The global push for sustainable industrial practices has reached a pivotal milestone with the announcement of a landmark partnership between ABB, a leader in automation and electrification, and Citroniq, an innovator in low-carbon plastics. Together, the two companies are set to build the world’s first fully commercial-scale facility dedicated to producing 100% biogenic polypropylene—an achievement that promises to redefine the plastics industry’s environmental impact and set a new standard for green manufacturing. Located in Nebraska, USA, the plant will use corn-based ethanol as its primary feedstock, addressing the sector’s reliance on fossil fuels and offering a path toward carbon-negative production.
Polypropylene is one of the most widely used plastics globally, integral to products that touch nearly every aspect of daily life: food packaging that preserves freshness, automotive parts that reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel efficiency, consumer goods ranging from toys to electronics, and medical devices like syringes and surgical tools. Until now, nearly all polypropylene has been produced from petroleum, a process that releases significant amounts of greenhouse gases and contributes to climate change. The Citroniq facility, supported by ABB’s advanced technologies, will change this paradigm by creating a sustainable alternative that meets commercial demand while drastically cutting emissions.
Scheduled to commence operations in 2029, the plant is the result of Citroniq’s strategic vision to transform the plastics industry—a sector often labeled “hard-to-abate” due to the technical and economic challenges of decarbonization. The company’s approach centers on its proprietary E2O process, which leverages locally sourced ethanol and established industrial technologies in a unique setup to minimize GHG emissions and permanently sequester carbon. By partnering with ABB, Citroniq is ensuring that the facility’s operations are optimized for efficiency, safety, and sustainability—critical factors for scaling biogenic polypropylene production.
Under the terms of the supply agreement, ABB will provide a comprehensive suite of solutions tailored to the facility’s needs. At the core of this offering is the ABB Ability™ System 800xA®, a state-of-the-art distributed control system that integrates all aspects of plant operations—from process control and safety systems to electrical management—into a unified platform. This integration will allow plant operators to monitor and adjust processes in real time, reducing downtime, minimizing waste, and ensuring consistent product quality. For a facility producing a novel biogenic material, this level of control is essential to meeting commercial standards and scaling production efficiently.
In addition to the control system, ABB will deploy advanced process control technologies that use data-driven insights to optimize energy use and reduce operational costs. These tools will analyze real-time and historical data to identify inefficiencies, predict maintenance needs, and adjust processes to maximize output while minimizing environmental impact. Digital simulation will also play a key role in the project’s success, enabling the Citroniq and ABB teams to test and refine processes in a virtual environment before the plant is commissioned. This virtual testing will reduce the risk of costly delays during startup and ensure that the facility is operating at peak efficiency from day one.
ABB’s contribution extends beyond automation to include critical electrical equipment and instrumentation. The facility’s electrical systems—including transformers, switchgear, and motor control centers—will be designed to be energy-efficient and reliable, ensuring a stable power supply that supports continuous production. High-precision instrumentation will monitor key process variables such as temperature, pressure, and flow rate, providing the data needed to maintain optimal conditions for converting corn-based ethanol into polypropylene. Rounding out ABB’s support are comprehensive engineering services, where the company’s experts will work closely with Citroniq to design, implement, and commission the technologies, ensuring seamless integration and alignment with the project’s sustainability goals.
The environmental benefits of the project are substantial. According to Citroniq, the Nebraska facility will capture three million tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, permanently storing this CO₂ in the form of solid polypropylene pellets. This means that every tonne of polypropylene produced will not only avoid emitting fossil-based carbon but will also sequester existing carbon—making the material carbon-negative. This is a game-changer for companies looking to reduce their carbon footprints, as it allows them to source a widely used material that actively contributes to net-zero goals rather than detracting from them.
Looking beyond the first facility, Citroniq has plans for a three-plant platform that, when operating at full capacity, could decarbonize 20% of U.S. domestic polypropylene production. This scale of impact is crucial for the U.S. to meet its climate targets, as the plastics industry is a major contributor to national GHG emissions. The project also aligns with broader U.S. policy goals, including strengthening domestic supply chains, creating high-skill jobs in manufacturing and technology, and supporting rural economies through the use of locally produced corn-based ethanol.
Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries division, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting: “This project is a testament to how technology can drive meaningful change in even the most challenging industries. By combining ABB’s expertise in automation, electrification, and digitalization with Citroniq’s innovative approach to biogenic plastics, we are helping to build a low-carbon manufacturing infrastructure that benefits the environment, the U.S. economy, and future generations.” Holsten’s comments reflect ABB’s long-standing commitment to sustainability, which is embedded in its “Engineered to Outrun” philosophy—focused on helping customers exceed their operational and environmental goals through innovative technology.
ABB’s track record in supporting sustainable industrial projects is extensive. With over 140 years of experience in technology and engineering, the company operates in more than 100 countries and employs approximately 110,000 people worldwide. Its Process Automation business, which is leading the delivery of solutions for the Citroniq project, specializes in helping industrial clients—including those in the process, hybrid, and maritime sectors—become more efficient, productive, and sustainable. With 20,000 employees and a global network of service centers, ABB Process Automation has the resources and expertise to support complex, large-scale projects like the Nebraska polypropylene facility.
Citroniq’s role in the partnership is equally critical. The company has positioned itself as a leader in the transformation of the plastics industry, with a focus on developing carbon-negative solutions that meet commercial demand. Its E2O process is the result of years of research and development, combining proven technologies in a new configuration to achieve unprecedented sustainability results. By using locally produced ethanol, Citroniq is also supporting rural communities in the U.S., where corn farming and ethanol production are major economic drivers. This local focus reduces the facility’s carbon footprint by minimizing transportation emissions and strengthens the U.S. supply chain by reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels.
The timing of the project is particularly significant, as global demand for sustainable materials continues to grow. Consumers, investors, and regulators are increasingly demanding that companies adopt environmentally responsible practices, and plastics—once seen as a convenient but problematic material—are now at the center of this shift. The ABB-Citroniq facility will provide a viable alternative to fossil-based polypropylene, allowing companies across industries to reduce their environmental impact without compromising on performance or cost.
As the project moves toward its 2029 startup date, it will serve as a model for other industrial sectors looking to decarbonize. It demonstrates that with the right combination of innovative technology, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability, even “hard-to-abate” industries can transition to low-carbon operations. For ABB and Citroniq, the collaboration is more than just a business venture—it’s a step toward a more sustainable future, where industrial production supports rather than undermines climate action.
In conclusion, the world’s first 100% biogenic polypropylene facility in Nebraska represents a turning point for the plastics industry and the broader global effort to combat climate change. Supported by ABB’s advanced automation, electrification, and digitalization solutions, and driven by Citroniq’s vision for carbon-negative production, the facility will not only reduce emissions but also create economic opportunities, strengthen domestic supply chains, and inspire a new era of sustainable manufacturing. As the project progresses, it will undoubtedly become a global benchmark for how industries can innovate to meet the challenges of the 21st century—proving that sustainability and commercial success can go hand in hand.
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