ABB has secured an order to supply advanced electromagnetic flow measurement technology to Zhejiang Petroleum & Chemical (ZPC) for a major upgrade at one of China’s largest refining and petrochemical complexes, reinforcing its position in high-performance industrial instrumentation.
The company will deliver its ProcessMaster FEP600 electromagnetic flowmeters equipped with Ethernet-APL connectivity to ZPC’s facility located within the Zhoushan Green Petrochemical Base on Yushan Island.
The integrated complex has a total refining capacity of 40 million tonnes per year, making it one of the most significant petrochemical hubs in the region.
The new instrumentation will be installed in a chemical production unit with an annual output of 450,000 tonnes of adipic acid, a key feedstock used in the manufacture of nylon 66, specialty engineering plastics, and polyurethane.
The deployment is expected to enhance process visibility and operational efficiency across the plant.
ABB’s ProcessMaster FEP600 flowmeters are designed to operate in demanding environments and will monitor the flow of high-temperature, corrosive acidic fluids.
The devices support a broad range of pipe sizes, from DN 15 mm to DN 300 mm, enabling flexible integration across multiple process lines.
To ensure durability and precision, the flowmeters incorporate PFA lining technology, which protects against chemical corrosion while maintaining measurement accuracy over time.
A central feature of the deployment is Ethernet-APL, or Advanced Physical Layer, which enables high-speed, real-time transmission of field data using a single two-wire cable.
This approach simplifies installation while delivering both power and communication capabilities.
It also supports intrinsic safety standards rated at Ex ia, allowing the system to operate reliably in hazardous environments typical of petrochemical facilities.
Data can be transmitted over distances of up to 1,000 metres without compromising performance.
The integration of Ethernet-APL is expected to significantly improve plant operations by enabling continuous monitoring and rapid data exchange between field devices and control systems.
This supports more responsive decision-making, predictive maintenance strategies, and improved process optimisation.
“We aim to fully leverage the enhanced data sensing and transmission capabilities inherent in ABB instrumentation,” said a representative of Zhejiang Petroleum & Chemical.
“This will improve our understanding of operating conditions and enable smart and more efficient operations.”
ABB emphasised that the collaboration reflects a broader shift in industrial communication standards, with Ethernet-APL gaining traction as a preferred solution for intrinsically safe environments that require high data throughput.
“Ethernet-APL is increasingly the most common communication technology in industrial applications with intrinsic safety,” said Jacques Mulbert, President of ABB’s Measurement & Analytics division.
“Through this collaboration, we will support Zhejiang in enabling smart operations, advanced diagnostics, and proactive maintenance.”
The order builds on ABB’s existing relationship with Zhejiang Petroleum & Chemical and its parent organisation, Rongsheng Group, a Fortune Global 500 company.
ABB has previously supplied Ethernet-APL-enabled VortexMaster and SwirlMaster flowmeters to both Zhejiang and Rongsheng Petrochemical, supporting earlier phases of digitalisation and process optimisation across their operations.
The FEP600 series of electromagnetic flowmeters is widely deployed across the global petrochemical and chemical sectors, known for its reliability in handling aggressive media and complex process conditions.
With the addition of Ethernet-APL connectivity, ABB continues to position the product line at the forefront of industrial digital transformation.
This latest contract highlights ongoing investment in smart manufacturing technologies within China’s petrochemical industry, as operators seek to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability through advanced instrumentation and data-driven operations.