3M agrees to pay more than $7 billion to settle ‘forever chemical’ groundwater contamination claims
The agreement covers about 99% of current personal injury claims and includes a $50 million payment in 2026, 3M said.
- On Tuesday, industrial conglomerate 3M announced a $7.35 billion settlement to resolve personal injury claims related to PFAS "forever chemicals," addressing approximately 99% of current claims in the Aqueous Film-Forming Foam Multi-District Litigation .
- This settlement follows 3M's 2022 commitment to discontinue global PFAS manufacturing by the end of 2025, a goal successfully achieved, and prior 2023 resolutions with U.S. public water suppliers and the State of New Jersey.
- The company will record a pre-tax charge of $5.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2026, with payments structured over nine years including a $50 million payment in 2026 and none in 2027.
- Chairman and CEO William Brown stated, "This settlement is a significant milestone for 3M and substantially reduces litigation uncertainty," while the company maintains the charge does not change its 2026 forecast.
- Remaining and future claims will be managed through separate mechanisms including a $680 million reserve fund, with approximately 20% of payments due in the final two years to align with other legacy obligations.
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3M agrees to pay more than $7 billion to settle 'forever chemical
Chemical manufacturer 3M will pay up to $7.35 billion to settle lawsuits by people who say they were sickened by groundwater contamination from compounds used in firefighting foam and other consumer products. The St. Paul, Minnesota-based company
The Toronto Star
3M agrees to pay more than $7 billion to settle ‘forever chemical’ groundwater contamination claims
Chemical manufacturer 3M will pay up to $7.35 billion to settle lawsuits by people who say they were sickened by groundwater contamination from compounds used in firefighting foam and other consumer products.
Associated Press News
3M agrees to pay more than $7 billion to settle 'forever chemical' groundwater contamination claims
3M has agreed to pay up to $7.35 billion to settle lawsuits over groundwater contamination from potentially harmful chemicals in firefighting foam and other products.
24/7 Wall St.
BizToc3M’s “Forever Chemicals” Bill Just Grew by Billions
3M just turned its biggest open PFAS lawsuit into a payment schedule, but whether that deal actually holds depends on a participation threshold the company has not yet disclosed publicly.
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