The Best Chemical Manufacturing Software
This guide features top chemical manufacturing software based on over two decades of expertise, including platforms for consumer goods, life science, and industrial manufacturers.
- Recalls and mock recalls are easy to perform
- Wide variety of reports
- Greatly increases the ability to fill orders
- Seamless integration with leading financial systems
- Detailed quality control and compliance features
- Comprehensive formula and recipe management
- Infinite serialization levels for diverse requirements
- Integrated QC tests throughout product lifecycle
- Seamless regulatory compliance with ERP foundation
Find the right chemical manufacturing software for your industry to ensure your processes and end products are consistent, compliant and profitable. Using our advanced review methodology, we’ve identified the top chemical manufacturing solutions available:
- Mar-Kov Chemical Management System: Best Overall
- BatchMaster: Best for Accounting Integrations
- Deacom ERP: Great for Complex Recipes
- Datacor: Advanced Production Scheduling
- Vicinity: Strong Compliance Capabilities
- Aptean Process Manufacturing ERP: For Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
- Sage X3: Strong Global Compliance
- Deskera MRP: Most Flexible Solution
1 Mar-Kov Chemical Management System - Best Overall
Why we chose it: Mar-Kov Chemical Management System is our top pick, modernizing manufacturing processes with electronic batch recording, barcoding, and electronic signatures. This eliminates the need for cumbersome paper records and enhancing operational efficiency. The batch traceability capabilities help manufacturers meet stringent regulatory requirements such as FDA and HACCP compliance.
The traceability, electronic recording, and other industry-specific features make Mar-Kov a valuable asset for improving efficiency and compliance in the chemical manufacturing process. And the ability to perform recalls and mock recalls with ease contributes to its appeal among users.
2 BatchMaster - Best for Accounting Integrations
Why we chose it: BatchMaster offers extensive accounting integrations with QuickBooks, Sage, Microsoft Dynamics GP, and SAP Business One. It’s an ERP software with an industry-specific focus on chemical, food, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. It streamlines operations by supporting formula-based manufacturing, R&D, and quality control all in one package.
BatchMaster’s strong emphasis on compliance management, batch tracking, and quality control is especially noteworthy. It helps manufacturers navigate evolving regulatory standards effectively, ensuring products meet the latest specifications and compliance standards.
3 Deacom ERP - Great for Complex Recipes
Why we chose it: We selected Deacom due to its advanced serialization capabilities and integrated formula management. These features are especially beneficial for food manufacturers in managing intricate recipes and adjusting them for different batch sizes.
The platform offers a deep feature set:
- Regulatory Compliance: Deacom transforms regulatory compliance into an advantage with its process control-centric ERP system, making the generation of GHS labels and SDS forms straightforward.
- Quality Control: Implements rigorous quality checks throughout the product lifecycle, integrating testing into various stages like raw material reception, finished product production, and handling of product returns.
- Production Scheduling: Effortlessly manage and fine-tune production schedules, aligning them with job routing sequences to support Just-in-Time (JIT) production strategies.
4 Datacor - Advanced Production Scheduling
Why we chose it: Datacor offers advanced production planning and scheduling, CRM, and financial management features, all essential for businesses in the chemical manufacturing industry. It’s a cloud-based ERP system specifically designed for process manufacturers and chemical distributors, making it a standout choice for these industries. Its cloud-based architecture ensures scalability and flexibility so growing companies can adapt to changing needs.
5 Vicinity - Strong Compliance Capabilities
Why we chose it: Vicinity’s compliance capabilities, including the generation and maintenance of key compliance data, make it a strong candidate for businesses in the chemical sector. The software’s ability to generate MSDS and track their versions ensures that up-to-date compliance data is readily available. Furthermore, Vicinity’s external access feature, powered by the .NET platform, enables seamless interaction with external systems and devices, enhancing efficiency and data accuracy.
Other highlights include simple inventory allocation and management, handling of multiple-stage production runs, and flexible formula management. All demonstrate the software’s effectiveness in addressing the unique needs of chemical manufacturing.
6 Aptean Process Manufacturing ERP - For Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
Why we chose it: Aptean Process Manufacturing ERP ProcessPro edition seamlessly integrates manufacturing, inventory, and financial processes. Its strength in batch processing is particularly valuable for pharmaceutical manufacturers, addressing critical needs such as forward and backward lot traceability and the management of complex formulas and recipes.
What sets Aptean ProcessPro apart is its foundation on Microsoft technologies, including .NET, SOA, and SQL Server, ensuring adaptability and compatibility with the latest industry standards.
7 Sage X3 - Strong Global Compliance
Why we chose it: Sage X3 ensures complete global compliance across various currencies, regions, and regulations. It offers built-in traceability capabilities to improve quality control and regulatory compliance. Sage X3 is an ERP which provides end-to-end visibility across various business functions, including finance, sales, customer service, purchasing, inventory, and manufacturing. What sets this software apart is its ability to offer visibility for better decision-making. It compiles real-time data on user-defined dashboards to facilitate faster decision-making. This feature is crucial in the chemical manufacturing sector, where quick and informed decisions can impact safety, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.
8 Deskera MRP - Most Flexible Solution
Why we chose it: Deskera MRP’s flexibility and adaptability make it a suitable choice for chemical manufacturing businesses of all sizes, helping them stay competitive in a dynamic industry. It focuses on regulatory compliance and is particularly valuable in the chemical manufacturing sector. The software assists businesses in complying with standards such as FDA and ISO, ensuring that their manufacturing processes meet the required quality and safety standards.
Additionally, Deskera offers tools for demand forecasting, supplier collaboration, financial management, and more, making it a comprehensive solution for chemical manufacturers looking to optimize their operations, manage complex pricing structures, and enhance warehouse efficiency.
What is Chemical Manufacturing Software?
Chemical software will centralize formulation, inventory management, order tracking, batching and quality control for your business and simplify compliance auditing.
The goal of this software is to address the challenges faced by chemical manufacturers - from industrial to consumer goods, to life science and other markets.
- Accurately plan and budget for consistent order fulfillment
- Manage formulation for a product catalog that could be changing or expanding
- Reduce waste by analyzing resource intake and product output
Chemical manufacturing software can handle all those needs. And it can ensure strict adherence to a litany of changing rules from multiple regulatory agencies.
How to Choose the Best Chemical Manufacturing Software
User-Friendly Interface
- Ease of Use: Prioritize chemical manufacturing software that is intuitive and easy to navigate, with cloud-based options for easier access and maintenance.
- Scalability and Updates: Ensure the software can adapt to the evolving needs of the chemical industry, including handling complex chemical processes and accommodating regulatory changes.
Comprehensive Features and Integrations
- Core Functionalities: Look for software with modules essential for chemical manufacturing, like formula management, batch and lot tracking, hazardous materials handling, inventory management, and quality control.
- Integration Options: Choose software that integrates well with ERP systems and supports industry-specific functionalities like waste management, emissions tracking, and safety data sheet management.
Industry-Specific Specializations
- Regulatory Compliance: Select software specifically designed to meet the stringent regulatory requirements of the chemical industry, such as REACH, OSHA, and EPA regulations.
- Customizations: Ensure the software can be tailored for the specific chemical manufacturing processes, including custom reactions, blending, and compounding requirements.
Cost-Effective Solutions
- Flexible Pricing Models: Consider software with pricing plans that cater to chemical manufacturers of different scales, from small labs to large industrial plants.
- Transparent Pricing: Emphasize the importance of clear, upfront pricing, crucial for budgeting in the chemical manufacturing sector.
Accessible Customer Support
- Support Availability: Ensure the software provider offers robust customer support, preferably with expertise in chemical manufacturing.
- Multiple Support Channels: Look for providers that offer a range of support options, including specialized assistance for chemical manufacturing challenges.
- Dedicated Assistance: Seek software providers that offer dedicated account managers familiar with the chemical industry’s complexities.
Evaluation and Trials:
- Software Demos: Request demonstrations tailored to chemical manufacturing scenarios to assess the software’s capabilities in handling complex chemical processes and compliance management.
- Hands-On Trials: Utilize trial periods to test the software’s practical application in your chemical manufacturing environment, focusing on aspects like formula management, regulatory compliance, and safety.
What Are the Key Features of Chemical Manufacturing Software?
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Formula Management | Track ingredients used in the formula, batch scaling calculations, and encode parts of the formula to keep it secret. |
| Compliance Management | Manage compliance from a variety of regulatory agencies. See detailed information on regulatory compliances that chemical software helps manage. |
| Quality Control/Quality Assurance | Assists in testing samples of the product throughout the manufacturing process against the normal values to track variations |
| Document Management | Store and retrieve important documents in a variety of file formats. Document management software will help you stay within regulatory compliance requirements. |
| Chemical Inventory Management | Keep track of your current stock levels and purchased materials. Chemical manufacturing software keeps inventory records in accordance with regulatory compliance standards. |
| Tracking Yield Variances | Chemistry software keeps track of your predicted yield vs. actual yield for every batch you manufacture. This helps you take corrective action if the yield is too low or too high. Depending on the type of chemical you manufacture, regulatory agencies need to be notified if the batch yield is large. |
| Storage Planning | Chemicals you manufacture or ingredients you use often need to meet specific storage requirements. Chemical software will ensure your products and materials are stored at the correct temperature, humidity level, or other pre-defined specifications by notifying you when there is a variance. |
| Shipping Requirements Management | Chemical manufacturing software tracks shipping requirements and creates special shipping labels when needed. |
| Material Requirements Planning (MRP) | Advanced chemical manufacturing software features MRP functionality which includes shop floor control, purchase planning, demand forecasting, and equipment maintenance scheduling. |
Regulations that Chemical Software Helps Manage:
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - The Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) regulated chemicals manufactured, processed, or imported. Chemical software helps ensure your records are compliant and can help with creating pre-manufacture notice (PMN) documents as needed.
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - If you manufacture chemicals for food & beverage or pharmaceutical industries, you might need to comply with FDA regulations like the 2002 Bioterrorism Act. Chemical manufacturing software will help you track ingredients in accordance with FDA regulations.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - Safety Data Sheets (SDS), formerly known as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), need to be in compliance with OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). Chemistry software will ensure your SDS is in the correct format and display the necessary information including hazards identification, first-aid measures, chemical composition, accidental release measures, handling & storage, personal protective equipment (PPE), reactivity, and toxicological info.
- Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) - Chemical software helps keep records and documentation in accordance with HACCP Principle 7. If you manufacture chemical products for agricultural industries, you likely need to be in compliance with Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) HACCP sections 326.6(b) or 381.606(b), as well as section 417.5 for record-keeping compliance.
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) - If you manufacture explosives or products used in explosives, you need to have reporting in place that is compliant with ATF regulations. Your reports also need to include information about theft or loss of the product.
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) - If you make or use ingredients in the manufacturing process that are regulated by the DEA under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), chemical software will ensure you meet reporting and documentation compliance.
- Current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) - Chemical software helps create reports in compliance with cGMP.
What Are the Benefits of Chemical Manufacturing Software?
- Manage regulatory compliance - Chemical software helps you maintain regulatory compliance by storing and organizing product and manufacturing process data and can automate reporting.
- Real-time sensors keep products stored properly - Some chemical products need to be stored within certain parameters. Sensors monitor humidity, temperature, and lighting, so you can be alerted in real-time when it isn’t within the threshold.
- Automated adjustments - Some chemical software systems can automate small adjustments to temperature or dosage, or even stir as needed. This saves you time to focus on other tasks instead of having to continually monitor and make tweaks throughout the manufacturing process.
- Improved supply chain efficiency - A chemical manufacturing ERP solution can handle supply & demand planning, allowing you to save money by purchasing and manufacturing only what you need.
Does Chemical Manufacturing Software Work For Small Businesses?
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Small and medium-sized businesses: Small and medium businesses should find chemical software with formula management, so you can scale batch sizes and keep your products consistent. Compliance management is also useful to ensure you adhere to government and state regulations. Consider a chemical software solution that integrates with QuickBooks or another accounting software system you have in place.
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Large businesses: Chemical manufacturing facilities that are part of a large organization need chemical software that integrates well with the company’s ERP application or other systems that are currently in place. Some manufacturers should look for chemical manufacturing ERP software that features material requirements planning (MRP), chemical inventory management, yield variance tracking, shipping requirements management, storage planning, formula management, and compliance management.
What Are the Risks of Chemical Manufacturing?
- Volatile commodity pricing - The pricing volatility of materials and commodities used in chemical manufacturing makes it difficult to plan costs of future manufactured products. For example, natural gas is used by many chemical manufacturers and prices fluctuate regularly. Chemical software can help you plan product quantities based on supply and demand as prices fluctuate.
- Recalls & quality audits - Chemical manufacturers need to be able to act fast in the event of recall as well as maintain strict quality compliance regulations. Chemical software will help you manage regulatory compliance and provide batch traceability to quickly identify contaminated or recalled batches.
- Raw material availability - Raw materials needed for manufacturing can be harder to come by depending on things like seasonality and cost. Chemical software can include seasonal demand planning functionalities, so you know when to manufacture certain products.
- Reworking or reblending products - If your product batch doesn’t meet specific standards for quality control or doesn’t meet the customer’s requirements, your products might need to be reworked, reblended, or completely scrapped and remade. A chemical manufacturing ERP solution can help with costing and inventory management as you correct the error.
What Is the Future of the Chemical Industry?
- Circular economy & sustainability - More chemical manufacturers are taking into account supply levels of non-renewable resources and environmental impact of the manufacturing process. This focus on sustainability and a circular economy have chemical manufacturers looking into renewable energy, reducing waste, and minimizing emissions.
- 3D Printing - Large chemical manufacturing companies are beginning to use 3D printing for molecular modeling, creating expensive or complex laboratory equipment for a lower cost, and creating replacement parts for plant assets to reduce maintenance costs. One of the largest chemical producers, BASF, invested $25 million in 3D printing software.
