Pinch analysis is a methodology for minimizing energy consumption in chemical processes. It involves calculating the minimum energy required and optimizing heat recovery, energy supply, and operating conditions. Pinch analysis provides a structured approach to reduce operating costs, improve efficiency, and minimize capital investment. It was originally developed in the 1970s and involves analyzing process streams in terms of quality and quantity of heat and constructing composite curves to identify opportunities for heat integration. Pinch analysis has been successfully applied across various industries to reduce utility usage and costs.