Re Contract

ABB Ltd
19 December 2002



ABB signs US$ 200 million order for ethylene project in China

Innovative technology will cut energy use and lower emissions



Zurich, Switzerland, December 19, 2002 - ABB said today it has signed an order
for approximately US$ 200 million with Shanghai SECCO Petrochemical Company for
part of a new US$ 2.7 billion petrochemical complex in China.



'This project highlights our commitment to China, where we have more than 30
years experience in meeting our customers' needs for leading-edge technologies
which help increase efficiency and protect the environment,' said Erik Fougner,
head of ABB's Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals division.



The petrochemical complex near Shanghai is scheduled to start operations in the
first half of 2005. ABB will provide process technologies and engineering and
procurement services for a 900,000 metric tons per annum (MTA) naphtha cracker
and an olefins conversion unit to produce 590,000 MTA of propylene.


ABB's contribution in the SECCO project includes an innovative way of making
propylene, which cuts energy consumption and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
It is the first time this technology is used in China.



The engineering and procurement services will involve partnerships of ABB Lummus
Global with Sinopec Engineering Inc. (SEI).



Shanghai SECCO Petrochemical Company Ltd. is a joint venture owned by BP
Chemical, Sinopec and Shanghai Petrochemical Corporation.



ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and
industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact.
The ABB Group of companies operates in more than 100 countries and employs about
146,000 people.






                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange