This paper considers the non-linear regulation control of chemical processes. A novel and systematic sliding mode control system design methodology is proposed, which integrates an identified second-order plus dead-time (SOPDT) model, an optimal sliding surface and a delay-ahead predictor. The convergence property of the closed-loop system is guaranteed theoretically by. means of satisfying a sliding condition and the control system performance is examined with some typical chemical processes. Besides, with the concept of delay equivalent, the proposed sliding mode control scheme can be utilized directly to the regulation control of a non-minimum phase process. As a special case the proposed scheme is further extended to the control of chemical processes whose dynamics are simply described by a first-order plus dead-time (FOPDT) model. In addition, the decentralized sliding mode control scheme for multivariable processes is also explored in this paper. Extensive simulation results reveal that the proposed sliding mode control system design methodology is applicable and promising for the regulation of time-delay chemical processes. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.