How innovative technology is powering Saudi Arabia’s industries

ABB’s collaboration with Saudia Arabia’s industries reaches back to 1951, helping to diversify and strengthen the country’s economy with technology and solutions that enable its business sector to outrun – leaner and cleaner.

First steps towards technological transformation

The first partnership was with Saudi Aramco (the Saudi Arabian American Oil Company), for the supply of gas turbines. Since then our engagements have expanded to include many major pillars of the Kingdom’s economy.

Among the most prominent is the Sadara chemical plant in the Jubail Industrial City, located in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Sadara was established in 2011 as a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and the Dow Chemical Company to create the world’s largest chemical complex ever completed in a single phase. Our hardware and software solutions enable the efficient operation of more than 50 different types of plants within the complex, at a cost of $20bn. 

Sadara is one of many projects through which we contribute to the modernization of established Saudi businesses. 

Automation of food and beverage production

Through our partnership with Almarai, Saudi Arabia’s leading food and beverage manufacturer, we have supplied nearly 70 ABB robots and other advanced solutions to enhance manufacturing efficiency.

At the same time, our partnership with smart farming operator Pure Harvest enables local-for-local production of vegetables within a challenging Middle East climate, thanks to the integration of ABB Ability Energy manager. 

Helping to energise the Saudi transport sector

Saudi Arabia’s transport industries also benefit from our extensive involvement. We are major contributors to the electrification of the Kingdom’s rail network, including support of the Haramain High Speed Railway between Makkah and Medina.

And in Jeddah, on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, our digital solutions are helping to optimize the operations of the city’s seaport, with a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system. This allows better monitoring, tracking and reporting of all port activities.

Boosting the EV charging infrastructure of Saudi Arabia has been another key focus in recent years. The first ABB Terra 360 fast-charger for public use was installed in Saudi Arabia in 2024, in collaboration with EVIQ, ABB’s e-mobility partner. EVIQ has also opened a research and development centre in Riyadh, dedicated to testing next-generation charging solutions that are tailored to the needs of the Saudi market. 

Local solutions for local needs

Further progress towards localisation has come as our collaborations with Saudi Arabia’s industries have flourished. We produce UniSafe 2.0 medium voltage switchgear in partnership with the country’s Innovative Systems, while in Dammam, we opened a factory for the production of high voltage Gas Insulated Switchgear in 2015.

The recent signing of an MoU between ABB and EADA, a significant Saudi sorting and recycling company, brings circularity solutions into the realm of localised collaboration. The partnership is designed to foster joint solutions on circularity and energy efficiency, helping to meet the KSA’s sustainability objectives.
As Saudi Arabia continues to diversify its economy, our technologies will be helping its industries to outrun, as they have since 1951.

Timeline: ABB in Saudi Arabia

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