The Business of Chemical Engineering

Overview

This course will help non-STEM professionals develop an insight into chemical engineering and the process industries.

It provides context for chemical engineering projects and operations, enabling attendees to better understand the discipline and interact more effectively with process engineering teams, colleagues and clients.

After establishing an understanding of the discipline, the course will promote an awareness of the main issues, challenges, and uncertainties faced during chemical engineering projects and operations. This will help attendees with communication, interpretation of information, and informed decision-making. 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will:

• appreciate the basics of chemical, process and biochemical engineering
• have gained insight into how the chemical engineering industry sector works
• know the key stakeholders in a typical chemical engineering project and their roles
• appreciate the nature of the business risk and opportunity associated with chemical engineering projects
• be able to work more effectively with chemical engineers

Who will benefit

• Anyone with a non-STEM background who works for professional service organisations including those in finance, legal, management consultancy, environmental and media roles
• Those working in governmental, NGO or charity roles   

Course outline

• What is chemical engineering – how the discipline has developed and its problem-solving approach
• An overview of the chemical, process and biochemical industries
• Stakeholders in a chemical engineering project
• Typical chemical and process engineering activities (contractors, operating companies, equipment supply, consultancy, process safety, optimisation, environmental emissions)
• Process design, commissioning and de-commissioning
• Process operation and management
• Main areas of business risk and opportunity
• The chemical engineering mindset; how to work more effectively with chemical engineers

Course delivery

Face-to-face.

Dates & location

• 1 October 2026, Rugby, UK

Not available then or looking for an alternative course delivery? Register your interest in future dates or request an in-company course quotation.

Fees 

• IChemE member: £640 + VAT
• Non-member: £750 + VAT

More than one person to train?

Multi-place discounts

Discounts are available to companies booking more than one place. Bookings must be made at the same time to receive the discount.

• 2 places – 10% discount
• 3 places –15% discount
• 4 or more places – 20% discount

In-company training

This course can be delivered to in-house teams, either on-site or online. This could be a cost-effective option if you have several people requiring the training. Content can be tailored to your specific requirements. Request a quotation.

Attendance certificate and CPD hours

An e-certificate will be issued at the end of the course to confirm attendance and CPD hours logged. Please note that you must attend the whole course to receive the certificate. 

In the case of online courses, CPD hours should be used as an approximate guide and will vary depending on the preferred approach of the delegate and to what extent additional learning is completed.