Cleaning up the supply chain: Rolling out the SAFECHEM model
In order to save the German and European market for chlorinated solvents, The Dow Chemical Company founds SAFECHEM as a joint venture in 1992. The subsidiary successfully develops the German, Austrian and Swiss markets by offering a zero-emission closed loop system, called the “SAFE-TAINER system”. To do so, the company has to establish closer relationships to distributors who provide the system to the end users. Moreover, it necessarily promotes the value of the concept – sustainable and safe handling of chemicals – to a wide range of stakeholders. Due to its joint-venture status, SAFECHEM can only take on the role of coaching Dow’s activities to explore the remaining West European markets from 1996 on which pose a great challenge due to less comprehensive legislative frameworks and different public attitudes. Having become a 100% Dow subsidiary in 1998, SAFECHEM gradually takes over international operations and faces the impacts of a new EU legislation coming into force in the course of 2001 that will trigger investments by end users, either in upgraded chlorinated solvent or alternative technologies. In this situation, the management has to decide how SAFECHEM’s service model can be successfully rolled-out in the remaining markets.
Manufacturing, Chemicals
February 2001
Cranfield University
Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]
Harvard Business School Publishing
60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]
NUCB Business School
1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]
IMD retains all proprietary interests in its case studies and notes. Without prior written permission, IMD cases and notes may not be reproduced, used, translated, included in books or other publications, distributed in any form or by any means, stored in a database or in other retrieval systems. For additional copyright information related to case studies, please contact Case Services.
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
The B case outlines how, by early 2025, Isabella Phoenix's initial vision for HP's Amplify Impact sustainability program had grown into a global initiative involving 4,800 partners in 48 countries. The program surpassed its goals, enrolling 59 of ...
The A case in this two-part series outlines the challenges Isabella Phoenix faced in designing a global sustainability program for HP's vast network of channel partners in just 12 weeks with only one team member and limited resources. The initiati...
In today’s boardrooms, two themes dominate: rapid technological advancement and the growing urgency of environmental accountability. But a new source of competitive advantage is emerging, not from A.I. or sustainability alone, but from the deliber...

In President Trump’s second term, a variety of executive actions have reversed social progress. Withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement presents a significant challenge to bending the global emissions curve since it is one of the world’s larg...
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Case reference: IMD-2681 ©2025
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in I by IMD
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications
in Stanford Social Innovation Review Online 2 June 2025
Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications