A multi-layered view of chemical and biochemical engineering

Rafiqul Gani , Jerzy Robert Bałdyga , Béatrice Biscans , Elisabetta Brunazzi , Jean-Claude Charpentier , Enrico Drioli , Hermann Feise , Andrew Furlong , Kevin M. Van Geem , Jean-Charles de Hemptinne , Antoon J.B. ten Kate , Georgios M. Kontogeorgis , Flavio Manenti , Guy B. Marin , Seyed Soheil Mansouri , Patrick M. Piccione , Ana Povoa , Manuel Andres Rodrigo , Bent Sarup , Eva Sorensen , Isuru A. Udugama , John M. Woodley

Abstract

The contents of this article are based on the results of discussions the corresponding author has had since 2015 with the co-authors, who are members of academia and industry in Europe, on the scope and significance of chemical and biochemical engineering as a discipline. The result is a multi-layered view of chemical and biochemical engineering where the inner-layer deals with the fundamental principles and their application; the middle-layer deals with consolidation and expansion of the principles through a combination of science and engineering, leading to the development of sustainable technologies; and the outer-layer deals with integration of knowledge and collaboration with other disciplines to achieve a more sustainable society. Through this multi-layered view several important issues with respect to education, research and practice are highlighted together with current and future challenges and opportunities.