ABB and Citroniq target first bio-based polypropylene plant

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 CO₂ a year and permanently storing it as solid pellets.

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.

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