K+S agreed on 2 June to acquire Qemetica's evaporated salt business, with plants in Janikowo, Poland, and Staßfurt in Saxony-Anhalt, for between €350m and €380m.
Why K+S Aktiengesellschaft (via esco international GmbH) is buying Qemetica salt business (Janikowo and Staßfurt)
K+S said the deal strengthens its stable European salt business, which had been operating in a markedly improved market, and offers growth potential in Central and Eastern Europe as well as synergies. The two sites focus on specialty salts for water softening and the food industry.
“Our European salt business is operating in a market environment that has recently improved significantly.”
Deal terms and financing
The price is €350m plus a performance payment of up to €30m tied to the business's results in 2026 and 2027, about seven times EBITDA. K+S is weighing financing and capital-market options and can draw on existing liquidity and committed credit lines; it expects net debt to EBITDA to stay broadly unchanged.
Regulatory approvals and timing
Closing is subject to customary conditions including competition approvals and is expected in the first quarter of 2027.
Market context
Qemetica said it would use the proceeds for strategic areas, including a new Resource Recovery unit focused on energy recovery from waste.
