Batch processes being increasingly used in the chemical industry. The advantages of batch processes are their flexibility, high product purity and the possibility of frequent product changeover. For the economical operation of a batch process it is necessary to develop an optimal strategy; therefore a proper optimisation approach is required. For this reason two different optimisation algorithms, differential dynamic programming and a simultaneous optimisation approach, are investigated in this paper, The characteristics of the algorithms are worked out and their efficiency is analysed. Simulation results from batch reactors and a batch column demonstrate the scope of application of the algorithms.