ABB (Zurich, Switzerland; www.abb.com) has won a project to install its extended automation system at a greenfield pilot plant for SABIC (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; www.sabic.com) in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, supporting SABIC’s broader vision to digitalize its operations.
Leveraging ABB Ability System 800xA, SABIC will apply ABB’s integrated automation, control and safety solutions to the company’s Utilities Park and Pilot project. The park is part of the SABIC Technology Centre (STC), which marks the company’s biggest global investment in innovation, and the largest of its 21 technology centers worldwide.
ABB’s 800xA platform will provide big data, delivered in real-time, alongside predictive analytics that support SABIC making accurate and timely decisions to enhance the productivity and performance of the pilot plant.
“As part of its 2025 strategy, SABIC has committed to innovation, sustainability and implementing digitalization technologies that improve its productivity and commercial capabilities,” said Kevin Kosisko, Managing Director, Energy Industries, ABB. “Our ABB Ability 800xA extended automation system will support SABIC’s long-term success by improving engineering efficiencies and enabling optimal asset use and operating performance.”
Collaboration between ABB and Wison Engineering, the largest non-state-owned engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) service provider in China, was integral to the selection of ABB’s system. Wison Engineering secured a US$150 million EPC order from SABIC for the project last year.
“We enjoy working with ABB and look forward to leveraging our combined expertise to deliver more value for SABIC,” said a spokesperson from Wison Engineering’s project execution team. “By providing intelligent data insights, ABB’s distributed control system will help us ensure safe and efficient delivery of this project, with minimized cost, schedule and risk.”
Work on the pilot is due to commence in early 2020.