The Chylla-Haase polymerization reactor is used as a benchmark problem to illustrate the potential of feedforward control design by extending the conventional cascade control in the framework of the two-degree-of-freedom control concept. To ensure an accurate temperature control, the feedforward control is adapted to different batch conditions and various products by an extended Kalman filter. The reaction heat and the heat transfer coefficient are estimated online based on simple physically motivated relations applicable to a wider range of batch reactors. Simulation results under model uncertainties show the effectiveness and accuracy of the adaptive feedforward control concept while maintaining the conventional feedback cascade control. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.