PurposeThis work seeks to present results of research which allowed the development of a technological system for the sodium chromate production process on the basis of a semi‐empirical equation.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed technological method is based on determining the defined process parameters (independent variables) which allow the complicated process to be controlled using only a few parameters that determine the chromate charge compositionFindingsBy using the equation it is possible to determine the composition of this charge, knowing only the results of analyses of the main component of the chromic ore (i.e. Cr2O3) and the values of coefficients X, a and b. In this way, the process parameters X, a and b can be adopted as independent control variables of the sodium chromate process.Practical implicationsThe proposed method for the sodium chromate production process includes the substitution of natural chromic raw material with waste from different recycling types of chromic waste.Originality/valueUsing the control of sodium chromate production with chromic mud in‐process recycling, the system of process control presented has proved itself in industrial practice for over a year.