Industrial giant 3M will stop making ‘forever chemicals’

The company said it took the decision for sustainable growth by optimizing its portfolio, continuing to innovate for our customers and delivering long-term value for shareholders.

3m’s global headquarters in Saint Paul, Minn. (Image Source: 3M)

3m’s global headquarters in Saint Paul, Minn. (Image Source: 3M)

3M, the Saint Paul, Minn.-based industrial conglomerate, has announced it will exit perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) manufacturing and work to discontinue the use of PFAS across its product portfolio by the end of 2025.  

As a result of the announcement, 3M plans to: 

Exit all PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025: 3M will discontinue manufacturing all fluoropolymers, fluorinated fluids, and PFAS-based additive products. It says it will help facilitate an orderly transition for customers. The company says it will fulfill current contractual obligations during the transition period. 

Discontinue use of PFAS by the end of 2025: The company has trimmed its use of PFAS over the past three years through ongoing research and development and will continue to innovate new solutions for customers. 

The company says the decision was based on an evolving external landscape with several factors in play, including regulatory regimes, market demands and pressure to perform for investors. 

The European Union has indicated plans to potentially restrict all PFAS by 2025. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has indicated plans to place limits on PFAS in drinking water at current detection limits. Regulatory agencies elsewhere, including in Canada, Australia, and Asia, are increasingly active on this topic. 

In terms of the marketplace, 3M says its customers and consumers are increasingly interested in alternatives to PFAS. 

Finally, the challenges of managing businesses and operations with products based on PFAS have increasingly weighed on the company’s business results in recent years. 

PFAS continue to be essential for modern life and can be safely made and used. However, 3M has always been applying science to improve lives and make the greatest impact for our stakeholders.  

“That will also be the case here, as we focus on other future applications in our material science innovation,” the company stated in a press release. “Our science defines the future of electronics, safety, automotive and mobility, digitization, home improvement, health care, and sustainability. This action is another example of how we are positioning 3M for continued sustainable growth.”