Material properties and processing in chemical product design

This paper reviews developments in the first decade since the introduction of chemical product design and engineering as a new disciplinary element within the chemical engineering sciences. This opinion focuses on the differences between processes needed for the manufacture of specified chemicals and processing technology needed to provide functional microstructure and shape to complex multicomponent formulated and configured products.

► A new design-oriented classification for chemical products is proposed.
► They are classified as specified, formulated and configured products.
► The relation between material properties and applied process technology is addressed.
► Product performance is a function of composition, processing and microstructure.