How process engineering drives complex industrial projects across Asia

What's driving industrial manufacturing growth in Asia?

The industrial landscape in Asia is growing rapidly across four key sectors.

Pharmaceuticals, including Biopharmaceuticals, continue to expand due to aging populations and their growing healthcare needs. As demand for medicines and medical devices increases, so does the need for advanced production capacity – particularly in Asia, where the population scale magnifies every trend.

Semiconductors are another major driver. The global reliance on technology – and now AI – means demand will not subside. EV batteries are currently experiencing a short-term pause, but that's part of the normal evolution of a new technology. We're in a "test and trial" phase and expect renewed growth as the sector matures.

Finally, the chemical industry – especially specialty and fine chemicals – is seeing steady growth. These materials are used across pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and even food production. Industry literature estimates continued growth of 5–6% annually through to 2030, and we see that reflected in real project momentum.

Why we focus on high-complexity sectors

At AtkinsRéalis, we've made a deliberate choice to focus on sectors where we can add the most value: pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, semiconductors and EV batteries. We're not chasing every opportunity. Instead, we're building a reputation as a top-tier industrial engineering and project delivery partner in these high-complexity sectors.

Delivering quality outcomes in process-driven environments requires more than capacity. It takes technical depth, discipline-specific insight, and the ability to work in true partnership with the client.

The value of in-house process engineering

One of our biggest differentiators is that we don't outsource our process or automation engineering. We've built our in-house capabilities purposefully because we believe understanding the production process is the core of any successful industrial project.

When your engineering team truly understands how the facility needs to operate, everything else – design, layout, constructability, safety, operability – can be developed to reduce risk and increase certainty. It's why we invest in hiring and retaining people with deep domain expertise. The knowledge our people bring from across their careers adds real value.

Why early involvement sets projects up for success

That value is most impactful when we're engaged early. By getting involved at the feasibility or concept stage, we can work with client stakeholders to understand not just their processes but their strategic priorities and user requirements.

This early input allows us to explore advanced work packaging strategies, helping us plan the entire lifecycle from engineering and procurement through to construction. Whether it's a greenfield site or a brownfield retrofit, having that strategic clarity early on leads to smoother execution later.

Our ability to deliver complete EPCM services in a fast-track model also means clients benefit from a single point of accountability. We walk with you from start to finish – open-book, fully collaborative and outcome-driven.

From feasibility studies and concept design to full EPCM delivery – including modularization and prefabrication – we tailor our approach to each client's needs. If we see a risk or a better option, we speak up. That honesty helps us work with the client to find the best outcome– that's another way we add real value.

Delivering value through integrated teams

Take our recent work on a Singapore pharmaceutical fine chemical production facility greenfield project, We assembled a core team in Singapore supported by colleagues in China, Korea, and India. That integrated model allowed us to bring the right expertise to the project, regardless of office location, while maintaining continuity and control.

Modular design and safety-led engineering

Designing for safety is another area where we bring added value. Our philosophy includes not only construction safety but also operational safety. From the placement of “double-block & bleed” valves to hazard mitigation in dangerous environments, we consider how real people will interact with the systems we design. We incorporate Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) studies as needed and have standardized safety measures built into our design process.

Scaling smart across Asia

When clients engage us in any given country, we don't simply look at the headcount in that office. We look across Asia to identify the best team for the job. We build flexible, work-share teams that combine local presence with regional expertise – delivering quality and scalability without compromising control.

This One Asia model has been key to our sustained growth. Over the past five years, our Industrial business in Asia has grown at a rate of 15–20% year on year. That momentum is built on trust, delivery, and deepening relationships.

Building a platform for long-term growth

AtkinsRéalis has more than 110 years of history and a global team of over 40,000 people. In Asia, we're now more than 5,000 strong – and growing. But it's not just our size that matters. It's the foundation we've built: a philosophy that starts with process insight, scales through integrated delivery and puts quality and partnership at the heart of everything we do.

That's how we're helping shape the future of industrial growth in Asia.

Want to learn more about how we're delivering complex industrial projects across Asia? Explore our capabilities and discover what it takes to engineer lasting impact.