3M has announced it will exit per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) manufacturing and work to discontinue the use of PFAS across its product portfolio by the end of 2025. This helps position our company for sustainable growth by optimizing our portfolio, continuing to innovate for our customers, and delivering long-term value for our shareholders.
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. We will help facilitate an orderly transition for customers. 3M intends to fulfill current contractual obligations during the transition period.
- Work to discontinue use of PFAS across our product portfolio by the end of 2025: We have already reduced our use of PFAS over the past three years through ongoing research and development and will continue to innovate new solutions for customers.
Our decision is based on an evolving external landscape:
- Regulatory: 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.
- Marketplace: Customers and consumers are increasingly interested in alternatives to PFAS.
- Investors: The challenges of managing businesses and operations with products based on PFAS, have increasingly weighed on our business results in recent years.
PFAS continue to be essential for modern life and can be safely made and used. However, a strength of 3M has always been our focus on applying our science to improve lives and make the greatest impact for our stakeholders. Innovation and evolution have consistently been a part of 3M’s story: Always working to build what’s next for our customers and communities.
That will also be the case here, as we focus on other future applications in our material science innovation. 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.
