Founded in 1980, CPQ Ingenieros is a chemical engineering company involved in all the phases of designing processing plants, from the outset to all the disciplines, including the detail engineering, project management, work supervision and assistance with the start-up, as well as legal issues. With technical projects in sectors such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and food, CPQ Ingenieros will participate in the 15th Mediterranean Congress of Chemical Engineering as a sponsor.
Given your far-reaching experience in the field of chemical engineering, was it inevitable that you’d partner the forthcoming Mediterranean Congress of Chemical Engineering?
Definitely. Firstly, due to our track record going back 42 years, which we believe has been satisfactory for all the companies we’ve worked with, most of which we continue to maintain relationships with. Secondly, as a result of our current strong growth, our recent incorporation into the EKIUM group and the industrial transformation that’s underway, we believe that, more than ever before, we have to attend all the forums that are related to our activity. This Mediterranean Congress of Chemical Engineering, with its organisers’ ambitious commitment, is undoubtedly the ideal forum for listening to eminent leaders, meeting and discussing the issues that are having a significant impact on the industry’s development.
Events such as the Congress highlight the importance of this discipline. In this respect, do you think chemical engineering gets the recognition that it deserves?
The figures of the industrial sectors that are most closely connected to it, such as pharma, chemicals, biotechnology, refining and food, excel in terms of their turnover, exports, employment and investment, and chemical engineering as a discipline is embedded into all their development. But it’s true to say that, socially, in Spain for example, its importance isn’t perceived, it isn’t sufficiently promoted by our leaders to arouse the interest of the new generations, the existing clusters aren’t developed enough and no new ones are created.
A company like yours with a long history and business experience has witnessed many ups and downs… how do you analyse the current scenario?
In recent years, as you say, we’ve all gone through situations that make us reflect and improve. We’ve now reached a peak in terms of our project portfolio, while a promising scenario is also on the horizon for companies like ours with expertise in sectors such as Fine Chemicals and Resins. Now, with our integration into EKIUM, the goal is to expand in sectors such as biotechnology and enter others such as pulp and paper, in which the group is a market leader. We’ve also just extended our operations in the centre to provide a local service to our customers.
CPQ Ingenieros advocates innovation as one of the first companies to implement BIM technology. Is this part of the secret behind your success?
Partly, yes, given the major progress we’ve made, which means that the different disciplines can work collaboratively. But we shouldn’t forget that this technology is only a tool to increase efficiency, as its application must be based on mastery of the trade or discipline, which is our strength. Then, to capitalise on it, it’s also vital to transform the structure of the technical office with new technical profiles and more team training to ensure fluent collaboration.
Lastly, what role do you think chemical engineering should play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals?
Chemical engineering can help to fulfil all the SDGs to varying degrees, particularly in the development of clean and sustainable forms of energy, the application of green chemistry principles and processes and ensuring the efficient use and affordable recycling of these resources, which are scarce. To achieve the above it will be essential to further University-Business partnerships and increase the rate of investment in RDI.
