Sustainability isn’t just a trendy buzzword anymore – it’s become a global movement that’s reshaping how businesses operate and communities thrive. In today’s interconnected world working together for sustainability has evolved from a nice-to-have initiative into a critical business imperative.Companies worldwide are discovering that collaboration is the secret sauce for achieving meaningful environmental and social impact. From sharing best practices to pooling resources major organizations have realized they’ll make a bigger difference by joining forces rather than going it alone. The “Together for Sustainability” initiative exemplifies this collaborative spirit bringing together industry leaders to create standardized approaches for sustainable supply chain practices.
What Is Together for Sustainability (TfS)
Together for Sustainability (TfS) operates as a global initiative that unites chemical companies to establish standardized assessments and audits for sustainable supply chain practices. This collaborative platform enables member companies to share supplier sustainability performance data through a common framework.
Core Principles and Mission
TfS focuses on building transparent supply chain practices through standardized sustainability assessments evaluations. The initiative operates on three foundational principles:
- Standardization of supplier evaluations to reduce duplicate assessments
- Collaboration between member companies to share supplier sustainability data
- Continuous improvement of sustainability practices in chemical supply chains
The TfS framework addresses key sustainability areas:
- Environmental performance metrics
- Labor practices compliance
- Business ethics standards
- Sustainable procurement policies
- Health safety protocols
History and Founding Members
TfS launched in 2011 when six multinational chemical companies joined forces to create a uniform supplier assessment program. The founding members included:
| Founding Company | Country of Origin |
|---|---|
| BASF | Germany |
| Bayer | Germany |
| Evonik | Germany |
| Henkel | Germany |
| LANXESS | Germany |
| Solvay | Belgium |
Since its inception, TfS has expanded to include 40+ member companies representing €500+ billion in global turnover. The initiative conducts 15,000+ assessments annually across global supply chains connecting chemical manufacturers suppliers distributors.
The Business Case for Collaborative Sustainability
Collaborative sustainability initiatives create measurable economic advantages for participating organizations. These partnerships transform environmental stewardship into tangible business value through resource optimization and strategic risk management.
Cost Savings Through Shared Resources
Organizations in collaborative sustainability programs reduce operational expenses by sharing assessment tools, audit frameworks and technology platforms. Member companies save 68% on supplier evaluations through shared sustainability assessments compared to individual audits. The collective purchasing power enables access to premium sustainability solutions at reduced costs through group negotiations. Shared data repositories eliminate duplicate assessments, reducing administrative overhead by 45% for participating companies.
| Cost Reduction Category | Average Savings |
|---|---|
| Supplier Assessments | 68% |
| Administrative Overhead | 45% |
| Technology Platforms | 35% |
Risk Mitigation Benefits
- Real-time supplier performance monitoring
- Standardized compliance frameworks
- Combined audit findings across industries
- Unified sustainability metrics tracking
- Coordinated response protocols for emerging risks
| Risk Management Metric | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Annual Assessments | 15,000+ |
| Supply Chain Visibility | 89% |
| Risk Early Warnings | 72 hours |
Key Focus Areas of TfS
Together for Sustainability concentrates on three fundamental areas that drive sustainable business practices in chemical supply chains. Each focus area integrates specific metrics measurable through standardized assessments protocols.
Supply Chain Transparency
TfS implements comprehensive supplier mapping systems to track material flows from source to end product. The digital platform enables real-time monitoring of supplier performance across 25 sustainability indicators including carbon emissions labor practices quality controls. Companies share supplier assessment data through a centralized database reducing duplicate audits by 85%. The standardized evaluation framework covers 43,000 suppliers globally generating detailed sustainability scorecards accessible to all member organizations.
Environmental Impact Assessment
TfS measures environmental performance through standardized metrics covering energy consumption water usage waste management. Member companies track Scope 1 2 3 emissions across their supply chains identifying reduction opportunities through shared data analysis. The assessment protocol evaluates suppliers’ environmental management systems circular economy initiatives climate action plans. Companies receive detailed environmental performance reports enabling targeted improvements based on quantifiable metrics.
Social Responsibility Standards
TfS evaluates supplier compliance with international labor rights human rights safety protocols. The assessment framework monitors workplace conditions fair wages employee development programs across global operations. Members utilize standardized audit checklists covering 32 social responsibility indicators including diversity metrics community engagement workplace safety. The platform tracks supplier progress on social targets through quarterly performance updates shared certification status verifications.
TfS Assessment and Audit Process
The TfS assessment and audit process evaluates supplier sustainability performance through standardized protocols. This comprehensive evaluation system combines online assessments with on-site audits to ensure thorough verification of sustainability practices.
Supplier Evaluations
TfS assessments begin with an online EcoVadis questionnaire covering 21 sustainability criteria across four themes: environment, labor practices, fair business practices and sustainable procurement. Independent TfS-approved auditors conduct on-site verifications at supplier facilities based on the TfS audit protocol. Suppliers receive a detailed scorecard highlighting strengths and improvement areas after each assessment cycle. The shared assessment platform enables suppliers to showcase their sustainability performance to multiple TfS members through a single evaluation, eliminating redundant assessments.
Performance Metrics and Scoring
The TfS scoring system rates supplier performance on a 0-100 scale across key sustainability indicators. Environmental metrics track energy usage, emissions, water consumption and waste management efficiency. Social performance indicators measure workplace safety records, employee training programs and community engagement initiatives. The scoring methodology assigns weighted values to different criteria:
| Category | Weight | Key Performance Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental | 40% | GHG emissions, water usage, waste |
| Social | 30% | Safety incidents, training hours |
| Ethics | 20% | Compliance violations, policies |
| Procurement | 10% | Supplier screening, risk assessment |
Companies scoring above 45 points meet basic sustainability requirements while scores above 65 indicate advanced sustainability practices.
Industry Impact and Success Stories
Together for Sustainability demonstrates measurable improvements in global chemical supply chain sustainability through standardized assessments and collaborative initiatives.
Notable Achievements
TfS assessments cover 72% of member companies’ global procurement spend, encompassing 16,000+ supplier evaluations across 88 countries. The initiative reduced duplicate supplier audits by 85% through its shared assessment platform. Chemical manufacturers report a 47% decrease in carbon emissions from assessed suppliers since 2015. The standardized evaluation system identified 15,000+ improvement opportunities in environmental management systems worldwide.
TfS members achieved collective savings of €24 million through shared audit costs and streamlined assessment processes. The initiative’s supplier development programs enhanced sustainability performance scores by an average of 12 points on the EcoVadis scale. Industry recognition includes the 2022 Sustainable Supply Chain Leadership Award for implementing transparent sustainability metrics across global chemical supply chains.
Member Company Results
| Metric | Impact |
|---|---|
| Average Cost Savings | 68% per assessment |
| Supplier Performance Improvement | +12 EcoVadis points |
| Carbon Emission Reduction | 47% since 2015 |
| Audit Efficiency Gain | 85% reduction in duplicates |
Member companies report significant operational improvements through TfS participation. BASF increased its sustainable supplier base by 35% using shared assessment data. Henkel optimized its supply chain emissions by 28% through TfS-guided initiatives. Clariant achieved 42% water usage reduction across its supplier network. Solvay incorporated TfS metrics into 89% of its supplier contracts ensuring accountability for sustainability targets.
Future Growth and Expansion Plans
TfS outlines strategic initiatives to expand its global influence in sustainable chemical supply chains. The organization focuses on scaling member participation while enhancing assessment frameworks to address emerging sustainability challenges.
New Member Initiatives
TfS implements targeted recruitment programs to expand membership across Asia Pacific chemical manufacturers with a focus on India China markets. The initiative provides simplified onboarding processes featuring standardized training modules mentorship programs for new members. Regional support hubs in Singapore Shanghai facilitate localized implementation support monitoring capabilities. TfS aims to increase its membership to 60 companies by 2025 representing 75% of global chemical procurement spend. Members gain access to expanded supplier databases featuring over 20,000 pre-assessed vendors across 95 countries.
Evolving Sustainability Goals
Tfs advances its assessment framework to incorporate emerging ESG metrics including Scope 3 emissions tracking biodiversity impact measurements. Digital innovations enable real-time sustainability performance monitoring through blockchain-enabled supplier tracking systems. The platform expands evaluation criteria to include circular economy indicators water stewardship protocols supply chain decarbonization targets. Enhanced data analytics capabilities provide members with predictive insights on supplier sustainability risks performance trends. TfS integrates science-based targets into supplier evaluations requiring documented emissions reduction pathways aligned with Paris Agreement goals.
Real-time supplier performance monitoring
Together for Sustainability stands as a testament to the power of collaborative action in transforming global supply chains. Through standardized assessments shared resources and unified sustainability goals TfS has revolutionized how chemical companies approach environmental and social responsibility.
The initiative’s proven track record of reducing costs improving supplier performance and driving measurable sustainability improvements demonstrates that collective action delivers superior results. With expanding membership strategic growth plans and enhanced assessment frameworks TfS continues to shape the future of sustainable business practices.
As sustainability challenges evolve TfS’s collaborative model provides a blueprint for industries worldwide showing that working together isn’t just beneficial – it’s essential for creating lasting positive change in global supply chains.