From Gujarat to Dortmund – A Green Career Start at thyssenkrupp Uhde

Prachi Nilesh Shah from Amalsad, India, studied Chemical Engineering in Gujarat and furthered her knowledge at TU Dortmund in Germany. There, she found that her path led to thyssenkrupp, where she found exactly what she was looking for. As a working student at thyssenkrupp Uhde, she works on projects like green ammonia and hydrogen storage. In her private life, she lives sustainably and is inspired by her family. Prachi encourages young professionals to join thyssenkrupp Uhde and finds a balance in dancing and traveling. Her story shows how dedication can harmonize career aspirations and sustainability.

Prachi Nilesh Shah hails from Amalsad, a small village in Gujarat, India. After completing her primary and secondary education locally, she pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering at a private university in Gujarat. During her studies, she engaged in a sustainability project focused on waste separation, organized by the MIT India Initiative, and worked on a final project that involved membrane synthesis for wastewater treatment. Prachi’s quest for higher education brought her to Germany, where she earned a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering with a focus on Process Systems Engineering at the Technical University of Dortmund. There, she broadened her knowledge through projects such as PET recycling and a beer brewing project.

Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Success: A Year of Experiences

Since February 2023, Prachi has been engaged as a working student in the Static department at thyssenkrupp Uhde. Over the past year, she has collaborated with various departments such as Technology Innovation and Sustainability (TIS), Digitalization, and Process Engineering. These interdisciplinary tasks have provided her with valuable insights and helped her better understand her strengths and weaknesses. “Working with colleagues from different fields has helped me gain valuable experiences and better understand the current state of technology,” Prachi explains.

Prachi plays an active role in the EU-funded HySTrAm project, conducting socio-economic analyses on green ammonia production, hydrogen storage, and transport. Additionally, she has conducted a literature review on the feasibility assessment of Uhde’s EnviNOx® technology. These tasks have provided her with valuable insights into working on sustainability projects.

Furthermore, Prachi performs stress calculations, integrates and verifies process data in Promec, and reviews material specifications for static equipment as part of the QAFCO project. “These tasks have helped me develop valuable insights into working on different projects,” Prachi explains.

Driven by Passion: Prachi’s Motivation

Sustainability plays a central role in both Prachi’s professional work as well as her personal life. “I have already worked on projects related to green technologies, wastewater treatment, and emission reduction, and I am determined to continue contributing to this important field,” she tells us. Her personal life is strongly influenced by sustainable practices, and she is inspired by her father and grandmother, who lead a minimalist lifestyle. This mindset has taught her to make conscious decisions regarding her consumption of food, clothing, transport, electricity, and water, always with consideration of her carbon footprint.

Prachi knew early on that she wanted to work on engineering and sustainability projects. A group project on PET recycling during her studies sparked her passion for this field and motivated her to apply for a working student position at thyssenkrupp Uhde. “I particularly enjoy working on technical projects and environmental topics, as they help me discover my interests and develop my skills,” she says. One of her favorite tasks was conducting a socio-economic analysis for hydrogen storage and transport.

Good Chemistry for a Good Climate

Prachi greatly appreciates thyssenkrupp Uhde’s clear vision and sustainability goals. “thyssenkrupp Uhde is a continually evolving multinational company with an impressive history in the engineering and business world,” she explains. Prachi encourages young professionals to join thyssenkrupp Uhde. “Engineers have the potential to bring real changes to the world, and thyssenkrupp Uhde provides the platform for that. However, it takes more than just motivation; you need to understand the means to bring about these changes. A constant drive and a willingness to improve are crucial.”

This commitment is also reflected in Prachi’s balance between her work and her personal life. In her free time, she loves dancing and traveling. These passions show how dedication, education, and the right platform can fulfill career dreams and contribute positively to sustainability.

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