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Industries we design for
For each sector: the engineering problem we meet most often, the scope we deliver and two cases that show it. The full record is in the reference list.
What carries across sectors
Different products, similar engineering conditions
A fermentation hall, a tinning line and a resin plant share more than it may seem: new equipment often has to fit into an operating plant, the process is hazardous or regulated, and the permits shape the schedule.
Hazardous and regulated processes
Explosion protection, hazardous areas, SEVESO documents, HAZOP inputs and hygienic design, as each project requires.
Operating plants
Laser scans, tie-in lists and shutdown documents, with work planned around operation and shutdowns.
Permits prepared by the designers
EIA, building and integrated-permit documents for Slovak projects, prepared by the team that designs the plant.
From pilot to full scale
Modular units, demonstration plants and industrial lines on a common design basis.
Hazardous processes, operating sites
Chemicals and fertilisers
Recurring problem. New units, capacity increases and relocations on chemical sites that keep operating, where safety documents and permits decide the schedule.
Our scope. Studies, basic and detail design and permit documents for nitric acid, ammonia and fertiliser units; formaldehyde, resins and adhesives; organic intermediates; storage, loading and tank farms. Clients include Duslo, DIAKOL Strážske, DUKOL Ostrava and Kronospan (Germany).
Two cases.
From fermentation to food grade
Biotech and bio-based production
Recurring problem. Fermentation and distillation plants that are converted, extended or connected to new units – often with a licensor or technology supplier responsible for the process.
Our scope. Engineering around the process supplier's design: interconnection with the existing site, detail design, hygienic design and CIP, permit documents in Slovakia, pilot units for new bio-based products. Clients include Corden BioChem, SIAD Slovakia, ENVIRAL and TechniCAD Engineering for Nestlé.
Two cases.
Steel, ferroalloys, lime and refractories
Metallurgy
Recurring problem. Changes to coating, treatment and processing lines in operating steelworks, with short shutdowns, heavy structures and integrated permits.
Our scope. Process changes on surface-treatment and coating lines, coke-oven gas treatment, crushing and grinding plants, structural design for foundry equipment, energy metering – with work planned around operation and shutdowns. Clients include U. S. Steel Košice, Energyco for CORUS IJmuiden and Silometal.
Two cases.
Siting, safety distances, SEVESO
Explosive chemistry
Recurring problem. Energetic materials are among the most demanding processes to place and permit: safety distances, explosion-protection zones and major-accident documents decide whether and where a plant can be built.
Our scope. Siting and layout studies with safety distances, process design and equipment layout, hazardous-area classification and explosion-protection documents, major-accident (SEVESO) documents and risk analyses.
Examples.
- ZVS holding, a.s., 2025: siting study for the production of nitroglycerine and ammonium perchlorate at the Strážske industrial site (study).
- Related explosion-protection work: explosion-hazard assessment and hazardous-area protocols for a medical-device plant, Unomedical, Michalovce, 2022–2026 (completed).
- Related SEVESO experience: major-accident risk study for a planned 81 MWth energy block, Strážske, 2015 (not built)
Eastern Slovakia
The region has industrial sites with a long chemical tradition and existing infrastructure. IPE has worked on these sites since 2006.
Clients not named
Defence
Recurring problem. New production lines and changes on defence production sites, under the Slovak permitting rules and with strict confidentiality.
Our scope. Engineering, permit documents and advisory services. Clients in this sector are not named; references are available on request, with the client's consent.
Two examples.
- Production lines for a defence manufacturer in Slovakia – a quenching line, an annealing line and staff facilities – from the building intention through the building project to the implementation design under the new Building Act (2025).
- Engineering advisory for a defence production site: 3D model of the site, structural assessment of pipe bridges and an ammonia risk assessment (2024–2025).
Confidentiality
Defence projects are handled on a need-to-know basis within the team. Their documents are kept in separate project folders and are not used in our marketing.
Pulp, cellulose, packaging
Pulp, paper and packaging
Recurring problem. Emission-related changes and new lines in pulp mills and packaging plants, where an emissions change often triggers a change of the integrated permit.
Our scope. Pulp and cellulose units, treatment of malodorous gases, recovery-boiler systems; building-permit and IPPC documents for printing and can plants. Clients include BUKOCEL, Schur Flexibles / adapa and CROWN Bevcan Slovakia.
Two cases.
On industrial sites
Energy and utilities
Recurring problem. Industrial sites that want their own steam and power, a different fuel or lower energy use, with new units tied into a running site.
Our scope. Boiler houses and CHP units, steam turbines, biogas and biomass, power distribution and metering, utilities, fire water and design support for water and waste-water plants. Clients include ENVIRAL, Duslo and Slovenské elektrárne.
Two cases.
Working in one of these sectors?
Tell us about your plant and the decision ahead. We reply with the scope we would propose.