Before 1983 BCSIR had no facility to conduct the techno-economic feasibility study of the processes developed in its laboratories. The techno-economic feasibility study is very essential for commercialization of any industrial process. The Pilot Plant and Process Development Centre (PP & PDC) has been established in BCSIR to fulfill this important task. This centre has been functioning as a separate unit headed by a Director with two main divisions; the design and development division and the production and fabrication division, which consist of several workshops and sections. The name of the existing workshops and sections are, (1) Design and drafting section, (2) Machine shop, (3) Feasibility Studies section, (4) Pilot plant section, (5) Sheet metal section, (6) Foundry and pattern shop, (7) Welding and tinsmith shop, (8) Heat treatment shop, (9) Fitting shop, (10) Unit operation section, (11) Electrical shop, (12) Maintenance shop, and (13) Laboratory.

Besides these workshops and sections there is an engineering store and tools room to store all necessary accessories required for the fabrication of the pilot plant. There also exists an administration wing and account section to assist Director in research, administration and related matters. Moreover, there are five committee to help the administration, research and policy matters for smooth functioning of PP & PDC.

The PP & PDC has carried out a lot of techno-economic feasibility studies of the processes developed by the scientists in its laboratories and R&D activities with the help of its own manpower during the past years. The engineers and technologists of this unit have been playing an important role in industrialization of our country, particularly in the areas of BCSIR Research and Development programs.

A large number of pilot plant studies have been carried out by the PP & PDC and a good number of processes have proved successful for commercialization. The following processes have already been leased out after thorough technical and feasibility studies i) Lemon grass oil, ii) Sun-flower oil, iii) Epoxidized soya-bean oil iv) Granulation of zinc sulphate (mono hydrate) fertilizer, v) Ultramarine blue, vi) Carboxy methyl cellulose(CMC), and vii) Wheat flakes. The number of on going R & D projects in PP & PDC is 28 (Twenty Eight). The allocated fund for July’06-June’07 was 8.42 lakh taka only. The total sanctioned post (Technical & general administration) for PP & PDC was 139 and the existing manpower is 109.

Apart from the above studies, this centre is involved in providing assistance in industries regarding testing of their materials including finished products, fabrication of important units of their plants and equipment and also in imparting consultation during initiation of various industries including maney lacking project of some national Banks.

The functions of the centre are as follows:

1.

To design equipment and machinery for pilot plant study.

2.

To fabricate designed equipment and machinery of pilot plant as far as practicable.

3.

To undertake process development studies as pilot plants for the purpose of research and development.

4.

To render technical and advisory services to the industries.

5.

To design commercial plants of the processes developed by the BCSIR.

6.

To render the services of technical feasibility study and market survey for evaluating the projects of BCSIR.

7.

To undertake repair and maintenance of laboratory equipment necessary for research.