In a groundbreaking move set to reshape the future of sustainable plastics manufacturing, global technology leader ABB has entered a strategic supply agreement with Citroniq to support the development of the world’s first full commercial-scale 100% biogenic polypropylene plant. Located in Nebraska, USA, this facility is poised to revolutionize an industry long criticized for its high carbon footprint, leveraging corn-based ethanol as a feedstock to produce a material essential to countless everyday products—from food and beverage packaging and automotive components to consumer goods and life-saving medical devices.
Scheduled to begin operations in 2029, the plant represents a critical step forward in addressing the “hard-to-abate” plastics sector, which has historically struggled to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to its reliance on fossil fuels. Citroniq’s vision for the project extends beyond just low-carbon production; it aims to create a more sustainable manufacturing platform rooted in domestic resources, strengthening U.S. supply chains, generating skilled local jobs, and advancing the nation’s leadership in green manufacturing. For ABB, the collaboration aligns with its core mission of enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future through innovative automation, electrification, and digitalization solutions.
At the heart of the facility’s success will be ABB’s cutting-edge technologies, which are designed to optimize every stage of the plant’s operations—from design and construction to daily production. Upon the final investment decision, ABB will deliver its industry-leading ABB Ability™ System 800xA® distributed control system, a cornerstone of modern industrial automation that integrates process control, safety, and electrical systems into a single, user-friendly platform. This system will enable real-time monitoring and precise control of the complex processes involved in converting corn-based ethanol into biogenic polypropylene, ensuring consistency, efficiency, and safety.
Complementing the control system, ABB will also provide advanced process control tools, which use data analytics and machine learning to minimize energy waste, reduce operational costs, and enhance product quality. Digital simulation technologies will play a crucial role in pre-commissioning, allowing the project team to test and refine processes in a virtual environment before the plant goes live—reducing the risk of delays and ensuring a smooth startup. Additionally, ABB will supply key electrical equipment, instrumentation, and comprehensive engineering services, bringing its decades of expertise in industrial electrification to ensure the facility’s power systems are reliable, energy-efficient, and aligned with low-carbon goals.
The environmental impact of the project is nothing short of transformative. According to Citroniq, the first facility alone will capture three million tonnes of CO₂ annually, permanently storing this carbon in the form of solid polypropylene pellets—a process that not only prevents emissions from entering the atmosphere but also turns carbon into a valuable, reusable resource. Looking ahead, Citroniq’s broader three-plant platform (with the Nebraska facility as the flagship) has the potential to decarbonize 20% of U.S. domestic polypropylene production once operating at full capacity. This is a significant milestone for the U.S. plastics industry, which contributes a substantial share of the nation’s manufacturing-related GHG emissions.
Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries division, emphasized the significance of the collaboration, stating: “We are proud to collaborate on this complex project, bringing our technology and expertise to enable the development of a low-carbon manufacturing infrastructure in the US. Through our integrated automation and electrification solutions, we aim to help Citroniq achieve safe, efficient and reliable operations to support the decarbonization of a hard-to-abate sector.” Holsten’s remarks highlight ABB’s role not just as a technology supplier, but as a strategic partner in driving industrial sustainability—leveraging its 140-year history of innovation to tackle some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
ABB’s credentials in this space are unmatched. As a global leader in electrification and automation, the company employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide and serves industries ranging from energy and water to manufacturing and transportation. Its Process Automation business, which will lead the delivery of solutions for the Citroniq project, has over 20,000 employees and a track record of helping industrial clients become leaner, cleaner, and more productive. The “Engineered to Outrun” philosophy that guides ABB’s work—focused on helping customers outperform their goals through technology—will be central to ensuring the Nebraska facility meets its sustainability and operational targets.
For Citroniq, the project is the culmination of a long-term strategy to reimagine plastics production. The company’s unique E2O process, which forms the basis of the facility’s operations, uses locally sourced ethanol and proven technologies in a novel configuration to achieve carbon-negative polypropylene—a distinction that sets it apart in the industry. By sequestering carbon into a useful product, Citroniq’s approach not only reduces emissions but also provides businesses with a tangible way to advance their net-zero goals, addressing the growing demand from consumers, investors, and regulators for sustainable products.
The Nebraska plant’s focus on domestic feedstocks is another key advantage. The U.S. is a leading producer of corn-based ethanol, with a well-established supply chain that supports rural economies. By tapping into this local resource, Citroniq reduces the facility’s reliance on imported fossil fuels, strengthens U.S. energy security, and creates a circular economy model where agricultural byproducts are transformed into high-value industrial materials. This localization also minimizes transportation-related emissions, further enhancing the project’s environmental credentials.
As the world grapples with the urgent need to mitigate climate change, projects like the ABB-Citroniq polypropylene facility serve as a blueprint for how industries can transition to low-carbon operations without sacrificing productivity or innovation. The plastics industry, in particular, has faced increasing scrutiny for its role in pollution and emissions, making breakthroughs like this critical to its long-term viability. By demonstrating that commercial-scale biogenic polypropylene production is not just possible but economically viable, ABB and Citroniq are paving the way for broader adoption of sustainable plastics manufacturing worldwide.
Looking ahead to 2029, the startup of the Nebraska facility will mark a new era in industrial sustainability. With ABB’s technology ensuring efficient, reliable operations and Citroniq’s vision driving carbon-negative production, the plant has the potential to become a global reference point for green manufacturing. It also underscores the importance of public-private collaboration in advancing climate action—while the project is led by private companies, its alignment with U.S. goals for domestic manufacturing, job creation, and emissions reduction highlights how private innovation can support national sustainability agendas.
In the end, the ABB-Citroniq partnership is more than just a business agreement; it’s a commitment to building a more sustainable future. By combining ABB’s technical expertise with Citroniq’s innovative approach to plastics production, the two companies are proving that even the most challenging industries can evolve to meet the demands of a changing planet. As the project moves forward, it will undoubtedly inspire other companies to embrace sustainable technologies, accelerating the global transition to a low-carbon economy and bringing the world one step closer to achieving the Paris Agreement’s climate goals.
——
ABB DSAI146
ABB TC630
ABB IMSED01
Xingruijia focuses on providing ABB industrial automation full range product services and your intelligent control solution partner
If you would like to learn more about our products and services, please feel free to contact us at any time!
Sales Manager : Jinny
Email : sales1@xrjdcs.com
Whatsapp/Mobile:+86 15359273791
