Two simulated moving-bed (SMB) cascades are proposed for the separation of a ternary mixture containing the least, medium-, and most retained solutes (A, B, and C). Each cascade has a total of five zones. The first cascade combines two three-zone SMBs sharing zone III: the one SMB with zones I to III separates (A+B+C) into A and (B+C), and the other three-zone SMB with zones III to V separates (B+C) into B and C. The second cascade combines a four-zone SMB consisting of zones I to IV and a three-zone SMB comprising zones IV, V and I: the former separates (A+B+C) into (A+B) and C, and the latter separates (A+B) into A and B. Analysis of the concentration band movement together with a modeling study confirms the feasibilities of the two cascades, suggesting that the first cascade should be adopted if the separation of (A+B) and C is easier than that of A and (B+C), and otherwise, the second cascade should be used.