The evolution of process engineering is reviewed and it＇s ability to cope with the problems encountered by chemical and related industries is appraised. It appears that the necessary progress should come via a pluridisciplinary and multiscale approach, that will allow us to satisfy both the market requirements for specific end-use properties as well as the environmental and social constraints and social. In this context, an increasingly important contribution will be required from basic disciplines such as physics, physical chemistry and mathematics, mechanics and ecotoxicology. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.