In a fast-paced technological environment, our customers and suppliers rely on our commitment to place innovation and sustainable supply security at the heart of every decision we make. Our overarching goal is to maximize the financial contribution to our company while ensuring that all goods and services are delivered on time, to specification, and in line with the highest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards.

Together with our suppliers, our global Procurement team motivates one another to go the “extra mile” for our customers and Business Sectors. Constantly challenging the status quo, we implement compliant and efficient processes by leveraging advanced digital solutions, applying them in a flexible and agile way.  

Today, more than ever, acting sustainably is a crucial factor for future business success. At our company, doing business responsibly is deeply embedded in our DNA and company culture.

By 2030, we will integrate sustainability into all our value chains. To fully live this commitment, we integrate quality, competitiveness, social and environmental aspects in our supplier management. We continuously improve strategies, processes as well as guidelines to prevent violations of supply chain standards or legislations, such as the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act.

By 2040, we will achieve climate neutrality and reduce our resource consumption. In particular, our Supplier Decarbonization Program, which is aimed at the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions along our supply chain, is fundamental to reaching this goal. To further support our suppliers on their own decarbonization journey, we have compiled information material, such as our Supplier Toolkits, and other resources on decarbonization levers. 

Our expectations of our suppliers and third parties are framed in our Supplier Code of Conduct. Please note that the Supplier Code of Conduct replaces the former Responsible Sourcing Principles from 31.12.2022 on and is the valid document for the business relationship. Responsible Sourcing Principles are no longer valid since December 31st 2022. We expect suppliers to familiarize themselves with the Supplier Code of Conduct. Should you have any concerns about possible violations of its content, please do not hesitate to contact our compliance hotline.

In the face of climate change, prioritizing sustainable practices is essential for ensuring we fulfill the growing needs of our customers and patients for sustainable and green products while aligning with the ambitions of the Paris Agreement.

By integrating climate action into our sourcing strategy, we not only contribute to a healthier planet but also secure future markets, mitigate risks associated with regulatory changes and resource scarcity and enhance our market position to ensure sustainable business growth and resilience.

We want to do our part to preserve the climate by reducing our ecological footprint, with the goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2040. We strive to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from our company operations while also promoting and enabling similar reductions within our supply chain.

As part of our Supplier Decarbonization Program, we encourage our suppliers to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and calculate their Product Carbon Footprints. To support them on this journey, we have compiled a selection of information and educational resources on these topics. 

• To support our suppliers in reducing emissions by sourcing renewable electricity, our Renewable Electricity Supplier Toolkit provides tips and in-house best practices. We are also a sponsor of Energize, a program run by Schneider Electric, and enable our suppliers to make use of its educational offers.
• As a member of the industry initiative “Together for Sustainability” (TfS), our suppliers can access the TfS Academy at no cost and benefit from trainings on a diverse range of sustainability topics, including greenhouse gas emissions, target-setting and decarbonizing. 
• The TfS Product Carbon Footprint Guideline has been developed as a standardized approach to calculating PCFs of chemical materials. More information on the Guideline, TfS’s Data Exchange Platform (SiGreen), and the decarbonization journey can be found in their Supplier Toolkit.

Additional resources by “Together for Sustainability” that we recommend:

• Get ready to decarbonise – handbook on supplier engagement
• Decarbonisation Journey – Overview of recommended Training Material

InnoSource is our approach to support our individual Business Sectors with supplier-enabled innovation. As a catalyst to innovation, creative thinking is entrenched in our DNA. Our teams proactively drive innovative ideas to address unmet business needs to and from the supplier market. For our Business Sectors we strive to create the best access to supplier enabled innovation by creating a collaborative and creative environment with our suppliers. Finally, we act as a facilitator for external and internal innovation opportunities. Let us know your innovative ideas!

Let us be your partner of choice. We are committed to delivering the best products and services to our customers while ensuring optimal quality and service with minimal disruptions. Securing supply in our fast moving environment is the key to our success.

Risk Management is an integral part of our sourcing activities. When managing our suppliers we consider dedicated risk factors and sustainability aspects. Together with our Business Sectors we determine the optimal approach to ensure a systematic, structured and comprehensive Risk Management process.