Emerson to automate Origin Materials’ new carbon-negative materials plant

Technology and software company Emerson, St. Louis, has announced a memorandum of understanding with Sacramento, California-based Origin Materials Inc. to provide advanced digital automation technologies and consulting services for Origin’s first world-scale manufacturing facility, Origin 2, which will be located in Geismar, Louisiana.

Origin says it uses its platform technology to turn the carbon found in sustainable wood residues into useful carbon-negative materials for a wide range of end products such as clothing, textiles, plastics, packaging, car parts, tires, carpeting and toys.

“We’re excited to partner with Emerson, a company known to enable operational excellence through advanced digital automation technology,” Origin co-CEO John Bissell says. “Using intelligent sensors, simulation and data analytics modeling software, we will drive productivity rates as we scale our business to meet the tsunami of global demand for sustainable materials.”

The new plant, which Origin says it expects to be operational in 2025, will use Emerson’s Plantweb digital ecosystem, which includes intelligent sensors and control valves, production optimization systems, advanced data analytics software, modeling and simulation technology, distributed control systems and secure networking. Emerson has already supplied automation for Origin’s first commercial facility, currently under construction in Sarnia, Ontario.

“Leveraging a digital engineering strategy from the start will help bring bold, visionary concepts like plant-based plastics to market faster, helping accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy,” says Mark Bulanda, executive president of Emerson’s Automation Solutions business.

Bulanda adds, “With new decarbonization technologies, it’s essential to be able to develop and scale innovative production methods with minimal risk and the greatest efficiency possible. Our collaboration with Origin is an exciting step toward realizing the benefits of net-zero manufacturing for a more sustainable future.”