ISA-88 Batch Automation Software Update

Valmet Oyj has released a new version of its batch automation and recipe management software, extending ISA-88-compliant batch control to both legacy and web-native distributed control environments used in process industries.

Expanding batch automation across control system generations
The latest release of Valmet’s batch automation software introduces full interoperability between its established distributed control system architecture and a newer, web-based automation platform. Originally designed for a legacy DCS environment, the software now operates natively across both control system generations, enabling batch execution, recipe management, and campaign coordination within a unified automation framework.

This development is relevant for batch-driven industries such as chemicals, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and specialty materials, where production is organized around discrete recipes, strict sequencing, and regulated process states. By supporting both control environments, the software allows plants to modernize operator interfaces and batch supervision without replacing underlying control infrastructure.

Standards-based batch execution and recipe management
The software follows the ISA-88 batch control standard, separating physical equipment models from procedural logic and recipes. This structure enables reuse of recipe components, consistent batch execution, and traceable production outcomes across campaigns.

Batch configuration is performed using graphical tools rather than custom programming, reducing engineering effort when introducing new products or modifying batch parameters. Manual step acknowledgment and role-based permissions add operator-level control while maintaining procedural integrity.

Integrated electronic recordkeeping supports compliance with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and ISPE GAMP-5 guidelines, providing secure audit trails, user authentication, and controlled change management. These features are critical for regulated environments where batch data integrity and traceability are mandatory.

Operational visibility and campaign optimization
Batch execution data, including active and historical batch results, is accessible directly through the control system interface. This allows operators and process engineers to monitor deviations, analyze batch performance, and compare campaign outcomes without exporting data to external systems.

Built-in campaign management functions support scheduling and parallel batch execution, helping maximize equipment utilization and throughput. The ability to reuse validated recipe modules shortens development cycles when scaling production or introducing variant formulations.

Deployment and upgrade considerations
The software is available to customers operating either control system platform and includes a defined upgrade path from earlier software versions. This approach enables existing installations to adopt new batch supervision, compliance, and interface capabilities while preserving validated process logic and equipment models.

By extending batch automation across multiple control system architectures, the release addresses a common modernization challenge in process industries: maintaining consistent batch execution and compliance while transitioning toward more flexible, web-based automation environments.

www.valmet.com