ABB Ltd

Rule Changes

Seller; acquisition blocked in China

ABB builds more than 90% of the robots it sells in China inside China, at a factory in Shanghai's Pudong district. On November 4, the country's foreign-investment security review told SoftBank it could not buy the business that runs it.

Updated 4 days ago

Built World

Supplying power and propulsion for three WSF ferries

Washington State Ferries gave ABB the go-ahead on 29 October 2026 to build the power and propulsion system for the third of its new hybrid-electric ferries. That takes ABB's role in the program from two vessels to three. The ship is one of three 160-car ferries under construction at Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Panama City, Florida, under a $714.5 million shipbuilding contract.

Updated Nov 1

Money Moves

As of October 2026: Selling its robotics division to SoftBank

SoftBank Group priced a ¥1 trillion retail bond on September 4, the largest ever sold in Japan, at a 4.75% coupon. On September 24 it followed with $10 billion of dollar notes and €1 billion of euro notes, a record junk-bond sale, to fund the final $10 billion tranche of its $30 billion follow-on investment in OpenAI.

Updated Oct 6

New Capabilities

As of September 2026: Launched PFM 20 Ex; completed Födisch acquisition in 2024

ABB is now selling a dust monitor built for explosive atmospheres. The PFM 20 Ex detects particle concentrations as low as 7.5 mg/m³ and meets ATEX Zone 22 rules, so it can run continuously where combustible dust may appear briefly.

Updated Sep 20