Engineering Consultancy Services for High Hazard and Regulated Industries
Our Core Engineering Services
Process Engineering & Plant Design
Process engineering defines how a plant operates, how it is controlled and how it performs safely over time.
We support the design and modification of industrial facilities across chemicals, distilleries, food and drink, life sciences and energy sectors.
- Feasibility studies and concept development
- Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) and Front-End Loading (FEL)
- Detailed design and execution support
- New plant design and plant modifications & upgrades
- Integration with utilities and control systems
Our focus is on delivering designs that are practical to build, operate and maintain, not just technically compliant.
Process Safety & Compliance
Process safety is fundamental to the design and operation of facilities handling hazardous materials, energy and complex processes.
We support organisations in identifying hazards, assessing risk and implementing proportionate safeguards aligned with UK regulatory frameworks.
- Hazard identification and risk assessment (HAZID, HAZOP, LOPA)
- DSEAR and Hazardous Area Classification (HAC)
- COMAH support and safety report input
- Functional Safety and SIL determination
- Process Safety Management (PSM) audits
Our approach focuses on clear, defensible and auditable outcomes that support both compliance and practical operation.
Process Energy Transformation & Decarbonisation
Industrial processes are increasingly under pressure to reduce energy consumption, operating costs and carbon emissions.
We support clients in understanding energy use within their processes and identifying technically viable decarbonisation opportunities.
- Energy assessments aligned with ISO 50002
- Net zero and decarbonisation roadmaps
- Heat recovery and process integration
- Electrification, fuel switching and alternative low-carbon fuels
- Appraisal of energy-efficient technologies, including heat pumps, electric boilers and CHP
We focus on solutions that are technically realistic, commercially viable and aligned with site constraints.
Multidiscipline Engineering
Effective project delivery requires coordination across engineering disciplines.
We provide integrated support across process, mechanical, piping, E,C&I to ensure designs are aligned and deliverable.
- Electrical design and engineering
- Control and instrumentation design and engineering
- Mechanical equipment and package specification
- Piping design and engineering, including 3D modelling, laser scanning and stress analysis
This integrated approach reduces interface risk and improves delivery certainty.
Supporting You Across the Project Lifecycle
| Project Stage | How We Support |
|---|---|
| Feasibility | Concept development, optioneering, early risk identification |
| Concept Design | Process definition, PFDs, initial safety input |
| FEED | Design basis, P&IDs, safety studies, multidisciplinary coordination |
| Detailed Design | Full engineering definition, specifications and documentation |
| Construction & Commissioning | Technical support, queries, start-up and handover |
| Operation & Modification | Ongoing support, optimisation, compliance and upgrades |
Clients typically engage IDEA when:
- Projects involve hazardous materials or regulated environments
- Engineering decisions must be defensible and regulator-ready
- Internal teams require specialist or independent support
- Multiple disciplines must be coordinated effectively
- There is a need to balance safety, cost and performance
We focus on providing support that is proportionate to risk and aligned with project objectives.
We support projects across the UK’s key industrial regions:
- Chemicals – Teesside, Humber, Runcorn, Grangemouth
- Distilled Spirits – Speyside, Islay, Highlands, Campbeltown
- Life Sciences – Cambridge, Oxford, London, Alderley Park
- Energy & Infrastructure – Aberdeen, South Wales, Thames Estuary
This regional experience allows us to understand local infrastructure, regulatory expectations and operational challenges.
How We Work
We avoid unnecessary complexity and focus on delivering engineering that adds value.
Our approach is consistent across all services:
OUR WORK
Related Case Studies
Our services are applied across a wide range of projects including new builds, plant upgrades, compliance programmes and energy transformation initiatives.
Whisky Blending Hose Snakepit Risk Reduction
A whisky producer engaged IDEA to reduce the safety and operational risks created by increasingly complex hose routing within a blending facility.
Manufacturing Site Pipework Design
A biotechnology company engaged IDEA to develop a 60% 3D model for a greenfield manufacturing site, supported by steam pipework stress analysis and preliminary pipe bridge and support design.
Hydrogen Distribution Network FEED
A UK research and demonstration centre for energy network technologies engaged IDEA to deliver FEED for a hydrogen storage and distribution network within its research and development facility.
CONTACT US
Discuss Your Requirements
If you are planning a project, modifying an existing facility or reviewing safety and compliance requirements, we can provide structured, practical engineering support aligned to your needs.
Contact us to discuss your project.