coproduct

This term is primarily used in industrial chemistry, engineering, and manufacturing to describe a substance that is created alongside the intended main product. It differs from a byproduct in that a coproduct is specifically intended for sale or use and possesses significant economic value. While a byproduct is often an incidental or waste material that may be discarded or processed for minimal gain, a coproduct is viewed as a deliberate, valuable output of the production process.

In a business or accounting context, the term implies a shared allocation of production costs between the primary product and the coproduct. This distinction is crucial for calculating profit margins and determining the pricing strategy for both materials emerging from the same chemical reaction or mechanical process.