> Why Pro3 ?

Motivation
The Process Engineering and Technology Network of Competence (Pro3) was established on 25.02.2000 as an association to promote basic and applied research, teaching and industrial applications in process engineering and technology. To achieve these objectives, the Pro3 network initiates and evaluates research projects, which it also promotes by awarding scholarships and by organizing joint scientific meetings.

Much of our activity is focused on a series of core topics in process engineering and technology that are supervised by a number of specialist commitees - whose members come from both the academic and industrial sectors.

Outlook
The crucial factor is the speed with which new ideas are realized industrially. This requires:

• a commitment of financial backing from the participating companies and from federal and regional government to facilitate the necessary structural and organizational processes;
• the integration of additional expert partners;
• targeted public relations work to disseminate information on the goals and the significance of the Pro3 network of competence;
• full-time management of knowledge transfer issues.
   

Pooling competence - being open for new input
To facilitate cooperation within the network, we have identified subject areas that exploit the expertise and skills currently available within Pro3 and in which participants have already established a leading position internationally. The subjects treated will be reviewed continuously so as to further enhance public perception of Pro3 activities.

The members of the Pro3 network of competence do not regard it as a 'closed society' and are open to new members contributing to specific projects. We are especially interested in motivating small and medium-sized companies to become involved so that the development of specific areas of process engineering and technology and the resulting innovations will have the broadest possible positive impact on employment in the process industries.