RESUMEN En este articulo se muestra el marco teorico desarrollado hasta ahora para la integracion energetica de procesos quimicos y las metodologias que pueden utilizarse para ello, especificamente las de tipo termodinamico; asi mismo se discuten los ultimos adelantos en esta area y las tendencias de investigacion a nivel mundial. ABSTRACT Sustainable development implies nowadays the inclusion of the environmental consequences of industrial production in the integrated analysis of ecosystems. In this paper, the analysis of the design of Chemical Industrial Processes is focused on the energetic integration between modules like HEN, MEN and industrial Utilities by means of thermodynamic tools: First-Second Law Analysis and Pinch Technology. This paper includes the theoretical frame of the problem and the second part will contain a case study.