Process development services can develop new processes, run process research and development (R&D) programs, perform optimization studies, improve current processing methods and provide other assistance in process development activities. Process development services vary in terms of material capabilities, and can handle liquids, powders, nanomaterials, bulk solids, granules, webs, and continuous stock. Product types include abrasives, adhesives carbon, ceramics, coatings, elastomers, glass, graphite, metals, minerals, nuclear materials, plastics, paper, sealants, semiconductor materials, textiles, waste, and wood products. Process development services may also specialize in processing chemicals and chemical products such acetylenes, alcohols, biochemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), catalysts and initiators, chemical agents and additives, cleaners and surface active agents, coolants and refrigerants, and cosmetic soaps.

Process development services vary in terms of technological capabilities. Examples include atomization and powder production, blending and mixing, calendering, coating, compacting and conversion, compounding, condensation and cooling, crystallization, and distillation. Some process development services perform optimization studies for drying and freeze drying, esterification, evaporation, fermentation and biotransformations, or filtration and extraction. Others can assist in process development activities with granulation and agglomeration, formulation, halogenation, hydroformylation, or hydrogenation. Heat treatment, milling and size reduction, packing and encapsulation, polymerization, recycling and reclamation, oxidation, organometallic and Grignard reactions are used in a variety of processes. Processing technologies used by process development services also include melting and spheroidization, refinement and purification, screening and grading, treatment and decontamination, and ultraviolet (UV) and photochemical processing.

Process development services can develop new processes, run process research and development (R&D) programs, perform optimization studies, improve current processing methods and provide other assistance in process development activities. Process development services vary in terms of material capabilities, and can handle liquids, powders, nanomaterials, bulk solids, granules, webs, and continuous stock. Product types include abrasives, adhesives carbon, ceramics, coatings, elastomers, glass, graphite, metals, minerals, nuclear materials, plastics, paper, sealants, semiconductor materials, textiles, waste, and wood products. Process development services may also specialize in processing chemicals and chemical products such acetylenes, alcohols, biochemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), catalysts and initiators, chemical agents and additives, cleaners and surface active agents, coolants and refrigerants, and cosmetic soaps.

Process development services vary in terms of technological capabilities. Examples include atomization and powder production, blending and mixing, calendering, coating, compacting and conversion, compounding, condensation and cooling, crystallization, and distillation. Some process development services perform optimization studies for drying and freeze drying, esterification, evaporation, fermentation and biotransformations, or filtration and extraction. Others can assist in process development activities with granulation and agglomeration, formulation, halogenation, hydroformylation, or hydrogenation. Heat treatment, milling and size reduction, packing and encapsulation, polymerization, recycling and reclamation, oxidation, organometallic and Grignard reactions are used in a variety of processes. Processing technologies used by process development services also include melting and spheroidization, refinement and purification, screening and grading, treatment and decontamination, and ultraviolet (UV) and photochemical processing.

Process development services are located across North America and around the world. They differ in terms of certifications and approvals. For example, process development services that support the automotive and/or aerospace industries should meet guidelines established by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and major manufacturers. These include AS 9000 or AS 9001, and QS 9000. In the United States, some process development services are registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Others, especially those companies that work with the federal government, can help businesses meet U.S. military specifications (MIL-SPEC). Internationally, process development services comply with ISO 9001:2000, which establishes requirements for company quality management systems. ISO certifications such as ISO 14001 may also apply to some process development services.