Chemical Engineering: A Sector Guide for Engineering Students and Graduates

Driving forward key sustainability and automation initiatives across a range of industries, chemical engineering offers a number of job opportunities for engineering students and recent graduates.

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The UK chemical engineering sector is a critical part of the nation’s economy, generating approximately £30 billion in annual revenue and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. This sector encompasses a wide range of industries, including energy, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food science, water treatment, and environmental engineering.

Chemical engineers play a vital role in ensuring efficient processes, sustainability, and innovation across these industries. The sector is home to multinational corporations, medium-sized enterprises, and small specialist firms, all contributing to the UK’s industrial landscape.

Key Industries in the Sector

Energy and Petrochemicals: Companies such as BP, Shell, and INEOS dominate this space, working on refining, biofuels, and carbon capture solutions.

Pharmaceuticals and Biotech: Major players like AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) rely on chemical engineers to develop drug production processes.

Food and Drink Manufacturing: Firms such as Unilever, Mondelēz International, and Nestlé depend on chemical engineers to optimise food processing and safety.

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