ABB has signed a Leveraged Procurement Agreement (LPA) with Dow to serve as the automation partner for Dow's Path2Zero project in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada. This initiative, currently under construction, is set to establish the world’s first net-zero Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions ethylene and derivatives complex. The facility will provide essential components for materials and products vital to modern society.

The project entails a brownfield expansion and retrofit of Dow's existing manufacturing site, located approximately 330 kilometers north of Calgary. Upon completion, the project aims to reduce about 20% of Dow’s global ethylene capacity emissions. Notably, this project is considered one of the most significant private-sector investments in Alberta's history.

To achieve net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions, Dow's site design incorporates the recovery and conversion of cracker off-gas into hydrogen, which will be utilized as a clean fuel in the facility's furnaces. Moreover, carbon dioxide emissions will be captured and permanently stored, helping to curb both existing and future emissions linked to the site's expanded capacity.

ABB's collaboration with Dow will focus on decarbonizing manufacturing processes by enhancing energy efficiency, automating operations, and deploying digital solutions for optimized performance. As part of the LPA, ABB will explore extending its ABB Ability™ System 800xA® Distributed Control System, adding around 25,000 new Select I/O channels and conventional I/Os. ABB will also provide hardware solutions, along with the design and engineering of control cabinets.

“We are proud to apply our automation expertise and collaborate with Dow to advance a lower-carbon future,” said Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB Energy Industries. He emphasized that industrial energy consumption contributes roughly a quarter of energy-related CO2 emissions, underscoring the importance of adopting technology to promote sustainable manufacturing practices.

To align with Dow’s automation goals and "design once, build many" strategy, ABB will also implement its Adaptive Execution™ methodology. This approach will streamline solutions across future sites, improving risk management, cost control, and project delivery timelines.

Construction began in December 2024, with the site expected to expand ethylene production capacity by approximately 1.8 million metric tons through a phased rollout set for completion by 2030. The project is projected to generate up to 5,000 jobs during peak construction and create around 500 full-time positions once operational.

ABB is a global leader in electrification and automation technologies, dedicated to fostering a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. By combining its expertise in engineering and digitalization, ABB empowers industries to achieve superior performance while enhancing efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.