In one embodiment, a model predictive control system for an industrial process includes a processor to execute an optimization module to determine manipulated variables for the process over a control horizon based on simulations performed using an objective function with an optimized process model and to control the process using the manipulated variables, to execute model modules including mathematical representations of a response or parameters of the process. The implementation details of the model modules are hidden from and inaccessible to the optimization module. The processor executes unified access modules (UAM). A first UAM interfaces between a first subset of the model modules and the optimization module and adapts output of the first subset for the optimization module, and a second UAM interfaces between a second subset of the model modules and the first subset and adapts output of the second subset for the first subset.