumes of at least 60 million tonnes (2011: 58 to 60 million tonnes expected). The estimate is based primarily on a continued level of prices for agricultural raw materials which is attractive for the earnings prospects of the agricultural sector.

The positive development of demand should continue in 2012 in the case of straight nitrogen fertilizers and complex fertilizers too.

In this respect, for 2012, sales volumes are expected to be on their multi-year average level in the case of both the European and North American markets for de-icing salt. After an above-average demand in Europe and on the East Coast of the United States in the first quarter of 2011, the sales volumes of de-icing salt should correspondingly decrease to a normal level again in the first quarter of 2012. The consumption of food grade salt and industrial salt in Europe as well as North and South America will probably be stable in 2012. The demand of the chemical industry for salt for chemical use should rise moderately.

Stable revenue development and high earnings level likely

The currently omnipresent uncertainty regarding the future economic development of the global economy has prompted K+S to be more cautious in respect of its estimate for 2012 and thereby to take the lower visibility into account. Revenues for 2012 should develop stably in comparison to the high figure for the previous year. While in the Potash and Magnesium Products business segment a tangible increase in revenues can be assumed, in the Nitrogen Fertilizers business segment a stable development of revenues and in the Salt business segment moderately lower revenues will probably be seen. As for the costs of the K+S Group, moderately rising personnel and significantly rising energy costs are confronted with stable material costs, depreciation and amortisation as well as tangibly declining freight costs. In total, a largely stable cost level can therefore be expected. As far as operating earnings EBIT I of the K+S Group and adjusted Group earnings after taxes are concerned, from today's perspective, there are good opportunities for the coming year to keep them at their respective high levels of 2011.

In the Potash and Magnesium Products business segment, a slightly improving earnings development and in the Nitrogen Fertilizers business segment a largely stable one should be observed. On the other hand, the operating earnings of the Salt business segment will probably decline significantly on the basis of a normal winter business that follows the long-term average of historical de-icing salt volumes. This estimate for the coming year is based on a number of factors including the following:

• continued attractive agricultural prices;
• tangibly higher average prices and an expected sales volume of about 7 million tonnes in the Potash and Magnesium Products business segment;
• at about 22 million tonnes on average and in comparison to the record sales volumes of the previous year tangibly lower sales volumes of crystallised salt (of which de-icing salt: a good 12 million tonnes);
• a US dollar exchange rate of 1.40 USD/EUR and a negative currency result;
• a largely unchanged financial result;
• a slightly higher adjusted Group tax ratio of 27% to 28%.

Experience growth

The K+S Group is one of the world's leading suppliers of standard and speciality fertilizers. In the salt business, K+S is the world’s leading producer with sites in Europe as well as North and South America. K+S offers a comprehensive range of goods and services for agriculture, industry, and private consumers which provides growth opportunities in virtually every sphere of daily life. The K+S Group employs more than 14,000 people. The K+S share – the commodities stock on the German DAX index – is listed on all German stock exchanges (ISIN: DE000KSAG888, symbol: SDF). More information about K+S can be found at www.k-plus-s.com.

Note to editors

The Quarterly Financial Report (Q3/2011), the K+S Q3/2011 Facts & Figures (English), a video webcast by Norbert Steiner, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of K+S Aktiengesellschaft, about the third quarter of 2011 and up-to-date press photos relating to the K+S Group are available under http://www.k-plus-s.com/2011q3en.

We are offering a conference call for investors and analysts in English today at 3 p.m. Norbert Steiner, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, as well as Joachim Felker and Jan Peter Nonnenkamp, members of the Board of Executive Directors, will participate in the conference call. Shareholders, investors, representatives of the press and all other interested parties are invited to follow the conference via a live webcast at (http://www.k-plus-s.com/2011q3en) or by phone under +49-69-71044-5598. The conference will be recorded and will also be available as a podcast.

Announcement according to Article 21, Section 1 of the WpHG (share)

Prudential plc., London, United Kingdom, made the following notifications regarding the holding of voting rights held in K+S Aktiengesellschaft, Kassel, Germany according to § 21, 22 WpHG in their name as well as in the names and on behalf of the following companies: - M&G Limited, London, United Kingdom, the parent company of M&G Investment Management Limited, London, United Kingdom - M&G Group Limited, London, United Kingdom the parent company of M & G Limited, London, United Kingdom - M&G Investment Management Limited, London, United Kingdom wholly owned subsidiary of M&G Limited, London, United Kingdom

Prudential plc, is the parent holding company of M&G Investment Management Limited, M&G Limited and M&G Group Limited.

1. Notification of voting rights in the name and on behalf of M&G Limited On 27 October 2011, M&G Limited moved to a 3% threshold of § 21 para. 1 WpHG and now holds 3.00% (5,754,118 shares held with voting rights) of the voting rights in K+S Aktiengesellschaft. It was attributed these 3.00% (5,754,118 shares held with voting rights) of the voting rights in K+S Aktiengesellschaft pursuant to § 22 para. 1 sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG in connection with § 22 para 1 sent. 2 WpHG.

2. Notification of voting rights in the name of M&G Group Limited On the 27 October 2011, M&G Group Limited moved to a 3% threshold of § 21 para. 1 WpHG and now holds 3.00% (5,754,118 shares held with voting rights) of the voting rights in K+S Aktiengesellschaft. It was attributed these 3.00% (5,754,118 shares held with voting rights) of the voting rights in K+S Aktiengesellschaft pursuant to § 22 para. 1 sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG in connection with § 22 para 1 sent. 2 WpHG.

3. Notification of voting rights in the name of M&G Investment Management Limited On the 27 October 2011, M&G Investment Management Limited moved to a 3% threshold of § 21 para. 1 WpHG and now holds 3.00% (5,754,118 shares held with voting rights) of the voting rights in K+S Aktiengesellschaft. It was attributed these 3.00% (5,754,118 shares held with voting rights) of the voting rights in K+S Aktiengesellschaft pursuant to § 22 para. 1 sent. 1 no. 6 WpHG in connection with § 22 para 1 sent. 2 WpHG.

4. Notification of voting rights in our own name Prudential plc has moved to a 3% threshold of § 21 para. 1 WpHG on 27 October 2011 and now hold 3.00% (5,754,118 shares held with voting rights) of the voting rights in K+S Aktiengesellschaft. It was attributed these 3.00% (5,754,118 shares held with voting rights) of the voting rights pursuant to § 22 para. 1 sent. 1 no. 6 in connection with §. 22 para. 1 sent. 2 WpHG.

Further inquiry note: Christian Herrmann Telefon: +49(0)561-9301-1460 E-Mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

issuer: K+S Aktiengesellschaft Bertha-von-Suttner-Straße 7 D-34131 Kassel phone: +49 (0)561 9301-1460 FAX: +49 (0)561 9301-2425 mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com WWW: http://www.k-plus-s.com sector: Chemicals ISIN: DE000KSAG888 indexes: DAX, Midcap Market Index, CDAX, Classic All Share, HDAX, Prime All Share stockmarkets: official dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, regulated dealing: Stuttgart, München, official dealing: Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover language: English

EAX0016 2011-11-02/17:04

The strategy of the K+S Group provides for growth particularly in the Potash and Magnesium Products segment as well as the Salt business segments and for a focus of management resources and financial means on this. Against this backdrop, K+S had announced the sale of COMPO to Triton on June 20, 2011.

About COMPO

COMPO, based in Münster/Westphalia, is one of the leading suppliers of branded goods for home and garden. The range of products includes fertilizers, plant protection products, high-quality potting soils and speciality products for public green areas, professional horticulture, special crops and special applications in agriculture. The company has one of the best-known brand and most innovative product portfolios in the sector and employs 1,075 people globally.

About Triton

Triton is an independent European private equity investor and focuses on companies in German-speaking countries and Northern Europe. Triton invests in market leaders in attractive niches with a high value-creation potential. Investors in the Triton funds are renowned institutional investors, pension funds, families and foundations.

About K+S

The K+S Group is one of the world's leading suppliers of standard and speciality fertilizers. In the salt business, K+S is the world’s leading producer with sites in Europe as well as North and South America. K+S offers a comprehensive range of goods and services for agriculture, industry, and private consumers which provides growth opportunities in virtually every sphere of daily life. The K+S Group employs more than 14,000 people. K+S – the commodities stock on the German DAX index – is listed on all German stock exchanges (ISIN: DE000KSAG888, symbol: SDF). More information about K+S can be found at www.k-plus-s.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such statements represent management's best judgment as of the date hereof based on information currently available. Statements in this press release other than purely historical information, including statements relating to the companies' future plans and objectives or expected results, constitute forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties inherent in the companies' business. The companies do not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

•  The 30 DAX companies will work to increase the share of women in executive positions, ensure equal opportunity, and make work-life balance an important ingredient of diversity management.
• In an initiative unparalleled in Europe, the 30 DAX companies have worked out a voluntary commitment to achieving this goal. They have set realistic, company-specific and measureable targets to increase the share of women in executive positions. A progress report will be made annually.
•  They have pledged to continue the working group that was explicitly set up to address this issue for the next five years and to assure that the goals are achieved by conducting a mutual dialogue about the best solutions.
• The 30 DAX companies believe that voluntary commitment is sustainable and will help to achieve the goal, making a legal requirement unnecessary.

By defining specific targets, the 30 DAX companies are making good on the promise they made in their joint statement on women in executive positions issued in March of this year. In the statement the companies pledged to reach a sustainable personnel development that guarantees an adequate representation of women in leadership positions, particularly in top-level management. At the same time these corporations will increase transparency in personnel selection and talent management. This will show that the trend in their human resources policy is on the right track in terms of diversity, moving toward a systematic structure that promotes women.

"Companies benefit when more women are in executive positions – we’re quite certain of that. By setting specific targets and continuing the working group made up of experts from all the companies, we are sending a clear signal as DAX companies and creating transparency and commitment. That’s why we’re going to measure ourselves year after year on what we actually achieve, and make those results public,” says BMW personnel chief Harald Krüger. This commitment is also an important social and political signal for greater equal opportunity in the business world. In their joint statement on March 30, the 30 DAX companies called for a shift in attitudes: “Company-specific measures must accompany changes in state policies as well as a cultural shift in our entire society. This will require not only companies to get involved, but also politicians and every individual.”

The companies intend to meet each year over the next five years to present an update of “Women in Executive Positions – Status Quo and Targets of the 30 DAX Companies” to the public. In the future, each company will also report on the current status of the gender quota, the degree to which targets have been achieved, the action that has been taken and that which is planned. This information is to be included in their sustainability or annual reports.

An action catalog was also presented, which lists five fields that the companies are already engaged in and intend to expand. Specifically this catalog involves the following:

•  Work-life balance
•  Transparency and gender-neutral recruiting, selection and placement processes
• Recruiting activities at schools and colleges aimed at making professions in the fields of mathematics, IT, science and technology more attractive and to recruit graduates from these disciplines
• Targeted personnel development, for example, through coaching and mentoring programs for men and women
• Activities to support a corporate culture shift

Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Person, triggering the disclosure: ----------------------------- Name: Dr. Thomas Nöcker (natural person)

Reason for the disclosure requirement: ------------------------------ Reason: Person performing managerial responsibilities Position: Member of a managing body

Details of the transaction: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transaction: ------------ Description of financial instrument: Registered unit share of no-par value ISIN: DE000KSAG888 Type of transaction: purchase Date: 04.10.2011 Currency: Euro Price: 35.48800 No of items: 1000 Total amount traded: 35,488.00000 Place: XETRA Explanation:

Further inquiry note: ----------------- Christian Herrmann Telefon: +49 (0) 561 9301 1460 E-Mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com

Issuer subject to the publication requirement: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

issuer: K+S Aktiengesellschaft Bertha-von-Suttner-Straße 7 D-34131 Kassel phone: +49 (0)561 9301-1460 FAX: +49 (0)561 9301-2425 mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com WWW: http://www.k-plus-s.com sector: Chemicals ISIN: DE000KSAG888 indexes: DAX, Midcap Market Index, CDAX, Classic All Share, HDAX, Prime All Share stockmarkets: official dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, regulated dealing: Stuttgart, München, official dealing: Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover language: English

EAX0025 2011-10-04/17:40

Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Person, triggering the disclosure: ----------------------------- Name: Klaus Krüger (natural person)

Reason for the disclosure requirement: ------------------------------ Reason: Person performing managerial responsibilities Position: Member of an administrative or supervisory body

Details of the transaction: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transaction: ------------ Description of financial instrument: Unit share of no-par value ISIN: DE0007162000 Type of transaction: purchase Date: 13.04.2011 Currency: Euro Price: 57.00000 No of items: 60 Price: 0.00000 No of items: 12 Total amount traded: 3,420.00000 Place: off-exchange Explanation: Purchase in the course of employee share programme 2011 (including 12 bonus shares); Post notification due to the excess of the bagatelle threshold on 30 September 2011

Further inquiry note: ----------------- Christian Herrmann Telefon: +49 (0) 561 9301 1460 E-Mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com

Issuer subject to the publication requirement: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

issuer: K+S Aktiengesellschaft Bertha-von-Suttner-Straße 7 D-34131 Kassel phone: +49 (0)561 9301-1460 FAX: +49 (0)561 9301-2425 mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com WWW: http://www.k-plus-s.com sector: Chemicals ISIN: DE000KSAG888 indexes: DAX, Midcap Market Index, CDAX, Classic All Share, HDAX, Prime All Share stockmarkets: official dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, regulated dealing: Stuttgart, München, official dealing: Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover language: English

EAX0020 2011-10-04/15:49

Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Person, triggering the disclosure: ----------------------------- Name: Klaus Krüger (natural person)

Reason for the disclosure requirement: ------------------------------ Reason: Person performing managerial responsibilities Position: Member of an administrative or supervisory body

Details of the transaction: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transaction: ------------ Description of financial instrument: Registered unit share of no-par value ISIN: DE000KSAG888 Type of transaction: purchase Date: 30.09.2011 Currency: Euro Price: 41.00000 No of items: 100 Total amount traded: 4,100.00000 Place: Tradegate Exchange, Berlin Explanation:

Further inquiry note: ----------------- Christian Herrmann Telefon: +49 (0) 561 9301 1460 E-Mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com

Issuer subject to the publication requirement: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

issuer: K+S Aktiengesellschaft Bertha-von-Suttner-Straße 7 D-34131 Kassel phone: +49 (0)561 9301-1460 FAX: +49 (0)561 9301-2425 mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com WWW: http://www.k-plus-s.com sector: Chemicals ISIN: DE000KSAG888 indexes: DAX, Midcap Market Index, CDAX, Classic All Share, HDAX, Prime All Share stockmarkets: official dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, regulated dealing: Stuttgart, München, official dealing: Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover language: English

EAX0018 2011-10-04/15:48

Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Person, triggering the disclosure: ----------------------------- Name: Dr. Thomas Nöcker (natural person)

Reason for the disclosure requirement: ------------------------------ Reason: Person performing managerial responsibilities Position: Member of a managing body

Details of the transaction: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transaction: ------------ Description of financial instrument: Registered unit share of no-par value ISIN: DE000KSAG888 Type of transaction: purchase Date: 23.09.2011 Currency: Euro Price: 39.00000 No of items: 1000 Total amount traded: 39,000.00000 Place: Xetra Explanation:

Further inquiry note: ----------------- Christian Herrmann Telefon: +49 (0) 561 9301 1460 E-Mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com

Issuer subject to the publication requirement: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

issuer: K+S Aktiengesellschaft Bertha-von-Suttner-Straße 7 D-34131 Kassel phone: +49 (0)561 9301-1460 FAX: +49 (0)561 9301-2425 mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com WWW: http://www.k-plus-s.com sector: Chemicals ISIN: DE000KSAG888 indexes: DAX, Midcap Market Index, CDAX, Classic All Share, HDAX, Prime All Share stockmarkets: official dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, regulated dealing: Stuttgart, München, official dealing: Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover language: English

EAX0022 2011-09-23/15:38

“The package of measures provides a clear perspective for the Company, the people working in the Werra district and the region,” says Norbert Steiner, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of K+S. “Through high investments,” Steiner continues, “we are promoting environmental protection and making a further contribution to securing jobs in the potash industry over the long term. The Supervisory Board is providing us with sustained support in this undertaking.”

Following the on-site discussions of the Supervisory Board of K+S Aktiengesellschaft, its Chairman, Dr. Ralf Bethke, emphasises: “The implementation of this comprehensive package of measures is a further major step towards harmonising ecology, economics and social responsibility even better. It is not just a question of making improvements for the environment, but also of placing the same emphasis on creating an effective economic structure and a secure livelihood for our employees and their families in the states of Hesse and Thuringia. Here, a sense of proportion is required from all participants and interest groups.”

After the coordination record on the integrated package of measures (IPM) has been signed by the states of Hesse, Thuringia and K+S, and the prerequisites for commencing the investments have thus been fulfilled, the first construction work will begin shortly at the sites of the Werra plant in Hesse and Thuringia. In total, a number of subprojects are planned which will reduce by about 50 percent the occurrence of saline waste water through changes in the production processes, and in part through new process technology. This will make it possible to lower the salt concentration in the river by about 30 percent and bring along significant ecological improvements. Thus, in future, the Weser river will fall below the biological freshwater threshold already at Bad Karlshafen. 

About K+S

The K+S Group is one of the world's leading suppliers of standard and speciality fertilizers. In the salt business, K+S is the world’s leading producer with sites in Europe as well as North and South America. K+S offers a comprehensive range of goods and services for agriculture, industry, and private consumers which provides growth opportunities in virtually every sphere of daily life. The K+S Group employs more than 14,000 people. K+S – the commodities stock on the German DAX index – is listed on all German stock exchanges.

Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Person, triggering the disclosure: ----------------------------- Name: Jan Peter Nonnenkamp (natural person)

Reason for the disclosure requirement: ------------------------------ Reason: Person performing managerial responsibilities Position: Member of a managing body

Details of the transaction: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transaction: ------------ Description of financial instrument: Stückaktie ohne Nennwert ISIN: DE000KSAG888 Type of transaction: purchase Date: 18.08.2011 Currency: Euro Price: 43.97000 No of items: 1000 Total amount traded: 43,970.00000 Place: XETRA Explanation:

Further inquiry note: ----------------- Kai Kirchhoff
Telefon: +49(0)561-9301-1885
E-Mail: kai.kirchhoff@k-plus-s.com

Issuer subject to the publication requirement: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

issuer: K+S Aktiengesellschaft Bertha-von-Suttner-Straße 7 D-34131 Kassel phone: +49 (0)561 9301-1460 FAX: +49 (0)561 9301-2425 mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com WWW: http://www.k-plus-s.com sector: Chemicals ISIN: DE000KSAG888 indexes: DAX, Midcap Market Index, CDAX, Classic All Share, HDAX, Prime All Share stockmarkets: official dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, regulated dealing:
             Stuttgart, München, official dealing: Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover
language: English

Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Person, triggering the disclosure: ----------------------------- Name: Dr. Rainer Gerling (natural person)

Reason for the disclosure requirement: ------------------------------ Reason: Person performing managerial responsibilities Position: Member of an administrative or supervisory body

Details of the transaction: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transaction: ------------ Description of financial instrument: Non-par value share ISIN: DE000KSAG888 Type of transaction: purchase Date: 11.08.2011 Currency: Euro Price: 44.11538 No of items: 650 Total amount traded: 28,675.00002 Place: Xetra Explanation:

Further inquiry note: ----------------- Christian Herrmann Telefon: +49 (0) 561 9301 1460 E-Mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com

Issuer subject to the publication requirement: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

issuer: K+S Aktiengesellschaft Bertha-von-Suttner-Straße 7 D-34131 Kassel phone: +49 (0)561 9301-1460 FAX: +49 (0)561 9301-2425 mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com WWW: http://www.k-plus-s.com sector: Chemicals ISIN: DE0007162000 indexes: DAX, Midcap Market Index, CDAX, Classic All Share, HDAX, Prime All Share stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, regulated dealing: Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Hannover, München language: English

EAX0019 2011-08-15/15:56

Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Person, triggering the disclosure: ----------------------------- Name: Dr. Thomas Nöcker (natural person)

Reason for the disclosure requirement: ------------------------------ Reason: Person performing managerial responsibilities Position: Member of a managing body

Details of the transaction: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transaction: ------------ Description of financial instrument: Registered unit share of no-par value ISIN: DE000KSAG888 Type of transaction: purchase Date: 11.08.2011 Currency: Euro Price: 40.38600 No of items: 2000 Total amount traded: 80,772.00000 Place: Xetra Explanation:

Further inquiry note: ----------------- Christian Herrmann Telefon: +49 (0) 561 9301 1460 E-Mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com

Issuer subject to the publication requirement: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

issuer: K+S Aktiengesellschaft Bertha-von-Suttner-Straße 7 D-34131 Kassel phone: +49 (0)561 9301-1460 FAX: +49 (0)561 9301-2425 mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com WWW: http://www.k-plus-s.com sector: Chemicals ISIN: DE0007162000 indexes: DAX, Midcap Market Index, CDAX, Classic All Share, HDAX, Prime All Share stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, regulated dealing: Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Hannover, München language: English

EAX0045 2011-08-11/10:58

Details of the person subject to the disclosure requirement: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Person, triggering the disclosure: ----------------------------- Name: Jan Peter Nonnenkamp (natural person)

Reason for the disclosure requirement: ------------------------------ Reason: Person performing managerial responsibilities Position: Member of a managing body

Details of the transaction: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Transaction: ------------ Description of financial instrument: Stückaktie ohne Nennwert ISIN: DE000KSAG888 Type of transaction: purchase Date: 11.08.2011 Currency: Euro Price: 40.44000 No of items: 1000 Total amount traded: 40,440.00000 Place: XETRA Explanation:

Further inquiry note: ----------------- Christian Herrmann Telefon: +49 (0) 561 9301 1460 E-Mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com

Issuer subject to the publication requirement: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- end of announcement euro adhoc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

issuer: K+S Aktiengesellschaft Bertha-von-Suttner-Straße 7 D-34131 Kassel phone: +49 (0)561 9301-1460 FAX: +49 (0)561 9301-2425 mail: christian.herrmann@k-plus-s.com WWW: http://www.k-plus-s.com sector: Chemicals ISIN: DE0007162000 indexes: DAX, Midcap Market Index, CDAX, Classic All Share, HDAX, Prime All Share stockmarkets: regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt, regulated dealing: Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Hannover, München language: English

EAX0041 2011-08-11/10:35