ABB And Citroniq Target A World First With 100% Bio-Based Polypropylene Facility

• Citroniq aims to build world’s first 100% biogenic full commerical-scale polypropylene plant, using corn-based ethanol feedstock to advance low-carbon plastics manufacturing
• Under the supply agreement, ABB will provide integrated automation, electrification and digital technologies to enable an efficient operations facility in Nebraska, in the US
• The project aims to strengthen domestic supply chains, create skilled jobs, support US manufacturing and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the plastics industry

ABB has entered a supply agreement with Citroniq to provide advanced automation, electrification and digitalization solutions for a 100 percent biogenic polypropylene facility in Nebraska, US – aiming to be the world’s first full commercial-scale facility of its kind. Polypropylene is used for many everyday items society relies on, including food and beverage packaging, automotive parts, consumer goods and medical devices.

The facility is scheduled to start operating in 2029 and will produce fully certified biogenic polypropylene from the established corn-based ethanol industry in the US. Citroniq’s strategy is to create a more sustainable plastics manufacturing platform in the US and reduce emissions in the hard-to-abate plastics sector.

At full capacity, the three-plant platform is expected to have the potential to decarbonize the US domestic polypropylene production by 20 percent, according to Citroniq. The first facility will convert corn-based ethanol into polypropylene, capturing three million tonnes of CO_₂ a year and permanently storing it as solid pellets¹.

“Our collaboration with ABB is a critical step to building an advanced world-class manufacturing facility that transforms the plastics industry,” said Mel Badheka, President and Co-Founder of Citroniq. “We worked with ABB from early on in the process due to their leadership in automation and their expertise, which is required for such a project.”

Upon final investment decision, ABB will deliver its ABB Ability System 800xA distributed control system, advanced process control, digital simulation, electrical equipment, instrumentation and engineering services to optimize design, delivery and operations at the plant.

“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,” said Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries division. “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.”

¹ https://citroniq.com/projects/nebraska/