Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the application of physical science (e.g. chemistry and physics), with mathematics, to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms. In addition to producing useful materials, chemical engineering is also concerned with pioneering valuable new materials and techniques, an important form of research and development. A person employed in this field is called a chemical engineer.

Chemical engineering largely involves the design and maintenance of chemical processes for large-scale manufacture. Chemical engineers in this branch are usually employed under the title of process engineer. A related term with a wider definition is chemical technology. The breadth of scientific and technical knowledge inherent in the profession has caused some to describe the chemical engineer as the "universal engineer."

Some chemical engineers make designs and invent new processes. Some construct instruments and facilities. Some plan and operate facilities. Chemical engineers have helped develop atomic science, polymers, paper, dyes, drugs, plastics, fertilizers, foods, petrochemicals... pretty much everything. They devise ways to make products from raw materials and ways to convert one material into another useful form. Chemical engineers can make processes more cost effective or more environmentally friendly or more efficient. As you can see, a chemical engineer can find a niche in any scientific or engineering field.

The modern discipline of chemical engineering encompasses much more than just process engineering. Chemical engineers are now engaged in the development and production of a diverse range of products, as well as in commodity and specialty chemicals. These products include high performance materials needed for aerospace, automotive, biomedical, electronic, environmental, space and military applications. Examples include ultra-strong fibers, fabrics, dye-sensitized solar cells, adhesives and composites for vehicles, materials for implants and prosthetics, gels for medical applications, pharmaceuticals, and films with special dielectric, optical or spectroscopic properties for opto-electronic devices. Additionally, chemical engineering is often intertwined with biology and biomedical engineering. Many chemical engineers work on biological projects such as understanding biopolymers (proteins) and mapping the human genome. The line between chemists and chemical engineers is growing ever thinner as more and more chemical engineers have begun to start their own innovation using their knowledge of chemistry, physics and mathematics to create, implement and mass produce their ideas.

Today, the field of chemical engineering is a diverse one, covering areas from biotechnology and nanotechnology to mineral processing in which one may choose to specialize after finishing their B.E/B.Tech in chemical engineering.
 

Chemical engineers are numerically the smallest group. However, this relatively small group holds a very prominent position in many industries, and chemical engineers are, on average, the highest paid. Additionally, many chemical engineers have found their way into upper management in many MNCs in USA.

In India ONGC, IOCL, BPCL, MRPL, none other than RIL and many more industries and design companies as HONEYWELL, EIL, L&T, THERMAX etc. are the best paymasters for chemical engineers.

Chemical engineering is not a profession that has to dwell on the achievements of the past for comfort, for its greatest accomplishments is yet to come.