The chemicals and materials manufacturer Avantor Inc. announced June 21 that it had launched its Responsible Supplier Program as part of an effort to reduce the environmental impact of supply chains while simultaneously promoting sustainable business practices.

The initiative focuses on six priorities: climate change, water, waste, human rights, deforestation and responsible product packaging. Avantor said that it chose these priorities because they enable the company’s suppliers to identify and implement environmental social and governance sustainability solutions.

"Our supplier relationships are a critical part of Avantor's business and working together to improve sustainability across the supply chain is important to our long-term goals," said Sheri Lewis, EVP of Global Supply Chain Operations for Avantor. "We recognize that one size doesn't fit all and are taking a deliberate approach to assessing each of our supplier partners' capabilities and needs and identifying ways that we can together improve sustainability."