en.Wedoany.com Reported - K+S Group is acquiring two refined salt production sites from Qemetica for €350 million plus an additional earn-out of up to €30 million, aiming to strengthen its salt business footprint in Europe.
This acquisition will expand K+S Group's own European salt business and unlock new growth opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe. The purchase price includes an earn-out of up to €30 million, contingent on the operational performance of the former Qemetica salt division in 2026 and 2027. In 2025, the division employed approximately 400 people and generated revenue of around €125 million, with EBITDA close to €50 million.
K+S CEO Christian H. Meyer stated that the European salt market environment has improved significantly recently, with the company achieving stable revenue that provides a reliable contribution to overall business. Acquiring Qemetica's two refined salt production sites offers K+S the opportunity to further expand its European salt business and unlock new growth potential in Central and Eastern Europe.
The two production sites in Stassfurt and Janikowo primarily produce specialty salts, such as those used in water softening and the food industry. Meyer believes these products are an ideal complement to K+S's existing portfolio and looks forward to welcoming new colleagues.
Qemetica CEO Kamil Majczak said that entrusting the salt business, which has been deeply developed over the past few years, to a reliable partner helps the company free up capital for strategic projects. This transaction marks the end of the former Qemetica salt division while also opening a new chapter, as the company will establish a new resource recovery division, with waste-to-energy as one of its growth pillars.
In terms of financing, K+S is evaluating various capital market instruments to fund the acquisition consideration and optimize group financing. The timing, implementation, and structure of the financing will depend on market conditions and financing terms. CFO Jens Christian Keuthen noted that if financing is not secured before the expected closing in the first quarter of 2027, the company can utilize existing liquidity and committed credit lines, with refinancing to follow later. He emphasized that the multiple underlying the purchase price is similar to K+S's stock market valuation, and the group's leverage ratio remains largely unchanged, as the acquisition price corresponds to stable profit contributions.
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