Starting since 1966 with the former name “The use of Computers in Chemical Engineering”, the Working Party pioneered the approach to Process System Engineering with the limited tools offered at that time. In 1991 the Working Party redefined its Terms of Reference and adopted a new Title, CAPE, Computer Aided Process Engineering.

Today computers are routinely applied throughout the entire spectrum of process and product engineering activities covering chemical, petrochemical, bio-chemical, and pharmaceutical industries and thereby, reflecting the success of the Working Parties activities. In its current form, the Working Party aims at: Acting as a focal point, within CAPE and related fields, for other EFCE Working Parties and National and International bodies, e.g. IChemE, IFAC, and AIChE. Promote good industrial practice by encouraging the development and use of CAPE methods and tools, by sharing experience in the application of existing CAPE methods and tools, by providing strategic reviews of the ongoing needs of the profession, and by identifying the potential opportunities for beneficial CAPE developments. Encourage and promote CAPE research by providing a European forum for the presentation and debate of new ideas and developments, by preparing state-of-the-art reviews of CAPE methods and tools, by stimulating new projects to meet identified needs and opportunities, both present and future The European Symposium on Computer-Aided Process Engineering (ESCAPE) is the reference event promoted every year by CAPE Working Party since 1992.