Value Chain & Products
Together for Sustainability
Harmonizing global standards in the supply chain helps to create more transparency and makes it easier for both suppliers and customers to assess and evaluate sustainability performance. The chemical industry set up the Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative for this purpose in 2011. The founding members were Evonik Industries, BASF, Bayer, Henkel, Lanxess and Solvay. Since then Akzo Nobel, Arkema, azelis, Borealis, Brenntag, Clariant, corteva, covestro, DSM, Eastman, ICL, IFF, Kraton, Merck, Sanofi, syngenta, UPM, Wacker, and Wanhua joined the initiative.
TFS Vision by chief procurement officers
The aim of TfS is the joint development and implementation of a global assessment and audit program for responsible procurement of goods and services. In this context, TfS helps make environmental and social standards measurable and implement specific improvements.
The member companies initiated 441 audits and 4,499 assessments worldwide in 2019.
Our assessment activities in 2019
In 2019, we evaluated around 94 percent of suppliers of critical raw materials using sustainability criteria. These criteria include country risks, the supply situation, and market availability.
We also used TfS assessments and audits to review further significant suppliers.
A particular focus in 2019 was the process of following up on audits and assessments. Corrective action was initiated with 19 suppliers, where major or critical issues were identified during audits. In seven cases, supplier assessments showed that insufficient attention had been paid to sustainability aspects. In these cases as well, corrective action was initiated. Shortcomings in the implementation of environmental measures and potential for improvement in occupational safety were also identified in 2019 at suppliers audited by TfS. None of the suppliers evaluated had significant negative impacts on the environment, nor was the scope to improve social aspects of their business activities classified as significant. No cases of child labor or forced labor were identified in on-site inspections, and there were no cases of discrimination or restriction on the freedom of association.
In 2019, we audited sustainability standards at 26 upplier sites and arranged for 117 sustainability assessments to be conducted.
Active involvement in TfS is important to us. Evonik employees are represented on TfS workstreams in Germany, North and South America, and Asia. In 2019, Evonik organized a TfS conference on sustainability within the supply chain in Shanghai (China).
IAs a member of the initiative, Evonik is also subject to TfS assessments. Our many a time gold rating positioned us among the top 1 percent of the suppliers assessed in 2019.