ABB and Citroniq Target a World First With 100% Bio-Based Polypropylene Facility

Summary

Aug. 26, 2025 – ABB has entered a supply agreement with Citroniq to provide advanced automation, electrification and digitalization solutions for a 100% 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%, 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.
 
“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.”

In the photo above, the following people appear (from left to right): Kelly Knopp, Citroniq CEO and co-founder; Dr. Chak Byreddy, Citroniq EVP, Sustainability; Mark Zyskowski, vice president Sales US for ABB’s Energy Industries division; Jaye Crisostomo, strategic account manager for ABB’s Energy Industries division; Roopal Badheka, Citroniq EVP, Strategy; Mel Badheka, Citroniq president and co-founder; Tilak Pinnamaneni, US division manager for ABB’s Energy Industries division; John Oyen, director of Business Development Manager for ABB’s Energy Industries division.

About ABB

ABB is a global technology leader in electrification and automation, enabling a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By connecting its engineering and digitalization expertise, ABB helps industries run at high performance, while becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform. At ABB, we call this ‘Engineered to Outrun’. The company has over 140 years of history and around 110,000 employees worldwide. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ABBN) and Nasdaq Stockholm (ABB). 
 

About ABB's Process Automation business

ABB’s Process Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalizes industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs–from supplying energy, water and materials, to producing goods and transporting them to market. With its ~20,000 employees, leading technology and service expertise, ABB Process Automation helps process, hybrid and maritime industries outrun–leaner and cleaner.
 

About Citroniq

Citroniq is leading the transformation of the plastics industry by producing the world’s only carbon negative polypropylene. Citroniq’s platform uses locally-produced ethanol and proven technologies in a unique configuration. Citroniq’s E2O process greatly reduces GHG emissions, permanently sequesters carbon into a useful plastic pellet, and helps companies reach their net-zero goals. It’s Nature Driven Innovation at its best.