This is a book that was eagerly awaited at a time when many manufacturing processes were being challenged in the name of the precautionary principle and/or ecology. Indeed, we have to move from a time when we manufactured without worrying too much about the quantity of raw materials, water or energy we used, to production that is economical and respectful of the environment.

To address this subject and make the shift to sustainable development in a timely manner, two process engineering specialists share their knowledge. Jean-Claude André – the pioneer of additive manufacturing, otherwise known as 3D printing – has followed all the developments in engineering research from the laboratory to the CNRS in Paris, for almost 50 years. Éric Schaer, a professor and researcher, is one of the members of the faculty and management of ENSIC (which largely hosts the LRGP – a joint research unit between the CNRS and the University of Lorraine – their home laboratory). Together, they share with us their vision of process engineering, and then help us to approach the future by mapping out highly relevant perspectives in both training and research.

The first volume of their book is devoted to a historical overview of the emergence of the discipline, from the chemical engineering of yesteryear to the process engineering of today. This retrospective is also a reasoned criticism of the status quo. Indeed, in view of the challenges facing our planet and the urgency of finally controlling development, it is time for process engineering to be renewed in its aims and in the development of new concepts. This volume is mainly devoted to training, it is an opportunity to advocate for more creativity, multidisciplinarity, and attentive listening to unconventional voices from the grassroots. This release of energies must not be stifled by adversarial risk management, which is unfortunately too often the case. This is an opportunity for our two authors to advocate for a liberated and liberating education and to provide good ideas to achieve this goal. They scan the history of process engineering education and even engineering science, as it was, as it is, and as it should be: much more multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary, and close to research. It is time to think about how to facilitate and develop lessons that encourage innovation and disruptive thinking; this first volume encourages us to do so.

Volume 2 is devoted, more specifically, to process engineering research and laboratories. Beyond this discipline, our two authors engage in a profound reflection on the nature of engineering research. What are the necessary qualities, what is the role of creativity, and how do we organize its teaching? The more general question of innovation and “disruption” is discussed at length, in connection with interdisciplinarity and the dynamic management of research units. The two authors, with the benefit of much experience, open up a number of new avenues. They show that what is lacking in innovative research, into the transformation of matter and energy, is the emergence of tectonic temporalities between traditional, quality research and creative processes (rather immaterial at first) for which disruptive phenomena may create (or may not create) enormous effects… as long as they are allowed to emerge and are supported (with support for risk-taking).

If, by creating differentiating factors, the disruption desired by Eric Schaer and Jean-Claude André is able to change current standards in process engineering research (which is necessary, if only to anticipate the industrial needs of tomorrow), Volume 3 deepens the debate. Indeed, many organisations have not yet understood that they will be subject to sabotage, unless, at a minimum, they “get on the bandwagon” with a renewed vision of the future and the goals (so it is not a question of pretending). However, the trained professionals have generally been taught on a stable and traditional basis; the same is true for most decision-makers, far removed from the reality on the ground, yet still committed to strategic and short-term planning. The planet is becoming increasingly complex, with shocks related to digital, high-tech, sustainable development, cultural diversity, globalization and the emergence in the West of new attitudes towards its own achievement (increasing individualism, distance from work, the value of the work in question, casualization of labor etc.). All of this happening in Europe, where the safe-haven States believe they are thinking about the place of citizens, who expect the means and solutions to be set in stone. Don’t we have the right ingredients to be late to the party! This situation thus explains their desire to break away from perpetuated habits – a new form of inability – to take control of their future.

However we cannot think about “innovation” in process engineering without considering the future of the planet, the future shortage of certain raw materials and the economics of water and energy. Many pages are devoted to these absolutely crucial questions and several very relevant “for tomorrow” scenarios are developed and discussed.

All in all, in an extremely free style, both scholarly and sometimes impertinent, our two authors offer us, beyond process engineering, a profound reflection on the role of technology and engineering research in society. We cannot talk about research without mentioning the question of the difference between “functionalized” research – at best incremental – and breakthrough innovation, the need for which is becoming more and more apparent on a daily basis. This is why the first volume, devoted to training, the second to research, and the last chapter of Volume 3, to the profession of engineer and scenarios of the future, must absolutely be read and reflected upon.

If we add that the work of our authors is based on impressive scholarship, is enriched with numerous citations and is accompanied by a more than extensive Reference section, it is understandable that this book, in three complementary volumes, should be appreciated by all those who are interested in engineering sciences and their place in the future of our planet.

Jean-Charles POMEROL

President of the AGORANOV incubator and of ISTE’s scientific council