Together for Sustainability

Over the past few years sustainability aspects in the chemical industry have become more important and holistic. Nowadays, chemical companies’ measures focusing sustainability include apart from ecological aspects also social concerns and collaborative issues.

Today, it has been well accepted that the creation of sustainable chemical supply chains requires a joint effort beyond individual businesses. These efforts should integrate chemical companies, suppliers, customers as well as consumers.[2]

Prof. Dr Wolfgang Stolze and Marc Müller of the University of St. Gallen summarize the development in the chemical industry in recent years as follows: “The scope of sustainability in the chemical industry has evolved from a firm-level construct with a strong focus on green aspects to a chain-level approach attempting to address the triple bottom line of economic, social and environmental elements.”[3]

The Together for Sustainability initiative was founded in 2011 by BASF, Bayer, Evonik, Henkel, Lanxess, and Solvay. The objective was to develop a global supplier engagement program and improve their own sustainability sourcing practices in line with the United Nations Global Compact. Since January 2015, the TfS initiative is incorporated as an international non-profit association according to the Belgian law.

Since June 2012, TfS conducts assessments and audits by independent experts, as well as the early partnership with the French company EcoVadis, which provided with sustainability scorecards and benchmarks.[4]

In May 2019 Bertrand Conquéret, CPO of Henkel, was elected as president of the TfS.[5]

TfS has developed and implemented a global supplier engagement program that assesses sustainability sourcing practices, including ecological and social aspects. The focus in the supply chain of the member companies seeks to reduce inefficiencies and share best practices among the members' suppliers.[6] Moreover TfS provides the framework for conducting assessments and audits across the chemical industry supply chain, organizes workshops, and provides e-learning tools.

The TfS approach consists of two core elements:

• TfS Assessments conducted by EcoVadis, who provides scorecard on its shared, web-based collaborative platform,[7] and
• TfS Audits, conducted by independent audit companies approved by TfS

The TfS is governed by two main organs, the General Assembly and the Steering Committee. The General Assembly is formed by all the Chief Procurement Officers of the member companies, and holds power over the direction and structure of the organization, as well as approving the decisions of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee, formed by six elected members of the General Assembly as well as the TfS president, is the executive council of the organization and decides upon its activities and projects.

Additionally, TfS has several Regional Operating Committees (Asia, North America and South America) as well as, currently, four mission-specific work streams led and staffed by participants from the TfS member companies:

• Work Stream 1: Governance and Mutual recognition
• Work Stream 2: Supplier Sustainability Assessments
• Work Stream 3: Supplier Sustainability Audits
• Work Stream 4: Communication and Capacity Building

TfS’ headquarter is in Brussels. It manages the day-to-day affairs of the organization and stays in close contact with the representatives and coordinators of the member companies.

TfS has a partnership with several other chemical industry associations: American Chemistry Council (ACC), European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), German Chemistry Council (VCI), China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation (CPCIF), Indian Chemical Council (ICC),[8] and the Associação Brasileira da Indústria Química (ABIQUIM).

TfS Membership is open to all companies in the chemical industry who subscribe to the United Nations Global Compact, Responsible Care, and show a commitment to sustainability. TfS membership has been growing steadily since its founding, and in August 2020 its members have a joint global turnover of €346 billion.[9]

As of May 2020, TfS has 26 member companies.

• 2015 - Highly Commended at the Ethical Corporation Responsible Business Award 2015[10]
• 2016 - Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council Market Transformation Award[11]
• 2018 - Best Third Sector/Not-for-profit Procurement Project at CIPS Supply Management Awards[12]
• 2018 - Finalist for international Responsible Business Awards[13]

• ISO 26000
• Corporate social responsibility
• United Nations Global Compact
• Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative

• TfS Initiative website