Process plant contractors implement and bring to fruition the capital
investment programmes in such sectors as chemicals and metals. In unde
rtaking a contract they perform all or a number of the following: plan
t design and engineering, supply of process technology, procurement of
equipment, supervision of construction, plant commissioning, and the
arrangement of project finance. Specific characteristics of the indust
ry are the variety of functions undertaken by the contractor and opera
tion on a worldwide basis. The nature and extent of contractor involve
ment in transferring technology is determined by a complex interaction
of a number of economic and technological factors. The source of tech
nology may be 'in-house', a long term licence agreement, or some speci
fic arrangement to meet a particular enquiry. The paper illustrates th
e various means for technology transfer drawing on examples from the e
xperience of one contractor.