Chemical engineering firms solve technological problems and create products that improve the quality of life. Chemical engineering companies are involved in research and development in many industries, from textile, food, aerospace, electronics and the environment. Many everyday items are perfected by chemical engineers working with product designers to create goods that are functional, hardy and attractive.

You may think that you don't require the services of a chemical engineer because your products have already been designed, but a chemical engineer can improve on your existing products. Here are just a few ways that a chemical engineer can assist you:

1. Chemical engineers can help your marketing staff understand product applications.

2. Chemical engineers can assist with waste minimization and environmental remediation.

3. Chemical engineers can help your company reduce pollution, develop new materials and research environmentally clean energy sources.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consult with a chemical engineer for marketing assistance

If you're launching a new product, hire a chemical engineer to work with your marketing people. The chemical engineer can help the marketing and sales people understand the various applications for the newly designed product. Having marketing and sales people who know how the product can be used allows them to target their marketing and sales efforts correctly.

I recommend: Applied Chemical Technology and ChemMet are chemical engineering firms that provide consulting services.

Select a chemical engineering firm to design manufacturing plants

Use chemical engineer firms to design manufacturing plant layouts. Their designs are critical to reducing waste and pollution and can incorporate the use of clean energy sources. A chemical engineer can also assist with quality control policies and procedures, as well as help to choose specialty machinery and calibrate it properly.

I recommend: ANNA is a full-service engineering firm that can design your plant and select all vendors for you. Riehl Engineering specializes in green engineering consultation and design.

Join chemical engineering trade associations to find chemical engineering information

Chemical engineering associations can keep you up-to-date with the latest innovations in chemical engineering science, chemical engineering design and chemical engineering technology. Chemical engineering students often join these associations, and you might be able to get one to intern with your company to work on a special project.

I recommend: Your membership with the American Chemical Society includes a free subscription to a weekly Chemical & Engineering News magazine. The Association of Consulting Chemists & Chemical Engineers provides its members with a newsletter that contains current information about the members and their activities.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Chemical engineers excel at failure analysis. Most chemical engineering companies provide this service. If you can't determine why your process or manufacturing is failing, consult a chemical engineer to figure it out.