An investment of approximately $1 billion over the next 20 years by 3M is slated to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, reduce water use by 25% at its facilities, and return higher quality water to the environment after use in manufacturing operations. As part of this investment policy, the company 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.

3M has already reduced use of PFAS over the past three years through ongoing research and development and will continue to innovate new solutions for customers. These efforts focus on reducing or eliminating the presence of these ubiquitous “forever chemicals” in the environment.

In addition to planning for a 25% reduction in water use by 2030, 3M expects to install state-of-the-art water purification technology by the end of 2023 and be fully operational by 2024 at all of its largest water-using locations. This will enable the company to return higher quality water to the environment after its use in manufacturing operations. The company will use its expertise and advanced technology to remove impurities from the water it uses.

Through its efforts, 3M expects to reduce its overall water usage by 2.5 billion gallons (about 9.5 billion liters) per year.