Cook Composites and Polymers Co.

Posted: 9 Aug 2009

See all articles by Deishin Lee

Deishin Lee

University of Western Ontario - Richard Ivey School of Business

Michael W. Toffel

Harvard Business School

Rachel Gordon

Harvard University - Business School (HBS)

Date Written: January 14, 2009

Abstract

This case describes how a company improves resource efficiency and process quality in its manufacturing process by developing a waste by-product into a new product. The case describes how CCP cleans production equipment between batches using styrene, which becomes a costly hazardous waste. Having worked on minimizing waste for the past 20 years, CCP believed it could not reduce the use of styrene without risking product quality. Instead, CCP was exploring the development of a by-product from its 'rinse styrene,' but faces uncertainty regarding the operational, financial, and environmental implications of doing so. This case contains data to support quantitative analyses of financial, operational, and environm ntal issues including some basic life-cycle analysis (LCA) calculations that focus on greenhouse gas emissions.

Suggested Citation

Lee, Deishin and Toffel, Michael W. and Gordon, Rachel, Cook Composites and Polymers Co. (January 14, 2009). HBS Case No. 608-055, Harvard Business School Technology & Operations Mgt. Unit, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1444806

Deishin Lee (Contact Author)

University of Western Ontario - Richard Ivey School of Business ( email )

1151 Richmond Street North
London, Ontario N6A 3K7
Canada

Michael W. Toffel

Harvard Business School ( email )

Boston, MA 02163
United States
617.384.8043 (Phone)

Rachel Gordon

Harvard University - Business School (HBS) ( email )

Soldiers Field Road
Morgan 270C
Boston, MA 02163
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Abstract Views
1,739
PlumX Metrics