This work focuses on model predictive control of nonlinear singularly perturbed systems. A composite control system using multirate sampling (i.e., fast sampling of the fast state variables and slow sampling of the slow state variables) and consisting of a "fast" feedback controller that stabilizes the fast dynamics and a model predictive controller that stabilizes the slow dynamics and enforces desired performance objectives in the slow subsystem is designed. Using stability results for nonlinear singularly perturbed systems, the closed-loop system is analyzed and sufficient conditions for stability are derived. A large-scale nonlinear reactor-separator process network which exhibits two-time-scale behavior is used to demonstrate the controller design including a distributed implementation of the predictive controller. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.