12-03-2025

Dow selects ABB as automation partner to support Path2Zero ethylene complex in Canada

ABB has signed a Leveraged Procurement Agreement (LPA) to support as the automation partner for Dow’s Path2Zero project at Fort Saskatchewan in Alberta, Canada. According to Dow, the project, which is currently under construction, will create the world’s first net-zero Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions ethylene and derivatives complex1, producing the essential building blocks needed for many of the materials and products that society relies on.

The project will involve a brownfield expansion and retrofit of Dow’s existing manufacturing site 330 km north of Calgary, which when complete aims to decarbonize approximately 20 percent2 of Dow’s global ethylene capacity. It represents one of the largest private sector investments in Alberta's history, according to the province’s government.

To achieve net-zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions, Dow has designed the site to recover and convert its cracker off-gas to hydrogen, which will be used as a clean fuel in the site’s furnaces3. In addition, carbon dioxide emissions will be captured and stored permanently, reducing existing emissions and abating most emissions from the addition of the site’s new capacity.

The collaboration will explore how ABB’s solutions will support the decarbonization of Dow’s manufacturing facilities by driving energy efficiency, automating processes, and using digital tools to optimize operations. As part of the LPA, ABB will explore expanding the existing ABB Ability™ System 800xA® Distributed Control System by adding approximately 25,000 new select input and output (I/O) connectors and conventional I/Os. ABB will also supply all the hardware, design and engineering of cabinets.

“We are proud to apply our automation expertise and collaborate with Dow to make strides towards a lower carbon future,” said Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB Energy Industries. “Industrial energy consumption accounts for about a quarter of energy-related CO2 emissions4. As the global economy and population grow, so will demand for materials and goods, increasing the importance of using technology to enable more sustainable manufacturing.”

To meet Dow’s automation requirements and ‘design once, build many’ philosophy, ABB will also look to deploy its Adaptive Execution™ methodology to write a standard solution across future sites that helps reduce risks, manage costs and deliver high-quality solutions on time.

With work having started in December 2024, the site is expected to increase approximately 1.8 million metric tons of ethylene capacity in a phased approach through to 2030. It will also create up to 5,000 jobs during peak construction and approximately 500 full-time jobs once operational.