Process engineering plays a central role at Pörner, from the beginning of a project to commissioning. We begin with pilot tests and use process simulations to define plant concepts and process flows. Based on these results, we design the processes for all plant components, including flow diagrams and P&IDs. Another important part of our work involves in-house research and the continuous development of our own processes. The Process Engineering department ensures that we remain at the forefront of technology and provide innovative solutions for our clients.

At our Vienna headquarters, the Process Engineering team faces national and international challenges in plant design, focusing strongly on sustainability. Our work is diverse and demanding as we constantly seek the most efficient solutions to meet our customers' needs while maintaining Pörner’s high standards. With our bio-silicate technology, we give rice hulls — a by-product — a second life. With our Biturox® technology, we are proud to be the world market leader in bitumen oxidation.

“The global challenges in process engineering, especially the optimization of petrochemical and chemical plants, highlight the versatility of this engineering discipline. Creativity is essential when addressing production, plant, or control issues. Our expertise is essential for optimizing petrochemical and chemical plants - a demand that exists almost everywhere."

Construction and architectural planning are central components of our overall project planning. Us Pörner construction engineers have a deep understanding of the complexity of plant construction in the planning, procurement, and construction process. Collaborating with other internal departments is crucial to our construction engineering. Regular communication strengthens team spirit and deepens our understanding of the requirements of other areas.

We appreciate the diversity of our tasks, ranging from concrete construction to steel or timber construction. We oversee all phases of the planning process, from design to local construction supervision. Our team of structural engineers, constructors, architects, and project managers works closely together to ensure that every construction project meets the highest standards and is built on a secure foundation.

“One of Pörner's great strengths is having all the planning disciplines required for industrial construction under one roof. The construction department consists of a well-coordinated and mature team—a good mix of experienced and younger employees." David Stumpauer

The Machinery and Apparatus department plans all motor-driven and static equipment for our projects. This includes for example heat exchangers, combustion systems, boilers, furnaces, pumps, and agitators. Our specialist department can also handle medium-sized projects independently.

Our area of expertise includes the specification of machinery and apparatus, among other things. Coordinating with colleagues in the structural engineering, electrical I&C, and piping departments is essential for the project to progress smoothly. Internal discussions and periodic project meetings with external partners are an important part of the project process. We experience particularly intensive project phases shortly before equipment is ordered and during construction. This is when the equipment is delivered, assembled, and commissioned.

“We also plan plants that are completely new and unique worldwide. Often, the requirements for these projects only become apparent during the process, calling for creative solutions and a high level of commitment. In contrast, Pörner's own processes, such as Biturox® and bitumen packing projects, are clearly defined in advance." Peter Steinberger

In the Electrical/I&C Department, we are responsible for processing and planning within the following subdisciplines:

1. Electrical Engineering
2. Measurement and Control Technology
3. Automation Technology

Depending on the project planning phase, we carry out planning work at different levels of detail (study, basic and detail engineering, or accompanying technical construction supervision).

Electrical/I&C has become more important in comprehensive industrial plant construction in recent years due to increasing digitalization and "smart" components. We combine individual parts into functioning systems and contribute significantly to projects that meet the latest requirements and standards.

“The constant refinement and significant normative changes of electrical/I&C topics bring a high degree of variety to the everyday work of an electrical/I&C project engineer in relation to our customer base.”  Matthias Urban

At Pörner, our work in plant and piping engineering is crucial to the basic framework of industrial plants. Our team is intensively involved in various aspects of design planning, including pipe stress calculation, pipe class creation, materials management, CAD, and documentation. Pörner has a “piping treasure trove” of over 870 pipe classes used for a wide range of industrial applications. Our engineers' experience, combined with state-of-the-art technology, is essential for developing durable designs.

As part of Anlagenbau 4.0 (Plant Engineering 4.0), the Pörner Group relies on centralized pipe class and material management. To ensure the highest quality, we use the most modern 3D CAD systems and integrated, database-driven engineering tools. New database-centric systems connected via interfaces, such as Pörner Integration, are part of our digital workflow.

“Cross-location engineering, with its intelligent workflows and interfaces, significantly increases the efficiency and quality of project management in line with Pörner Anlagenbau 4.0.” Thomas Hermann

At Pörner, we experience the complexity of process plant engineering on a daily basis. Sometimes, seemingly contradictory requirements must be combined effectively and efficiently. Pörner project management establishes the framework necessary to overcome these challenges and build process plants.

Project management tasks are correspondingly diverse and include cost and schedule control, interface coordination, systematic communication, and making key decisions. We specialize in implementing requested changes in a controlled manner during project execution while ensuring resilience against unwanted influences and disruptions. For us, projects are fundamentally undertakings by people for people. In addition to formal activities, we prioritize collaborative and partnership-based project execution through targeted moderation of the project team.

“Our individual approach to each project is what sets us apart. We understand that every job is unique, so we adapt our solutions and methods accordingly. We tailor our extensive project management expertise to each project and use it in a targeted manner to ensure compliance with the defined framework conditions. Our goal is to implement projects on time, according to technical requirements, and within the specified budget.” David Massong

We define the success of a Pörner project based on three criteria: quality, adherence to deadlines, and budget. In the context of project control, we focus on the latter two factors, which are carefully planned, regularly reviewed, and analyzed through target/actual comparisons. This allows us to identify risks and opportunities early on and gives project management the chance to take countermeasures with minimal effort. The primary tools for project control are the schedule and the cost report. At Pörner, we use state-of-the-art software to create detailed schedules.

The cost report compares the budget allocated for a project with the actual costs incurred and the forecasted future costs. The cost controller works with the accounting, procurement, and technical departments to determine actual costs, perform trend analyses, and calculate costs. This gives project management an early picture of the expected financial requirements and supports them in budget-related decisions. This area also includes further analyses, such as cash flow tracking and efficiency analyses.

“A project rarely runs without challenges, and a schedule that is not regularly reviewed and updated is useless. The goal of project control is not just to create a nice report, but also to proactively identify potential problems early on and help those responsible take action before the impact on costs and time becomes significant.” Michael Schölm

The procurement and logistics department plays a central role at Pörner. We collaborate closely with other departments within the company, such as project management, specialist departments, and accounting, to implement technical solutions in the procurement market.

Understanding the requirements of our industry, we create the basis for low-risk, cost-optimized investment decisions. We always maintain an overview of all supplier activities and take corrective action when necessary to ensure that reality aligns with the plan.

Marvin Pichler discussing the "procurement team of the future": "The diversity of topics in the procurement and logistics department requires future team members to have technical and commercial understanding, creative drive, curiosity, and a willingness to learn."