In manufacturing, a continuous process involves a never-ending stream of raw materials being fed into the production cycle, with a continuous flow of goods being completed. Compared to a batch process, continuous processes are more efficient, experience less downtime and can produce a higher output — but continuous processes are not as flexible as batch processes and can require greater initial investment. A continuous process can also refer to a business operation that is always running, experiencing downtime or business disruption only during repairs and routine maintenance. This can increase productivity and boost overall output but requires a business to have redundant backup equipment that can be used if other equipment experiences downtime.