ABB partners with Citroniq to build world’s first 100% bio-based polypropylene facility in Nebraska, targeting major emissions reduction by 2029.
ABB has signed a supply agreement with Citroniq to deliver advanced automation, electrification, and digitalization technologies for a groundbreaking biogenic polypropylene production facility in Nebraska, United States. This facility, set to become the world’s first commercial-scale plant producing 100 percent bio-based polypropylene, represents a significant milestone in sustainable plastics manufacturing. Polypropylene, a versatile polymer widely used in everyday life, plays a vital role in packaging for food and beverages, automotive components, consumer goods, and medical equipment. By shifting toward biogenic production, the partnership aims to reshape the plastics industry with a greener and more sustainable alternative.
The Nebraska facility is planned to commence operations in 2029. It will use corn-based ethanol—a well-established and abundant resource in the US—as a feedstock to manufacture certified biogenic polypropylene. Citroniq’s broader vision involves establishing a multi-plant production platform that contributes to reducing carbon emissions in the plastics industry, a sector traditionally considered difficult to decarbonize. At full operational capacity, this platform of three facilities has the potential to lower domestic polypropylene-related emissions in the United States by as much as 20 percent.
The initial facility will integrate carbon capture and storage technology to minimize its environmental footprint. It is expected to capture around three million tonnes of CO2 annually and convert it into solid pellets for permanent storage. This approach not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also highlights the innovative steps Citroniq is taking to build a sustainable circular economy within the plastics sector.
Mel Badheka, President and Co-Founder of Citroniq, emphasized the importance of ABB’s role in this initiative, noting that their expertise in automation and process control was essential from the very beginning of the project. “Our collaboration with ABB is a critical step in developing a world-class manufacturing facility capable of transforming the plastics industry,” Badheka said. “ABB’s leadership in automation and their technological know-how provide the foundation required for such an ambitious undertaking.”
Once a final investment decision is reached, ABB will deploy its ABB Ability™ System 800xA® distributed control system, along with advanced process control tools, digital simulation technologies, electrical infrastructure, instrumentation, and engineering services. These solutions will be crucial in optimizing plant design, ensuring safe and reliable operations, and maintaining efficiency throughout the facility’s lifecycle.
Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries division, expressed ABB’s commitment to the project. “We are proud to collaborate on this complex and pioneering project. By bringing together our expertise and cutting-edge solutions, we aim to support the development of a low-carbon manufacturing ecosystem in the US,” he said. “Our integrated automation and electrification solutions will help Citroniq operate with safety, reliability, and efficiency while contributing to the decarbonization of a traditionally hard-to-abate sector.”
The partnership between ABB and Citroniq underscores a shared commitment to driving innovation in sustainable materials, tackling climate change, and paving the way for greener industrial production on a global scale.
