Corporate Responsibility

We think and behave generationally

For us, corporate sustainability means long-term economic success. In the past, this was only possible through cross-generational thinking and behaviors. The goal of the owner families was and is to pass on their shares to the next generations. We will continue to do this in the future in order to remain successful.

That is why the entrepreneurial principles—independence, innovation and responsibility—form a triad for corporate development, which ultimately enables holistic sustainability economically, ecologically and socially. Only in this way can we make a difference in the world and make our contribution to more sustainable agriculture and other environmental and social goals.

Independence as a condition

As an independent, family-owned business, we have the necessary entrepreneurial stability and the freedom to innovate. We can act as an independent provider, focusing on the long-term needs of agriculture and society, and not be driven by short-term shareholder interests.

Innovative and responsible action

A high level of investment in research & development enables innovation for sustainable agriculture: Yield increases, nutrient efficiency and tolerances and resistances of the seed we offer. A deep foothold in family values within the company ensures innovation based on responsibility and prevention.

The result is holistic sustainability.

Independence, innovation and responsibility make holistic economic, ecological and social sustainability possible: in other words, profitable growth for KWS coupled with a contribution to the environment and society. We have had success with this in the past, and we will continue to build on it in the future.

Our approach to sustainability - learn more

We are often asked...

Which sustainability strategy does KWS pursue?

Our corporate strategy pursues the independence of KWS as its ultimate goal. All strategic initiatives and measures are therefore geared towards long-term profitable growth, i.e. an increase in annual group sales by five percent and an EBIT margin of ten percent.

We consider our intense research work, and the development of new high-performance varieties, as qualifiers for continuous global expansion to ensure we are on target in climate-specific regional markets, as strategic success factors.

What contribution does KWS make to sustainable agriculture?

The KWS value creation focus is on optimizing the genetics
of seed. An increase in yield for farmers, in conjunction with optimal
use of available agricultural resources, represents
our overall breeding goal, taking into account both location-related and regional
climatic conditions. Variety characteristics, such as
nutrient efficiency and drought tolerance, as well as resistance to
pests and plant diseases, are expected to increase crop yield potential,
provide greater yield stability, and enable efficient cultivation at
previously marginal locations.

On our farms and in our testing areas, we carry out agrotechnical cultivation trials
on plant varieties we offer, and,
in cooperation with scientific institutes,
develop for farmers culture-specific practical cultivation recommendations
for resource-efficient cultivation. Crop rotation consulting has a role to play here, too.
For this, we offer special “AckerFit” seed mixtures, which can be easily integrated into
different crop rotations.

In order to optimize our ecological seed footprint, KWS is
increasingly concerned with the importance and practical application of
so-called “biologicals”, in addition to the current
standard treatments using chemicals. In the first years
of the experiment, up to five percent higher yields were recorded on soils
using marginal growing conditions, such as climate and soil. Initial market launch activities
for varieties with stress-resistant biologicals have
begun in eastern European markets.

For more than 15 years, KWS has also been active in the breeding of suitable varieties and
seed production for organic farming. KWS has expertise in organic farming,
both in the development of stable-yielding varieties and,
due to the management of its own organic farm, in
daily agricultural practice.

What contribution does KWS make to climate protection?

The improvement of operating efficiency in the control of energy-consuming
processes and the increasing use of energy from renewable
energy sources at KWS facilities worldwide is a constant concern of ours.
At present, the share of renewable energy sources in Germany
is 26 percent; at KWS SAAT SE, the parent company, it is 42 percent.

At the same time, the breeding of energy plant varieties,
suitable for energy production from biomass, is another contribution
the company makes to climate protection. Bioenergy is one of the most important renewable
energy sources for the production of useful energy such as electricity, heat and fuel.
KWS has been promoting the cultivation of agricultural
crops for use as a biogas substrate for 15 years, for example through a
special program for energy corn. With the further expansion of the biogas sector,
sorghum, rye and sugarbeet varieties
have been bred as further cultures for substrate cultivation, especially for the requirements as biogas substrates,
using different soil and agronomic conditions. KWS also advises its customers
on plant cultivation, substrate preparation and storage, and in the cultivation of
energy crops for the production of biomass.