3M Reaches Broad Resolution of AFFF Personal Injury Litigation
3M will pay $5.8 billion in present value to resolve PFAS-related personal injury claims tied to AFFF litigation, reducing legal uncertainty while avoiding liability admission.
3M has agreed to a $5.8 billion present value settlement to resolve PFAS-related personal injury claims linked to the Aqueous Film-Forming Foam Multi-District Litigation in South Carolina. The resolution covers claims both inside and outside the MDL through structured payments, a $680 million reserve fund, and court-ordered evidentiary requirements for future claims. The agreement aims to substantially reduce litigation risk and uncertainty for the company while managing legacy PFAS matters.
Under the terms, 3M will make a pre-tax $7.35 billion nominal commitment over nine years, with payments aligned to the company’s other obligations to ensure predictable cash flow. The settlement does not constitute an admission of liability, and 3M reserves the right to defend itself if agreed terms are not met. The company will record a $5.8 billion pre-tax charge in Q4 2026, reflected as a special item in adjusted results.
The settlement follows 3M’s 2023 resolution with U.S. public water suppliers and its 2024 agreement with New Jersey, marking another step in addressing legacy PFAS issues. 3M phased out PFAS production in 2000 and committed to global discontinuation by 2025, which it achieved. The company continues to invest in water treatment technologies and remediation at historical PFAS manufacturing sites.
3M will host an investor teleconference on November 4, 2026, to discuss the settlement’s financial and operational implications. The agreement does not alter 3M’s previously issued 2026 guidance, and the company asserts its financial flexibility remains strong due to its business model and cash flow capabilities.