On the back of news that Clariant published its sustainability report for the 2013 financial year, the specialty-chemicals leader announced its membership in the chemical industry initiative "Together for Sustainability" (TfS), an organisation that aims to improve sustainability practices within supply chains in the chemical industry.
Clariant is the eighth member in the initiative, along with AkzoNobel, BASF, Bayer, Evonik Industries, Henkel, Lanxess and Solvay, to work collectively on a web-based platform to deliver global supplier assessments and audit programs through independent experts. Assessing sustainability requirements through TfS, which established in 2011, the program aims to lower risks in the procurement process but also reduces the burden for suppliers to participate in numerous programs.
"Corporate sustainability is a core element of our corporate strategy," said Mathias Lütgendorf, member of Clariant’s executive committee in a statement. "With the TfS membership, we enhance our procurement and supply-chain activities into our corporate sustainability strategy."
Norbert Merklein, Clariant’s head of group procurement services added: "Joining the TfS initiative, Clariant confirms the commitment to sustainability in procurement and to further improve quality standards in our industry supply chain. With TfS, we provide a platform to enhance our supplier selection process, and to guarantee supply and supplier risk management."