Publications
Publications
- May 1998 (Revised August 2017)
- HBS Case Collection
DuPont Kevlar: Commercializing a Miracle Fiber
By: Clayton Christensen and Rory McDonald
Abstract
Describes Dupont's efforts to build commercial markets for its miracle fiber, Kevlar. Initially, it sought to create a market for Kevlar tire cord, primarily because its existing tire cord business was languishing. This market never developed, even after Dupont spent several hundred million dollars. A rewritten version of an earlier case.
Keywords
Change Management; Crisis Management; Product Launch; Emerging Markets; Research and Development; Technology
Citation
Christensen, Clayton, and Rory McDonald. "DuPont Kevlar: Commercializing a Miracle Fiber." Harvard Business School Case 698-079, May 1998. (Revised August 2017.)