ABB has entered a landmark supply agreement with Citroniq to provide advanced automation, electrification, and digital technologies for what is set to become the world’s first full commercial-scale biogenic polypropylene facility. The project, located in Nebraska, will use corn-based ethanol feedstock to produce fully certified 100% bio-based polypropylene, with operations scheduled to begin in 2029.
Polypropylene, a critical material used in packaging, automotive components, consumer goods, and medical devices, has long been associated with emissions-intensive production. Citroniq’s initiative seeks to change that by developing a new platform for sustainable plastics manufacturing in the United States. At full capacity, the three-plant platform is expected to reduce US domestic polypropylene emissions by as much as 20%, while capturing 3 million metric tons of CO₂ annually and converting it into solid pellets for permanent storage.
“Collaborating with ABB is a critical step toward building an advanced, world-class manufacturing facility that can transform the plastics industry,” said Mel Badheka, President and Co-Founder of Citroniq. “Their leadership in automation and proven expertise in complex industrial projects is vital to the successful execution of this ambitious venture.”
Under the agreement, ABB will deliver its ABB Ability™ System 800xA® distributed control system, advanced process control, digital simulation, electrical infrastructure, instrumentation, and engineering services. The goal is to optimize both the design and long-term operations of the plant, ensuring efficient, safe, and reliable production at scale.
Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries division, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “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 solutions, we aim to help Citroniq decarbonize one of the hardest-to-abate sectors.”
Beyond its technical scope, the Nebraska facility is positioned to strengthen domestic supply chains, create skilled jobs, and support US manufacturing competitiveness, while also advancing long-term decarbonization goals in the plastics industry.
