What Process Industry Practices does

Process Industry Practices (PIP) is a self-funded engineering standards consortium founded in 1993 and operated within the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. The organization develops, publishes, and maintains a library of 550+ standardized engineering practices across 14 disciplines (including Piping, Electrical, Civil/Structural/Architectural, Process Control, Process Safety, Machinery, Pipeline Systems, P&ID and Process Design, Coatings, Insulation, Refractory, Vessel, Hygienic Process, and Project Engineering) used by process industry owners and engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors to harmonize design, procurement, construction, and maintenance practices. The library is sustained by 850+ volunteer industry experts from more than 100 member companies, including ExxonMobil, Chevron, BASF, DuPont, 3M, ADM, LyondellBasell, Occidental, Fluor, KBR, McDermott, Burns & McDonnell, Worley, AECOM, and Tesla, and is documented as having been applied to over 10,000 capital projects. Standards are revised on a 5-year cycle, with 35+ complete revisions per year for piping practices alone.

The platform is built around a consensus publishing model in which member-company practitioners contribute to and vet each practice, producing company-wide downloadable PDF specifications. PIP's proprietary methodologies include the Project Definition Rating Index (PDRI) risk identification tools and the Front-End Loading (FEL) standard, both of which are recognized as industry best practices and integrated with CII's research output. Recent practice introductions extend coverage into EV charging infrastructure (PIP ELCPK03) and industrial control system cybersecurity (PIP PCCCS001), addressing gaps in global standards bodies such as IEC.

PIP operates a three-tier membership model: Active Membership (with $25,000 initial dues and influence over practice development), Non-Contributing Membership ($55,000 annually for read-only access), and Discipline-Specific Memberships (annual subscriptions ranging from $150 for Process Safety to $10,750 for Piping Material Specs, with a Piping Set bundle at $15,000). Individual practices are also distributed through licensed resellers Accuris and SAiglobal to non-members. The consortium is governed by a leadership slate drawn from member companies, with the Chair (Stuart Simmons, Occidental), Vice Chair (Paul Oberrieder, Burns & McDonnell), Membership Chair (Stacy Strobel, BASF), and Past Chair (Melissa Williams, McDermott). Marketing and distribution rely on the PIP website, social channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram), industry events, and member testimonials, with the GTM motion described as sales-led and targeting enterprise process industry owners and global EPC contractors.

Name

Process Industry Practices

Legal name

Process Industry Practices

Website

https://pip.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Process Industry Practices (PIP) is a self-funded engineering standards consortium within UT Austin's Cockrell School of Engineering that develops 550+ practices across 14 disciplines for process industry owners and EPC contractors via membership and licensed distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Engineering Standards and Specifications for the Process Industry

NAICS

Engineering Services (54133), Engineering Services (541330)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineering & Technical Standards (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical; Codes & Standards) (EDAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Industry-Specific Technical & Certification Prep (e.g., Construction, Manufacturing, Energy) (EDAGANAN)

Keywords

• Process engineering standards
• Engineering practices library
• Capital project standards
• Engineering discipline specifications
• Industrial construction practices

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Active Membership Dues: Annual membership fees granting unlimited company-wide access to download Licensed Practices in PDF format, access to 550+ practices, and participation rights. Initial dues of $25,000 with discounts for meeting attendance requirements.
2. Non-Contributing Membership: Higher tier membership at $55,000 for companies seeking practice access without active contribution to practice development.
3. Discipline-Specific Membership: Licensed discipline-specific collections at various price points ($150-$10,750+) offering 15-60% savings versus purchasing practices separately.
4. Direct Practice Sales: PIP Practices sold through licensed distributors Accuris and SAiglobal for non-members or members purchasing additional content.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Process Industry Practices develops, maintains, and distributes a library of 550+ standardized engineering practices covering 14 disciplines (Piping, Electrical, Civil/Structural/Architectural, Machinery, Process Control, Pipeline Systems, P&ID and Process Design, Process Safety, Project Engineering, Coatings, Insulation, Refractory, Vessel, and Hygienic Process). The practices serve as harmonized technical specifications and guidelines for design, procurement, construction, and maintenance of process industry facilities. They are sold to process industry owner-operators and EPC contractors via a tiered annual membership model and through licensed distributors.

Product overview

Process Industry Practices (PIP) is a consortium within The University of Texas at Austin that offers a membership-based library of 550+ expert-developed engineering practices across 14 disciplines. The core product is the PIP Practices Library, which contains specifications, guidelines, and technical criteria for design, procurement, construction, and maintenance. The portfolio includes specialized practices for Coatings and Insulation, Civil Structural and Architectural (CSA), Electrical, Hygienic Process, Machinery, P&ID and Process, Pipeline, Piping, Process Control, Process Safety, Project Engineering, Refractory, and Vessels. These practices are available to member companies through company-wide PDF downloads, with Discipline-Specific Membership packages available for focused access to particular collections.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PIP Practices Library A membership-access library of 550+ expert-developed engineering practices organized across 14 disciplines, providing specifications, guidelines, and technical criteria for design, procurement, construction, and maintenance of process industry facilities. Targeted at process industry owner-operators and EPC contractors who join PIP as Active, Non-Contributing, or Discipline-Specific members to obtain company-wide PDF download access.
• Piping Practices Specifications and guidance based on ASME, API, and other piping standards, including 200+ piping material specifications, valve descriptions, and leak testing guidance. Sold as a Discipline-Specific Membership package at $10,750/year (Material Specs) and integrated into the Piping Set bundle ($15,000/year).
• Electrical Practices 125+ industry-leading data sheets, guidelines, and specifications ensuring electrical system reliability, safety, and efficiency for power distribution equipment and systems design. Sold as a Discipline-Specific Membership package at $10,500/year.
• Process Control Practices Design, planning, testing, and maintenance guidance for 50+ instrumentation and control system practices regulating flow, level, pressure, and temperature in industrial processes. Sold as a Discipline-Specific Membership package at $6,450/year.
• Vessel Practices Design and fabrication specifications for pressure vessels constructed per ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, including heat exchangers and storage tanks. Sold as a Discipline-Specific Membership package at $6,800/year.
• Civil, Structural and Architectural (CSA) Practices 40+ engineering design practices for civil, structural, and architectural elements, including specifications, fabrication, and installation details. Sold via discipline-specific access within the broader membership model.
• Pipeline Systems Practices Material, design, and construction specifications for 40+ metallic and nonmetallic pipeline systems, including engineering guidelines and fabrication requirements. Sold as a Discipline-Specific Membership package at $3,950/year.
• Process Safety Practices Process safety design, management, and guidance that enhance safety beyond regulation compliance, spanning all engineering disciplines. Sold as a Discipline-Specific Membership package starting at $150/year.
• Project Engineering Practices Common framework for owners and contractors in project engineering, including project management applications, change management, and process safety management guidelines. Sold as a Discipline-Specific Membership package at $530/year.
• Coatings and Insulation Practices Material-specific and supporting technical guidelines for coatings, insulation, and fireproofing systems, including specifications for application, inspection, and maintenance. Sold as Discipline-Specific Membership packages at $1,860 (Coatings) and $2,850 (Insulation) annually.
• Refractory Practices Industry knowledge for selection and installation of firebrick, monolithic, and ceramic refractory systems for process equipment operating above 1,000°F. Sold as a Discipline-Specific Membership package at $3,750/year.
• Machinery Practices 20+ specifications and guidelines for selecting and using rotating equipment for gas and liquid handling, supporting equipment lifecycle from design to purchase and operation. Sold as a Discipline-Specific Membership package at $2,950/year.
• P&ID and Process Practices Guidance for CAD drafters/designers and process engineers for Piping and Instrumentation Diagram documentation and Process Flow Diagram guidelines. Sold as a Discipline-Specific Membership package at $3,885/year.
• Hygienic Process Practices 35+ design, fabrication, and procurement guidelines for regulated and unregulated contaminant-sensitive processes including food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor applications. Sold as a Discipline-Specific Membership package at $3,550/year.
• PDRI (Project Definition Rating Index) Risk Identification Tools Method enabling project teams to quickly identify project risk factors within Building, Infrastructure, Small Industrial, Small Infrastructure, Manufacturing & Life Science, and Mining Projects. Part of PIP's Front-End Loading methodology, recognized by industry as a best practice.
• PIP ELCPK03 EV Charging Station Implementation Criteria Criteria for designing, shipping, installing, inspecting, testing, commissioning, operating, maintaining, and documenting onsite EV charging stations — a PIP practice addressing a gap left by existing global codes for an emerging industry.
• PIP PCCCS001 Industrial Cybersecurity Guidelines for ICS Guidelines for designing industrial cybersecurity for Industrial Control Systems (ICS), filling critical gaps in cybersecurity countermeasures guidance not addressed by existing global standards such as IEC.

Quantifiable outcome

• One hour invested equals 200 hours returned in efficiency gains
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• The University of Texas at Austin (Cockrell School of Engineering)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1993PIP operates as a self-funded consortium within the Cockrell School of Engineering at UT Austin, working under the auspices of the Construction Industry Institute (CII), an organized research unit controlled by The University of Texas.
• Construction Industry Institute (CII)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPIP works under the auspices of CII, which is an organized research unit of UT Austin. CII's PDRI tools have been integrated into PIP's Front-End Loading standards.
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPIP collaborated with ASCE on development of Design Guides for Anchorage into Concrete and Onshore Modular Structures. ASCE Energy Division Task Committee and PIP CSA Task Team developed comprehensive Design Guide for Modular Structures.
• Project Management Institute (PMI)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPIP Change Management Standard (PIP PEEPJ002) aligns with PMI's Book of Knowledge (PMBOK) Rev. 6 for project management terms and definitions.
• AccurissupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensed distributor for PIP practices, offering online store access to non-members and additional purchases.
• SAiglobalsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensed distributor for PIP practices through infostore.saiglobal.com.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers): Global non-profit standards body that publishes codes and standards (including ASME B31.3 for process piping and the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code) that PIP practices explicitly reference and align with. Most directly comparable standards publishing peer, with significantly larger international scope.
• American Petroleum Institute (API): Primary US oil & gas industry standards organization publishing specifications for pipelines, drilling, refining, and process equipment. PIP practices are explicitly aligned with API standards; API represents the dominant upstream/midstream/downstream counterpart to PIP in process-industry standardization.
• ASTM International: Global standards body covering materials, testing, coatings, refractory, and mechanical testing referenced across PIP's Coatings, Refractory, Vessel, and Material disciplines. Broad peer that overlaps with PIP's engineering-specs content across multiple disciplines.
• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC): Global electrical and electronic standards organization. PIP's Electric Globalization Task Team explicitly references IEC standards, and PIP's 125+ electrical practices overlap materially with IEC 60079 and related industrial electrical standards.

Direct peers

• International Society of Automation (ISA): Standards organization for automation and process control, including the ISA-95 and ISA-88 families directly referenced by PIP's Process Control discipline (50+ practices). Closest peer in the instrumentation/control discipline where PIP and ISA overlap on industrial control system design.
• Project Management Institute (PMI): Global standards body for project management whose PMBOK Guide is explicitly aligned with PIP PEEPJ002 (Change Management Standard). Direct overlap in PIP's Project Engineering discipline and in scope where engineering project management standards are consumed.
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE): Partner and co-developer of PIP CSA Design Guides (anchorage into concrete, onshore modular structures). Direct peer in civil/structural engineering standards consumed by the same owner-operator and EPC audience.

Others

• Construction Industry Institute (CII): Organized research unit of UT Austin under whose auspices PIP operates. Co-develops the PDRI and Front-End Loading tools that PIP republishes as PIP PEEPF000 and related project engineering practices. Strong affiliate/comparator rather than a commercial competitor.
• SAI Global: Licensed distribution partner of PIP practices via infostore.saiglobal.com, and a broader standards aggregation/distribution platform that also resells ASME, API, ISO, and other standards. Functions as a channel partner and an adjacent standards-distribution comparator.

Regional players

• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): US-dominant standards body for fire protection, electrical safety (NFPA 70/NEC), and process safety. Overlaps with PIP's Process Safety, Electrical, and Refractory/Fireproofing practices, particularly for US-jurisdiction projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ProcessIndustryPractices
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/process-industry-practices
• Instagraminstagram.com/processindustrypractices_

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Process Industry Practices