PRESS RELEASE

October 23, 2025, Ningbo – On October 23, during the 16th China Petroleum & Chemical International Conference (CPCIC), Together for Sustainability (TfS), a leading global initiative dedicated to advancing sustainability practices in the chemical industry, successfully held its 2025 Supplier Training Event in Ningbo, Zhejiang. The event brought together industry experts and representatives from leading chemical companies to engage in in-depth discussion on key topics such as sustainability capability building, carbon footprint management, and value chain collaboration and innovation. The event also unveiled the Sustainable Supplier Awards to recognise those with outstanding performance in sustainability assessments.

The event focused on advanced training for TfS’ two core programs—TfS Assessments and TfS Audits. Representatives from TfS member companies shared process and optimisation strategies for both online questionnaires and on-site audits, offering actionable insights to help Chinese chemical suppliers efficiently complete evaluations and continuously improve their sustainability performance. In 2024, TfS member companies conducted a total of 13,678 assessments and 596 audits globally, with Chinese suppliers accounting for 11% and 62% respectively – highlighting China’s pivotal role in the sustainable transformation of the chemical supply chain. A special awards segment was held to recognise outstanding suppliers in sustainability capability building: Shenma Industrial’s Pingdingshan plant and Shanxi Yinchang Chemical received the Excellence in TfS On-site Audit Award, while Changsha Zuxing New Materials was honoured with the Breakthrough in TfS Online Assessment Award. Participating suppliers representatives also shared their experiences in sustainable practices and value chain collaboration, fostering win-win cooperation throughout the supply chain.

Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions management was another key topic of the conference. In June, TfS released the latest Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) Guideline 3.0 (Chinese Edition), providing clearer definitions, data accounting methodologies, and standards for terms such as “waste” and “multi-output process decisions.” The guideline offers enhanced clarity in previously ambiguous areas like waste management, mass balance, and carbon capture and utilisation, strengthening alignment with international standards. Building on this, representatives from TfS China Work Stream 5: Scope 3 GHG Emissions Programme presented the product carbon footprint calculation and data exchange solutions, as well as elaborated on the practical application of the “mass balance approach.”

Dr Gabriele Unger, General Manager of TfS, presented the Supplier Carbon Management Pioneer Award to Lianhua Technology, Nutrichem and Fuhua Tongda Chemical. Dr Unger emphasized, “This recognition is not only an affirmation of Chinese companies’ achievements in emissions reduction, but also marks an important milestone in the local implementation of the TfS Scope 3 GHG emissions programme in China. Through establishing a harmonised carbon footprint calculation methodology and a data exchange platform across the supply chain, upstream and downstream, we are enabling chemical companies to map out precise decarbonisation pathways. We aim to provide a scalable decarbonisation model for the chemical industry globally that also supports China’s ‘Dual Carbon’ strategy, accelerating the transition of global value chains towards a low‑carbon future.”

The conference attracted nearly 200 participants from chemical companies and suppliers, who gathered to explore pathways and practices for the sustainable development of the chemical industry.

In his speech, Mr. Pang Guanglian, Executive Board Member, Vice Secretary General of China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation (CPCIF) and Secretary General of Committee of Multinationals of CPCIF, stated: “2025 marks the final year of the 14th Five-Year Plan and a critical period for accelerating China’s green economic transition. As a key pillar of the national economy, the chemical industry is undergoing a crucial phase of green transformation. Enhancing corporate sustainability has become the key to unlocking new growth in the sector. Through collaborative efforts, TfS injects sustainable momentum into China’s supply chain. This conference serves not only as a platform for sharing experiences but also as a vital hub for promoting transparency and refined governance across the industry’s value chain.”

TfS continues to expand its global influence, now comprising 58 leading chemical companies working together to build a sustainable chemical supply chain ecosystem. Mr. Jason Guan, Chair in Duty of TfS China and Head of Raw Material Global Category Management Asia for BASF commented: “Having been committed to the Chinese market for many years, TfS supports local suppliers in strengthening sustainability management through targeted training and corrective action programs. We also actively collaborate with upstream and downstream industry associations to explore innovative solutions and build a more resilient green ecosystem. Looking ahead, we hope to attract more Chinese chemical companies to join us in driving the industry’s green transformation through open collaboration, contributing Chinese best practices to the global chemical industry’s sustainable development.”

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About Together for Sustainability (TfS)
Together for Sustainability (TfS) is a global initiative launched by chemical companies focused on sustainable procurement in chemical supply chains. Guided by the principles of the UN Global Compact and Responsible Care®, TfS aims to assess, audit, and improve sustainability practices across the global chemical supply chain. The initiative has regional representatives in Asia, North America, and South America and is evolving into a truly global organisation.

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