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3M CO - Quarter Report: 2022 September (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022

Commission file number: 1-3285

3M COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware41-0417775
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)(IRS Employer Identification No.)
3M Center, St. Paul, Minnesota
55144-1000
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code) (651) 733-1110
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, Par Value $.01 Per ShareMMMNew York Stock Exchange
MMMChicago Stock Exchange, Inc.
0.950% Notes due 2023MMM23New York Stock Exchange
1.500% Notes due 2026MMM26New York Stock Exchange
1.750% Notes due 2030MMM30New York Stock Exchange
1.500% Notes due 2031MMM31New York Stock Exchange
Note: The common stock of the Registrant is also traded on the SWX Swiss Exchange.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.:
Large accelerated filer☒Accelerated filer☐
Non-accelerated filer☐Smaller reporting company☐
Emerging growth company☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for
complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class
Outstanding at September 30, 2022
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
552,742,915 shares

Table of Contents
3M COMPANY
Form 10-Q for the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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3M COMPANY
FORM 10-Q
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2022
PART I. Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements.

3M Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Income
(Unaudited)
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions, except per share amounts)2022202120222021
Net sales$8,619 $8,942 $26,150 $26,743 
Operating expenses
Cost of sales4,728 4,853 14,647 14,097 
Selling, general and administrative expenses1,998 1,819 6,903 5,373 
Research, development and related expenses 461 482 1,417 1,520 
Gain on business divestitures(2,724)— (2,724)— 
Total operating expenses 4,463 7,154 20,243 20,990 
Operating income 4,156 1,788 5,907 5,753 
Other expense (income), net24 31 112 113 
Income before income taxes 4,132 1,757 5,795 5,640 
Provision for income taxes 271 324 550 1,058 
Income of consolidated group3,861 1,433 5,245 4,582 
Income (loss) from unconsolidated subsidiaries, net of taxes2 4 3 7 
Net income including noncontrolling interest 3,863 1,437 5,248 4,589 
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest 4 3 12 7 
Net income attributable to 3M $3,859 $1,434 $5,236 $4,582 
Weighted average 3M common shares outstanding — basic 568.8 579.6 570.7 580.3 
Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders — basic$6.79 $2.47 $9.18 $7.90 
Weighted average 3M common shares outstanding — diluted570.0 586.3 572.6 587.1 
Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders — diluted $6.77 $2.45 $9.15 $7.81 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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3M Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited)
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions)2022202120222021
Net income including noncontrolling interest$3,863 $1,437 $5,248 $4,589 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Cumulative translation adjustment(821)(302)(1,697)(354)
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans adjustment86 119 258 359 
Cash flow hedging instruments110 48 197 95 
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(625)(135)(1,242)100 
Comprehensive income (loss) including noncontrolling interest3,238 1,302 4,006 4,689 
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest(2)(2)(5)(6)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to 3M$3,236 $1,300 $4,001 $4,683 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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3M Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amount)September 30,
2022		December 31,
2021
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents$3,404 $4,564 
Marketable securities — current 185 201 
Accounts receivable — net of allowances of $186 and $189
4,722 4,660 
Inventories
Finished goods 2,443 2,196 
Work in process 1,829 1,577 
Raw materials and supplies 1,343 1,212 
Total inventories 5,615 4,985 
Prepaids467 654 
Other current assets 502 339 
Total current assets 14,895 15,403 
Property, plant and equipment 26,666 27,213 
Less: Accumulated depreciation (17,470)(17,784)
Property, plant and equipment — net 9,196 9,429 
Operating lease right of use assets801 858 
Goodwill 12,669 13,486 
Intangible assets — net 4,815 5,288 
Other assets 3,800 2,608 
Total assets $46,176 $47,072 
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt $1,856 $1,307 
Accounts payable 3,063 2,994 
Accrued payroll 717 1,020 
Accrued income taxes 270 260 
Operating lease liabilities — current241 263 
Other current liabilities 3,396 3,191 
Total current liabilities 9,543 9,035 
Long-term debt 13,849 16,056 
Pension and postretirement benefits 2,502 2,870 
Operating lease liabilities570 591 
Other liabilities 5,556 3,403 
Total liabilities 32,020 31,955 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Equity
3M Company shareholders’ equity:
Common stock par value, $.01 par value; 944,033,056 shares issued
9 9 
Shares outstanding - September 30, 2022: 552,742,915
Shares outstanding - December 31, 2021: 571,845,478
Additional paid-in capital 6,654 6,429 
Retained earnings 48,245 45,821 
Treasury stock, at cost:(32,843)(30,463)
Shares at September 30, 2022: 391,290,141
Shares at December 31, 2021: 372,187,578
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (7,985)(6,750)
Total 3M Company shareholders’ equity 14,080 15,046 
Noncontrolling interest76 71 
Total equity 14,156 15,117 
Total liabilities and equity $46,176 $47,072 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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3M Company and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions)20222021
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income including noncontrolling interest $5,248 $4,589 
Adjustments to reconcile net income including noncontrolling interest to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 1,371 1,408 
Company pension and postretirement contributions (102)(121)
Company pension and postretirement expense 124 137 
Stock-based compensation expense 226 227 
Gain on business divestitures(2,724)— 
Deferred income taxes (495)(155)
Changes in assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable (467)(324)
Inventories (1,018)(823)
Accounts payable 175 340 
Accrued income taxes (current and long-term) (11)(41)
Other — net 1,342 212 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 3,669 5,449 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (PP&E) (1,243)(1,047)
Proceeds from sale of PP&E and other assets 65 44 
Purchases of marketable securities and investments (840)(1,810)
Proceeds from maturities and sale of marketable securities and investments868 1,363 
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of cash sold13 — 
Cash payment from Food Safety business split-off, net of divested cash478 — 
Other — net 1 18 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (658)(1,432)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Change in short-term debt — net 340 4 
Repayment of debt (maturities greater than 90 days) (1,179)(450)
Proceeds from debt (maturities greater than 90 days) 1 1 
Purchases of treasury stock (928)(1,261)
Proceeds from issuance of treasury stock pursuant to stock option and benefit plans310 566 
Dividends paid to shareholders (2,550)(2,572)
Other — net (29)(21)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (4,035)(3,733)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (136)(40)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (1,160)244 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 4,564 4,634 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$3,404 $4,878 
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
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3M Company and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The interim consolidated financial statements are unaudited but, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. These adjustments consist of normal, recurring items. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. The interim consolidated financial statements and notes are presented as permitted by the requirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes included in its Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updated 3M's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K).
Effective in the first quarter of 2022, 3M made changes in the measure of segment operating performance used by 3M’s chief operating decision maker—impacting 3M’s disclosed measure of segment profit/loss (business segment operating income). See additional information in Note 16. 3M's disclosed disaggregated revenue was also updated as a result of the changes in segment reporting. See additional information in Note 2. Information provided herein reflects the impact of these changes for all periods presented.
Consolidation and foreign currency translation
3M deconsolidated the Aearo Entities in the third quarter of 2022. See additional information in Note 14.
Local currencies generally are considered the functional currencies outside the United States. Exceptions include 3M’s subsidiaries in Argentina and, beginning in the second quarter of 2022, in Turkey, the economy of which also became highly inflationary. The operating income and balances of underlying net monetary assets denominated in Turkish lira are not material to 3M. The financial statements of these subsidiaries are remeasured as if their functional currency is that of their parent. Assets and liabilities for operations in local-currency environments are translated at month-end exchange rates of the period reported. Income and expense items are translated at average monthly currency exchange rates in effect during the period. Cumulative translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.
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Earnings Per Share
The difference in the weighted average 3M shares outstanding for calculating basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders is a result of the dilution associated with the Company’s stock-based compensation plans. Certain options outstanding under these stock-based compensation plans were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders because they would have had an anti-dilutive effect of 31.7 million and 28.9 million average options for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, and 7.9 million and 7.7 million average options for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. The computations for basic and diluted earnings per share follow:
Earnings Per Share Computations
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
(Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)2022202120222021
Numerator:
Net income attributable to 3M $3,859 $1,434 $5,236 $4,582 
Denominator:
Denominator for weighted average 3M common shares outstanding – basic
568.8 579.6 570.7 580.3 
Dilution associated with the Company’s stock-based compensation plans 1.2 6.7 1.9 6.8 
Denominator for weighted average 3M common shares outstanding – diluted
570.0 586.3 572.6 587.1 
Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders – basic
$6.79 $2.47 $9.18 $7.90 
Earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders – diluted
$6.77 $2.45 $9.15 $7.81 
New Accounting Pronouncements
Refer to Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in 3M’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updated 3M's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K) for a discussion of applicable standards issued and not yet adopted by 3M.
Relevant New Standards Issued Subsequent to Most Recent Annual Report
In September 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2022-04, Liabilities – Supplier Finance Programs (Subtopic 405-50): Disclosure of Supplier Finance Program Obligations. The ASU requires a buyer in a supplier finance program to disclose information about the program’s nature, activity during the period, changes from period to period, and potential magnitude. For 3M, this standard is effective beginning after January 1, 2023. As this ASU relates to disclosures only, there will be no impact to 3M’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
NOTE 2. Revenue
Contract Balances:
Deferred revenue primarily relates to revenue that is recognized over time for one-year software license contracts. Deferred revenue (current portion) as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was $506 million and $529 million, respectively. Approximately $100 million and $440 million of the December 31, 2021 balance was recognized as revenue during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, while approximately $90 million and $410 million of the December 31, 2020 balance was recognized as revenue during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
Operating Lease Revenue:
Net sales includes rental revenue from durable medical devices as part of operating lease arrangements (reported within the Medical Solutions Division), which was $145 million and $429 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, and $148 million and $433 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
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Disaggregated revenue information:
The Company views the following disaggregated disclosures as useful to understanding the composition of revenue recognized during the respective reporting periods:
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
Net Sales (Millions)2022202120222021
Abrasives$339$332$1,014$981
Automotive Aftermarket316293900881
Closure and Masking Systems266264794761
Electrical Markets331316976930
Industrial Adhesives and Tapes5985941,8051,791
Personal Safety9221,0983,0213,452
Roofing Granules122109359338
Other Safety and Industrial—(1)—(1)
Total Safety and Industrial Business Segment2,8943,0058,8699,133
Advanced Materials297303909920
Automotive and Aerospace4374151,3251,346
Commercial Solutions4594441,3611,312
Electronics8139172,5992,781
Transportation Safety233247653719
Other Transportation and Electronics— 1— —
Total Transportation and Electronics Business Segment2,2392,3276,8477,078
Food Safety6394244275
Health Information Systems312309921897
Medical Solutions1,1501,1693,4473,428
Oral Care3143571,0251,080
Separation and Purification Sciences229243734730
Other Health Care8 18 (3)
Total Health Care Business Group2,0762,1736,3796,407
Consumer Health and Safety146145452446
Home Care265272800812
Home Improvement6636801,8541,929
Stationery and Office335338946938
Other Consumer—(1)—(2)
Total Consumer Business Group1,4091,4344,0524,123
Corporate and Unallocated1332
Total Company$8,619$8,942$26,150$26,743
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Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
Net Sales (Millions)2022202120222021
Americas$4,741 $4,692 $13,930 $13,602 
Asia Pacific2,485 2,642 7,702 8,066 
Europe, Middle East and Africa1,393 1,608 4,518 5,077 
Other Unallocated— — — (2)
Worldwide$8,619 $8,942 $26,150 $26,743 
Americas included United States net sales to customers of $3.9 billion and $11.4 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, and $3.9 billion and $11.3 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively.
NOTE 3. Acquisitions and Divestitures
Refer to Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in 3M's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updated 3M’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K) for more information on relevant pre-2022 acquisitions and divestitures.
Acquisitions:
3M makes acquisitions of certain businesses from time to time that are aligned with its strategic intent with respect to, among other factors, growth markets and adjacent product lines or technologies. Goodwill resulting from business combinations is largely attributable to the existing workforce of the acquired businesses and synergies expected to arise after 3M’s acquisition of these businesses.
2022 acquisitions:
There were no acquisitions that closed during the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Divestitures:
3M may divest certain businesses from time to time based upon review of the Company’s portfolio considering, among other items, factors relative to the extent of strategic and technological alignment and optimization of capital deployment, in addition to considering if selling the businesses results in the greatest value creation for the Company and for shareholders. As discussed in Note 16 (Business Segments), gains/losses on business divestitures are reflected in Corporate and Unallocated.
2022 divestitures and previously announced divestitures:
In March 2022, 3M completed the sale of its floor products business in Western Europe, formerly part of the Consumer business, for immaterial proceeds that approximated the business's book value.
In July 2022, 3M announced its intention to spin off the Health Care business as a separate public company. 3M expects to initially retain an ownership position of 19.9% in the business, which 3M intends to monetize over time. The Company expects to complete the transaction, which is intended to be tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, by year-end 2023. Because the intended transaction is a spin-off, the Health Care business is not classified as held for sale.
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In September 2022, 3M completed the split-off and combination of its Food Safety Division business (part of the Health Care business) with Neogen Corporation in a transaction that involved a Reverse Morris Trust structure intended to make the split-off tax-efficient to 3M and 3M's shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result of the transaction, 3M reflected a pre-tax gain of $2.7 billion based on aggregate consideration of $2.8 billion. Under the terms of the underlying agreements, aggregate consideration included 3M shares exchanged and $1.0 billion ($828 million after closing and other adjustments) funded from debt that became obligations of Neogen. The cash and non-cash consideration components are further described below.
•$2.0 billion representing the value of 16 million 3M common shares accepted by 3M that reduced shares outstanding through a fully-subscribed exchange offer. The exchange ultimately resulted in subscribed 3M shareholders owning 50.1% of the common shares of Neogen.
•$828 million in cash and non-cash components funded from debt that became obligations of Neogen.
◦$478 million, net of divested cash, as a cash payment to 3M funded from Food Safety business borrowings coincident with the transaction that became obligations of Neogen. This amount is reflected in the investing section on the consolidated statement of cash flows. The amount was subject to closing and other adjustments and included cash paid to 3M for direct sales of certain net assets of the Food Safety business to Neogen.
◦$350 million as part of a non-cash debt-for-debt exchange that reduced then-outstanding 3M commercial paper indebtedness and became new term-debt obligations of Neogen.
3M determined that the split-off involving the Reverse Morris Trust structure and certain internal business separation transactions qualified as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In making these determinations, 3M applied U.S. federal tax law to relevant facts and circumstances and obtained a favorable private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, third party tax opinions, and other external tax advice related to the concluded tax treatment. The applicable facts and circumstances that existed at the time of the Reverse Morris Trust split-off transactions may be reviewed as part of an audit by the Internal Revenue Service. If the completed transactions were later determined to fail to qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Company could be subject to significant liabilities, and there could be material adverse impacts on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows in future reporting periods.

Net sales information relative to the Food Safety Division is included in Note 2. Neogen and 3M entered into certain limited-term agreements related to post-divestiture transition supply, manufacturing and services and into certain longer-term commercial supply and distributor arrangements.
Operating income and held for sale amounts:
Operating income information of the Health Care business, inclusive of the Food Safety Division, is included in Note 16. With the respect to the businesses above, the amounts of major assets and liabilities associated with disposal groups related classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2021 and as of September 30, 2022 were not material. Information related to other held for sale disposal groups is included in Note 13.
NOTE 4. Goodwill and Intangible Assets
There was no goodwill recorded from acquisitions during the first nine months of 2022. The amounts in the “Translation and other” row in the following table primarily relate to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The goodwill balance by business segment as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2022, follow:
Goodwill
(Millions)Safety and IndustrialTransportation and
Electronics		Health CareConsumerTotal Company
Balance as of December 31, 2021
$4,622$1,825$6,786$253$13,486
Divestiture activity— — (16)— (16)
Translation and other(172)(94)(510)(25)(801)
Balance as of September 30, 2022
$4,450$1,731$6,260$228$12,669
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Accounting standards require that goodwill be tested for impairment annually and between annual tests in certain circumstances such as a change in reporting units or the testing of recoverability of a significant asset group within a reporting unit. At 3M, reporting units correspond to a division. 3M will continue to monitor its reporting units and asset groups in 2022 for any triggering events or other indicators of impairment.
Acquired Intangible Assets
The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of acquired finite-lived intangible assets, in addition to the balance of non-amortizable intangible assets, as of September 30, 2022, and December 31, 2021, follow:
(Millions)September 30,
2022		December 31,
2021
Customer related intangible assets$4,013 $4,216 
Patents497 513 
Other technology-based intangible assets2,086 2,111 
Definite-lived tradenames1,164 1,171 
Other amortizable intangible assets84 105 
Total gross carrying amount 7,844 8,116 
Accumulated amortization — customer related(1,669)(1,616)
Accumulated amortization — patents (491)(500)
Accumulated amortization — other technology-based(964)(839)
Accumulated amortization — definite-lived tradenames(490)(447)
Accumulated amortization — other (59)(79)
Total accumulated amortization (3,673)(3,481)
Total finite-lived intangible assets — net 4,171 4,635 
Non-amortizable intangible assets (primarily tradenames)644 653 
Total intangible assets — net$4,815 $5,288 
Certain tradenames acquired by 3M are not amortized because they have been in existence for over 60 years, have a history of leading-market share positions, have been and are intended to be continuously renewed, and the associated products of which are expected to generate cash flows for 3M for an indefinite period of time.
Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 follows:
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions)2022202120222021
Amortization expense $124 $131 $384 $398 
Expected amortization expense for acquired amortizable intangible assets recorded as of September 30, 2022:
(Millions)
Remainder of 2022
20232024202520262027
After
2027
Amortization expense$122 $475 $448 $418 $412 $387 $1,909 
The preceding expected amortization expense is an estimate. Actual amounts of amortization expense may differ from estimated amounts due to additional intangible asset acquisitions, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, impairment of intangible assets, accelerated amortization of intangible assets and other events. 3M expenses the costs incurred to renew or extend the term of intangible assets.
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NOTE 5. Restructuring Actions
2022 and 2021 Restructuring Actions:
Operational/Marketing Capability Restructuring:
As described in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in 3M's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updated 3M’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K), in late 2020, 3M announced it would undertake certain actions beginning in the fourth quarter of 2020 to further enhance its operations and marketing capabilities to take advantage of certain global market trends while de-prioritizing investments in slower-growth end markets. In 2021, management approved and committed to undertake additional actions under this initiative resulting in a 2021 pre-tax charge of $124 million. In the first quarter of 2022, management approved and committed to undertake the remaining actions under this initiative resulting in a pre-tax charge of $18 million. This initiative, begun in 2020 and ending with committed first quarter 2022 actions, impacted approximately 3,100 positions worldwide with a pre-tax charge of approximately $280 million over that period. The related restructuring charges for periods presented were recorded in the income statement as follows:
Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions)20222021
Cost of sales$—$18
Selling, general and administrative expenses1274
Research, development and related expenses615
Total operating income impact$18$107
The business segment operating income impact of these restructuring charges is summarized as follows:
Nine months ended
September 30,
Employee-Related
(Millions)20222021
Safety and Industrial$2$28
Transportation and Electronics423
Health Care218
Consumer26
Corporate and Unallocated832
Total Operating Expense$18$107
Restructuring actions, including cash and non-cash impacts, follow:
(Millions)Employee-Related
Accrued restructuring action balance as of December 31, 2021$87 
Incremental expense incurred in the first quarter of 202218 
Cash payments(84)
Adjustments(9)
Accrued restructuring action balances as of June 30, 2022$12 
Remaining activities related to this restructuring were largely completed in the third quarter of 2022.
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Divestiture-Related Restructuring
During the third quarter of 2022, following the Food Safety Division split-off transaction and combination with Neogen completed in September 2022 (see Note 3) management approved and committed to undertake certain restructuring actions addressing corporate functional costs across 3M in relation to the magnitude of amounts previously allocated to the divested business.
These actions affected approximately 850 positions worldwide and resulted in a third quarter 2022 pre-tax charge of $41 million, within Corporate and Unallocated. The divestiture-related restructuring actions were recorded in the income statement as follows:
(Millions)Third Quarter 2022
Cost of sales$3
Selling, general and administrative expenses36
Research, development and related expenses2
Total operating income impact$41
Divestiture-related restructuring actions, including cash impacts, follow:
(Millions)Employee-Related
Expense incurred in the third quarter of 202241 
Cash payments(3)
Accrued restructuring action balances as of September 30, 2022
$38 
Remaining activities related to this divestiture-related restructuring are expected to be largely completed through the first half of 2023.
NOTE 6. Supplemental Income Statement Information
Other expense (income), net consists of the following:
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions)2022202120222021
Interest expense$106$117$347$370
Interest income(17)(6)(36)(18)
Pension and postretirement net periodic benefit cost (benefit)(65)(80)(199)(239)
Total$24$31$112$113
Interest expense includes an early debt extinguishment pre-tax charge of approximately $11 million in the first quarter of 2021.
Pension and postretirement net periodic benefit costs described in the table above include all components of defined benefit plan net periodic benefit costs except service cost, which is reported in various operating expense lines. Refer to Note 11 for additional details on the components of pension and postretirement net periodic benefit costs.
NOTE 7. Supplemental Equity and Comprehensive Income Information
Cash dividends declared and paid totaled $1.49 and $1.48 per share for the first, second, and third quarters of 2022 and 2021, respectively, or $4.47 and $4.44 per share for the first nine months of 2022 and 2021, respectively.
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Consolidated Changes in Equity
Three months ended September 30, 2022
3M Company Shareholders
(Millions)TotalCommon
Stock and
Additional
Paid-in Capital		Retained
Earnings		Treasury
Stock		Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)		Non-
controlling
Interest
Balance at June 30, 2022
$13,816$6,616$45,269$(30,781)$(7,362)$74
Net income3,863 3,859 4 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Cumulative translation adjustment(821)(819)(2)
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans adjustment86 86 
Cash flow hedging instruments110 110 
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(625)
Dividends declared(850)(850)
Stock-based compensation47 47 
Reacquired stock(191)(191)
Split-off of Food Safety business(1,988)(1,988)
Issuances pursuant to stock option and benefit plans84 (33)117 
Balance at September 30, 2022
$14,156$6,663$48,245$(32,843)$(7,985)$76
Nine months ended September 30, 2022
3M Company Shareholders
(Millions)TotalCommon
Stock and
Additional
Paid-in Capital		Retained
Earnings		Treasury
Stock		Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)		Non-
controlling
Interest
Balance at December 31, 2021
$15,117$6,438$45,821$(30,463)$(6,750)$71
Net income5,248 5,236 12 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Cumulative translation adjustment(1,697)(1,690)(7)
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans adjustment258 258 
Cash flow hedging instruments197 197 
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(1,242)
Dividends declared(2,550)(2,550)
Stock-based compensation225 225 
Reacquired stock(964)(964)
Split-off of Food Safety business(1,988)(1,988)
Issuances pursuant to stock option and benefit plans310 (262)572 
Balance at September 30, 2022
$14,156$6,663$48,245$(32,843)$(7,985)$76
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Three months ended September 30, 2021
3M Company Shareholders
(Millions)TotalCommon
Stock and
Additional
Paid-in
Capital		Retained
Earnings		Treasury
Stock		Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)		Non-
controlling
Interest
Balance at June 30, 2021
$14,516$6,346$44,824$(29,236)$(7,486)$68
Net income1,4371,4343
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Cumulative translation adjustment(302)(301)(1)
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans adjustment119119 
Cash flow hedging instruments48 48 
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(135)
Dividends declared(856)(856)
Stock-based compensation4646 
Reacquired stock(563)(563)
Issuances pursuant to stock option and benefit plans85(41)126 
Balance at September 30, 2021
$14,530$6,392$45,361$(29,673)$(7,620)$70
Nine months ended September 30, 2021
3M Company Shareholders
(Millions)TotalCommon
Stock and
Additional
Paid-in
Capital		Retained
Earnings		Treasury
Stock		Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)		Non-
controlling
Interest
Balance at December 31, 2020
$12,931$6,171$43,821$(29,404)$(7,721)$64
Net income4,5894,5827
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Cumulative translation adjustment(354)(353)(1)
Defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans adjustment359359 
Cash flow hedging instruments95 95 
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax100
Dividends declared(2,572)(2,572)
Stock-based compensation221221 
Reacquired stock(1,305)(1,305)
Issuances pursuant to stock option and benefit plans566(470)1,036 
Balance at September 30, 2021
$14,530$6,392$45,361$(29,673)$(7,620)$70
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Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to 3M by Component
Three months ended September 30, 2022
(Millions)Cumulative
Translation
Adjustment		Defined Benefit
Pension and
Postretirement
Plans
Adjustment		Cash Flow
Hedging
Instruments,
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)		Total
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance at June 30, 2022, net of tax:
$(2,814)$(4,581)$33 $(7,362)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Amounts before reclassifications(773)—173 (600)
Amounts reclassified out—112(30)82
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax(773)112143 (518)
Tax effect(46)(26)(33)(105)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(819)86110 (623)
Balance at September 30, 2022, net of tax:
$(3,633)$(4,495)$143 $(7,985)
Nine months ended September 30, 2022
(Millions)Cumulative
Translation
Adjustment		Defined Benefit
Pension and
Postretirement
Plans
Adjustment		Cash Flow
Hedging
Instruments,
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)		Total
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2021, net of tax:
$(1,943)$(4,753)$(54)$(6,750)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Amounts before reclassifications(1,587)—307 (1,280)
Amounts reclassified out—339(52)287
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax(1,587)339255 (993)
Tax effect(103)(81)(58)(242)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(1,690)258197 (1,235)
Balance at September 30, 2022, net of tax:
$(3,633)$(4,495)$143 $(7,985)
Three months ended September 30, 2021
(Millions)Cumulative
Translation
Adjustment		Defined Benefit
Pension and
Postretirement
Plans
Adjustment		Cash Flow
Hedging
Instruments,
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)		Total
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance at June 30, 2021, net of tax:
$(1,502)$(5,858)$(126)$(7,486)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Amounts before reclassifications(286)— 44 (242)
Amounts reclassified out—15818 176
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax(286)15862 (66)
Tax effect(15)(39)(14)(68)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(301)11948 (134)
Balance at September 30, 2021, net of tax:
$(1,803)$(5,739)$(78)$(7,620)
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Nine months ended September 30, 2021
(Millions)Cumulative
Translation
Adjustment		Defined Benefit
Pension and
Postretirement
Plans
Adjustment		Cash Flow
Hedging
Instruments,
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)		Total
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2020, net of tax:
$(1,450)$(6,098)$(173)$(7,721)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Amounts before reclassifications(303)— 84 (219)
Amounts reclassified out—47739 516
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax(303)477123 297
Tax effect(50)(118)(28)(196)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(353)35995 101
Balance at September 30, 2021, net of tax:
$(1,803)$(5,739)$(78)$(7,620)
Income taxes are not provided for foreign translation relating to permanent investments in international subsidiaries, but tax effects within cumulative translation do include impacts from items such as net investment hedge transactions. Reclassification adjustments are made to avoid double counting in comprehensive income items that are subsequently recorded as part of net income.
Reclassifications out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Attributable to 3M
Details about Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income Components		Amount Reclassified from
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income		Location on Income
Statement
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions)2022202120222021
Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans adjustments
Gains (losses) associated with defined benefit pension and postretirement plans amortization
Transition asset$— $(1)(1)$(2)Other (expense) income, net
Prior service benefit14 1542 45Other (expense) income, net
Net actuarial loss(126)(172)(378)(518)Other (expense) income, net
Curtailments/Settlements— — (2)(2)Other (expense) income, net
Total before tax(112)(158)(339)(477)
Tax effect263981118Provision for income taxes
Net of tax(86)(119)(258)(359)
Cash flow hedging instruments gains (losses)
Foreign currency forward/option contracts33 (15)59 (32)Cost of sales
Interest rate contracts(3)(3)(7)(7)Interest expense
Total before tax30 (18)52 (39)
Tax effect(7)4 (12)9 Provision for income taxes
Net of tax23 (14)40 (30)
Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax$(63)$(133)(218)$(389)
NOTE 8. Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2022 was 6.6 percent, a decrease from 18.4 percent in the prior year. The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2022 was 9.5 percent, as compared to 18.8 percent in the prior year. The primary factor that decreased the Company's effective tax rate for third quarter 2022 was the tax efficient structure associated with the third quarter 2022 gain on split-off of the Food Safety business (see Note 3). The primary factors that decreased the Company's effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2022 were the tax efficient structure associated with the third quarter 2022 gain on split-off of the Food Safety business (see Note 3) and the tax impact associated with the second quarter 2022 charge related to steps toward resolving Combat Arms Earplugs litigation (discussed in Note 14).
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The total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are $997 million and $1,112 million, respectively. The decrease in unrecognized tax benefits includes a decrease associated with the resolution of the 2017 IRS audit. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change within the next 12 months. At this time, the Company is not able to estimate the range by which these potential events could impact 3M’s unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months.
As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had valuation allowances of $114 million and $142 million on its deferred tax assets, respectively.
NOTE 9. Marketable Securities
The Company invests in asset-backed securities, certificates of deposit/time deposits, commercial paper, and other securities. The following is a summary of amounts recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet for marketable securities (current and non-current).
(Millions)September 30,
2022		December 31,
2021
Commercial paper $130 $109 
Certificates of deposit/time deposits 52 14 
U.S. treasury securities — 75 
U.S. municipal securities3 3 
Current marketable securities185 201 
U.S. municipal securities 27 27 
Non-current marketable securities27 27 
Total marketable securities$212 $228 
At September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, gross unrealized, gross realized, and net realized gains and/or losses (pre-tax) were not material.
The balances at September 30, 2022 for marketable securities by contractual maturity are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because the issuers of the securities may have the right to prepay obligations without prepayment penalties.
(Millions) September 30,
2022
Due in one year or less $185 
Due after one year through five years 15 
Due after five years through ten years 12 
Total marketable securities $212 
NOTE 10. Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings
In February 2022, 3M repaid 500 million euros aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate medium-term notes that matured. In June 2022, 3M repaid $600 million aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate medium-term notes that matured.
2021 issuances, maturities, and extinguishments of short- and long-term debt are described in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in 3M's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updated 3M’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K).
The Company had no commercial paper outstanding at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
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In December 2021 and June 2022, 3M entered into debt financing facilities providing commitments for term loans and potential bridge financing aggregating $1.0 billion related to the Food Safety Division split-off transaction and combination with Neogen (discussed in Note 3). The debt commitments also included a $150 million revolving credit facility for the Food Safety business. Coincident with completion of the September 2022 split-off, the Food Safety business term loan borrowings funded the cash payment to 3M discussed in Note 3. The bridge financing component of these facilities was terminated early and not utilized. Obligations under the commitments (including the $150 million revolving credit facility) transferred with the Food Safety business and became those of Neogen.
Future Maturities of Long-term Debt
Maturities of long-term debt in the table below reflect the impact of put provisions associated with certain debt instruments and are net of the unamortized debt issue costs such that total maturities equal the carrying value of long-term debt as of September 30, 2022. The maturities of long-term debt for the periods subsequent to September 30, 2022 are as follows (in millions):
Remainder of
2022
20232024202520262027
After
2027
Total
$123$1,828$1,100$1,794$1,368$845$8,647$15,705
NOTE 11. Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans
The service cost component of defined benefit net periodic benefit cost is recorded in cost of sales; selling, general and administrative expenses; and research, development and related expenses. The other components of net periodic benefit cost are reflected in other expense (income), net. Components of net periodic benefit cost and other supplemental information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 follow:
Benefit Plan Information
Three months ended September 30,
Qualified and Non-qualified
Pension Benefits		Postretirement
Benefits
United StatesInternational
(Millions)202220212022202120222021
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)
Operating expense
Service cost $64 $72 $32 $41 $10 $12 
Non-operating expense
Interest cost 105 90 32 25 13 11 
Expected return on plan assets (241)(264)(69)(81)(17)(19)
Amortization of transition asset— — — 1 — — 
Amortization of prior service benefit(6)(6)— — (8)(9)
Amortization of net actuarial loss 106 132 10 26 10 14 
Settlements, curtailments, special termination benefits and other — — — — — — 
Total non-operating expense (benefit)(36)(48)(27)(29)(2)(3)
Total net periodic benefit cost (benefit) $28 $24 $5 $12 $8 $9 
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Nine months ended September 30,
Qualified and Non-qualified
Pension Benefits		Postretirement
Benefits
United StatesInternational
(Millions)202220212022202120222021
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)
Operating expense
Service cost $192 $216 $100 $125 $31 $35 
Non-operating expense
Interest cost 313 270 96 75 39 33 
Expected return on plan assets (723)(792)(211)(244)(52)(58)
Amortization of transition asset— — 1 2 — — 
Amortization of prior service benefit(18)(18)— (2)(24)(25)
Amortization of net actuarial loss 318 396 30 80 30 42 
Settlements, curtailments, special termination benefits and other — — — — 2 2 
Total non-operating expense (benefit)(110)(144)(84)(89)(5)(6)
Total net periodic benefit cost (benefit) $82 $72 $16 $36 $26 $29 
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022 contributions totaling $99 million were made to the Company’s U.S. and international pension plans and $3 million to its postretirement plans. For total year 2022, the Company expects to contribute in the range of $100 million to $200 million of cash to its global defined benefit pension and postretirement plans. The Company does not have a required minimum cash pension contribution obligation for its U.S. plans in 2022. Future contributions will depend on market conditions, interest rates and other factors. 3M’s annual measurement date for pension and postretirement assets and liabilities is December 31 each year, which is also the date used for the related annual measurement assumptions.
NOTE 12. Derivatives
The Company uses interest rate swaps, currency swaps, and forward and option contracts to manage risks generally associated with foreign exchange rate, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations. Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in 3M's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updated 3M's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K) explains the types of derivatives and financial instruments used by 3M, how and why 3M uses such instruments, and how such instruments are accounted for. It also contains information regarding previously initiated contracts or instruments.
Additional information with respect to derivatives is included elsewhere as follows:
•Impact on other comprehensive income of nonderivative hedging and derivative instruments is included in Note 7.
•Fair value of derivative instruments is included in Note 13.
•Derivatives and/or hedging instruments associated with the Company’s long-term debt are described in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in 3M's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updated 3M’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K).
Refer to the section below titled Statement of Income Location and Impact of Cash Flow and Fair Value Derivative Instruments and Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments for details on the location within the consolidated statements of income for amounts of gains and losses related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow or fair value hedges (along with similar information relative to the hedged items) and derivatives not designated as hedging instruments. Additional information relative to cash flow hedges, fair value hedges, net investment hedges and derivatives not designated as hedging instruments is included below as applicable.
Cash Flow Hedges:
As of September 30, 2022, the Company had a balance of $143 million associated with the after-tax net unrealized gain associated with cash flow hedging instruments recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. This includes a remaining balance of $95 million (after-tax loss) related to the forward starting interest rate swap and treasury rate lock contracts, which will be amortized over the respective lives of the notes. Based on exchange rates as of September 30, 2022, of the total after-tax net unrealized balance as of September 30, 2022, 3M expects to reclassify approximately $166 million after-tax net unrealized gain over the next 12 months (with the impact offset by earnings/losses from underlying hedged items).
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The amount of pretax gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges is provided in the following table.
Pretax Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivative
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions)2022202120222021
Foreign currency forward/option contracts $173 $44 $307 $84 
Interest rate contracts ————
Total $173 $44 $307 $84 
Fair Value Hedges:
The following amounts were recorded on the consolidated balance sheet related to cumulative basis adjustments for fair value hedges:
(Millions)Carrying Value of the
Hedged Liabilities		Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustment Included in the Carrying Value of the Hedged Liabilities
Location on the Consolidated Balance SheetSeptember 30,
2022		December 31,
2021		September 30,
2022		December 31,
2021
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt$—$—$—$—
Long-term debt891997(111)(4)
Total $891$997$(111)$(4)
Net Investment Hedges:
At September 30, 2022, the total notional amount of foreign exchange forward contracts designated in net investment hedges was approximately 150 million euros, along with a principal amount of long-term debt instruments designated in net investment hedges totaling 2.4 billion euros. The maturity dates of these derivative and nonderivative instruments designated in net investment hedges range from 2023 to 2031.
The amount of gain (loss) excluded from effectiveness testing recognized in income relative to instruments designated in net investment hedge relationships is not material. The amount of pretax gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income related to derivative and nonderivative instruments designated as net investment hedges are as follows.
Pretax Gain (Loss) Recognized as Cumulative Translation within Other Comprehensive Income
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions)2022202120222021
Foreign currency denominated debt $188 $83 $380 $195 
Foreign currency forward contracts11 3 22 4 
Total $199 $86 $402 $199 
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Statement of Income Location and Impact of Cash Flow and Fair Value Derivative Instruments and Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
The location in the consolidated statement of income and pre-tax amounts recognized in income related to derivative instruments designated in cash flow or fair value hedging relationships and for derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are as follows:
Location and Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
Three months ended September 30,Nine months ended September 30,
Cost of salesOther expense (income), netCost of salesOther expense (income), net
(Millions)20222021202220212022202120222021
Information regarding cash flow and fair value hedging relationships:
Total amounts of income and expense line items presented in the consolidated statement of income in which the effects of derivatives are recorded$4,728$4,853$24$31$14,647$14,097$112$113
Gain or (loss) on cash flow hedging relationships:
Foreign currency forward/option contracts:
Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income33 (15)——59 (32)——
Interest rate contracts:
Amount of gain or (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income——(3)(3)——(7)(7)
Gain or (loss) on fair value hedging relationships:
Interest rate contracts:
Hedged items——36 1 ——107 3 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments——(36)(1)——(107)(3)
Information regarding derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Gain or (loss) on derivatives not designated as instruments:
Foreign currency forward/option contracts (44)— (21)(35)(110)— 3(7)
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Location, Fair Value, and Gross Notional Amounts of Derivative Instruments
The following tables summarize the fair value of 3M’s derivative instruments, excluding nonderivative instruments used as hedging instruments, and their location in the consolidated balance sheet. Notional amounts below are presented at period end foreign exchange rates, except for certain interest rate swaps, which are presented using the inception date’s foreign exchange rate.
Gross Notional AmountAssetsLiabilities
 (Millions)LocationFair Value AmountLocationFair Value Amount
September 30, 2022December 31, 2021September 30, 2022December 31, 2021September 30, 2022December 31, 2021
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Foreign currency forward/option contracts2,015 1,768 Other current assets$209 $54 Other current liabilities$1 $19 
Foreign currency forward/option contracts1,004 800 Other assets111 41 Other liabilities3 1 
Interest rate contracts 800 800 Other assets— — Other liabilities115 9 
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments 320 95 119 29 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Foreign currency forward/option contracts 3,657 3,731 Other current assets21 24 Other current liabilities77 4 
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments 21 24 77 4 
Total derivative instruments$341 $119 $196 $33 
Credit Risk and Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities of Derivative Instruments
The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties in interest rate swaps, currency swaps, and forward and option contracts. However, the Company’s risk is limited to the fair value of the instruments. The Company actively monitors its exposure to credit risk through the use of credit approvals and credit limits, and by selecting major international banks and financial institutions as counterparties. 3M enters into master netting arrangements with counterparties when possible to mitigate credit risk in derivative transactions. A master netting arrangement may allow each counterparty to net settle amounts owed between a 3M entity and the counterparty as a result of multiple, separate derivative transactions. The Company does not anticipate nonperformance by any of these counterparties.
3M has elected to present the fair value of derivative assets and liabilities within the Company’s consolidated balance sheet on a gross basis even when derivative transactions are subject to master netting arrangements and may otherwise qualify for net presentation. However, the following tables provide information as if the Company had elected to offset the asset and liability balances of derivative instruments, netted in accordance with various criteria in the event of default or termination as stipulated by the terms of netting arrangements with each of the counterparties. For each counterparty, if netted, the Company would offset the asset and liability balances of all derivatives at the end of the reporting period based on the 3M entity that is a party to the transactions. Derivatives not subject to master netting agreements are not eligible for net presentation.
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Table of Contents
Offsetting of Financial Assets under Master Netting Agreements with Derivative Counterparties
Gross Amounts not Offset in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet that are Subject to Master Netting Agreements
 Gross Amount of Derivative Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet Gross Amount of Eligible Offsetting Recognized Derivative LiabilitiesCash
Collateral Received		Net Amount of
Derivative Assets
 (Millions)September 30, 2022December 31, 2021September 30, 2022December 31, 2021September 30, 2022December 31, 2021September 30, 2022December 31, 2021
Derivatives subject to master netting agreements$341$119$43$25$—$— $298$94 
Derivatives not subject to master netting agreements———— 
Total$341$119$298$94 
Offsetting of Financial Liabilities under Master Netting Agreements with Derivative Counterparties
Gross Amounts not Offset in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet that are Subject to Master Netting Agreements
 Gross Amount of Derivative Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet Gross Amount of Eligible Offsetting Recognized Derivative AssetsCash
Collateral Received		Net Amount of
Derivative Liabilities
 (Millions)September 30, 2022December 31, 2021September 30, 2022December 31, 2021September 30, 2022December 31, 2021September 30, 2022December 31, 2021
Derivatives subject to master netting agreements$194$33$43$25$—$— $151$8 
Derivatives not subject to master netting agreements2—2— 
Total$196$33$153$8 
Currency Effects
3M estimates that year-on-year foreign currency transaction effects, including hedging impacts, increased pre-tax income by approximately $43 million and $70 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, and decreased pre-tax income by approximately $36 million and $94 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, respectively. These estimates include transaction gains and losses, including derivative instruments designed to reduce foreign currency exchange rate risks.
NOTE 13. Fair Value Measurements
3M follows ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, with respect to assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and nonrecurring basis.
In addition to the information above, refer to Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in 3M's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updated 3M’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K) for a qualitative discussion of the assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis, a description of the valuation methodologies used by 3M, and categorization within the valuation framework of ASC 820.
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Table of Contents
The following tables provide information by level for assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
Fair Value atFair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Description (Millions)September 30, 2022December 31, 2021September 30, 2022December 31, 2021September 30, 2022December 31, 2021September 30, 2022December 31, 2021
Assets:
Available-for-sale:
Marketable securities:
Commercial paper130 109 — — 130 109 — — 
Certificates of deposit/time deposits 52 14 — — 52 14 — — 
U.S. treasury securities — 75 — 75 — — — — 
U.S. municipal securities 30 30 — — — — 30 30 
Derivative instruments — assets:
Foreign currency forward/option contracts 341 119 — — 341 119 — — 
Liabilities:
Derivative instruments — liabilities:
Foreign currency forward/option contracts 81 24 — — 81 24 — — 
Interest rate contracts115 9 — — 115 9 — — 
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of items measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the table above that used significant unobservable inputs (level 3).
Marketable securities — certain U.S. municipal securities onlyThree months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions)2022202120222021
Beginning balance$30 $34 $30 $34 
Total gains or losses:
Included in earnings— — — — 
Included in other comprehensive income— — — — 
Purchases and issuances— — — — 
Sales and settlements— — — — 
Transfers in and/or out of level 3— — — — 
Ending balance$30 $34 $30 $34 
Change in unrealized gains or losses for the period included in earnings for securities held at the end of the reporting period— — — — 
In addition, the plan assets of 3M’s pension and postretirement benefit plans are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually). Refer to Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in 3M's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updated 3M’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K).
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Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis:
Disclosures are required for certain assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value, but are recognized and disclosed at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition. For 3M, such measurements of fair value relate primarily to indefinite-lived and long-lived asset impairments, goodwill impairments, and adjustment in carrying value of equity securities for which the measurement alternative of cost less impairment plus or minus observable price changes is used. There were no material impairments of assets or adjustments to equity securities using the measurement alternative for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 there were no material adjustments to equity securities using the measurement alternative. Additionally, in September 2022, management committed to a plan to exit and dispose of net assets in Russia through an intended sale of related subsidiaries. As a result, 3M reflected a pre-tax charge of $109 million, primarily related to recording this held for sale disposal group at the lower of its fair value less cost to sell or carrying amount. In determining the carrying amount, the balance of cumulative translation adjustment within accumulated other comprehensive loss that will be eliminated upon sale was included and contributed to the impairment charge. As of September 30, 2022 the amounts of major assets and liabilities of this held for sale disposal group primarily included approximately $70 million within other current liabilities that largely represented a reserve against the balance of cumulative translation adjustment.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, certain investments, accounts payable, borrowings, and derivative contracts. The fair values of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt approximated carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Available-for-sale marketable securities, in addition to certain derivative instruments, are recorded at fair values as indicated in the preceding disclosures. To estimate fair values (classified as level 2) for its long-term debt, the Company utilized third-party quotes, which are derived all or in part from model prices, external sources, market prices, or the third-party’s internal records. Information with respect to the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of these financial instruments follow:
September 30, 2022December 31, 2021
(Millions)Carrying ValueFair ValueCarrying ValueFair Value
Long-term debt, excluding current portion$13,849 $12,068 $16,056 $17,601 
The fair values reflected in the sections above consider the terms of the related debt absent the impacts of derivative/hedging activity. The carrying amount of long-term debt referenced above is impacted by certain fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps that are designated as fair value hedges and by the designation of certain fixed rate Eurobond securities issued by the Company as hedging instruments of the Company’s net investment in its European subsidiaries.
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NOTE 14. Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings:
The Company and some of its subsidiaries are involved in numerous claims and lawsuits, principally in the United States, and regulatory proceedings worldwide. These claims, lawsuits and proceedings include, but are not limited to, products liability (involving products that the Company now or formerly manufactured and sold), intellectual property, commercial, antitrust, federal healthcare program related laws and regulations, such as the False Claims Act and anti-kickback laws, securities, and environmental laws in the United States and other jurisdictions. Unless otherwise stated, the Company is vigorously defending all such litigation and proceedings. From time to time, the Company also receives subpoenas, investigative demands or requests for information from various government agencies in the United States and foreign countries. The Company generally responds in a cooperative, thorough and timely manner. These responses sometimes require time and effort and can result in considerable costs being incurred by the Company. Such requests can also lead to the assertion of claims or the commencement of administrative, civil, or criminal legal proceedings against the Company and others, as well as to settlements. The outcomes of legal proceedings and regulatory matters are often difficult to predict. Any determination that the Company’s operations or activities are not, or were not, in compliance with applicable laws or regulations could result in the imposition of fines, civil or criminal penalties, and equitable remedies, including disgorgement, suspension or debarment or injunctive relief. Additional information about the Company’s process for disclosure and recording of liabilities and insurance receivables related to legal proceedings can be found in Note 16 “Commitments and Contingencies” to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updates the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021).
The following sections first describe the significant legal proceedings in which the Company is involved, and then describe the liabilities and associated insurance receivables the Company has accrued relating to its significant legal proceedings.
Respirator Mask/Asbestos Litigation
As of September 30, 2022, the Company is a named defendant, with multiple co-defendants, in numerous lawsuits in various courts that purport to represent approximately 4,088 individual claimants, compared to approximately 3,876 individual claimants with actions pending December 31, 2021.
The vast majority of the lawsuits and claims resolved by and currently pending against the Company allege use of some of the Company’s mask and respirator products and seek damages from the Company and other defendants for alleged personal injury from workplace exposures to asbestos, silica, coal mine dust or other occupational dusts found in products manufactured by other defendants or generally in the workplace. A minority of the lawsuits and claims resolved by and currently pending against the Company generally allege personal injury from occupational exposure to asbestos from products previously manufactured by the Company, which are often unspecified, as well as products manufactured by other defendants, or occasionally at Company premises.
The Company’s current volume of new and pending matters is substantially lower than it experienced at the peak of filings in 2003. The Company expects that filing of claims by unimpaired claimants in the future will continue to be at much lower levels than in the past. Accordingly, the number of claims alleging more serious injuries, including mesothelioma, other malignancies, and black lung disease, will represent a greater percentage of total claims than in the past. Over the past twenty plus years, the Company has prevailed in fifteen of the sixteen cases tried to a jury (including the lawsuits in 2018 described below). In 2018, 3M received a jury verdict in its favor in two lawsuits – one in California state court in February and the other in Massachusetts state court in December – both involving allegations that 3M respirators were defective and failed to protect the plaintiffs against asbestos fibers. In April 2018, a jury in state court in Kentucky found 3M’s 8710 respirators failed to protect two coal miners from coal mine dust and awarded compensatory damages of approximately $2 million and punitive damages totaling $63 million. In August 2018, the trial court entered judgment and the Company appealed. In 2019, the Company settled a substantial majority of the then-pending coal mine dust lawsuits in Kentucky and West Virginia for $340 million, including the jury verdict in April 2018 in the Kentucky case mentioned above and the appeal has been dismissed. In October 2020, 3M defended a respirator case before a jury in King County, Washington, involving a former shipyard worker who alleged 3M’s 8710 respirator was defective and that 3M acted negligently in failing to protect him against asbestos fibers. The jury delivered a complete defense verdict in favor of 3M, concluding that the 8710 respirator was not defective in design or warnings and any conduct by 3M was not a cause of plaintiff’s mesothelioma. The plaintiff appealed the verdict. In May 2022, the First Division intermediate appellate court in Washington affirmed in part and reversed in part 3M’s trial victory, concluding that the trial court misapplied Washington law in instructing the jury about factual causation. 3M has sought review by the Washington Supreme Court.
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The Company has demonstrated in these past trial proceedings that its respiratory protection products are effective as claimed when used in the intended manner and in the intended circumstances. Consequently, the Company believes that claimants are unable to establish that their medical conditions, even if significant, are attributable to the Company’s respiratory protection products. Nonetheless, the Company’s litigation experience indicates that claims of persons alleging more serious injuries, including mesothelioma, other malignancies, and black lung disease, are costlier to resolve than the claims of unimpaired persons, and it therefore believes the average cost of resolving pending and future claims on a per-claim basis will continue to be higher than it experienced in prior periods when the vast majority of claims were asserted by medically unimpaired claimants. Since the second half of 2020, the Company has experienced an increase in the number of cases filed that allege injuries from exposures to coal mine dust; that increase represents the substantial majority of the growth in case numbers referred to above.
As previously reported, the State of West Virginia, through its Attorney General, filed a complaint in 2003 against the Company and two other manufacturers of respiratory protection products in the Circuit Court of Lincoln County, West Virginia, and amended its complaint in 2005. The amended complaint seeks substantial, but unspecified, compensatory damages primarily for reimbursement of the costs allegedly incurred by the State for worker’s compensation and healthcare benefits provided to all workers with occupational pneumoconiosis and unspecified punitive damages. In October 2019, the court granted the State’s motion to sever its unfair trade practices claim, which seeks civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation under the state's Consumer Credit Protection Act relating to statements that the State contends were misleading about 3M’s respirators. A bench trial for the unfair trade practices claims has been set for November 2022. An expert witness retained by the State has recently estimated that 3M sold over five million respirators into the state during the relevant time period, and the State alleges that each respirator sold constitutes a separate violation under the Act. 3M disputes the expert's estimates and the State's position regarding what constitutes a separate violation of the Act. 3M has asserted various additional defenses, including that the Company's marketing did not violate the Act at any time, and that the State's claims are barred under the applicable statute of limitations. No liability has been recorded for any portion of this matter because the Company believes that liability is not probable and reasonably estimable at this time. In addition, the Company is not able to estimate a possible loss or range of loss given the lack of any meaningful discovery responses by the State of West Virginia as to key issues, and the assertions of claims against two other manufacturers where a defendant’s share of liability may turn on the law of joint and several liability and by the amount of fault, if any, a factfinder may allocate to each defendant if the case were ultimately tried.
Respirator Mask/Asbestos Liabilities and Insurance Receivables
The Company regularly conducts a comprehensive legal review of its respirator mask/asbestos liabilities. The Company reviews recent and historical claims data, including without limitation, (i) the number of pending claims filed against the Company, (ii) the nature and mix of those claims (i.e., the proportion of claims asserting usage of the Company’s mask or respirator products and alleging exposure to each of asbestos, silica, coal or other occupational dusts, and claims pleading use of asbestos-containing products allegedly manufactured by the Company), (iii) the costs to defend and resolve pending claims, and (iv) trends in filing rates and in costs to defend and resolve claims, (collectively, the “Claims Data”). As part of its comprehensive legal review, the Company regularly provides the Claims Data to a third party with expertise in determining the impact of Claims Data on future filing trends and costs. The third party assists the Company in estimating the costs to defend and resolve pending and future claims. The Company uses these estimates to develop its best estimate of probable liability.
Developments may occur that could affect the Company’s estimate of its liabilities. These developments include, but are not limited to, significant changes in (i) the key assumptions underlying the Company’s accrual, including, the number of future claims, the nature and mix of those claims, the average cost of defending and resolving claims, and in maintaining trial readiness (ii) trial and appellate outcomes, (iii) the law and procedure applicable to these claims, and (iv) the financial viability of other co-defendants and insurers.
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As a result of its review of its respirator mask/asbestos liabilities, of pending and expected lawsuits and of the cost of resolving claims of persons who claim more serious injuries, including mesothelioma, other malignancies, and black lung disease, the Company increased its accruals in the first nine months of 2022 for respirator mask/asbestos liabilities by $38 million. In the first nine months of 2022, the Company made payments for legal defense costs and settlements of $56 million related to the respirator mask/asbestos litigation. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had an accrual for respirator mask/asbestos liabilities (excluding Aearo accruals) of $622 million. This accrual represents the Company’s best estimate of probable loss and reflects an estimation period for future claims that may be filed against the Company approaching the year 2050. The Company cannot estimate the amount or upper end of the range of amounts by which the liability may exceed the accrual the Company has established because of the (i) inherent difficulty in projecting the number of claims that have not yet been asserted or the time period in which future claims may be asserted, (ii) the complaints nearly always assert claims against multiple defendants where the damages alleged are typically not attributed to individual defendants so that a defendant’s share of liability may turn on the law of joint and several liability, which can vary by state, (iii) the multiple factors described above that the Company considers in estimating its liabilities, and (iv) the several possible developments described above that may occur that could affect the Company’s estimate of liabilities.
As of September 30, 2022, the Company’s receivable for insurance recoveries related to the respirator mask/asbestos litigation was $4 million. The Company continues to seek coverage under the policies of certain insolvent and other insurers. Once those claims for coverage are resolved, the Company will have collected substantially all of its remaining insurance coverage for respirator mask/asbestos claims.
Respirator Mask/Asbestos Litigation — Aearo Technologies
On April 1, 2008, a subsidiary of the Company acquired the stock of Aearo Holding Corp., the parent of Aearo Technologies (“Aearo”). Aearo manufactured and sold various products, including personal protection equipment, such as eye, ear, head, face, fall and certain respiratory protection products. Aearo and/or other companies that previously owned and operated Aearo’s respirator business (American Optical Corporation, Warner-Lambert LLC, AO Corp. and Cabot Corporation (“Cabot”)) are named defendants, with multiple co-defendants, including the Company, in numerous lawsuits in various courts in which plaintiffs allege use of mask and respirator products and seek damages from Aearo and other defendants for alleged personal injury from workplace exposures to asbestos, silica-related, coal mine dust, or other occupational dusts found in products manufactured by other defendants or generally in the workplace. In July 2022, Aearo Technologies and certain of its related entities (collectively, the "Aearo Entities") voluntarily initiated chapter 11 proceedings under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code seeking court supervision to establish a trust, funded by the Company, to efficiently and equitably satisfy all claims determined to be entitled to compensation (including the Aearo respirator mask/asbestos matters). This represents a change in strategy for managing the Combat Arms Version 2 earplugs and Aearo respirator mask/asbestos alleged litigation liabilities. As a result, 3M's accrual relative to the commitments associated with that trust includes Aearo respirator mask/asbestos matters. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court has stayed the Aearo respirator mask/asbestos litigation matters as the chapter 11 proceedings move forward. For additional information, see the discussion within the section "Product Liability Litigation" with respect to Aearo Technologies Dual-Ended Combat Arms Earplugs.
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Preceding respirator mask/asbestos — Aearo Technologies matters/information:
Prior to the voluntary chapter 11 proceedings and as previously disclosed, as of December 31, 2021, the Company, through its Aearo subsidiary, had accruals of $46 million for product liabilities and defense costs related to current and future Aearo-related asbestos, silica-related and coal mine dust claims. Responsibility for legal costs, as well as for settlements and judgments, is shared in an informal arrangement among Aearo, Cabot, American Optical Corporation and a subsidiary of Warner Lambert and their respective insurers (the “Payor Group”). Liability is allocated among the parties based on the number of years each company sold respiratory products under the “AO Safety” brand and/or owned the AO Safety Division of American Optical Corporation and the alleged years of exposure of the individual plaintiff. Aearo’s share of the contingent liability is further limited by an agreement entered into between Aearo and Cabot on July 11, 1995. This agreement provides that, so long as Aearo pays to Cabot a quarterly fee of $100,000, Cabot will retain responsibility and liability for, and indemnify Aearo against, any product liability claims involving exposure to asbestos, silica, or silica products for respirators sold prior to July 11, 1995. Because of the difficulty in determining how long a particular respirator remains in the stream of commerce after being sold, Aearo and Cabot have applied the agreement to claims arising out of the alleged use of respirators involving exposure to asbestos, silica or silica products prior to January 1, 1997. With these arrangements in place, Aearo’s potential liability is limited to exposures alleged to have arisen from the use of respirators involving exposure to asbestos, silica, or silica products on or after January 1, 1997. To date, Aearo has elected to pay the quarterly fee. Aearo could potentially be exposed to additional claims for some part of the pre-July 11, 1995 period covered by its agreement with Cabot if Aearo elects to discontinue its participation in this arrangement, or if Cabot is no longer able to meet its obligations in these matters.    
Developments may occur that could affect the estimate of Aearo’s liabilities. These developments include, but are not limited to: (i) significant changes in the number of future claims, (ii) significant changes in the average cost of resolving claims, (iii) significant changes in the legal costs of defending these claims, (iv) significant changes in the mix and nature of claims received, (v) trial and appellate outcomes, (vi) significant changes in the law and procedure applicable to these claims, (vii) significant changes in the liability allocation among the co-defendants, (viii) the financial viability of members of the Payor Group including exhaustion of available insurance coverage limits, and/or (ix) a determination that the interpretation of the contractual obligations on which Aearo has estimated its share of liability is inaccurate. The Company cannot determine the impact of these potential developments on its current estimate of Aearo’s share of liability for these existing and future claims. If any of the developments described above were to occur, the actual amount of these liabilities for existing and future claims could be significantly larger than the amount accrued. Because of the inherent difficulty in projecting the number of claims that have not yet been asserted, the complexity of allocating responsibility for future claims among the Payor Group, and the several possible developments that may occur that could affect the estimate of Aearo’s liabilities, the Company cannot estimate the amount or range of amounts by which Aearo’s liability may exceed the accrual the Company has established.
Environmental Matters and Litigation
The Company’s operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations including those pertaining to air emissions, wastewater discharges, toxic or hazardous substances, and the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes enforceable by national, state, and local authorities around the world, and private parties in the United States and abroad. These laws and regulations can form the basis of, under certain circumstances, claims for the investigation and remediation of contamination, for capital investment in pollution control equipment, for restoration of and/or compensation for damages to natural resources, and for personal injury and property damage claims. The Company has incurred, and will continue to incur, costs and capital expenditures in complying with these laws and regulations, defending personal injury and property damage claims, and modifying its business operations in light of its environmental responsibilities. In its effort to satisfy its environmental responsibilities and comply with environmental laws and regulations, the Company has established, and periodically updates, policies relating to environmental standards of performance for its operations worldwide.
Under certain environmental laws, including the United States Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and similar state laws, the Company may be jointly and severally liable, sometimes with other potentially responsible parties, for the costs of remediation of environmental contamination at current or former facilities and at off-site locations where hazardous substances have been released or disposed of. The Company has identified numerous locations, many of which are in the United States, at which it may have some liability for remediation of contamination. Please refer to the section entitled “Environmental Liabilities and Insurance Receivables” that follows for information on the amount of the accrual for such liabilities.
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Environmental Matters
As previously reported, the Company has been voluntarily cooperating with ongoing reviews by local, state, federal (primarily the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)), and international agencies of possible environmental and health effects of various perfluorinated compounds, including perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS), hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (collectively PFAS).
As a result of a phase-out decision in May 2000, the Company no longer manufactures certain PFAS compounds including PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, and their pre-cursor compounds. The Company ceased manufacturing and using the vast majority of these compounds within approximately two years of the phase-out announcement and ceased all manufacturing and the last significant use of this chemistry by the end of 2008. The Company continues to manufacture a variety of shorter chain length PFAS compounds, including, but not limited to, pre-cursor compounds to perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS). These compounds are used as input materials to a variety of products, including engineered fluorinated fluids, fluoropolymers and fluorelastomers, as well as surfactants, additives, and coatings. Through its ongoing life cycle management and its raw material composition identification processes associated with the Company’s policies covering the use of all persistent and bio-accumulative materials, the Company continues to review, control or eliminate the presence of certain PFAS in purchased materials, as intended substances in products, or as byproducts in some of 3M’s current manufacturing processes, products, and waste streams.
PFAS Regulatory and Legislative Activity
Regulatory and legislative activities concerning PFAS are accelerating in the United States, Europe and elsewhere, and before certain international bodies. These activities include gathering of exposure and use information, risk assessment activities, consideration of regulatory approaches, and increasingly strict restrictions on various uses of PFAS in products and on PFAS in manufacturing emissions, in some cases moving towards non-detectable limits for certain PFAS compounds. Regulations of PFAS in emissions and in environmental media such as soil and water (including drinking water) are increasingly being set at levels that continue to decrease. Global regulations also appear to be increasingly focused on a broader group of PFAS, and may include those PFAS compounds used in current products. If such activity continues and regulations become final and enforceable, 3M may incur material costs to comply with new regulatory requirements or as a result of litigation or additional enforcement actions. Such regulatory changes may also have an impact on 3M’s reputation and may also increase its costs and potential litigation exposure to the extent legal defenses rely on regulatory thresholds, or changes in regulation influence public perception. Given divergent and rapidly evolving regulatory drinking water and other standards, there is currently significant uncertainty about the potential costs to industry and communities associated with remediation and control technologies that may be required
Europe
In the European Union, where 3M has PFAS manufacturing facilities in countries such as Germany and Belgium, recent regulatory activities have included both preliminary and on-going work on various restrictions under the EU’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), including the restriction of PFAS in certain usages uses and broader restrictions of PFAS as a class. Various PFAS, including PFBS and a certain 3M fluorochemical product have been identified or proposed to be identified as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) under REACH. Substances subject to an SVHC designation are subject to notification and other requirements.
In March 2022, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) introduced a ban on all PFAS substances in firefighting foams. ECHA has also indicated that it expects to introduce a proposal for a broad ban on PFAS, including PFAS-containing products, in early 2023.
PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS (and their related compounds) have been listed in the Stockholm Convention, which has been ratified by more than 180 countries and aims for global elimination of certain listed substances (with narrow exceptions). PFOA and PFOS are also subject to broad restrictions under the EU’s Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation.
The EU regulates PFAS in drinking water via a Drinking Water Directive, which includes a limit of 0.1 micrograms per liter (µg/l) (or 0.1 parts for billion (ppb)) for a sum of 20 PFAS in drinking water. Member States have until January 2023 to implement the Directive in their countries.
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The European Commission is expected to pass a binding regulation setting maximum levels for certain PFAS in specified foods, including eggs, fish, mussels and meat. Once finalized, foods containing levels of these chemicals exceeding the regulatory thresholds will be prohibited from being sold in all EU Member States starting in January 2023.
Dyneon, a 3M subsidiary that operates a facility at Gendorf, Germany, has a recycling process for a critical emulsifier from which small amounts of PFOA are present after recycling, as an unintended and unavoidable byproduct of certain earlier process steps. The recycling process removes and concentrates the PFOA for incineration in accordance with applicable waste law. With respect to the applicability of the amendment of the EU POPs Regulation with PFOA applicable since 2021, Dyneon proactively consulted with the relevant German competent authority regarding process improvements underway that are designed to achieve compliance with the PFOA limits in the recycled material used in its manufacturing process. In October 2021, Dyneon also discussed with the authority technical complexities it had recently discovered in achieving PFOA reductions. The implementation of process improvements and analytical work is ongoing.
3M Belgium, a subsidiary of the Company, has been working with the Public Flemish Waste Agency (OVAM) for several years to investigate and remediate historical PFAS contaminations at and near the 3M Belgium facility in Zwijndrecht, Antwerp, Belgium. In connection with a ring road construction project (the Oosterweel Project) in Antwerp that involved extensive soil work, an investigative committee with judicial investigatory powers was formed in June 2021 by the Flemish Parliament to investigate PFAS found in the soil and groundwater near the Zwijndrecht facility. The Company testified at Flemish parliamentary committee hearings in June and September 2021 on PFAS-related matters. The Flemish Parliament, the Minister of the Environment, and regulatory authorities initiated investigations and demands for information related to the release of PFAS from the Zwijndrecht facility. The Company has cooperated with the authorities in the investigations and information requests and is working with the authorities on an ongoing basis, as they continue to maintain oversight of 3M Belgium’s operations at the Zwijndrecht facility, as further discussed below. Separately, as previously disclosed, the Company is aware that certain residents of Zwijndrecht and non-governmental organizations filed a criminal complaint with an Antwerp investigatory judge against 3M Belgium, alleging it had unlawfully abandoned waste in violation of its environmental care obligations. 3M Belgium has not been served with any such complaint.
Safety measures – wastewater discharge. In August 2021, the Flemish Government served 3M Belgium with a safety measure requiring the capture of certain process wastewaters to prevent their entry into the site wastewater treatment plant. While 3M Belgium appealed the Safety Measure due to the belief it lacked adequate legal and factual foundation, 3M Belgium promptly implemented the required actions.
In October 2021, the Province of Antwerp unilaterally adopted lower discharge limits for the nine PFAS compounds specifically identified in the water discharge permit and added a special condition that essentially prohibits discharge of any PFAS chemistry without a specific limit in the permit. 3M Belgium appealed certain aspects of that permit revision as inconsistent with applicable law. The unilaterally modified permit was effective through June 30, 2022. 3M Belgium received a new two-year permit in May 2022 which contains strict new limits for 24 different PFAS, effective July 1, 2022. 3M Belgium believes that the recently installed additional control systems will enable it to meet these limits. Subsequently, the environmental enforcement agency has recently informed 3M Belgium that the agency believes that 3M Belgium must apply for discharge limits for certain additional “short-chain” PFAS pursuant to the special condition. Although disagreeing with the agency’s position, 3M Belgium is in the process of developing the application to amend the permit to add the additional PFAS. 3M Belgium has insufficient information to predict the limits that will be set forth for additional short-chain PFAS and is therefore unable to assess whether the current or future wastewater treatment system, as currently conceived, will meet future limits imposed. Changes in discharge limits could have a significant adverse impact on 3M Belgium’s normal operations and the Company's businesses that receive products and other materials from the facility, some of which may not be available in similar quantities from other 3M facilities, which could in turn impact these businesses’ ability to fulfill supply obligations to their customers.
Safety measure – emissions. As previously disclosed, in October 2021, the Flemish environmental enforcement agency issued a new safety measure that prohibits all emissions of all forms of PFAS from the facility unless and until specifically approved on a process-by-process basis. 3M Belgium thereupon commenced an appeal process to the Council of States, seeking, among other things, urgent suspension of the safety measure during the pendency of the appeal process. At the same time, 3M Belgium complied with the safety measure by idling the affected production at the facility. The Council of States declined to grant urgent suspension of the safety measure. 3M Belgium established a regular cadence of meetings with the relevant authorities to review restart of specific PFAS-related production processes. The agency recently clarified that the safety measure applies to release of PFAS into water, and as such, reviews have been expanded as requested.
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3M Belgium first identified third-party experts to review restart proposals and provide opinions to the authorities on the acceptability of restart under the terms of the safety measure. The proposed experts were accepted by the authorities and the process of review was begun. As of July 2022, the authorities have approved the restart of key production processes and 3M Belgium continues to conduct required monitoring and reporting activities. Belgian government authorities continue to maintain oversight of 3M Belgium’s operations and compliance with applicable requirements at the Zwijndrecht facility.In September 2022, the environmental enforcement agency issued an infraction report alleging that 3M Belgium had misconstrued an exemption in the safety measure and thus not fully complied with the safety measure in the operation of certain production lines. Discussions are underway with the environmental enforcement agency and those production lines are now being addressed in accordance with the review and approval provisions of the safety measure. Although the authorities have approved the restart and/or continued operation of key production processes, a negative development in their ongoing oversight review, or inability to fully restart all production processes, could have a significant adverse impact on 3M Belgium’s normal operations and the Company's businesses that receive products and other materials from the facility, some of which may not be available in similar quantities from other 3M facilities, which could in turn impact these businesses’ ability to fulfill supply obligations to their customers.
Administrative measure – soil piles. In September 2021, the Flemish Government served 3M Belgium with a notice of intent to impose an administrative measure related to the removal and potential remediation of soil piles on the Zwijndrecht site. 3M Belgium appealed the measure, contesting both the legal basis and the feasibility of meeting the deadline imposed. In response to information provided by 3M Belgium regarding the limitations on regional capacity to accept the soil and other logistical matters, the Government extended the deadline for removal of the piles. 3M Belgium removed the soil piles prior to the deadline.
Notice of default – environmental law compliance. Also in September 2021, the Flemish Region issued a notice of default alleging violations of environmental laws and seeking PFAS-related information, indemnity and a remediation plan for soil and water impacts due to PFAS originating from the Zwijndrecht facility. In September 2021, 3M responded to the notice of default and announced a plan to invest up to 125 million euros in the next three years in actions related to the Zwijndrecht community, including support for local commercial farmers impacted by restrictions on sale of agricultural products, and enhancements to site discharge control technologies. 3M is also committed to payment for ongoing off-site descriptive soil investigation and appropriate soil remediation. In March 2022, the Company announced an investment of 150 million euros to advance remedial actions to address legacy PFAS previously produced at the Zwijndrecht facility. An accredited third-party soil remediation expert has progressed towards a remedial action plan based on a descriptive soil investigation that would help inform 3M Belgium’s remedial actions onsite and in certain surrounding areas. 3M Belgium representatives continue to have discussions with the relevant authorities regarding further soil remedial actions in connection with the Flemish Soil Decree, which requires both public authorities and private parties to remediate contaminated soil and groundwater in Flanders. 3M Belgium cannot exclude the possibility of future government executive decisions expanding its remedial obligations under the Soil Decree.
In July 2022, 3M Belgium and the Flemish Government announced an agreement in connection with the Zwijndrecht facility. Pursuant to the agreement, 3M Belgium, among other things, committed an aggregate of 571 million euros, which includes the previous commitments described above. In aggregate, the commitment includes enhancements to site discharge control technologies, support for qualifying local farmers, amounts to address certain identified priority remedial actions (which may include supporting additional actions as required under the Flemish Soil Decree), funds to be used by the Flemish Government in its sole discretion in connection with PFAS emissions from the Zwijndrecht facility, and support for the Oosterweel Project in cash and support services. The agreement contains certain provisions ending current litigation and providing certain releases of liability for 3M, while recognizing that the Flemish Government retains its authority to act in the future to protect its citizenry. In connection with these actions, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of approximately $500 million in the first half of 2022, with approximately $355 million in the second quarter of 2022.
Civil litigation - As of September 30, 2022, a total of nine actions against 3M Belgium are pending in Belgian civil courts. The cases include claims by neighboring and other companies for alleged soil and wastewater or rainwater contamination with PFAS; and tort liability claims and environmental injunction procedure by environmental NGOs and several hundred individuals. One of the actions is scheduled for judicial hearings in November 2022 and another in February 2023; the other actions are in early stages.
The Netherlands government has indicated they are investigating potential claims to recover damages from companies related to alleged PFAS contamination in the Western Scheldt, a river that flows through Belgium and the Netherlands.
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United States: Federal Activity
In the United States, the EPA has developed human health effects documents summarizing the available data studies of both PFOA and PFOS. In October 2021, EPA released its “PFAS Strategic Roadmap: EPA's Commitments to Action 2021-2024,” which presents EPA’s approach to PFAS, including investing in research to increase the understanding of PFAS, pursuing a comprehensive approach to proactively control PFAS exposures to humans and the environment, and broadening and accelerating the scope of clean-up of PFAS in the environment. The 2021-2024 Roadmap sets timelines by which EPA plans to take specific actions, including, among other items, publishing a national PFAS testing strategy, proposing to designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), restricting PFAS discharges from industrial sources through effluent limitations guidelines, publishing final toxicity assessments for five additional PFAS compounds, requiring water systems to test for 29 PFAS compounds under the SDWA, and publishing improved analytical methods in eight different environmental matrices to monitor 40 PFAS compounds present in wastewater and stormwater discharges.
In May 2016, the EPA announced lifetime health advisory levels for PFOA and PFOS, separate or together, at 70 parts per trillion (ppt). In June 2022, EPA released new final lifetime health advisory levels for PFBS (2,000 ppt) and HFPO-DA and its salts (“GenX”) (4 ppt), and new interim lifetime health advisory levels for PFOA (.004 ppt) and PFOS (.02 ppt). Lifetime health advisories are intended to provide information about concentrations of drinking water contaminants at which adverse health effects are not expected to occur over the specified exposure duration. The health advisories are non-enforceable and non-regulatory, but if EPA uses the same methodology in setting national primary drinking water standards, discussed further below, or other national or state regulations, 3M could incur additional costs and potential exposures, including in future compliance costs, possible litigation and/or enforcement actions.
The U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) within the Department of Health and Human Services released a draft Toxicological Profile for PFAS for public review and comment in June 2018. In the draft report, ATSDR proposed draft minimal risk levels (MRLs) for PFOS, PFOA and several other PFAS. An MRL is an estimate of the daily human exposure to a hazardous substance that is likely to be without appreciable risk of adverse non-cancer health effects over a specified duration of exposure. MRLs establish a screening level and are not intended to define cleanup or action levels for ATSDR or other agencies. In May 2021, ATSDR released a final toxicological profile for certain PFAS that preserved the draft MRLs. Earlier, in April 2021, EPA released a final toxicity assessment for PFBS.
As periodically required under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the EPA published in May 2012 a list of unregulated substances, including six PFAS chemicals, required to be monitored during the period 2013-2015 by public water system suppliers to determine the extent of their occurrence. Through January 2017, the EPA reported results for 4,920 public water supplies nationwide. Based on the 2016 lifetime health advisory, 13 public water supplies exceeded the level for PFOA and 46 exceeded the level for PFOS (unchanged from the July 2016 EPA summary). These results are based on one or more samples collected during the period 2012-2015 and do not necessarily reflect current conditions of these public water supplies. EPA reporting does not identify the sources of the PFOA and PFOS in the public water supplies. In December 2021, EPA published the fifth version of the unregulated contaminant monitoring rule, which requires monitoring for 29 PFAS compounds between 2023 and 2025.
With respect to PFOA and PFOS in groundwater, EPA issued interim recommendations in December 2019, providing guidance for screening levels and preliminary remediation goals for groundwater that is a current or potential drinking water source, to inform final clean-up levels of contaminated sites. In May 2022, EPA added five PFAS substances – HFPO-DA, PFOS, PFOA perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) -- to its list of Regional Screening and Removal Management Levels based on the May 2021 MRLs. EPA had previously added PFBS to both lists in 2014. Regional Screening Levels are used to identify contaminated media that may require further investigation, while Regional Removal Management Levels are used by EPA to support certain actions under CERCLA.
EPA previously published its intention to initiate a process to develop a national primary drinking water regulation for PFOA and PFOS; the process is expected to take several years and will include further analyses, scientific review and opportunities for public comment. EPA initiated the first step in the process in November 2021 by referring its proposed approach to developing a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal to the Science Advisory Board (SAB) and soliciting public comment. The Company submitted initial comments in December 2021 and supplemental comments in January and February 2022. In April 2022, the Science Advisory Board published a draft report on its analysis of EPA’s proposed approach to developing a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal. The Science Advisory Board held public hearings in July 2022 and issued its final report in August 2022. EPA has stated that it intends to publish a proposed national primary drinking water regulation for PFOA and PFOS in the Fall of 2022. EPA submitted the draft MCL and MCLG for PFOA and PFOS to OMB for review in October 2022.
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In October 2021, in response to a petition by New Mexico, EPA announced it will initiate a rulemaking to designate four PFAS compounds as hazardous constituents under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Further, in January 2022, EPA formally submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) its plan to designate PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA. OMB completed its review in August 2022. In September 2022, EPA published in the Federal Register its proposal to list PFOA and PFOS, including their salts and structural isomers, as CERCLA hazardous substances. Public comments on EPA’s proposal are due on November 7, 2022. If CERCLA or RCRA designations are finalized and become enforceable, 3M may be required to undertake additional investigative or remediation activities where 3M conducts operations or where 3M has disposed of waste. 3M may also face additional litigation from other entities that have liability under these laws for contribution to clean-up costs other entities might have.
EPA has also taken several actions to increase reporting and restrictions regarding PFAS under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), which is a part of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. EPA has added more than 170 PFAS compounds to the list of substances that must be included in TRI reports as of July 2021. In August 2022, EPA submitted to OMB a proposal to add PFAS subject to reporting under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-know Act (EPCRA) to the list of Lower Thresholds for Chemicals of Special Concern (Chemicals of Special Concern), which would require Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting of de minimis uses of those PFAS.
In June 2021, EPA published a proposed rule under TSCA that, if adopted, would require certain persons that manufacture (including import) or have manufactured PFAS in any year since 2011 to report information regarding PFAS uses, production volumes, disposal, exposures, and hazards. The Company submitted comments on the proposed rule during the public comment period, which ended in September 2021.
In April 2022, EPA released draft Aquatic Life Criteria for PFOA and PFOS. These criteria, once finalized, may be used by states in developing water quality standards for protection of aquatic life under the Clean Water Act. 3M submitted comments on the draft criteria in July 2022. Several state legislatures and state agencies have been evaluating or have taken actions related to cleanup standards, groundwater values or drinking water values for PFOS, PFOA, and other PFAS, and 3M has submitted various responsive comments.
United States: State Activity
Various states have also taken action to address PFAS in the environment. The Minnesota Department of Health in May 2017 stated that Health Based Values (HBVs) “are designed to reduce long-term health risks across the population and are based on multiple safety factors to protect the most vulnerable citizens, which makes them overprotective for most of the residents in our state.” As of 2021, the current HBVs are 35 ppt for PFOA, 15 ppt for PFOS, 47 ppt for PFHxS and 2 ppb for PFBS.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and three other state agencies published “Minnesota’s PFAS Blueprint” in February 2021. The Blueprint outlines the State’s plans to manage, investigate, monitor, research and regulate PFAS discharges or releases in Minnesota. MPCA also published the final version of its PFAS Monitoring Plan in March 2022. Four 3M facilities - Cottage Grove, Maplewood, Hutchinson, and Woodbury - are among the 137 Minnesota facilities that are preliminarily scoped to be within the Monitoring Plan.
States with finalized drinking water standards include the following:
•California finalized, non-enforceable drinking water notification and response levels for PFOA and PFOS in February 2020.
•Vermont finalized drinking water standards for a combination of PFOA, PFOS and three other PFAS compounds in March 2020.
•New Jersey finalized drinking water standards and designated PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances in June 2020.
•New York established drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS in July 2020.
•New Hampshire established drinking water standards by legislation for certain PFAS compounds, including PFOS and PFOA, in July 2020.
•Michigan implemented final drinking water standards for certain PFAS compounds, including PFOS and PFOA, in August 2020.
•Massachusetts published final regulations establishing a drinking water standard relating to six combined PFAS compounds in October 2020.
•Wisconsin established drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water in August 2022.
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Some other states have also been evaluating or have taken actions relating to PFOA, PFOS and other PFAS compounds in products such as food packaging, carpets and other products. For example, in October 2021, two bills were signed into law in California that prohibit the use of PFAS in children’s products and in food packaging. In October 2022, California passed additional legislation prohibiting the manufacture, distribution of sale of textiles and cosmetics containing certain PFAS. Additionally, in 2021 and 2022, California finalized its listing of PFOS (and its salts and transformation and degradation precursors) and PFOA as carcinogens, and PFNA as a reproductive toxicant under its Proposition 65 law. California has also proposed listing PFDA, PFHxS, and PFUNDA as reproductive toxicants under Proposition 65.
In June 2022, Colorado enacted a law which restricts the sale of certain consumer products, including carpets and furniture, fabric treatments, food packaging, and children’s products, that contain intentionally added PFAS.
In August 2021, Maine became the first state to ban all PFAS compounds in all products, except where use is "unavoidable". The ban becomes effective in 2030. The same legislation requires manufacturers to meet notification requirements for all products sold into Maine that contain intentionally added PFAS starting in January 2023.
Washington has also passed manufacturer reporting requirements, which would require PFAS manufacturers to report PFAS-containing products sold in the state under a broad definition of PFAS. Such reporting requirements could result in additional legal actions related to additional 3M products.
In October 2020, 3M and several other parties filed notices of appeal in the appellate division of the Superior Court of New Jersey to challenge the validity of the New Jersey PFOS and PFOA regulations. In January 2021, the appellate division of the court denied the group’s motion to stay the regulations. The parties completed briefing on the merits in October 2021 and the court has scheduled oral argument for November 2022.
In March 2021, 3M filed a lawsuit against the New York State Department of Health, on the grounds that drinking water levels set by the agency for PFOS and PFOA should be vacated because they are arbitrary and did not comply with statutorily required processes. An oral argument on the merits was held in December 2021. In June 2022, the court issued a decision denying and dismissing the Company’s lawsuit on standing grounds. The Company has filed a notice of appeal.
In April 2021, 3M also filed a lawsuit against the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) to invalidate the drinking water standards EGLE promulgated under an accelerated timeline. EGLE moved to dismiss that lawsuit. In September 2021, the court denied EGLE’s motion in part, the parties have briefed the merits of the remaining claims and the court heard oral argument in June 2022. The parties await a ruling by the court.
The Company cannot predict what additional regulatory actions in the United States, Europe and elsewhere arising from the foregoing or other proceedings and activities, if any, may be taken regarding such compounds or the consequences of any such actions to the Company, including to its manufacturing operations and its products. Given divergent and rapidly evolving regulatory standards, there is currently significant uncertainty about the potential costs to industry and communities associated with remediation and control technologies that may be required.
Litigation Related to Historical PFAS Manufacturing Operations in Alabama
As previously reported, a former employee filed a putative class action lawsuit against 3M, BFI Waste Management Systems of Alabama, and others in the Circuit Court of Morgan County, Alabama (the “St. John” case), seeking property damage from exposure to certain perfluorochemicals at or near the Company’s Decatur, Alabama, manufacturing facility. The parties have agreed to repeated stays of the St. John case, to permit ongoing mediation between the parties involved in this case and another case discussed below. Two additional putative class actions filed in the same court by certain residents in the vicinity of the Decatur plant seeking relief on similar grounds (the Chandler case and the Stover case, respectively) were stayed pending the resolution of class certification issues in the St. John case.
In June 2016, the Tennessee Riverkeeper, Inc. (Riverkeeper), a non-profit corporation, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama against 3M; BFI Waste Systems of Alabama; the City of Decatur, Alabama; and the Municipal Utilities Board of Decatur, Morgan County, Alabama. This case was also stayed, pending ongoing mediation and discussions between the parties in conjunction with the St. John case.
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In October 2021, 3M reached agreements in principle to resolve litigation with the Tennessee Riverkeeper organization, as well as the plaintiffs in the St. John (including Stover, Owens and Chandler) matters. The agreements, as finalized and approved by the court, complements the Interim Consent Order that 3M entered with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) in 2020, as described below. Key provisions of these agreements include 3M’s continued environmental characterization, including sampling of environmental media, such as soil, ground water, and sediment, regarding the potential presence of PFAS at the 3M Decatur facility and legacy disposal sites, as well as supporting the execution of appropriate remedial actions. In December 2021, the court in the St. John action granted preliminary approval of the class settlement, and in April 2022, the court granted the final approval of the class settlement. In June 2022, the court dismissed the Tennessee Riverkeeper case with prejudice.
In October 2015, West Morgan-East Lawrence Water & Sewer Authority (Water Authority) filed a complaint against 3M Company, Dyneon, L.L.C, and Daikin America, Inc., in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The complaint also included representative plaintiffs who brought the complaint on behalf of themselves, and a class of all owners and possessors of property who use water provided by the Water Authority and five local water works to which the Water Authority supplies water. In April 2019, 3M and the Water Authority settled the lawsuit for $35 million, which will fund a new water filtration system, with 3M indemnifying the Water Authority from liability resulting from the resolution of currently pending and future lawsuits against the Water Authority alleging liability or damages related to 3M PFAS. In October 2021, with respect to the putative class claims brought by the representative plaintiffs who were supplied drinking water by the Water Authority (the “Lindsey” case), the parties reached an agreement in principle to resolve the claims for an immaterial amount. In March 2022, the court issued a final order approving the class settlement.
In August 2016, a group of over 200 plaintiffs filed a putative class action against West Morgan-East Lawrence Water and Sewer Authority (Water Authority), 3M, Dyneon, Daikin, BFI, and the City of Decatur in state court in Lawrence County, Alabama (the “Billings” case). Plaintiffs were residents of Lawrence, Morgan and other counties who are or have been customers of the Water Authority. They contended defendants had released PFAS that contaminate the Tennessee River and, in turn, their drinking water, causing damage to their health and properties. In January 2017, the court in the St. John case, discussed above, stayed this litigation pending resolution of the St. John case. Plaintiffs in the Billings case have amended their complaint numerous times to add additional plaintiffs. There were approximately 4,900 named plaintiffs. The parties entered into a settlement agreement and resolved the litigation in March 2022.
In January 2017, several hundred plaintiffs sued 3M, Dyneon and Daikin America in Lawrence and Morgan Counties, Alabama (the “Owens” case). The plaintiffs are owners of property, residents, and holders of property interests who receive their water from the Water Authority. They asserted common law claims for negligence, nuisance, trespass, wantonness, and battery, and they sought injunctive relief and punitive damages. The plaintiffs contend that the defendants own and operate manufacturing and disposal facilities in Decatur that have released and continue to release PFOA, PFOS and related chemicals into the groundwater and surface water of their sites, resulting in discharges into the Tennessee River. The plaintiffs contend that, as a result of the alleged discharges, the water supplied by the Water Authority to the plaintiffs was, and is, contaminated with PFOA, PFOS and related chemicals at a level dangerous to humans. The court denied a motion by co-defendant Daikin to stay this case pending resolution of the St. John case. The parties entered into a settlement agreement to resolve the litigation and the case has been dismissed.
In November 2017, a putative class action (the “King” case) was filed against 3M, Dyneon, Daikin America and the Water Authority in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. The plaintiffs are residents of Lawrence and Morgan County, Alabama who receive their water from the Water Authority and seek injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees, compensatory and punitive damages for their alleged personal injuries. The plaintiffs contended that the defendants own and operate manufacturing and disposal facilities in Decatur, Alabama that have released and continue to release PFOA, PFOS and related chemicals into the groundwater and surface water of their sites, resulting in discharges into the Tennessee River. The plaintiffs contend that, as a result of the alleged discharges, the water supplied by the Water Authority to the plaintiffs was, and is, contaminated with PFOA, PFOS and related chemicals at a level dangerous to humans. In November 2019, the King plaintiffs amended their complaint to withdraw all class allegations. Since then, the complaint has been amended several times to add or dismiss plaintiffs, and the case currently involves 37 plaintiffs. The case was scheduled for trial in July 2023. In August 2022, the parties agreed to enter into a settlement agreement to resolve this case.
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In July 2019, 3M announced that it had initiated an investigation into the possible presence of PFAS in three closed municipal landfills in Decatur that accepted waste from 3M’s Decatur plant and other companies in the 1960s through the 1980s. 3M has worked with the City of Decatur and other local and state entities such as Morgan County and Decatur Utilities as it has conducted its investigation. In November 2021, 3M and the City of Decatur, Decatur Utilities and Morgan County executed a collaborative agreement under which the Company agreed to contribute approximately $99 million and also to continue to address certain PFAS-related matters in the area. The contribution relates to initiatives to improve the quality of life and overall environment in Decatur, including community redevelopment and recreation projects by the City, County and Decatur Utilities. It also includes addressing PFAS matters at the Morgan County landfill and reimbursement of costs previously incurred related to PFAS remediation. In addition to the contribution, 3M will continue to address PFAS at certain other closed municipal sites at which the Company historically disposed waste and continue environmental characterization in the area. This work will complement the Interim Consent Order that 3M entered with ADEM in 2020 and includes sampling of environmental media, such as ground water, regarding the potential presence of PFAS at the 3M Decatur facility and legacy disposal sites, as well as supporting the execution of appropriate remedial actions.
3M is also defending or has received notice of potential lawsuits in state and federal court brought by individual property owners who claim damages related to historical PFAS disposal at former area landfills near their Decatur-area properties. 3M continues to negotiate with property owners and has resolved for an immaterial amount some of the claims brought by them.
In September 2020, the City of Guin Water Works and Sewer Board (Guin WWSB) brought a lawsuit against 3M in Alabama state court alleging that PFAS contamination in the Guin water system stems from manufacturing operations at 3M’s Guin facility and disposal activity at a nearby landfill. In this same month, Guin WWSB dismissed its lawsuit without prejudice worked with 3M to further investigate the presence of chemicals in the area. In December 2021, the parties reached a settlement under which 3M agreed to contribute $30 million that will be used on a new treatment system for Guin’s drinking water and a new wastewater treatment facility. In March 2022, a new putative class action was filed in the Northern District of Alabama on behalf of Guin WWSB ratepayers. Defendants include 3M, the Guin landfill, the Guin WWSB, and some waste transporters. The plaintiffs allege that their water supply has been contaminated with PFAS, which has caused them property damage and unspecified damage to health interests. The Company has filed a motion to dismiss this case. The case has been removed to federal court and 3M has moved to transfer the case to the AFFF MDL.
State Attorneys General Litigation related to PFAS
As previously reported, several state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against 3M and other defendants that are now pending in a federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL) court in South Carolina regarding Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), described further below. The lawsuits generally seek, on a state-wide basis: injunctive relief, investigative and remedial work, compensatory damages, natural resource damages, attorneys’ fees, and, where available, punitive damages related to the states’ response to PFAS contamination. Currently in the AFFF MDL, state attorneys general lawsuits have been brought against 3M on behalf of the people of the states of Alaska; New York; Ohio; New Jersey; New Hampshire; Vermont, Michigan; Mississippi; North Carolina; Massachusetts; and on behalf of the people of the territory of Guam and Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.
There are also multiple state attorneys general lawsuits that are pending outside the AFFF MDL, as described below. 3M and other companies have also received a notice of intent to commence litigation regarding PFAS from the California Attorney General.
New Jersey. In March 2019, the New Jersey Attorney General filed two actions against 3M, DuPont, and Chemours on behalf of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the NJDEP’s commissioner, and the New Jersey Spill Compensation Fund regarding alleged discharges at two DuPont facilities in Pennsville, New Jersey (Salem County) and Parlin, New Jersey (Middlesex County). 3M is included as a defendant in both cases because it allegedly supplied PFOA to DuPont for use at the facilities at issue. Both cases expressly seek to have the defendants pay all costs necessary to investigate, remediate, assess, and restore the affected natural resources of New Jersey. DuPont removed these cases to federal court. In June 2020, the court consolidated the two actions, along with two others brought by the NJDEP relating to the DuPont facilities, for case management and pretrial purposes. In December 2021, the court denied various motions to dismiss that the defendants had filed, including 3M's motions. In March 2022, 3M answered the complaints. The parties are conducting discovery.
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New Hampshire. In May 2019, the New Hampshire Attorney General filed two lawsuits alleging contamination of the state’s drinking water supplies and other natural resources by PFAS chemicals. As described above, one lawsuit was transferred to the AFFF MDL. The other suit asserts PFAS contamination from non-AFFF sources and names 3M, DuPont, and Chemours as defendants. In its June 2020 ruling on defendants’ motions to dismiss, the court dismissed the state’s trespass claim, but allowed several claims to proceed. In October 2020, the state amended its complaint to add a state commission as plaintiff and make a claim related to the state’s drinking water and groundwater trust fund statute. In July 2021, the court granted defendants’ motions to dismiss these amendments. In September 2021 the state filed its second amended complaint, which 3M answered in October 2021. The Company removed the case to federal court and attempted to transfer it to the AFFF MDL, which was denied at this juncture in the litigation. The state has moved to remand the case back to state court, which remains pending.
Vermont. In June 2019, the Vermont Attorney General filed two lawsuits alleging contamination of the state’s drinking water supplies and other natural resources by PFAS chemicals. As described above, one lawsuit was transferred to the AFFF MDL. The other suit asserts PFAS contamination from non-AFFF sources and names 3M and several entities related to DuPont and Chemours as defendants. This suit is proceeding in state court. In May 2020, the court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss, but dismissed the state’s trespass claim as to property the state does not own. The parties are now engaged in discovery and the court extended the trial-ready date to October 2024.
In October 2022, the Vermont Attorney General moved to amend the complaint in the non-AFFF lawsuit, seeking to add claims related to PFBS and GenX to the lawsuit. The motion also seeks to add a claim under Vermont’s Waste Management Act, which was recently amended to add manufacturers as liable parties for the release or threatened release of hazardous materials (which in Vermont includes certain PFAS compounds). This motion is currently pending.
Illinois. In March 2022, the Illinois Attorney General filed a lawsuit in Illinois state court against 3M alleging contamination of the state's natural resources by PFAS compounds disposed of by, or discharged, or emitted from 3M's Cordova plant. The complaint requests monetary damages, injunctive relief, civil penalties, a testing program, and a public outreach and information sharing program. The case was removed to federal court and 3M moved to transfer it to the AFFF MDL, which was denied at this stage in the litigation. The state has moved to remand the case back to state court.
Wisconsin. In July 2022, the Wisconsin Attorney General filed a lawsuit in state court against 18 defendants, including the Company, alleging environmental contamination and public health impacts due to the PFAS chemicals and seeking punitive damages and reimbursement for the costs of investigations, cleanup and remediation. The case has been removed to federal court, and the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has issued a conditional transfer order which, if finalized, would send the case to the AFFF MDL.
In addition to the above state attorneys general actions, several other states and the District of Columbia, through their attorneys general, have announced selection processes to retain outside law firms to bring PFAS-related lawsuits against certain manufacturers including the Company. In addition, the Company is in discussions with several state attorneys general and agencies, responding to information and other requests relating to PFAS matters and exploring potential resolution of some of the matters raised.
Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Environmental Litigation
3M manufactured and marketed AFFF for use in firefighting at airports and military bases from approximately 1963 to 2002. As of September 30, 2022, 3,095 lawsuits (including 33 putative class actions and more than 200 public water systems) alleging injuries or damages by AFFF use have been filed against 3M (along with other defendants) in various state and federal courts. As further described below, a vast majority of these pending cases are in a federal Multi-District Litigation (MDL) court in South Carolina. Additional AFFF cases continue to be filed in or transferred to the MDL. Claims in the MDL are asserted by individuals, public water systems, putative class members, state and territorial sovereigns, and other entities. Plaintiffs seek a variety of relief in cases in the MDL, including, where applicable, damages for personal injury, property damage, water treatment costs, medical monitoring, natural resource damages, and punitive damages. The Company also continues to defend certain AFFF cases that remain in state court and is in discussions with pre-suit claimants for possible resolutions where appropriate.
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In December 2018, the JPML granted motions to transfer and consolidate all AFFF cases pending in federal courts to the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina to be managed in an MDL proceeding to centralize pre-trial proceedings. The parties in the MDL are currently in the process of conducting discovery. An initial pool of ten water supplier cases was selected in February 2021 for case-specific fact discovery as potential bellwether cases. In October 2021, the parties and the MDL court selected three of these cases for additional fact and expert discovery and for potential trial as bellwether cases. The MDL court has repeatedly encouraged the parties to negotiate to resolve cases in the MDL. The parties jointly recommended a mediator to assist their efforts in seeking to resolve some or all of the claims asserted in the MDL. The court's decision on the mediator is pending.
In November 2021, the defendants filed an omnibus motion regarding their government contractor defense. Oral argument on the motion was held in August 2022. In September 2022, the court issued an order denying defendants’ summary judgment motions on the government contractor defense, which can be presented to a jury at future trials.
In September 2022, the court selected the City of Stuart, Florida public water supplier case as the first bellwether trial, to begin in June 2023.
In June 2019, several subsidiaries of Valero Energy Corporation, an independent petroleum refiner, filed eight AFFF cases against 3M and other defendants, including DuPont/Chemours, National Foam, Buckeye Fire Equipment, and Kidde-Fenwal, in various state courts. Plaintiffs seek damages that allegedly have been or will be incurred in investigating and remediating PFAS contamination at their properties and replacing or disposing of AFFF products containing long-chain PFAS compounds. Two of these cases have been removed to federal court and transferred to the AFFF MDL. Five cases remain pending in state courts where they are in early stages of litigation, after Valero dismissed its Ohio state court action without prejudice in October 2019. The parties in the state court cases have agreed to stay all five cases.
As of September 30, 2022, the Company is aware of 24 other AFFF suits originally filed in various state courts in which the Company has been named a defendant. 3M anticipates that most of these cases will eventually be removed to federal court and transferred to the AFFF MDL; however, at least two personal injury cases are expected to remain pending in state courts. Two subsidiaries of Husky Energy filed suit in April 2020 against 3M and other AFFF manufacturers in Wisconsin state court relating to alleged PFAS contamination from AFFF use at Husky facilities in Superior, Wisconsin and Lima, Ohio. The parties have entered into a tolling agreement deferring further action on the plaintiffs’ claims. The plaintiffs filed a notice of dismissal without prejudice in September 2020.
Separately, the Company is aware of pre-suit claims or demands by other parties related to the use and disposal of AFFF, one of which purports to represent a large group of firefighters. The Company had discussions with certain potential pre-suit claimants and, as a result of such discussions, reached a negotiated resolution for an immaterial amount with the City of Bemidji in March 2021.
Other PFAS-related Product and Environmental Litigation
3M manufactured and sold various products containing PFOA and PFOS, including Scotchgard, for several decades. Starting in 2017, 3M has been served with individual and putative class action complaints in various state and federal courts alleging, among other things, that 3M’s customers’ improper disposal of PFOA and PFOS resulted in the contamination of groundwater or surface water. The plaintiffs in these cases generally allege that 3M failed to warn its customers about the hazards of improper disposal of the product. They also generally allege that contaminated groundwater has caused various injuries, including personal injury, loss of use and enjoyment of their properties, diminished property values, investigation costs, and remediation costs. Several companies have been sued along with 3M, including Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corp., Honeywell International Inc. f/k/a Allied-Signal Inc. and/or AlliedSignal Laminate Systems, Inc., Wolverine World Wide Inc., Georgia-Pacific LLC, E.I. DuPont De Nemours and Co., Chemours Co., and various carpet manufacturers.
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In New York, 3M is defending 39 individual cases filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York and five additional individual cases filed in New York state court against 3M, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corp. (Saint-Gobain), Honeywell International Inc. and E.I. DuPont De Nemours and Co. (DuPont). Tonaga, Inc. (Taconic) is also a defendant in the state court actions. Plaintiffs allege that PFOA discharged from fabric coating facilities operated by non-3M entities (that allegedly had used PFOA-containing materials from 3M, among others) contaminated the drinking water in the Village of Hoosick Falls, the Town of Hoosick and Petersburg, New York. Plaintiffs in both the federal and state individual cases assert various tort claims for personal injury and property damage and in some cases request medical monitoring. 3M has answered the operative complaints in these individual cases, which are now proceeding through discovery. In the federal court individual cases, the parties selected 24 claimants in May 2021 for a discovery pool, which was further narrowed to eight claimants in July 2022 for expert discovery. Additionally, 3M is defending a case in New York state court filed by the Town of Petersburgh in September 2022. Plaintiff alleges that 3M and several other manufacturers contributed to PFOA contamination in the town’s public water supply. In February 2022, the district court granted final approval authorizing a settlement between certain parties, including 3M, for a putative class action filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. Under the agreement, 3M, Saint-Gobain and Honeywell collectively contributed to a fixed total amount of approximately $65 million to resolve the plaintiffs’ claims and those of the proposed classes. 3M’s contribution is not considered material. 3M is also defending 13 cases in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York filed by various drinking water providers. The plaintiffs in these cases allege that products manufactured by 3M, DuPont, and additional unnamed defendants contaminated plaintiffs’ water supply sources with various PFAS compounds. DuPont’s motion to transfer these cases to the AFFF MDL was denied in March 2020. 3M has filed answers in these cases and discovery is ongoing.
In Michigan, one consolidated putative class action is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan against 3M and Wolverine World Wide (Wolverine). The action arises from Wolverine’s allegedly improper disposal of materials and wastes, including 3M Scotchgard, related to Wolverine’s shoe manufacturing operations. Plaintiffs allege Wolverine used 3M Scotchgard in its manufacturing process and that chemicals from 3M’s product contaminated the environment and drinking water sources after disposal. Following substantial discovery, motions practice, and productive mediation sessions, 3M and Wolverine agreed to settle the case with the plaintiffs in an amount that is not considered material, and in September 2022 the court granted preliminary approval of the settlement agreement and set a final approval hearing date in March 2023. In addition to the consolidated federal court putative class action, 3M had been a defendant in approximately 280 private individual actions in Michigan state court based on similar allegations. 3M and Wolverine have finalized settlement agreements for all such actions except one. The settlement amounts are not considered material. 3M and Wolverine’s motion to dismiss the lone remaining individual Michigan state court case was granted without prejudice in June 2022.
In Alabama and Georgia, 3M, together with multiple co-defendants, is defending three state court cases brought by municipal water utilities, relating to 3M’s sale of PFAS-containing products to carpet manufacturers in Georgia. The plaintiffs in these cases allege that the carpet manufacturers improperly discharged PFAS into the surface water and groundwater, contaminating drinking water supplies of cities located downstream along the Coosa River, including Rome, Georgia and Centre and Gadsden, Alabama. The three water utility cases have been proceeding through discovery. In September 2022, the Company reached an agreement with the Gadsden Water Works and Sewer Board to resolve the matter. This development, as with developments on other PFAS matters, was reflected in determining changes to 3M’s accrual for PFAS-related "other environmental liabilities." Another case originally filed in Georgia state court was brought by individuals asserting PFAS contamination by the Georgia carpet manufacturers and seeking economic damages and injunctive relief on behalf of a putative class of Rome and Floyd County water subscribers. This case has been removed to federal court, where 3M filed a motion to dismiss a series of amended complaints, resulting in the dismissal of plaintiffs’ negligence claim against 3M. This case is proceeding through discovery.
The City of Rome case has been scheduled for trial in June 2023. 3M, together with co-defendants, is also defending another putative class action in federal court in Georgia, in which plaintiffs seek relief on behalf of a class of individual ratepayers in Summerville, Georgia who allege their water supply was contaminated by PFAS discharged from a textile mill. In May 2021, the City of Summerville filed a motion to intervene in the lawsuit, which was granted in March 2022. 3M's motion to dismiss the case was denied in March 2022. This case is now proceeding through discovery.
In California, 3M, Decra Roofing and certain DuPont-related entities were named as defendants in an action brought in state court by the City of Corona and a local utility authority, alleging PFAS contamination of the plaintiffs’ water sources and also referring to 3M's industrial minerals facility in Corona, California as a potential source of contamination. Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint in June 2021. In October 2021, 3M filed a demurrer to the amended complaint in state court. The demurrer was denied in January 2022 and 3M answered the complaint in February 2022. In June 2022, the Sacramento Suburban Water District filed a lawsuit in California federal court against 3M and certain other defendants, alleging PFAS contamination from 3M products generally. 3M filed its motion to dismiss in August 2022, and that motion is scheduled for a hearing in October 2022.
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In Delaware, 3M, together with several co-defendants, is defending one putative class action brought by individuals alleging PFAS contamination of their water supply resulting from the operations of local metal plating facilities. Plaintiffs allege that 3M supplied PFAS to the metal plating facilities. DuPont, Chemours, and the metal platers have also been named as defendants. This case has been removed from state court to federal court, and plaintiffs have withdrawn its motion to remand to state court and filed an amended complaint. 3M has filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint. In February 2021, the court raised the question whether subject matter jurisdiction under the Class Action Fairness Act was proper, issued an order requiring the parties to brief the issue and denied defendants’ motions to dismiss with leave to renew pending the court’s ruling on jurisdiction. An oral argument was held in September 2021. In December 2021, the court issued an order retaining jurisdiction over the case and 3M renewed its previous motion to dismiss. In September 2022, the court dismissed all but plaintiffs’ negligence claim as to each moving defendant. The parties are currently negotiating a scheduling order to be proposed to the court.
In New Jersey, 3M is a defendant in an action brought in federal court by Middlesex Water Company, alleging PFAS contamination of its water wells. 3M’s motion to transfer the case to the AFFF MDL was denied. 3M has answered the complaint, and discovery closed in September 2021. The parties engaged in mediation. 3M filed its motion for summary judgement in March 2022. In September 2020, 3M was named a defendant in a similar lawsuit brought by the Borough of Hopatcong. In December 2020, 3M filed a motion to dismiss the Hopatcong matter, which remains pending. In January 2021, 3M was named a defendant in another similar lawsuit brought by the Pequannock Township. In March 2021, 3M filed a motion to dismiss the Pequannock matter, which remains pending. Fact discovery has closed in both the Hopatcong and Pequannock matters. 3M, together with several co-defendants, is also defending 26 cases in New Jersey federal court brought by individuals with private drinking water wells near certain DuPont and Solvay facilities that were allegedly supplied with PFAS by 3M. These cases have all been coordinated for discovery, which is ongoing. Plaintiffs in ten of these cases seek medical monitoring and property damages. 3M’s motion to dismiss the earliest filed of these cases was largely denied in February 2021, and 3M has since filed answers in ten of these cases. Plaintiffs in the 16 remaining individual cases in federal court allege personal injuries to themselves or their disabled adult children. 3M moved to dismiss the first five of these cases, and these motions were granted in part in February 2022. By stipulation, the parties have agreed to treat the parties’ motion to dismiss briefing and the Court’s ruling from the first five cases as filed in two additional cases. In July 2022, Plaintiffs sought leave to amend their complaints in the first five cases to add claims concerning seven non-PFAS chemistries as against defendants other than 3M. The nine remaining personal injury cases were filed in state court and removed to federal court. Plaintiffs are currently seeking remand in four of these cases. In three of these cases, Plaintiffs also assert claims against Clemente Property and the Covanta Waste Disposal Facility. 3M is also defending a putative class action filed in New Jersey federal court in November 2021 by individuals who received drinking water from Middlesex Water Company that was allegedly contaminated with PFAS in excess of state regulatory levels. Middlesex Water Company is also named as a defendant in this action. With respect to 3M, the suit asserts claims for negligence, nuisance, and trespass. Plaintiffs seek an injunction to include bottled water and home treatment systems and alleged damages for diminution-in-property value, among other relief. 3M filed a motion to dismiss in March 2022. This case remains in early stages of litigation. In May 2022, Middlesex Water Company filed a third-party complaint against the Company in New Jersey state court in a putative class action of the state residents who are customers of the water company, seeking indemnity from the Company. In June 2022, 3M moved to dismiss and/or stay the third-party complaint in that action. Middlesex Water Company subsequently removed the case to federal court in July 2022. Plaintiffs then filed a motion to remand the case to state court. The federal court stayed 3M’s deadline to respond to the third-party complaint until after the motion to remand is decided. Finally, in June 2022, a personal injury lawsuit was filed against 3M by a Middlesex Water Company customer. In October 2022, after 3M filed its motion to dismiss, plaintiff voluntarily dismissed his complaint without prejudice.
In South Carolina, a putative class action lawsuit was filed in South Carolina state court against 3M, DuPont and DuPont related entities in March 2022. The lawsuit alleges property damage and personal injuries from contamination from PFAS compounds used and disposed of at the textile plant known as the Galey & Lord plant from 1966 until 2016. The complaint seeks remedies including damages, punitive damages, and medical monitoring. The case has been removed to federal court.3M and DuPont filed a joint motion to dismiss in September 2022.
In Massachusetts, a putative class action lawsuit was filed in August 2022 in state court against 3M and several other defendants alleging PFAS contamination from waste generated by local paper manufacturing facilities. The lawsuit alleges property damage and also seeks medical monitoring on behalf of plaintiffs within the Town of Westminster. 3M has not yet been served in this case.
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In October 2018, 3M and other defendants, including DuPont and Chemours, were named in a putative class action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio brought by the named plaintiff, a firefighter allegedly exposed to PFAS chemicals through his use of firefighting foam, purporting to represent a putative class of all U.S. individuals with detectable levels of PFAS in their blood. The plaintiff brings claims for negligence, battery, and conspiracy and seeks injunctive relief, including an order “establishing an independent panel of scientists” to evaluate PFAS. 3M and other entities jointly filed a motion to dismiss in February 2019. In September 2019, the court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss. In February 2020, the court denied 3M’s motion to transfer the case to the AFFF MDL. In March 2022, the court certified a class of "[i]ndividuals subject to the laws of Ohio, who have 0.05 [ppt] of PFOA (C-8) and at least 0.05 ppt of any other PFAS in their blood serum." The judge ordered additional briefing to permit defendants to narrow the proposed nationwide class by “show[ing] what states do not recognize the type of claim for relief filed by” the plaintiff. The defendants have filed a petition for permission to file an interlocutory appeal of the certification order with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. In September 2022, the Sixth Circuit granted the defendants’ request to appeal the district court’s class certification order, finding that interlocutory review is warranted because the class certification order raised important and unsettled questions. The defendants have filed a notice of appeal with the Sixth Circuit.
Other PFAS-related Matters
In July 2019, the Company received a written request from the Subcommittee on Environment of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, seeking certain documents and information relating to the Company’s manufacturing and distribution of PFAS products. In September 2019, a 3M representative testified before and responded to questions from the Subcommittee on Environment with respect to PFAS and the Company’s environmental stewardship initiatives. The Company continues to cooperate with the Subcommittee.
The Company continues to make progress in its work, under the supervision of state regulators, to remediate historic disposal of PFAS-containing waste associated with manufacturing operations at its Decatur, Alabama; Cottage Grove, Minnesota; and Cordova, Illinois plants.
As previously reported, the Illinois EPA in August 2014 approved a request by the Company to establish a groundwater management zone at its manufacturing facility in Cordova, Illinois, which includes ongoing pumping of impacted site groundwater, groundwater monitoring and routine reporting of results. In May 2022, the Company responded to Illinois EPA’s request expressing the Company’s intent to continue voluntary remedial actions pursuant to the voluntary May 2000 Site Remediation Agreement, including anticipated completion schedules, ongoing operation and expansion of groundwater management activities, and new regional sampling and on-site activities at the Cordova facility. In June 2022, the Illinois EPA provided notice of the termination of the Cordova May 2000 Site Remediation Agreement. The Company continues to perform pumping of impacted site groundwater, groundwater monitoring and routine reporting of results to Illinois EPA.
In Minnesota, the Company continues to work with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) pursuant to the terms of the previously disclosed May 2007 Settlement Agreement and Consent Order to address the presence of certain PFAS compounds in the soil and groundwater at former disposal sites in Washington County, Minnesota (Oakdale and Woodbury) and at the Company’s manufacturing facility at Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Under this agreement, the Company’s principal obligations include (i) evaluating releases of certain PFAS compounds from these sites and proposing response actions; (ii) providing treatment or alternative drinking water upon identifying any level exceeding a HBV or Health Risk Limit (HRL) (i.e., the amount of a chemical in drinking water determined by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to be safe for human consumption over a lifetime) for certain PFAS compounds for which a HBV and/or HRL exists as a result of contamination from these sites; (iii) remediating identified sources of other PFAS compounds at these sites that are not controlled by actions to remediate PFOA and PFOS; and (iv) sharing information with the MPCA about certain perfluorinated compounds. During 2008, the MPCA issued formal decisions adopting remedial options for the former disposal sites in Washington County, Minnesota (Oakdale and Woodbury). In August 2009, the MPCA issued a formal decision adopting remedial options for the Company’s Cottage Grove manufacturing facility. During the spring and summer of 2010, 3M began implementing the agreed upon remedial options at the Cottage Grove and Woodbury sites. 3M commenced the remedial option at the Oakdale site in late 2010. At each location the remedial options were recommended by the Company and approved by the MPCA. The Company has completed remediation work and continues with operational and maintenance activities at the Oakdale and Woodbury sites. Remediation work has been substantially completed at the Cottage Grove site, with operational and maintenance activities ongoing.
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In Alabama, as previously reported, the Company entered into a voluntary remedial action agreement with ADEM to remediate the presence of PFAS in the soil and groundwater at the Company’s manufacturing facility in Decatur, Alabama associated with the historic (1978-1998) incorporation of wastewater treatment plant sludge. With ADEM’s agreement, 3M substantially completed installation of a multilayer cap on the former sludge incorporation areas. Further remediation activities, including certain on-site and off-site investigations and studies, will be conducted in accordance with the July 2020 Interim Consent Order described below.
The Company operates under a 2009 consent order issued under the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (the “2009 TSCA consent order”) for the manufacture and use of two perfluorinated materials (FBSA and FBSEE) at its Decatur, Alabama site that does not permit release of these materials into “the waters of the United States.” In March 2019, the Company halted the manufacture, processing, and use of these materials at the site upon learning that these materials may have been released from certain specified processes at the Decatur site into the Tennessee River. In April 2019, the Company voluntarily disclosed the releases to the U.S. EPA and ADEM. During June and July 2019, the Company took steps to fully control the aforementioned processes by capturing all wastewater produced by the processes and by treating all air emissions. These processes have been back on-line and in operation since July 2019. The Company continues to cooperate with the EPA and ADEM in their investigations and will work with the regulatory authorities to demonstrate compliance with the release restrictions.
The Company is authorized to discharge wastewater from its Decatur plant pursuant to the terms of a Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by ADEM. The NPDES permit requires the Company to report on a monthly and quarterly basis the quality and quantity of pollutants discharged to the Tennessee River. In June 2019, as previously reported, the Company voluntarily disclosed to the EPA and ADEM that it had included incorrect values in certain of its monthly and quarterly reports. The Company has submitted the corrected values to both the EPA and ADEM.
As previously reported, as part of ongoing work with the EPA and ADEM to address compliance matters at the Decatur facility, the Company discovered it had not fully characterized its PFAS discharge in its NPDES permit. In September 2019, the Company disclosed the matter to the EPA and ADEM and announced that it had elected to temporarily idle certain other manufacturing processes at 3M Decatur. The Company is reviewing its operations at the plant, has installed wastewater treatment controls and has restarted idled processes.
As a result of the Company’s discussions with ADEM to address these and other related matters in the state of Alabama, as previously reported, 3M and ADEM agreed to the terms of an interim Consent Order in July 2020 to cover all PFAS-related wastewater discharges and air emissions from the Company’s Decatur facility. Under the interim Consent Order, the Company’s principal obligations include commitments related to (i) future ongoing site operations such as (a) providing certain notices or reports and performing various analytical and characterization studies and (b) future capital improvements; and (ii) remediation activities, including certain on-site and off-site investigations and studies. Obligations related to ongoing future site operations under the Consent Order will involve additional operating costs and capital expenditures over multiple years. As offsite investigation activities continue, additional remediation amounts may become probable and reasonably estimable in the future.
As previously reported, in December 2019, the Company received a grand jury subpoena from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Alabama for documents related to, among other matters, the Company’s compliance with the 2009 TSCA consent order and unpermitted discharges to the Tennessee River. The Company is cooperating with this and other inquiries and requests regarding its manufacturing facilities and is producing documents in response to the inquiries.
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In addition, as previously reported, as part of its ongoing evaluation of regulatory compliance at its Cordova, Illinois facility, the Company discovered it had not fully characterized its PFAS discharge in its NPDES permit for the Cordova facility. In November 2019, the Company disclosed this matter to the EPA, and in January 2020 disclosed this matter to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). The Company continues to work with the EPA and IEPA to address these issues from the Cordova facility, including the nature and scope of a draft EPA SDWA Administrative Consent Order received in December 2021 proposing that the Company survey and sample proposed private and public drinking water wells within the vicinity of the Cordova facility and provide alternate drinking water as appropriate. In September 2022, following discussions with EPA, the Company began sharing water sampling results with private well owners within the vicinity of the Cordova facility and offered to provide, install and maintain water treatment systems to residents with private drinking wells in the area. In October 2022, EPA and 3M began discussions on the terms of a proposed agreed order regarding further private well and public water systems sampling and treatment in the vicinity of the Cordova facility. Discussions are underway regarding the scope and terms of the proposed order. In April 2022, the Company received an information request from EPA seeking information related to the operation of specific PFAS-related processes, and the Company is cooperating with this inquiry and is producing documents and information. In May 2022, the Company received a notice of potential violation and opportunity to confer and a notice of intent to file a complaint from EPA alleging violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) related to the use of emergency spill containment units associated with certain chemical processes at the Cordova facility.
The Company is also reviewing operations at its other plants with similar manufacturing processes, such as the plant in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, to ensure those operations are in compliance with applicable environmental regulatory requirements and Company policies and procedures. As a result of these reviews, as previously reported, the Company discovered it had not fully characterized its PFAS discharge in its NPDES permit for the Cottage Grove facility. In March 2020, the Company disclosed this matter to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the EPA. In July 2020, the Company received an information request from MPCA for documents and information related to, among other matters, the Company’s compliance with the Clean Water Act at its Cottage Grove facility. The Company is cooperating with this inquiry and is producing documents and information in response to the request for information. The Company continues to work with the MPCA and EPA to address the discharges from the Cottage Grove facility.
Separately, as previously reported, in June 2020, the Company reported to EPA and MPCA that it had not fully complied with elements of the inspection, characterization and waste stream profile verification process of the Waste and Feedstream Analysis Plan (WAP/FAP) of its RCRA permit for its Cottage Grove incinerator. In July 2020, the Company received an information request from MPCA related to the June 2020 disclosure, to which the Company responded in September 2020. The Company continues to work with the MPCA to address WAP/FAP implementation issues disclosed in June 2020. In January 2021, the Company received a notice of violation (NOV) from MPCA related to, among other matters, the above-described Clean Water Act and RCRA issues. The Company has cooperated with MPCA to address the issues that are the subject of the NOV and signed a stipulation agreement in May 2022 with MPCA to pay a penalty and settle the waste violations cited in the NOV. 3M paid the penalty in June 2022 and received a letter from the MPCA that the Stipulation Agreement has been terminated. In October 2021, the Company received information requests from MPCA seeking additional toxicological and other information related to certain PFAS compounds. The Company is cooperating with these inquires and is producing documents and information in response to the requests. In June 2022, MPCA directed that the Company address the presence of PFAS in its stormwater discharge from the Cottage Grove facility. The Company is working with MPCA regarding its proposed schedule of compliance.
In February 2020, as previously reported, the Company received an information request from EPA for documents and information related to, among other matters, the Company’s compliance with the Clean Water Act at its facilities that manufacture, process, and use PFAS, including the Decatur, Cordova, and Cottage Grove facilities. The Company is cooperating with this inquiry and is producing documents and information in response to the request for information.
The Company continues to work with relevant federal and state agencies (including EPA, the U.S. Department of Justice, state environmental agencies and state attorneys general) as it conducts these reviews and responds to information, inspection, and other requests from the agencies. The Company cannot predict at this time the outcomes of resolving these compliance matters, what actions may be taken by the regulatory agencies or the potential consequences to the Company.
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Other Environmental Litigation
In July 2018, the Company, along with more than 120 other companies, was served with a complaint seeking cost recovery and contribution towards the cleaning up of approximately eight miles of the Lower Passaic River in New Jersey. The plaintiff, Occidental Chemical Corporation, alleges that it agreed to design and pay the estimated $165 million cost to remove and cap sediment containing eight chemicals of concern, including PCBs and dioxins. The complaint seeks to spread those costs among the defendants, including the Company. The Company’s involvement in the case relates to its past use of two commercial drum conditioning facilities in New Jersey. Whether, and to what extent, the Company may be required to contribute to the costs at issue in the case remains to be determined.
For environmental matters and litigation described above, unless otherwise described below, no liability has been recorded as the Company believes liability in those matters is not probable and reasonably estimable and the Company is not able to estimate a possible loss or range of possible loss at this time. The Company’s environmental liabilities and insurance receivables are described below.
Environmental Liabilities and Insurance Receivables
The Company periodically examines whether the contingent liabilities related to the environmental matters and litigation described above are probable and reasonably estimable based on experience and ongoing developments in those matters, including discussions regarding negotiated resolutions. During the first nine months of 2022, as a result of recent developments in ongoing environmental matters and litigation, the Company increased its accrual for PFAS-related other environmental liabilities by $626 million since December 31, 2021 and made related payments of $394 million. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had recorded liabilities of $644 million for “other environmental liabilities.” The accruals represent the Company’s best estimate of the probable loss in connection with the environmental matters and PFAS-related matters and litigation described above. The Company is not able to estimate a possible loss or range of possible loss in excess of the established accruals at this time.
As of September 30, 2022, the Company had recorded liabilities of $29 million for estimated non-PFAS related “environmental remediation” costs to clean up, treat, or remove hazardous substances at current or former 3M manufacturing or third-party sites. The Company evaluates available facts with respect to each individual site each quarter and records liabilities for remediation costs on an undiscounted basis when they are probable and reasonably estimable, generally no later than the completion of feasibility studies or the Company’s commitment to a plan of action. Liabilities for estimated costs of environmental remediation, depending on the site, are based primarily upon internal or third-party environmental studies, and estimates as to the number, participation level and financial viability of any other potentially responsible parties, the extent of the contamination and the nature of required remedial actions. The Company adjusts recorded liabilities as further information develops or circumstances change. The Company expects that it will pay the amounts recorded over the periods of remediation for the applicable sites, currently ranging up to 20 years.
It is difficult to estimate the cost of environmental compliance and remediation given the uncertainties regarding the interpretation and enforcement of applicable environmental laws and regulations, the extent of environmental contamination and the existence of alternative cleanup methods. Developments may occur that could affect the Company’s current assessment, including, but not limited to: (i) changes in the information available regarding the environmental impact of the Company’s operations and products; (ii) changes in environmental regulations, changes in permissible levels of specific compounds in drinking water sources, or changes in enforcement theories and policies, including efforts to recover natural resource damages; (iii) new and evolving analytical and remediation techniques; (iv) success in allocating liability to other potentially responsible parties; and (v) the financial viability of other potentially responsible parties and third-party indemnitors. For sites included in both “environmental remediation liabilities” and “other environmental liabilities,” at which remediation activity is largely complete and remaining activity relates primarily to operation and maintenance of the remedy, including required post-remediation monitoring, the Company believes the exposure to loss in excess of the amount accrued would not be material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition. However, for locations at which remediation activity is largely ongoing, the Company cannot estimate a possible loss or range of possible loss in excess of the associated established accruals for the reasons described above.
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The Company has both pre-1986 general and product liability occurrence coverage and post-1985 occurrence reported product liability and other environmental coverage for environmental matters and litigation. As of September 30, 2022, the Company’s receivable for insurance recoveries related to the environmental matters and litigation was $8 million. Various factors could affect the timing and amount of recovery of this and future expected increases in the receivable, including (i) delays in or avoidance of payment by insurers; (ii) the extent to which insurers may become insolvent in the future, (iii) the outcome of negotiations with insurers, and (iv) the scope of the insurers’ purported defenses and exclusions to avoid coverage.
Product Liability Litigation
Aearo Technologies sold Dual-Ended Combat Arms – Version 2 earplugs starting in about 2003. 3M acquired Aearo Technologies in 2008 and sold these earplugs from 2008 through 2015, when the product was discontinued. 3M and Aearo Technologies believe the Combat Arms Earplugs were effective and safe when used properly, but nevertheless, as discussed below, face litigation from approximately 227,000 claimants. As noted in the "Respirator Mask/Asbestos Litigation — Aearo Technologies" section above, in July 2022, the Aearo Entities voluntarily initiated chapter 11 proceedings under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code seeking court supervision to establish a trust, funded by the Company, to efficiently and equitably satisfy all claims determined to be entitled to compensation associated with these matters and those described in the earlier section "Respirator Mask/Asbestos Litigation — Aearo Technologies". 3M entered into an agreement with the Aearo Entities to fund this trust and to support the Aearo Entities as they continue to operate during the chapter 11 proceedings. 3M has committed $1.0 billion to fund this trust and has committed an additional $0.2 billion to fund projected related case expenses. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will provide additional funding if required by the Aearo Entities. Related to these actions, which represent a change in strategy for managing the Combat Arms Version 2 earplugs and Aearo respirator mask/asbestos alleged litigation liabilities, 3M reflected a pre-tax charge of $1.2 billion (within selling, general and administrative expenses), inclusive of fees and net of related existing accruals, in the second quarter of 2022. The accrued liability balance is largely reflected within other liabilities on 3M's consolidated balance sheet.
As a result of the bankruptcy proceedings, 3M deconsolidated the Aearo Entities in the third quarter of 2022, resulting in a charge that was not material to 3M. Upon the filings in late July 2022 in the U.S Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana, all litigation against Aearo Entities that filed chapter 11 cases is automatically stayed.
The Aearo Entities have also requested that the Bankruptcy Court confirm that Combat Arms Earplugs litigation against the Company is also stayed or order it enjoined. In August 2022, the Bankruptcy Court denied Aearo’s motion for a preliminary injunction to stay all Combat Arms related litigation against 3M. In September 2022, the bankruptcy judge certified Aearo’s request to appeal the decision directly to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and in October the Seventh Circuit accepted the appeal. Confidential mediation is underway with court-appointed mediators and settlement discussions between Aearo and the plaintiffs are ongoing.
As of September 30, 2022, 3M's consolidated balance sheet reflected amounts associated with the deconsolidated Aearo Entities as follows:
•$0.7 billion asset balance in other investments (within other assets), reflecting 3M's equity investment interest in the entities.
•$0.6 billion net liability for former intercompany amounts due from 3M to the deconsolidated entities. The gross balances are reflected in other liabilities ($0.9 billion) and other assets ($0.3 billion).
•$1.2 billion accrued liability related to the commitments describe above, largely reflected within contingent liability claims and other (within other liabilities) on 3M's consolidated balance sheet.
Preceding Combat Arms Earplugs matters:
In December 2018, a military veteran filed an individual lawsuit against 3M in the San Bernardino Superior Court in California alleging that he sustained personal injuries while serving in the military caused by 3M’s Dual-Ended Combat Arms earplugs – Version 2. The plaintiff asserts claims of product liability and fraudulent misrepresentation and concealment. The plaintiff seeks various damages, including medical and related expenses, loss of income, and punitive damages.
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As of September 30, 2022, the Company is a named defendant in lawsuits (including 14 putative class actions) in various state and federal courts that purport to represent approximately 132,300 individual claimants making similar allegations. The significant increase from year-end 2021 in the number of claimants is largely due to the number of claims moved from the administrative docket to the active docket as the result of the transition orders the multi-district litigation (MDL) judge began issuing at the end of 2021 (as more fully described below), in addition to claims filed directly on the active docket in 2022. In April 2019, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation granted motions to transfer and consolidate all cases pending in federal courts to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida to be managed in an MDL proceeding to centralize pre-trial proceedings. The plaintiffs and 3M filed preliminary summary judgment motions on the government contractor defense. In July 2020, the MDL court granted the plaintiffs’ summary judgment motion and denied the defendants’ summary judgment motion, ruling that plaintiffs’ claims are not barred by the government contractor defense. The court denied the Company’s request to immediately certify the summary judgment ruling for appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. In December 2020, the court granted the plaintiffs’ motion to consolidate three plaintiffs for the first bellwether trial, which began in March 2021.
In April 2021, 3M received an adverse jury verdict in the first bellwether trial. The jury awarded the three plaintiffs less than $1 million in compensatory damages and $6 million in punitive damages for a total of $7 million. 3M appealed the verdicts, challenging, among other rulings, the MDL court's denial of 3M’s motion to assert the government contractor defense. The next two bellwether trials occurred in May and June of 2021. In May 2021, 3M received a verdict in its favor in the second bellwether trial, in which a jury rejected claims that 3M knowingly sold earplugs with design defects. In June 2021, 3M received an adverse verdict in the third bellwether trial. The jury found 3M liable for strict liability failure to warn, but found 3M not liable for design defect or fraud. The jury apportioned fault 62 percent to 3M and 38 percent to the plaintiff for a total damage award of approximately $1 million. 3M appealed the verdict. In October 2021, 3M received an adverse verdict in the fourth bellwether trial, in which a jury awarded $8 million to the plaintiff. 3M received verdicts in its favor in the fifth and sixth bellwether trials. 3M received an adverse verdict in the seventh and eighth bellwether trials, in which the juries awarded the plaintiffs $13 million and $23 million, respectively. 3M prevailed in the ninth and tenth bellwether cases but received adverse verdicts in the eleventh bellwether case in which the jury awarded each of the two plaintiffs $15 million in compensatory and $40 million in punitive damages. 3M received adverse verdicts in the twelfth and thirteenth bellwether cases in which the jury awarded one plaintiff with $50 million and another with $8 million in compensatory damages. 3M prevailed in the fourteenth bellwether trial. Plaintiff in the fourteenth bellwether trial has filed a notice of appeal. In April 2022, a jury returned a plaintiff’s verdict in the fifteenth bellwether trial, awarding $2.2 million in compensatory damages and declining to award punitive damages. In May 2022, a jury returned a plaintiff’s verdict in the last scheduled federal bellwether trial. The jury awarded $5 million in compensatory damages and $72 million in punitive damages. These trials have not included several bellwether cases that plaintiffs' counsel dismissed with prejudice either during discovery or after being set for trial. The Company's appeals to the Eleventh Circuit from the adverse verdicts are proceeding forward, with reply briefs in the first two appeals filed in October 2022. Other than the Company's funding commitment for its Aearo subsidiaries' chapter 11 proceedings as described above, no liability has been recorded for the Combat Arms earplugs litigation because the Company believes any such liability is not probable and reasonably estimable and the Company is not able to estimate a possible loss or range of possible loss at this time. Following conclusion of the bellwether trial process and unsuccessful settlement discussions, and with another 1,500 cases being prepared for trial while the Company's appeals are still pending, the Aearo Entities and the Company adopted a change in strategy for managing these alleged litigation liabilities that led to the Aearo Entities initiating the chapter 11 proceedings as discussed above.
An administrative docket of approximately 94,500 unfiled and unverified claims has also been maintained at the MDL court. The MDL court in August 2021 provided notice of an intent to issue forthcoming transition orders requiring all claims be moved off the administrative docket to the active docket on a rolling basis over 12 months. The orders will provide that any case not moved to the active docket will be dismissed without prejudice, and the administrative docket will then be closed. The MDL court also ordered the parties to prepare for trial 1,500 cases in three waves of 500 cases over the next 14 months. After the preparation of these cases is completed, the cases will be remanded to the federal district courts where the cases were originally filed. Since November 2021, the court has issued four wave orders with approximately 500 cases in each wave. The court ordered a three-day mediation in July 2022; and again in September 2022, a two-day mediation session. The court also set the date for a single plaintiff trial for October 2022, which was postponed to February 2023. In August 2022, subsequent to Aearo’s chapter 11 filing, the MDL court issued an order prohibiting 3M from attempting to relitigate issues in the bankruptcy court and from financially supporting any collateral dispute regarding the MDL court’s previous rulings. 3M has appealed the order to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and made a motion to stay the order pending appeal. In October 2022, the Eleventh Circuit granted 3M’s motion to stay the order pending appeal.
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In September 2022, two MDL plaintiffs filed a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, seeking to permanently enjoin 3M from transferring assets, issuing dividends or completing the announced spin-off of its Health Care business, to allegedly preserve assets for the Combat Arms claimants. The Company has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit and an opposition to the injunction motion.
3M is also defending lawsuits brought primarily by non-military plaintiffs in state court in Hennepin County, Minnesota. 3M removed these actions to federal court, and the federal court remanded them to state court in March 2020. On appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit ruled in October 2021 that the cases brought by non-military plaintiffs were properly remanded to state court, whereas the cases brought by military contractor plaintiffs who had received the Combat Arms Earplugs from the military should have remained in federal court. In November 2021, the Eighth Circuit granted 3M's unopposed motion to vacate the remand orders in the remaining appeals of military service member cases. The military service member cases are expected to be remanded to federal court and transferred to the MDL. There are approximately 40 lawsuits involving approximately 1,000 plaintiffs pending in the state court. The state court cases are subject to a bellwether case selection process. The first trial in Hennepin County was scheduled for October 2022, but has been postponed to January 2023.
As of September 30, 2022, the Company was a named defendant in approximately 5,264 lawsuits in the United States and one Canadian putative class action with a single named plaintiff, alleging that the Bair Hugger™ patient warming system caused a surgical site infection.
As previously disclosed, 3M is a named defendant in lawsuits in federal courts involving over 5,000 plaintiffs alleging that they underwent various joint arthroplasty, cardiovascular, and other surgeries and later developed surgical site infections due to the use of the Bair Hugger™ patient warming system. The plaintiffs seek damages and other relief based on theories of strict liability, negligence, breach of express and implied warranties, failure to warn, design and manufacturing defect, fraudulent and/or negligent misrepresentation/concealment, unjust enrichment, and violations of various state consumer fraud, deceptive or unlawful trade practices and/or false advertising acts.
The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) consolidated all cases pending in federal courts to the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota to be managed in a multi-district litigation (MDL) proceeding. In July 2019, the court excluded several of the plaintiffs’ causation experts, and granted summary judgment for 3M in all cases pending at that time in the MDL. Plaintiffs appealed that decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Plaintiffs also appealed a 2018 jury verdict in favor of 3M in the first bellwether trial in the MDL and appealed the dismissal of another bellwether case. A panel of the appellate court in August 2021 reversed the district court’s exclusion of the plaintiffs’ causation experts and the grant of summary judgment for 3M. The Company sought further appellate en banc review by the full Eighth Circuit court. In November 2021, the Eighth Circuit court denied 3M’s petition for rehearing en banc. In February 2022, the Company filed a petition for a writ of certiorari in the U.S. Supreme Court. In May 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court declined 3M’s request to review the Eighth Circuit court’s decision. The MDL court has not yet issued a new case management order. In February 2022, the MDL court ordered the parties to engage in any mediation sessions that a court-appointed mediator deems appropriate. Mediation sessions took place in May and August 2022. Also, in August 2021, the Eighth Circuit court separately affirmed the 2018 jury verdict in 3M’s favor in the only bellwether trial in the MDL.
In addition to the federal cases, there are five state court cases. Three are pending in Missouri state court and combine Bair Hugger product liability claims with medical malpractice claims. One of the Missouri cases was tried in September and October of 2022; the jury returned a verdict in 3M’s favor on all the claims. The other Missouri case is scheduled for April 2023. There is also one case in Hidalgo County, Texas that combines Bair Hugger product liability claims with medical malpractice claims, and a similar case in Etowah County, Alabama. The Hidalgo County trial is scheduled for December 2022.
As previously disclosed, 3M had been named a defendant in 61 cases in Minnesota state court. In January 2018, the Minnesota state court excluded plaintiffs’ experts and granted 3M’s motion for summary judgment on general causation. The Minnesota Court of Appeals affirmed the state court orders in their entirety and the Minnesota Supreme Court denied plaintiffs’ petition for review and entered the final dismissal in 2019, effectively ending the Minnesota state court cases.
In June 2016, the Company was served with a putative class action filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for all Canadian residents who underwent various joint arthroplasty, cardiovascular, and other surgeries and later developed surgical site infections that the representative plaintiff claims were due to the use of the Bair Hugger™ patient warming system. The representative plaintiff seeks relief (including punitive damages) under Canadian law based on theories similar to those asserted in the MDL.
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For product liability litigation matters described in this section for which a liability has been recorded, the Company is not able to estimate a possible loss or range of possible loss in excess of the established accruals at this time.
Securities and Shareholder Litigation
In July 2019, Heavy & General Laborers’ Locals 472 & 172 Welfare Fund filed a putative securities class action against 3M Company, its former Chairman and CEO, current Chairman and CEO, and former CFO in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. In August 2019, an individual plaintiff filed a similar putative securities class action in the same district. Plaintiffs allege that defendants made false and misleading statements regarding 3M's exposure to liability associated with PFAS and bring claims for damages under Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and SEC Rule 10b-5 against all defendants, and under Section 20(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 against the individual defendants. In October 2019, the court consolidated the securities class actions and appointed a group of lead plaintiffs. In January 2020, the defendants filed a motion to transfer venue to the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. In August 2020, the court denied the motion to transfer venue, and in September 2020, the defendants filed a petition for writ of mandamus to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. In November 2020, the federal Court of Appeals granted 3M’s petition for a writ of mandamus and directed the New Jersey federal court to transfer the action to the Minnesota federal court. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss the action in January 2021, and in September 2021, the Minnesota federal court granted 3M’s motion to dismiss the securities class action, which judgment is now final.
In October 2019, a stockholder derivative lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against 3M and several of its current and former executives and directors. In November and December 2019, two additional derivative lawsuits were filed in a Minnesota state court. The derivative lawsuits rely on similar factual allegations as the putative securities class action discussed above. The Minnesota state court cases were consolidated and stayed pending a decision on the motion to dismiss in the securities class action, and the Minnesota state plaintiffs have agreed to further stay their action pending a decision on the motion to dismiss the federal derivative lawsuit discussed below. In October 2020, the derivative action pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey was dismissed, without prejudice, for failure to serve the complaint within the required time period.
In August 2020, a stockholder who had previously submitted a books and records demand filed an additional follow-on derivative lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against 3M and several of its current and former executives and directors. This derivative lawsuit, having been transferred to Minnesota federal court, also relies on similar factual allegations as the putative securities class action discussed above. In February 2021, an additional stockholder derivative lawsuit was filed in the District of Minnesota, making similar factual allegations as the putative securities class action discussed above. The Minnesota federal court consolidated these federal derivative suits and stayed them pending and through any appeal of the securities class action dismissal. The Minnesota federal plaintiffs then filed an amended complaint in February 2022. The defendants moved to dismiss the consolidated federal derivative action in May 2022. Plaintiffs filed their opposition to the motion to dismiss in August 2022 and the defendants filed their reply brief in October 2022. Oral argument is set for January 2023.
Federal False Claims Act / Qui Tam Litigation
In October 2019, 3M acquired Acelity, Inc. and its KCI subsidiaries, including Kinetic Concepts, Inc. and KCI USA, Inc. As previously disclosed in the SEC filings by the KCI entities, in 2009, Kinetic Concepts, Inc. received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. In 2011, following the completion of the government’s review and its decision declining to intervene in two qui tam actions described further below, the qui tam relator-plaintiffs’ pleadings were unsealed.
The government inquiry followed two qui tam actions filed in 2008 by two former employees against Kinetic Concepts, Inc. and KCI USA, Inc. (collectively, the “KCI defendants”) under seal in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The complaints contain allegations that the KCI Defendants violated the federal False Claims Act by submitting false or fraudulent claims to federal healthcare programs by billing for V.A.C.® Therapy in a manner that was not consistent with the Local Coverage Determinations issued by the Durable Medical Equipment Medicare Administrative Contractors and seek monetary damages. One complaint (the “Godecke case”) also contained allegations that the KCI Defendants retaliated against the relator-plaintiff for alleged whistle-blowing behavior.
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Following preliminary motions practice, two appeals, and discovery in the Godecke case, relator-plaintiff Godecke and the KCI Defendants reached a settlement in early 2022, which included a settlement payment by the KCI Defendants to relator-plaintiff of an agreed amount and a complete dismissal of all claims with prejudice by both parties and without prejudice to the United States. In January 2022, the district court entered an order dismissing the case with prejudice as to the relator-plaintiff and the KCI Defendants and without prejudice to the United States.
Separately, in June 2019, the district court in the second case (the “Hartpence case”) entered summary judgment in the KCI Defendants’ favor on all of the relator-plaintiff’s claims. The relator-plaintiff then filed an appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Oral argument in the Hartpence case was held in July 2020. The appellate court issued an opinion in August 2022 reversing the decision of the district court and remanding the case for further proceedings
For the matters described in this section for which a liability has been recorded, the amount recorded is not material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
Compliance Matter
The Company, through its internal processes, discovered certain travel activities and related funding and record keeping issues raising concerns, arising from marketing efforts by certain business groups based in China. The Company initiated an internal investigation to determine whether the expenditures may have violated the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) or other potentially applicable anti-corruption laws. The Company has retained outside counsel and a forensic accounting firm to assist with the investigation. In July 2019, the Company voluntarily disclosed this investigation to both the Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission and is cooperating with both agencies. The Company cannot predict at this time the outcome of its investigation or what potential actions may be taken by the Department of Justice or Securities and Exchange Commission.
NOTE 15. Stock-Based Compensation
At the May 2021 Annual Meeting, the shareholders approved the Amended and Restated 3M Company 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP), which included an increase of 26,633,508 in the number of shares available for issuance. Awards may be issued in the form of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, other stock awards, and performance units and performance shares. As of September 30, 2022, the remaining shares available for grant under the LTIP Program are 32 million.
The Company’s annual stock option and restricted stock unit grant is made in February to provide a strong and immediate link between the performance of individuals during the preceding year and the size of their annual stock compensation grants. The grant to eligible employees uses the closing stock price on the grant date. Accounting rules require recognition of expense under a non-substantive vesting period approach, requiring compensation expense recognition when an employee is eligible to retire. Employees are considered eligible to retire at age 55 and after having completed ten years of service. This retiree-eligible population represents 36 percent of the annual grant stock-based compensation expense; therefore, higher stock-based compensation expense is recognized in the first quarter.
In addition to the annual grants, the Company makes other minor grants of stock options, restricted stock units and other stock-based grants. The Company issues cash settled restricted stock units and stock appreciation rights in certain countries. These grants do not result in the issuance of common stock and are considered immaterial by the Company.
Amounts recognized in the financial statements with respect to stock-based compensation programs, which include stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and the General Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (GESPP), are provided in the following table. Capitalized stock-based compensation amounts were not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
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Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions) 2022 202120222021
Cost of sales$8 $8 $41 $39 
Selling, general and administrative expenses31 30 145 151 
Research, development and related expenses5 5 40 37 
Stock-based compensation expenses44 43 226 227 
Income tax benefits(10)(13)(56)(89)
Stock-based compensation expenses (benefits), net of tax$34 $30 $170 $138 
Stock Option Program
The following table summarizes stock option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2022:
(Options in thousands)Number of
Options		Weighted
Average
Exercise Price		Weighted Average
Remaining Contractual Life (months)		Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(millions)
Under option —
January 134,560 $163.52 
Granted3,776 162.39 
Exercised(1,722)98.27 
Forfeited(537)178.08 
September 3036,077 166.30 60$17 
Options exercisable
September 3028,670 $166.58 49$17 
Stock options vest over a period from one year to three years with the expiration date at 10 years from date of grant. As of September 30, 2022, there was $59 million of compensation expense that has yet to be recognized related to non-vested stock option based awards. This expense is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average vesting period of 22 months. The total intrinsic values of stock options exercised were $107 million and $306 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Cash received from options exercised was $166 million and $425 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company’s actual tax benefits realized for the tax deductions related to the exercise of employee stock options were $22 million and $65 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
For the primary 2022 annual stock option grant, the weighted average fair value at the date of grant was calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the assumptions that follow.
Stock Option Assumptions
Annual
2022
Exercise price$162.41 
Risk-free interest rate1.9 %
Dividend yield2.9 %
Expected volatility21.8 %
Expected life (months)83
Black-Scholes fair value$25.34 
Expected volatility is a statistical measure of the amount by which a stock price is expected to fluctuate during a period. For the 2022 annual grant date, the Company estimated the expected volatility based upon the following three volatilities of 3M stock: the median of the term of the expected life rolling volatility; the median of the most recent term of the expected life volatility; and the implied volatility on the grant date. The expected term assumption is based on the weighted average of historical grants.
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Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
The following table summarizes restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2022:
(Shares in thousands)Number of SharesWeighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested balance —
As of January 11,987 $175.96 
Granted1,082 160.98 
Vested(530)199.03 
Forfeited(101)167.18 
As of September 30
2,438 164.67 
As of September 30, 2022, there was $134 million of compensation expense that has yet to be recognized related to non-vested restricted stock and restricted stock units. This expense is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average vesting period of 25 months. The total fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021 was $84 million and $81 million, respectively. The Company’s actual tax benefits realized for the tax deductions related to the vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock units was $16 million and $15 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Restricted stock units granted generally vest three years following the grant date assuming continued employment. Dividend equivalents equal to the dividends payable on the same number of shares of 3M common stock accrue on these restricted stock units during the vesting period, although no dividend equivalents are paid on any of these restricted stock units that are forfeited prior to the vesting date. Dividends are paid out in cash at the vest date on restricted stock units. Since the rights to dividends are forfeitable, there is no impact on basic earnings per share calculations. Weighted average restricted stock unit shares outstanding are included in the computation of diluted earnings per share.
Performance Shares
Instead of restricted stock units, the Company makes annual grants of performance shares to members of its executive management. The 2022 performance criteria for these performance shares (organic sales growth, free cash flow growth, and earnings per share growth) were selected because the Company believes that they are important drivers of long-term stockholder value. The number of shares of 3M common stock that could actually be delivered at the end of the three-year performance period may be anywhere from 0% to 200% of each performance share granted, depending on the performance of the Company during such performance period. When granted, these performance shares are awarded at 100% of the estimated number of shares at the end of the three-year performance period and are reflected under “Granted” in the table below. Non-substantive vesting requires that expense for the performance shares be recognized over one or three years depending on when each individual became a 3M executive. The performance share grants accrue dividends; therefore, the grant date fair value is equal to the closing stock price on the date of grant. Since the rights to dividends are forfeitable, there is no impact on basic earnings per share calculations. Weighted average performance shares whose performance period is complete are included in computation of diluted earnings per share.
The following table summarizes performance share activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2022:
(Shares in thousands)Number of SharesWeighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Undistributed balance —
As of January 1481 $175.12 
Granted269 144.77 
Distributed(116)207.49 
Performance change(166)153.04 
Forfeited(37)156.76 
As of September 30
431 157.54 
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As of September 30, 2022, there was $14 million of compensation expense that has yet to be recognized related to performance shares. This expense is expected to be recognized over the remaining weighted-average earnings period of 16 months. The total fair value of performance shares that were distributed were $21 million and $22 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company’s actual tax benefits realized for the tax deductions related to the distribution of performance shares were $4 million and $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
NOTE 16. Business Segments
3M’s businesses are organized, managed and internally grouped into segments based on differences in markets, products, technologies and services. 3M manages its operations in four business segments: Safety and Industrial; Transportation and Electronics; Health Care; and Consumer. 3M’s four business segments bring together common or related 3M technologies, enhancing the development of innovative products and services and providing for efficient sharing of business resources. Transactions among reportable segments are recorded at cost. 3M is an integrated enterprise characterized by substantial intersegment cooperation, cost allocations and inventory transfers. Therefore, management does not represent that these segments, if operated independently, would report the operating income information shown.
3M discloses business segment operating income as its measure of segment profit/loss, reconciled to both total 3M operating income and income before taxes. Business segment operating income excludes certain expenses and income that are not allocated to business segments (as described below in “Corporate and Unallocated”).
Effective in the first quarter of 2022, the measure of segment operating performance used by 3M’s chief operating decision maker (CODM) changed and, as a result, 3M’s disclosed measure of segment profit/loss (business segment operating income (loss) ) was updated. The change to business segment operating income aligns with the update to how the CODM assesses performance and allocates resources for the Company’s business segments. The changes included the items described below. The financial information presented herein reflects the impact of these business segment reporting changes for all periods presented.
Eliminating inclusion of dual credit in measure of segment operating performance
3M business segment operating performance measures were updated to no longer include dual credit to business segments for certain sales and related operating income. Management previously evaluated its business segments based on net sales and operating income performance, including dual credit reporting. 3M reflected additional (“dual”) credit to another business segment when the customer account activity (“sales district”) with respect to the particular product sold to the external customer was provided by a different business segment. For example, privacy screen protection products are primarily sold by the Display Materials and Systems Division within the Transportation and Electronics business segment; however, certain sales districts within the Consumer business segment provide the customer account activity for sales of the product to particular customers. In this example, the non-primary selling segment (Consumer) previously would also have received credit for the associated net sales initiated through its sales district and the related approximate operating income. The offset to the dual credit business segment reporting was reflected as a reconciling item entitled “Elimination of Dual Credit,” such that sales and operating income in total were unchanged.
Reflecting certain litigation-related costs in the Safety and Industrial segment's operating performance measure
3M's business segment operating performance measure with respect to its Safety and Industrial business segment was updated relative to litigation-related costs for non-Aearo and Aearo respirator mask/asbestos litigation matters. Previously, 3M included these costs, when significant, as a special item (as further described below) within Corporate and Unallocated. 3M changed to include all litigation-related costs associated with respirator mask/asbestos litigation matters (along with other Safety and Industrial matters already included therein, such as those related to Combat Arms Earplugs) within the Safety and Industrial business segment. Note, however, that prospectively during the Aearo chapter 11 bankruptcy period (which began in July 2022 — see Note 14) net costs for significant litigation associated with Combat Arms Earplugs and Aearo-respirator mask/asbestos matters are reflected in Corporate and Unallocated.
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Business Segment Information
(Millions)Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
Net Sales2022202120222021
Safety and Industrial$2,894 $3,005 $8,869 $9,133 
Transportation and Electronics2,239 2,327 6,847 7,078 
Health Care2,076 2,173 6,379 6,407 
Consumer1,409 1,434 4,052 4,123 
Corporate and Unallocated1 3 3 2 
Total Company$8,619 $8,942 $26,150 $26,743 
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
Operating Performance2022202120222021
Safety and Industrial$652 $562 $581 $1,976 
Transportation and Electronics474 435 1,446 1,504 
Health Care452 510 1,394 1,522 
Consumer299 308 770 867 
Total business segment operating income1,877 1,815 4,191 5,869 
Corporate and Unallocated
Corporate special items:
Net costs for significant litigation(246)(37)(812)(182)
  Divestiture costs (6)— (6)— 
  Gain on business divestitures 2,724 — 2,724 — 
  Divestiture-related restructuring actions(41)— (41)— 
  Russia exit charges(109)— (109)— 
Total corporate special items2,322 (37)1,756 (182)
Other corporate expense - net(43)10 (40)66 
Total Corporate and Unallocated2,279 (27)1,716 (116)
Total Company operating income4,156 1,788 5,907 5,753 
Other expense/(income), net24 31 112 113 
Income before income taxes$4,132 $1,757 $5,795 $5,640 
Corporate and Unallocated
Corporate and Unallocated operating income includes “corporate special items” and “other corporate expense-net”. Corporate special items include net costs for significant litigation associated with Combat Arms Earplugs and Aearo-respirator mask/asbestos matters during the chapter 11 bankruptcy period (which began in July 2022) and with PFAS-related other environmental matters (see Note 14). Corporate special items also include divestiture costs, gain/loss on business divestitures (see Note 3), divestiture-related restructuring costs (see Note 5), and Russia exit costs (see Note 13). Divestiture costs include costs related to separating and divesting substantially an entire business segment of 3M following public announcement of its intended divestiture. Other corporate expense-net includes items such as net costs related to limited unallocated corporate staff and centrally managed material resource centers of expertise costs, corporate philanthropic activity, and other net costs that 3M may choose not to allocate directly to its business segments. Other corporate expense-net also includes costs and income from transition supply, manufacturing, and service arrangements with Neogen Corporation following the 2022 split-off of 3M's Food Safety business and with the acquirer of the former Drug Delivery business following its 2020 divestiture. Items classified as revenue from this activity are included in Corporate and Unallocated net sales. Because Corporate and Unallocated includes a variety of miscellaneous items, it is subject to fluctuation on a quarterly and annual basis.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is designed to provide a reader of 3M’s financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management. 3M’s MD&A is presented in the following sections:
•Overview
•Results of Operations
•Performance by Business Segment
•Financial Condition and Liquidity
•Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results
Forward-looking statements in Part I, Item 2 may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those projected (refer to the section entitled “Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results” in Part I, Item 2 and the risk factors provided in Part II, Item 1A for discussion of these risks and uncertainties).

OVERVIEW
3M is a diversified global manufacturer, technology innovator and marketer of a wide variety of products and services. Effective in the first quarter of 2022, 3M made the following changes:
•Changes in measure of segment operating performance used by 3M’s chief operating decision maker—impacting 3M’s disclosed measure of segment profit/loss (business segment operating income). See additional information in Note 16. 3M's disclosed disaggregated revenue was also updated as a result of the changes in segment reporting. See additional information in Note 2.
•Changes to non-GAAP measures - certain amounts adjusted for special items. Refer to the Certain amounts adjusted for special items - (non-GAAP measures) section below for additional information.
Information provided herein reflects the impact of these changes for all periods presented.
3M manages its operations in four operating business segments: Safety and Industrial; Transportation and Electronics; Health Care; and Consumer. From a geographic perspective, any references to EMEA refer to Europe, Middle East and Africa on a combined basis.
As described in the Overview—Consideration of COVID-19 section of Part II, Item 7 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updated the Company’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K), 3M continues to be impacted by the global pandemic and related effects associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19). In addition, risk factors with respect to COVID-19, can be found in Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Given the diversity of 3M’s businesses, some of the factors described in that Overview—Consideration of COVID-19 section have increased the demand for 3M products, while others have decreased demand or made it more difficult for 3M to serve customers. Due to the speed with which the COVID-19 situation continues to develop and evolve and the uncertainty of its duration and the timing of recovery, 3M is not able at this time to predict the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may have a material effect on its consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
During the first nine months of 2022, 3M's costs for significant litigation (see Certain amounts adjusted for special items - (non-GAAP measures section below) totaled approximately $2.2 billion pre-tax and included, among things, pre-tax charges associated with steps toward resolving Combat Arms Earplugs litigation and associated with additional commitments to address PFAS-related matters at its Zwijndrecht, Belgium site (approximately $1.3 billion and $355 million, respectively, in the first nine months of 2022). These matters are further discussed in Note 14. In the third quarter of 2022, 3M also completed the split-off of its Food Safety Division business resulting in a pre-tax gain of $2.7 billion. See Certain amounts adjusted for special items - (non-GAAP measures) section below for additional discussion of these and other special items.
3M Belgium has experienced interruptions to portions of the manufacturing at its site in Zwijndrecht, Belgium, as more fully discussed in Note 14. As discussed in Note 14, 3M Belgium received agreement with authorities in June 2022 to begin the process toward restarting operations at the Zwijndrecht facility. 3M Belgium has provided information required by the Flemish environmental authorities to receive agreement from the authorities to restart operations, and has done so for production or sampling purposes. Belgian government authorities continue to maintain oversight of these operations and compliance with applicable requirements.
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3M is also impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In light of a number of factors, 3M suspended operations of its subsidiaries in Russia in March 2022, the net sales of which were less than one percent of 3M’s consolidated net sales for 2021. Further, in September 2022, management committed to a plan to exit and dispose of the related net assets through an intended sale of the subsidiaries. The associated charge in the third quarter of 2022 related to this action is further discussed in Note 13. 3M also has other operations that source certain raw materials from suppliers in Russia and have experienced related supply disruption due to the conflict. Further supply disruption could lead to downstream customer impacts.

Though 3M monitors relevant factors as well as options to mitigate potential impacts, it is not able to predict the extent to which these circumstances may have a material effect on 3M’s consolidated results of operations or financial condition. Relevant risk factors can be found in Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Operating income margin and earnings per share attributable to 3M common shareholders – diluted:
The following table provides the increases (decreases) in operating income margins and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
Three months ended
September 30, 2022		Nine months ended
September 30, 2022
Percent of
net sales		Earnings per
diluted share		Percent of
net sales		Earnings per
diluted share
Same period last year20.0 %$2.45 21.5 %$7.81 
Net costs for significant litigation1.1 0.13 1.4 0.47 
Same period last year, excluding special items21.1 2.58 22.9 8.28 
Increase/(decrease) due to:
Total organic growth/productivity and other2.9 0.41 1.1 0.53 
Raw material impact(2.6)(0.31)(2.7)(0.97)
Divestitures—(0.02)—(0.02)
Foreign exchange impacts0.1 (0.12)— (0.28)
Other expense (income), netN/A— N/A(0.01)
Income tax rateN/A0.07 N/A0.10 
Shares of common stock outstandingN/A0.08 N/A0.19 
Current period, excluding special items21.5 2.69 21.3 7.82 
Net costs for significant litigation(3.1)(0.37)(8.5)(3.10)
  Divestiture costs (0.1)(0.01)— (0.01)
  Gain on business divestitures 31.6 4.71 10.4 4.69 
  Divestiture-related restructuring actions(0.5)(0.05)(0.2)(0.06)
  Russia exit charges(1.2)(0.20)(0.4)(0.19)
Total special items26.7 4.08 1.3 1.33 
Current period48.2 %$6.77 22.6 %$9.15 
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The Company refers to various "adjusted" amounts or measures on an “adjusted basis”. These exclude special items. These non-GAAP measures are further described and reconciled to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures in the Certain amounts adjusted for special items - (non-GAAP measures) section below.
A discussion related to the components of year-on-year changes in operating income margin and earnings per diluted share follows:
Total organic growth/productivity and other:
•For the third quarter of 2022, the following components impacted operating margins and earnings per diluted share year-on-year:
◦Declines in disposable respirator demand year-on-year negatively impacted operating margins by 0.3 percent and earnings per share by $0.07.
◦Remaining organic growth/productivity and other impacts resulted in a net year-on-year benefit $0.48 to earnings per share and 3.2 percent to operating margins which was impacted by the following:
▪Strong pricing, spending discipline and benefits from restructuring actions taken in 2021
▪Recovery of sales backlog in China from earlier 2022 COVID-related shutdowns
▪Manufacturing headwinds from global supply chain challenges; geopolitical impacts due to the Russia/Ukraine conflict
▪Increased investments in growth, productivity and sustainability
•For the first nine months of 2022, the following components impacted operating margins and earnings per diluted share year-on-year:
◦Declines in disposable respirator demand year-on-year negatively impacted operating margins by 0.3 percent and earnings per share by $0.19.
◦Remaining organic growth/productivity and other impacts resulted in a net year-on-year benefit $0.72 to earnings per share and 1.4 percent to operating margins which was impacted by the following:
▪Strong pricing, spending discipline and benefits from restructuring actions taken in 2021
▪Manufacturing headwinds from global supply chain challenges; geopolitical impacts due to the Russia/Ukraine conflict as well as the COVID-related shutdown in China, offset by China backlog recovery later in 2022
▪Second quarter of 2021 benefit of $91 million pre-tax ($0.12 per share after tax) from the impact of the favorable decision of the Brazilian Supreme Court regarding the calculation of past social taxes
▪Increased investments in growth, productivity and sustainability
Raw material impact:
•3M continued to experience inflationary pressures with year-on-year increases in raw material and logistics costs.
Divestitures:
•Divestiture impact includes lost income from divested businesses and remaining stranded costs (net of transition arrangement income). 3M completed the split-off of the Food Safety business in September 2022 (discussed in Note 3). The impact also includes lost income from deconsolidation of the Aearo Entities in July 2022 (discussed in Note 14).
Foreign exchange impacts
•Foreign currency impacts (net of hedging) decreased operating income by approximately $88 million (or a decrease of pre-tax earnings by approximately $87 million) year-on-year for the third quarter of 2022 and decreased operating income by approximately $199 million (or a decrease of pre-tax earnings by approximately $208 million) year-on-year for the first nine months of 2022, primarily resulting from the strength of the U.S. dollar. These estimates include: (a) the effects of year-on-year changes in exchange rates on translating current period functional currency profits into U.S. dollars and on current period non-functional currency denominated purchases or transfers of goods between 3M operations, and (b) year-on-year changes in transaction gains and losses, including derivative instruments designed to reduce foreign currency exchange rate risks.
Other expense (income), net:
•Lower income related to non-service cost components of pension and postretirement expense increased expense year-on-year for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022.
•Interest expense (net of interest income) decreased for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022 compared to the same period year-on-year.
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Income tax rate:
•Certain items above reflect specific income tax rates associated therewith. Overall, the effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2022 was 6.6 percent, a decrease from 18.4 percent in the prior year. The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2022 was 9.5 percent, as compared to 18.8 percent in the prior year. The primary factor that decreased the Company's effective tax rate for third quarter 2022 was the tax efficient structure associated with the third quarter 2022 gain on split-off of the Food Safety business (see Note 3). The primary factors that decreased the Company's effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2022 were the tax efficient structure associated with the third quarter 2022 gain on split-off of the Food Safety business (see Note 3) and the tax impact associated with the second quarter 2022 charge related to steps toward resolving Combat Arms Earplugs litigation (discussed in Note 14).
•On an adjusted basis (as discussed below), the effective tax rate for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022 was 16.2 percent and 17.9 percent, respectively, a decrease of 2.3 percentage points and a decrease of 1.1 percent, respectively, compared to the same period year-on-year.
Shares of common stock outstanding:
•Lower shares outstanding increased earnings per share year-on-year for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022.
Certain amounts adjusted for special items - (non-GAAP measures):
In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP, 3M also provides non-GAAP measures that adjust for the impacts of special items. For the periods presented, special items include the items described below. Operating income, segment operating income (loss), income before taxes, net income, earnings per share, and the effective tax rate are all measures for which 3M provides the reported GAAP measure and a measure adjusted for special items. The adjusted measures are not in accordance with, nor are they a substitute for, GAAP measures. While the Company includes certain items in its measure of segment operating performance, it also considers these non-GAAP measures in evaluating and managing its operations. The Company believes that discussion of results adjusted for special items is useful to investors in understanding underlying business performance, while also providing additional transparency to the special items. Special items impacting operating income are reflected in Corporate and Unallocated, except as described below with respect to net costs for significant litigation. The determination of these items may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
In the first quarter of 2022, the Company changed the extent of matters and charges/benefits it includes within special items with respect to net costs for significant litigation. Previously, 3M included net costs, when significant, associated with changes in accrued liabilities related to respirator mask/asbestos litigation and PFAS-related other environmental matters, along with the associated tax impacts. These non-GAAP measure changes involved including net costs for litigation related to 3M’s Combat Arms Earplugs, expanding net costs to include external legal fees and insurance recoveries associated with the applicable matters in addition to changes in accrued liabilities, and to include all such net costs for the applicable matters, not just when considered significant. Information provided herein reflects the impact of these changes for all periods presented.
Special items for the periods presented include:
Net costs for significant litigation:
•These relate to 3M's respirator mask/asbestos, PFAS-related other environmental, and Combat Arms Earplugs matters (as discussed in Note 14). Net costs include the impacts of any changes in accrued liabilities, external legal fees, and insurance recoveries, along with associated tax impacts. Prior to initiating voluntary chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in July 2022, net costs related to Combat Arms Earplugs and Aearo-respirator mask/asbestos matters along with non-Aearo respirator mask/asbestos matters were reflected as special items in the Safety and Industrial business segment. During the bankruptcy period, net costs related to Combat Arms Earplugs and Aearo-respirator mask/asbestos matters are reflected as corporate special items in Corporate and Unallocated while those associated with non-Aearo respirator mask/asbestos matters continue to be reflected as special items in the Safety and Industrial business segment. Net costs associated with PFAS-related other environmental matters are primarily reflected as corporate special items in Corporate and Unallocated.
Divestiture costs:
•These include costs related to separating and divesting substantially an entire business segment of 3M following public announcement of its intended divestiture.
Gain on business divestitures:
•In the third quarter of 2022, 3M recorded a gain related to the split-off and combination of its Food Safety business with Neogen Corporation. Refer to Note 3 for further details.
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Divestiture-related restructuring actions:
•In the third quarter of 2022, following the split-off of the Food Safety business (see Note 3), management approved and committed to undertake certain restructuring actions addressing corporate functional costs across 3M in relation to the magnitude of amounts previously allocated to the divested business. Refer to Note 5 for further details.
Russia exit charges:
•In the third quarter of 2022, 3M recorded a charge primarily related to impairment of net assets in Russia in connection with management's committed exit and disposal plan. Refer to Note 13 for further details.
Operating Income (Loss)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)Safety and IndustrialSafety and Industrial MarginTotal Company

Total Company Margin
Income Before
Taxes		Provision for
Income Taxes		Effective Tax
Rate		Net Income
Attributable to 3M		Earnings per
Diluted Share		Earnings per
diluted share
percent change
Three months ended September 30, 2021 GAAP
$56218.7%$1,78820.0 %$1,757$32418.4 %$1,434$2.45
Adjustments for special items:
Net costs for significant litigation60 97 97 18 79 0.13 
Three months ended September 30, 2021 adjusted amounts (non-GAAP measures)
$62220.7%$1,88521.1 %$1,854$34218.5 %$1,513$2.58
Three months ended September 30, 2022 GAAP
$65222.5%$4,15648.2 %$4,132$2716.6 %$3,859$6.77177 %
Adjustments for special items:
Net costs for significant litigation21 267 267 57 210 0.37 
  Divestiture costs — 6 6 2 4 0.01 
  Gain on business divestitures — (2,724)(2,724)(39)(2,685)(4.71)
  Divestiture-related restructuring actions— 41419320.05
  Russia exit charges— 109109(2)1110.20
Total special items$21$(2,301)$(2,301)$27$(2,328)(4.08)
Three months ended September 30, 2022 adjusted amounts (non-GAAP measures)
$67323.2%$1,85521.5 %$1,831$29816.2 %$1,531$2.694 %
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Operating Income (Loss)
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)Safety and IndustrialSafety and Industrial MarginTotal Company

Total Company Margin
Income Before
Taxes		Provision for
Income Taxes		Effective Tax
Rate		Net Income
Attributable to 3M		Earnings per
Diluted Share		Earnings per
diluted share
percent change
Nine months ended September 30, 2021 GAAP
$1,97621.6%$5,75321.5 %$5,640$1,05818.8 %$4,582$7.81
Adjustments for special items:
Net costs for significant litigation177 359 359 80 279 0.47 
Nine months ended September 30, 2021 adjusted amounts (non-GAAP measures)
$2,15323.6%$6,11222.9 %$5,999$1,13819.0 %$4,861$8.28
Nine months ended September 30, 2022 GAAP
$5816.6%$5,90722.6 %$5,795$5509.5 %$5,236$9.1517 %
Adjustments for special items:
Net costs for significant litigation1,421 2,233 2,233 456 1,777 3.10 
  Divestiture costs — 6 6 2 4 0.01 
  Gain on business divestitures — (2,724)(2,724)(39)(2,685)(4.69)
  Divestiture-related restructuring actions— 41 41 9 32 0.06
  Russia exit charges— 109 109 (2)111 0.19
Total special items$1,421 $(335)$(335)$426 $(761)$(1.33)
Nine months ended September 30, 2022 adjusted amounts (non-GAAP measures)
$2,00222.6%$5,57221.3 %$5,460$97617.9 %$4,475$7.82(6)%
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Sales and operating income (loss) by business segment:
The following tables contain sales and operating income (loss) results by business segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021. Refer to the section entitled “Performance by Business Segment” later in MD&A for additional discussion concerning 2022 versus 2021 results, including Corporate and Unallocated. Refer to Note 16 for additional information on business segments.
Three months ended September 30, 
20222021% change
(Dollars in millions)Net
Sales		Oper.
Income (Loss)		Net
Sales		Oper.
Income (Loss)		Net
Sales		Oper.
Income (Loss)
Business Segments
Safety and Industrial$2,894$652$3,005$562(3.7) %15.9  %
Transportation and Electronics2,2394742,327435(3.8)9.1 
Health Care2,0764522,173510(4.4)(11.3)
Consumer1,4092991,434308(1.7)(3.0)
Corporate and Unallocated 12,2793(27)
Total Company $8,619$4,156$8,942$1,788(3.6)%132.5  %
Nine months ended September 30,
20222021% change
(Dollars in millions)Net
Sales		Oper.
Income (Loss)		Net
Sales		Oper.
Income (Loss)		Net
Sales		Oper.
Income (Loss)
Business Segments
Safety and Industrial$8,869$581$9,133$1,976(2.9)%(70.6)%
Transportation and Electronics6,8471,4467,0781,504(3.3)%(3.8)%
Health Care6,3791,3946,4071,522(0.4)%(8.4)%
Consumer4,0527704,123867(1.7)%(11.2)%
Corporate and Unallocated31,7162(116)
Total Company$26,150 $5,907$26,743 $5,753 (2.2)%2.7 %
Three months ended September 30, 2022
Worldwide Sales Change
By Business Segment		Organic salesAcquisitionsDivestituresTranslationTotal sales
change
Safety and Industrial1.7  %—  %—  %(5.4) %(3.7) %
Transportation and Electronics3.0 — (0.8)(6.0)(3.8)
Health Care1.7 — (1.3)(4.8)(4.4)
Consumer1.5 — — (3.2)(1.7)
Total Company2.0 — (0.5)(5.1)(3.6)
Nine months ended September 30, 2022
Worldwide Sales Change
By Business Segment		Organic salesAcquisitionsDivestituresTranslationTotal sales
change
Safety and Industrial1.0  %—  %—  %(3.9) %(2.9) %
Transportation and Electronics1.1 — (0.3)(4.1)(3.3)
Health Care3.7 — (0.5)(3.6)(0.4)
Consumer0.8 — — (2.5)(1.7)
Total Company1.6 — (0.2)(3.6)(2.2)
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Sales by geographic area:
Percent change information compares the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 with the same period last year, unless otherwise indicated. Additional discussion of business segment results is provided in the Performance by Business Segment section.
Three months ended September 30, 2022
 Americas Asia
Pacific 		Europe,
Middle East
& Africa 		Other
Unallocated		Worldwide
Net sales (millions)$4,741 $2,485 $1,393 $— $8,619 
% of worldwide sales55.0  %28.8  %16.2  %100.0  %
Components of net sales change:
Organic sales2.3 2.8 (0.3)2.0 
Divestitures(0.7)(0.5)(0.2)(0.5)
Translation(0.5)(8.3)(12.9)(5.1)
Total sales change1.1 %(6.0)%(13.4)%(3.6)%
Nine months ended September 30, 2022
Americas Asia
Pacific 		Europe,
Middle East
& Africa 		Other
Unallocated		Worldwide
Net sales (millions)$13,930 $7,702 $4,518 $— $26,150 
% of worldwide sales53.3  %29.5  %17.2  %100.0  %
Components of net sales change:
Organic sales2.8 1.3 (1.4)1.6 
Divestitures(0.2)(0.2)(0.1)(0.2)
Translation(0.2)(5.6)(9.5)(3.6)
Total sales change2.4 %(4.5)%(11.0)%(2.2)%
Additional information beyond what is included in the preceding tables are as follows:
•For the third quarter of 2022, in the Americas geographic area, U.S. total sales was flat which included flat organic sales. Total sales in Mexico increased 8 percent which included increased organic sales of 14 percent. In Canada, total sales increased 10 percent which included increased organic sales of 14 percent. In Brazil, total sales increased 9 percent which included increased organic sales of 11 percent. In the Asia Pacific geographic area, China total sales increased 3 percent which included increased organic sales of 8 percent. In Japan, total sales decreased 17 percent which included flat organic sales.
•For the first nine months of 2022, in the Americas geographic area, U.S. total sales increased 1 percent which included increased organic sales of 1 percent. Total sales in Mexico increased 10 percent which included increased organic sales of 12 percent. In Canada, total sales increased 15 percent which included increased organic sales of 17 percent. In Brazil, total sales increased 15 percent which included increased organic sales of 11 percent. In the Asia Pacific geographic area, China total sales decreased 3 percent which included decreased organic sales of 1 percent. In Japan, total sales decreased 11 percent which included increased organic sales of 2 percent.
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Managing currency risks:
The stronger U.S. dollar had a negative impact on sales in the third quarter and first nine months of 2022 compared to the same periods last year. Net of the Company’s hedging strategy, foreign currency negatively impacted earnings in the third quarter and first nine months of 2022 compared to the same period last year. 3M utilizes a number of tools to manage currency risk related to earnings including natural hedges such as pricing, productivity, hard currency, hard currency-indexed billings, and localizing source of supply. 3M also uses financial hedges to mitigate currency risk. In the case of more liquid currencies, 3M hedges a portion of its aggregate exposure, using a 12, 24 or 36 month horizon, depending on the currency in question. For less liquid currencies, financial hedging is frequently more expensive with more limitations on tenor. Thus, this risk is largely managed via local operational actions using natural hedging tools as discussed above. In either case, 3M’s hedging approach is designed to mitigate a portion of foreign currency risk and reduce volatility, ultimately allowing time for 3M’s businesses to respond to changes in the marketplace.
Financial condition:
Refer to the section entitled “Financial Condition and Liquidity” later in MD&A for a discussion of items impacting cash flows.
In November 2018, 3M’s Board of Directors replaced the Company’s February 2016 repurchase program with a new repurchase program. This new program authorizes the repurchase of up to $10 billion of 3M’s outstanding common stock, with no pre-established end date. In the first nine months of 2022, the Company purchased $928 million of its own stock, compared to $1,261 million of stock purchases in the first nine months of 2021. As of September 30, 2022, approximately $4.7 billion remained available under the authorization. In February 2022, 3M’s Board of Directors declared a first-quarter 2022 dividend of $1.49 per share, an increase of 1 percent. This marked the 64th consecutive year of dividend increases for 3M. In May 2022, 3M's Board of Directors declared a second-quarter dividend of $1.49 per share. In August 2022, 3M's Board of Directors declared a third-quarter dividend of $1.49 per share.
3M expects to contribute approximately $100 million to $200 million of cash to its global defined benefit pension and postretirement plans in 2022. The Company does not have a required minimum cash pension contribution obligation for its U.S. plans in 2022.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net Sales:
Refer to the preceding “Overview” section and the “Performance by Business Segment” section later in MD&A for additional discussion of sales change.
Operating Expenses:
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
(Percent of net sales)20222021Change20222021Change
Cost of sales 54.9 %54.3 %0.6 %56.0 %52.7 %3.3 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) 23.1 20.3 2.8 26.4 20.1 6.3 
Research, development and related expenses (R&D)5.4 5.4 — 5.4 5.7 (0.3)
Gain on business divestitures(31.6)— (31.6)(10.4)— (10.4)
Operating income margin48.2 %20.0 %28.2 %22.6 %21.5 %1.1 %
3M expects global defined benefit pension and postretirement service cost expense in 2022 to decrease by approximately $68 million pre-tax when compared to 2021, which impacts cost of sales; selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A); and research, development and related expenses (R&D). The year-on-year decrease in defined benefit pension and postretirement service cost expense for the third quarter and first nine months of 2022 was approximately $19 million and $53 million.
For total year 2021, the Company recognized consolidated defined benefit pre-tax pension and postretirement service cost expense of $503 million and a benefit of $297 million related to all non-service pension and postretirement net benefit costs (after settlements, curtailments, special termination benefits and other) for a total consolidated defined benefit pre-tax pension and postretirement expense of $206 million.
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For total year 2022, defined benefit pension and postretirement service cost expense is anticipated to total approximately $435 million while non-service pension and postretirement net benefit cost is anticipated to be a benefit of approximately $250 million, for a total consolidated defined benefit pre-tax pension and postretirement expense of approximately $185 million, a decrease in expense of approximately $20 million compared to 2021.
The Company is continuing the ongoing deployment of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system on a worldwide basis, with these investments impacting cost of sales, SG&A, and R&D.
Cost of Sales:
Cost of sales, measured as a percent of sales, increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2022 when compared to the same periods last year. Increases were primarily due to 2022 special item costs for significant litigation from additional commitments to address PFAS-related maters at 3M's Zwijndrecht, Belgium site (discussed in Note 14), higher raw materials and logistics costs, manufacturing productivity headwinds which were further magnified by the shutdown of certain operations in Belgium and progress on restarting previously-idled operations, and investments in growth, productivity and sustainability.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
SG&A, measured as a percent of sales, increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2022 when compared to the same period last year. SG&A was impacted by increased special item costs for significant litigation primarily related to steps toward resolving Combat Arms Earplugs litigation (discussed in Note 14) resulting in a 2022 second quarter pre-tax charge of approximately $1.2 billion and other subsequent impacts, costs related to exiting Russia (see Note 13), divestiture-related restructuring charges (see Note 5), and continued investment on key growth initiatives. Cost increases were partially offset by restructuring benefits and ongoing general 3M cost management.
Research, Development and Related Expenses:
R&D, measured as a percent of sales, was flat in the third quarter and decreased in first nine months of 2022 when compared to the same period last year. 3M continues to invest in a range of R&D activities from application development, product and manufacturing support, product development and technology development aimed at disruptive innovations.
Gain on Business Divestitures:

In the third quarter of 2022, 3M recorded a pre-tax gain of $2.7 billion ($2.7 billion after tax) related to the split-off and combination of its Food Safety business with Neogen Corporation. Refer to Note 3 for further details.
Other Expense (Income), Net:
See Note 6 for a detailed breakout of this line item.
Interest expense (net of interest income) decreased in the third quarter of 2022 primarily due to prior period debt maturities and foreign exchange; net interest decreased in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the same period year-on-year due to an early debt extinguishment pre-tax charge in the first quarter of 2021 and generation of incremental interest income.
The non-service pension and postretirement net benefit decreased approximately $15 million and $40 million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2022, respectively, compared to the same period year-on-year.
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Provision for Income Taxes:
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
(Percent of pre-tax income)2022202120222021
Effective tax rate 6.6 %18.4 %9.5 %18.8 %
The primary factor that decreased the Company's effective tax rate for third quarter 2022 was the tax efficient structure associated with the third quarter 2022 gain on split-off of the Food Safety business (see Note 3). The primary factors that decreased the Company's effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2022 were the tax efficient structure associated with the third quarter 2022 gain on split-off of the Food Safety business (see Note 3) and the tax impact associated with the second quarter 2022 charge related to steps toward resolving Combat Arms Earplugs litigation (discussed in Note 14).
The tax rate can vary from quarter to quarter due to discrete items, such as the settlement of income tax audits, changes in tax laws, and employee share-based payment accounting; as well as recurring factors, such as the geographic mix of income before taxes.
Refer to Note 8 for further discussion of income taxes.
Income from Unconsolidated Subsidiaries, Net of Taxes:
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions)2022202120222021
Income (loss) from unconsolidated subsidiaries, net of taxes$2$4$3$7
Income (loss) from unconsolidated subsidiaries, net of taxes, is attributable to the Company’s accounting under the equity method for ownership interests in certain entities such as Kindeva following 3M's divestiture of the drug delivery business in 2020.
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest:
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions)2022 202120222021
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest $4 $3 $12 $7 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest represents the elimination of the income or loss attributable to non-3M ownership interests in 3M consolidated entities. The primary noncontrolling interest relates to 3M India Limited, of which 3M’s effective ownership is 75 percent.
Significant Accounting Policies:
Information regarding new accounting standards is included in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
PERFORMANCE BY BUSINESS SEGMENT
Disclosures relating to 3M’s business segments are provided in Note 16. Effective in the first quarter of 2022, the measure of segment operating performance used by 3M’s chief operating decision maker (CODM) changed and, as a result, 3M’s disclosed measure of segment profit/loss (business segment operating income) was updated for all comparative periods presented. The change to business segment operating income aligns with the update to how the CODM assesses performance and allocates resources for the Company’s business segments (see Note 16 for additional details).
Information provided herein reflects the impact of these changes for all periods presented. 3M manages its operations in four business segments. The reportable segments are Safety and Industrial; Transportation and Electronics; Health Care; and Consumer.
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Corporate and Unallocated:
In addition to these four business segments, 3M assigns certain costs to “Corporate and Unallocated,” which is presented separately in the preceding business segments table and in Note 16. Corporate and Unallocated operating income includes “corporate special items” and “other corporate expense-net”. Corporate special items include net costs for significant litigation associated with Combat Arms Earplugs and Aearo-respirator mask/asbestos matters during the chapter 11 bankruptcy period (which began in July 2022) and with PFAS-related other environmental matters (see Note 14). Corporate special items also include divestiture costs, gain/loss on business divestitures (see Note 3), divestiture-related restructuring costs (see Note 5), and Russia exit costs (see Note 13). Divestiture costs include costs related to separating and divesting substantially an entire business segment of 3M following public announcement of its intended divestiture. Other corporate expense-net includes items such as net costs related to limited unallocated corporate staff and centrally managed material resource centers of expertise costs, corporate philanthropic activity, and other net costs that 3M may choose not to allocate directly to its business segments. Other corporate expense-net also includes costs and income from transition supply, manufacturing and service arrangements with Neogen Corporation following the split-off of 3M's Food Safety business in 2022 and with the acquirer of the former Drug Delivery business following its 2020 divestiture. Items classified as revenue from this activity are included in Corporate and Unallocated net sales. Because Corporate and Unallocated includes a variety of miscellaneous items, it is subject to fluctuation on a quarterly and annual basis.
Corporate and Unallocated operating expenses decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2022, when compared to the same period last year. The subsections below provide additional information.
Corporate Special Items
Refer to the Certain amounts adjusted for special items - (non-GAAP measures) section for additional details on the impact of special items and to Note 16 for addition information on the components of corporate special items. Corporate special item net costs decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2022 year over year primarily due to the gain on divestiture associated with the 2022 split-off of the Food Safety business (discussed in Note 3) partially offset by additional commitments in 2022 to address PFAS-related matters, including at 3M's Zwijndrecht, Belgium site (discussed in Note 14).
Other Corporate Expense - Net
Other corporate operating expenses, net, increased when compared to the same period last year primarily due to a $91 million pre-tax benefit from the impact of the favorable decision of the Brazilian Supreme Court included in the second quarter of 2021 regarding the calculation of past social taxes.
Operating Business Segments:
Information related to 3M’s business segments is presented in the tables that follow with additional context in the corresponding narrative below the tables.
Refer to 3M's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updated 3M’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K), Item 1, Business, for discussion of 3M products that are included in each business segment.
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Safety and Industrial Business:
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
2022202120222021
Sales (millions) $2,894$3,005$8,869$9,133
Sales change analysis:
Organic sales1.7  % 1.0  % 
Translation(5.4) (3.9)
Total sales change(3.7) % (2.9) %
Business segment operating income (loss) (millions)$652$562$581$1,976
Percent change15.9 %(70.6)%
Percent of sales22.5 %18.7 %6.6 %21.6 %
Adjusted business segment operating income (millions) (non-GAAP measure)$673$622$2,002$2,153
Percent change8.2 %(7.0)%
Percent of sales23.2 %20.7 %22.6 %23.6 %
The preceding table also displays business segment operating income (loss) information adjusted for special items. For Safety and Industrial these adjustments include net costs for respirator mask/asbestos (Aearo-related and non-Aearo related) and Combat Arms Earplugs litigation matters. During the Aearo chapter 11 bankruptcy period (which began in July 2022 — see Note 14), net costs related to Combat Arms Earplugs and Aearo-respirator mask/asbestos matters are reflected as corporate special items in Corporate and Unallocated while those associated with non-Aearo respirator mask/asbestos matters continue to be reflected as special items in the Safety and Industrial business segment. Refer to the Certain amounts adjusted for special items - (non-GAAP measures) section for additional details.
Third quarter 2022 results:
Sales in Safety and Industrial were down 3.7 percent in U.S. dollars.
On an organic sales basis:
•Sales increased in automotive aftermarket, roofing granules, electrical markets, abrasives, closure and masking systems, and industrial adhesives and tapes and decreased in personal safety.
•Growth from continued improving general industrial manufacturing activity, other end-market demand and backlog recovery from the 2022 second quarter COVID-related lockdowns in China were partially offset by the disposable respirator sales decline within personal safety, which negatively impacted year-on-year third quarter organic growth by 4.6 percentage points.
Business segment operating income margins increased year-on-year from selling price actions, strong spending discipline and restructuring actions which more than offset increased raw materials and logistics costs and manufacturing productivity headwinds. Adjusting for special item costs for significant litigation (non-GAAP measure), business segment operating income margins increased year-on-year as displayed above.
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First nine months 2022 results:
Sales in Safety and Industrial were down 2.9 percent in U.S. dollars.
On an organic sales basis:
•Sales increased in abrasives, electrical markets, closure and masking systems, roofing granules, automotive aftermarket, and industrial adhesives and tapes and decreased in personal safety.
•Growth from continued improving general industrial manufacturing activity and other end-market demand was partially offset by the disposable respirator sales decline within personal safety, which negatively impacted year-on-year organic growth by 3.9 percentage points.
Business segment operating income margins decreased year-on-year due to special item costs for significant litigation primarily related to steps toward resolving Combat Arms Earplugs litigation (discussed in Note 14) resulting in a 2022 second quarter pre-tax charge of approximately $1.2 billion. Margins were also impacted by increased raw materials and logistics costs, manufacturing productivity headwinds, partially offset by selling price actions, spending discipline and restructuring actions. Adjusting for special item costs for significant litigation (non-GAAP measure), business segment operating income margins decreased year-on-year as displayed above.
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Transportation and Electronics Business:
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
2022202120222021
Sales (millions) $2,239$2,327$6,847$7,078
Sales change analysis:
Organic sales3.0  %1.1  %
Divestitures(0.8)(0.3)
Translation (6.0)(4.1)
Total sales change (3.8) %(3.3) %
Business segment operating income (millions) $474$435$1,446$1,504
Percent change 9.1  %(3.8) %
Percent of sales 21.2  %18.7 %21.1  %21.2 %
Third quarter 2022 results:
Sales in Transportation and Electronics were down 3.8 percent in U.S. dollars.
On an organic sales basis:
•Sales increased in automotive and aerospace, commercial solutions, and advanced materials, and decreased in transportation safety and electronics.
•Growth benefited from continued COVID-related backlog recovery in the greater China region which was partially offset by increased weakness in consumer electronics demand, along with the continued constraints in the semiconductor supply chain.
Divestitures:
•Divestiture impact relates to lost Transportation and Electronics sales year-on-year from deconsolidation of the Aearo Entities in July 2022.
Business segment operating income margins increased year-on-year from selling price actions, strong spending discipline and restructuring actions which more than offset increased raw materials and logistics costs and manufacturing productivity headwinds.
First nine months 2022 results:
Sales in Transportation and Electronics were down 3.3 percent in U.S. dollars.
On an organic sales basis:
•Sales increased in commercial solutions, automotive and aerospace and advanced materials, and decreased in electronics and transportation safety.
•Growth was held back by the ongoing impacts of the semiconductor supply chain constraints on the automotive and consumer electronics end-markets.
Divestitures:
•Divestiture impact relates to lost Transportation and Electronics sales year-on-year from deconsolidation of the Aearo Entities in July 2022.
Business segment operating income margins decreased year-on-year due to increased raw materials and logistics costs, manufacturing productivity headwinds which were further magnified by the shutdown of certain operations in Belgium and investments in auto electrification, partially offset by selling price actions, strong spending discipline and restructuring actions.
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Health Care Business:
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
2022202120222021
Sales (millions) $2,076$2,173$6,379$6,407
Sales change analysis:
Organic sales1.7  % 3.7  %
Divestitures(1.3)(0.5)
Translation (4.8)(3.6)
Total sales change (4.4) %(0.4) %
Business segment operating income (millions) $452$510$1,394$1,522
Percent change (11.3) %(8.4) %
Percent of sales 21.8  %23.5  %21.9  %23.8  %
Third quarter 2022 results:
Sales in Health Care were down 4.4 percent in U.S. dollars.
On an organic sales basis:
•Sales increased in medical solutions, food safety, separation and purification, and health information systems, and decreased in oral care.
•Sales continue to be impacted by COVID-related trends on elective procedure volumes and ongoing inflationary pressures.
Divestitures:
•Divestiture impact relates to the lost sales year-on-year from the Food Safety Division split-off transaction in September 2022.
Business segment operating income margins decreased year-on-year due to increased raw materials and logistics costs, manufacturing productivity headwinds, and investments in the business, partially offset by selling price actions, strong spending discipline and benefits from restructuring actions.
As discussed in Note 3, in July 2022, 3M announced its intention to spin off the Health Care business as a separate public company. 3M expects to initially retain a 19.9% ownership position in the Health Care business.
First nine months 2022 results:
Sales in Health Care were down 0.4 percent in U.S. dollars.
On an organic sales basis:
•Sales increased in separation and purification, medical solutions, food safety and health information systems, and decreased in oral care.
•Sales continue to be impacted by COVID-related trends on elective procedure volumes and ongoing inflationary pressures.
Divestitures:
•Divestiture impact relates to the lost sales year-on-year from the divestiture from the Food Safety Division split-off transaction and combination with Neogen completed in the third quarter of 2022.
Business segment operating income margins decreased year-on-year due to increased raw materials and logistics costs along with manufacturing productivity headwinds, investments in the business and transaction-related costs associated with the announced divestiture of the food safety business (see Note 3), partially offset by sales growth (including selling price actions), strong spending discipline and restructuring actions.
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Consumer Business:
Three months ended
September 30,		Nine months ended
September 30,
2022202120222021
Sales (millions) $1,409$1,434$4,052$4,123
Sales change analysis:
Organic sales1.5  %0.8  %
Translation (3.2) (2.5)
Total sales change (1.7) %(1.7) %
Business segment operating income (millions) $299$308$770$867
Percent change (3.0)%(11.2) %
Percent of sales 21.3  %21.5  %19.0  %21.0  %
Third quarter 2022 results:
Sales in Consumer totaled were down 1.7 percent in U.S. dollars.
On an organic sales basis:
•Sales increased in consumer health and safety, stationery and office and home care and decreased in home improvement.
•Sales decreases impacted by soft back-to-school season performance due to elevated inventory levels at retailers.
Business segment operating income margins decreased year-on-year from increased raw materials, logistics and outsourced hardgoods manufacturing costs along with manufacturing productivity headwinds and investments in the business, partially offset by selling price actions, strong spending discipline and restructuring actions.
First nine months 2022 results:
Sales in Consumer totaled were down 1.7 percent in U.S. dollars.
On an organic sales basis:
•Sales increased in consumer health and safety, stationery and office, and home care and decreased in home improvement.
•Sales increases continue to be benefited by strength and demand in market-lead categories such as FiltreteTM air quality solutions and Post-it® products.
Business segment operating income margins decreased year-on-year as a result of increased raw materials, logistics and outsourced hardgoods manufacturing costs along with manufacturing productivity headwinds and investments in the business, partially offset by sales growth (including selling price actions), strong spending discipline and restructuring actions.
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FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
The strength and stability of 3M’s business model and strong free cash flow capability, together with proven capital markets access, provide financial flexibility to deploy capital in accordance with the Company's stated priorities and meet needs associated with contractual commitments and other obligations. Investing in 3M’s business to drive organic growth and deliver strong returns on invested capital remains the first priority for capital deployment. This includes research and development, capital expenditures, and commercialization capability. The Company also continues to actively manage its portfolio through acquisitions and divestitures to maximize value for shareholders. 3M expects to continue returning cash to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. To fund cash needs in the United States, the Company relies on ongoing cash flow from U.S. operations, access to capital markets and repatriation of the earnings of its foreign affiliates that are not considered to be permanently reinvested. For those international earnings still considered to be reinvested indefinitely, the Company currently has no plans or intentions to repatriate these funds for U.S. operations. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in 3M's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updated 3M’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K) for further information on earnings considered to be reinvested indefinitely.
3M maintains a strong liquidity profile. The Company’s primary short-term liquidity needs are met through cash on hand and U.S. commercial paper issuances. 3M believes it will have continuous access to the commercial paper market. 3M’s commercial paper program permits the Company to have a maximum of $5 billion outstanding with a maximum maturity of 397 days from date of issuance. The Company had no commercial paper outstanding at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
Total debt:
The strength of 3M’s credit profile and significant ongoing cash flows provide 3M proven access to capital markets. Additionally, the Company’s debt maturity profile is staggered to help ensure refinancing needs in any given year are reasonable in proportion to the total portfolio. As of September 2022, 3M has a credit rating of A1, stable outlook from Moody's Investors Service and a credit rating of A+, CreditWatch negative from S&P Global Ratings.
The Company’s total debt was lower at September 30, 2022 when compared to December 31, 2021. Decreases in debt were largely due to the repayments of 500 million euros and $600 million aggregate principal amounts of fixed-rate medium-term notes in February 2022 and June 2022, respectively. For discussion of repayments of and proceeds from debt refer to the following “Cash Flows from Financing Activities” section.
In July 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority announced that it would no longer require banks to submit rates for the London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) after 2021. In November 2020, the ICE Benchmark Administration (IBA), LIBOR’s administrator, proposed extending the publication of USD LIBOR through June 2023. Subsequently, in March of 2021, IBA ceased publication of certain LIBOR rates after December 31, 2021. USD LIBOR rates that did not cease on December 31, 2021 will continue to be published through June 30, 2023. The Company has reviewed its debt securities, bank facilities, and derivative instruments and continues to evaluate commercial contracts that may utilize LIBOR as the reference rate. 3M will continue its assessment and monitor regulatory developments during the transition period.
Effective February 10, 2020, the Company updated its “well-known seasoned issuer” (WKSI) shelf registration statement, which registers an indeterminate amount of debt or equity securities for future issuance and sale. This replaced 3M’s previous shelf registration dated February 24, 2017. In May 2016, in connection with the WKSI shelf, 3M entered into an amended and restated distribution agreement relating to the future issuance and sale (from time to time) of the Company’s medium-term notes program (Series F), up to the aggregate principal amount of $18 billion, which was an increase from the previous aggregate principal amount up to $9 billion of the same Series.
As of September 30, 2022, the total amount of debt issued as part of the medium-term notes program (Series F), inclusive of debt issued in February 2019 and prior years is approximately $17.6 billion (utilizing the foreign exchange rates applicable at the time of issuance for the euro denominated debt). Information with respect to long-term debt issuances and maturities for the periods presented is included in Note 10 of this Form 10-Q and Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in 3M's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updated 3M’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K).
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3M has an amended and restated $3.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility expiring in November 2024. The revolving credit agreement includes a provision under which 3M may request an increase of up to $1.0 billion (at lender’s discretion), bringing the total facility up to $4.0 billion. In addition, 3M entered into a $1.25 billion 364-day credit facility, which was renewed in November 2021 with an expiration date of November 2022. The 364-day credit agreement includes a provision under which 3M may convert any advances outstanding on the maturity date into term loans having a maturity date one year later. These credit facilities were undrawn at September 30, 2022. Under both the $3.0 billion and $1.25 billion credit agreements, the Company is required to maintain its EBITDA to Interest Ratio as of the end of each fiscal quarter at not less than 3.0 to 1. This is calculated (as defined in the agreement) as the ratio of consolidated total EBITDA for the four consecutive quarters then ended to total interest expense on all funded debt for the same period. At September 30, 2022, this ratio was approximately 21 to 1. Debt covenants do not restrict the payment of dividends.
As disclosed in Note 10, 3M had debt financing facilities providing commitments for term loans and potential bridge financing aggregating $1.0 billion related to the Food Safety Division split-off transaction and combination with Neogen (discussed in Note 3). The debt commitments also included a $150 million revolving credit facility for the Food Safety business. Coincident with completion of the September 2022 split-off, the Food Safety business term loan borrowings funded the cash payment to 3M discussed in Note 3. The bridge financing component of these facilities was terminated early and not utilized. Obligations under the commitments (including the $150 million revolving credit facility) transferred with the Food Safety business and became those of Neogen.
The Company also had $314 million in stand-alone letters of credit and bank guarantees issued and outstanding at September 30, 2022. These instruments are utilized in connection with normal business activities.
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities:
At September 30, 2022, 3M had $3.6 billion of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, of which approximately $2.9 billion was held by the Company’s foreign subsidiaries and approximately $0.7 billion was held in the United States. These balances are invested in bank instruments and other high-quality fixed income securities. At December 31, 2021, 3M had $4.8 billion of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, of which approximately $3.1 billion was held by the Company’s foreign subsidiaries and $1.7 billion was held by the United States. The decrease from December 31, 2021 primarily resulted from cash flow from operations and cash consideration and earlier borrowings related to the Food Safety transaction (see Note 3) offset by ongoing dividend payments, purchases of treasury stock, capital expenditures, and the fixed-rate medium-term note maturities in the first nine months of 2022.
Net Debt (non-GAAP measure):
Net debt is not defined under U.S. GAAP and may not be computed the same as similarly titled measures used by other companies. The Company defines net debt as total debt less the total of cash, cash equivalents and current and long-term marketable securities. 3M believes net debt is meaningful to investors as 3M considers net debt and its components to be important indicators of liquidity and financial position. The following table provides net debt as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021.
(Millions)September 30,
2022		December 31,
2021		Change
Total debt$15,705$17,363$(1,658)
Less: Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities3,6164,792(1,176)
Net debt (non-GAAP measure)$12,089$12,571$(482)
Refer to the preceding “Total Debt” and “Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities” sections for additional details.
Balance Sheet:
3M’s strong balance sheet and liquidity provide the Company with significant flexibility to fund its numerous opportunities going forward. The Company will continue to invest in its operations to drive growth, including continual review of acquisition opportunities.
The Company uses working capital measures that place emphasis and focus on certain working capital assets, such as accounts receivable and inventory activity.
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Working capital (non-GAAP measure):
(Millions)September 30,
2022		December 31,
2021		Change
Current assets$14,895$15,403$(508)
Less: Current liabilities9,5439,035508
Working capital (non-GAAP measure)$5,352$6,368$(1,016)
Various assets and liabilities, including cash and short-term debt, can fluctuate significantly from month to month depending on short-term liquidity needs. Working capital is not defined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and may not be computed the same as similarly titled measures used by other companies. The Company defines working capital as current assets minus current liabilities. 3M believes working capital is meaningful to investors as a measure of operational efficiency and short-term financial health.
Working capital decreased $1.0 billion compared with December 31, 2021. Balance changes in current assets decreased working capital by $0.5 billion, driven largely by decreases in cash and cash equivalents. Balance changes in current liabilities decreased working capital by $0.5 billion, primarily due to increases in short-term borrowings and current-portion of long-term debt and accounts payable.
Inventory increased $630 million from December 31, 2021, primarily as a result of increased underlying operating activity partially offset by foreign currency translation impacts. Current portion of long-term debt increased as upcoming debt maturities now considered current were partially offset by the bond maturities in the first nine months of 2022, while accounts payable also increased as a result of increased sequential operating activity partially offset by foreign currency translation impacts.
Cash Flows:
Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities are provided in the tables that follow. Individual amounts in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows exclude the effects of acquisitions, divestitures and exchange rate impacts on cash and cash equivalents, which are presented separately in the cash flows. Thus, the amounts presented in the following operating, investing and financing activities tables reflect changes in balances from period to period adjusted for these effects.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions)20222021
Net income including noncontrolling interest$5,248 $4,589 
Depreciation and amortization1,371 1,408 
Company pension and postretirement contributions(102)(121)
Company pension and postretirement expense124 137 
Stock-based compensation expense226 227 
Gain on business divestitures(2,724)— 
Income taxes (deferred and accrued income taxes)(506)(196)
Accounts receivable(467)(324)
Inventories(1,018)(823)
Accounts payable175 340 
Other — net1,342 212 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$3,669 $5,449 
Cash flows from operating activities can fluctuate significantly from period to period, as working capital movements, tax timing differences and other items can significantly impact cash flows.
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In the first nine months of 2022, cash flows provided by operating activities decreased $1,780 million compared to the same period last year, with this decrease primarily due to increased variable compensation and benefits costs, increased payments related to net costs for significant litigation and the cash impact from capitalization of R&D for U.S. tax purposes. The combination of accounts receivable, inventories and accounts payable decreased operating cash flow by $1,310 million in the first nine months of 2022, compared to an operating cash flow decrease of $807 million in the first nine months of 2021. Additional discussion on working capital changes is provided earlier in the “Financial Condition and Liquidity” section. The 2022 second quarter pre-tax charge of approximately $1.2 billion related to steps toward resolving Combat Arms Earplugs litigation (discussed in Note 14) largely impacted the 2022 net income component above, with offsets in the other-net and deferred tax elements.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions)20222021
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (PP&E)$(1,243)$(1,047)
Proceeds from sale of PP&E and other assets65 44 
Purchases and proceeds from maturities and sale of marketable securities and investments, net28 (447)
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of cash sold13 — 
Cash payment from Food Safety business split-off, net of divested cash478 — 
Other — net1 18 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities$(658)$(1,432)
Investments in property, plant and equipment enable growth across many diverse markets, helping to meet product demand and increasing manufacturing efficiency. The Company expects 2022 capital spending to be approximately $1.75 billion to $1.85 billion as 3M continues to invest in growth, productivity and sustainability.
3M records capital-related government grants earned as reductions to the cost of property, plant and equipment; and associated unpaid liabilities and grant proceeds receivable are considered non-cash changes in such balances for purposes of preparation of statement of cash flows.
3M invests in renewal and maintenance programs, which pertain to cost reduction, cycle time, maintaining and renewing current capacity, eliminating pollution, and compliance. Costs related to maintenance, ordinary repairs, and certain other items are expensed. 3M also invests in growth, which adds to capacity, driven by new products, both through expansion of current facilities and new facilities. Finally, 3M also invests in other initiatives, such as information technology (IT), laboratory facilities, and a continued focus on investments in sustainability.
Refer to Note 3 for information on acquisitions and divestitures (including the cash payment from the Food Safety business split-off). The Company is actively considering additional acquisitions, investments and strategic alliances, and from time to time may also divest certain businesses.
Purchases of marketable securities and investments and proceeds from maturities and sale of marketable securities and investments are primarily attributable to certificates of deposit/time deposits, commercial paper, and other securities, which are classified as available-for-sale. Refer to Note 9 for more details about 3M’s diversified marketable securities portfolio. Purchases of investments include additional survivor benefit insurance, plus investments in equity securities.
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Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions)20222021
Change in short-term debt — net$340 $4 
Repayment of debt (maturities greater than 90 days)(1,179)(450)
Proceeds from debt (maturities greater than 90 days)1 1 
Total cash change in debt(838)(445)
Purchases of treasury stock(928)(1,261)
Proceeds from issuances of treasury stock pursuant to stock option and benefit plans310 566 
Dividends paid to shareholders(2,550)(2,572)
Other — net(29)(21)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities$(4,035)$(3,733)
Total debt was approximately $15.7 billion at September 30, 2022 and $17.4 billion at December 31, 2021. Decreases in debt were largely due to the repayments of 500 million euros and $600 million aggregate principal amounts of fixed-rate medium-term notes in February 2022 and June 2022, respectively. The Company had no commercial paper outstanding at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. In conjunction with the Food Safety Division split-off transaction and combination with Neogen (discussed in Note 3), the associated non-cash debt-for-debt exchange in the third quarter of 2022 reduced, then-outstanding 3M commercial paper indebtedness of $350 million (borrowed earlier in the year) which became new term-debt obligations of Neogen. Net commercial paper issuances in addition to repayments and borrowings by international subsidiaries are largely reflected in “Change in short-term debt – net” in the preceding table. 3M’s primary short-term liquidity needs are met through cash on hand and U.S. commercial paper issuances. 2021 issuances, maturities, and extinguishments of short-and long-term debt are described in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in 3M's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updated 3M’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K).
Repurchases of common stock are made to support the Company’s stock-based employee compensation plans and for other corporate purposes. In the first nine months of 2022, the Company purchased $928 million of its own stock. For more information, refer to the table titled “Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities” in Part II, Item 2. The Company does not utilize derivative instruments linked to the Company’s stock.
3M has paid dividends since 1916. In February 2022, 3M’s Board of Directors declared a first-quarter 2022 dividend of $1.49 per share, an increase of 1 percent. This is equivalent to an annual dividend of $5.96 per share and marked the 64th consecutive year of dividend increases. In May 2022, 3M's Board of Directors declared a second-quarter 2022 dividend of $1.49 per share. In August 2022, 3M's Board of Directors declared a third-quarter dividend of $1.49 per share.
Other cash flows from financing activities may include various other items, such as cash paid associated with certain derivative instruments, distributions to or sales of noncontrolling interests, changes in overdraft balances, and principal payments for finance leases.
Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP measure):
Free cash flow and free cash flow conversion are not defined under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Therefore, they should not be considered a substitute for income or cash flow data prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. The Company defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property, plant and equipment. It should not be inferred that the entire free cash flow amount is available for discretionary expenditures. The Company defines free cash flow conversion as free cash flow divided by net income attributable to 3M. The Company believes free cash flow and free cash flow conversion are meaningful to investors as they are useful measures of performance and the Company uses these measures as an indication of the strength of the company and its ability to generate cash. Free cash flow and free cash flow conversion vary across quarters throughout the year. Below find a recap of free cash flow and free cash flow conversion.
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Refer to the preceding “Cash Flows from Operating Activities” and “Cash Flows from Investing Activities” sections for discussion of items that impacted the operating cash flow and purchases of PP&E components of the calculation of free cash flow. Refer to the preceding “Results of Operations” section for discussion of items that impacted the net income attributable to 3M component of the calculation of free cash flow conversion.
Nine months ended
September 30,
(Millions)20222021
Major GAAP Cash Flow Categories
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$3,669$5,449
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(658)(1,432)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(4,035)(3,733)
Free Cash Flow (non-GAAP measure)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$3,669$5,449
Purchases of property, plant and equipment(1,243)(1,047)
Free cash flow2,4264,402
Net income attributable to 3M$5,236$4,582
Free cash flow conversion46 %96 %
Material Cash Requirements from Known Contractual and Other Obligations:
See the Financial Condition and Liquidity - Material Cash Requirement from Known Contractual and Other Obligations section of Item 7 of 3M's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updated 3M’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K). Additionally, in July 2022, as discussed in Note 14 herein, in connection with steps toward resolving Combat Arms Earplugs litigation, 3M entered into an agreement and committed $1.0 billion to fund a trust to satisfy claims determined to be entitled to compensation and committed an additional $0.2 billion to fund projected related case expenses.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part I, Item 2, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may also make forward-looking statements in other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in materials delivered to shareholders and in press releases. In addition, the Company’s representatives may from time to time make oral forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements relate to future events and typically address the Company’s expected future business and financial performance. Words such as “plan,” “expect,” “aim,” “believe,” “project,” “target,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “forecast” and other words and terms of similar meaning, typically identify such forward-looking statements. In particular, these include, among others, statements relating to:
•worldwide economic, political, regulatory, international trade, capital markets and other external conditions, such as interest rates, financial conditions of our suppliers and customers, trade restrictions such as tariffs in addition to retaliatory counter measures, inflation, military conflicts, and natural and other disasters or climate change affecting the operations of the Company or our suppliers and customers,
•risks related to public health crises such as the global pandemic associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19),
•liabilities related to certain fluorochemicals and the outcome of contingencies,
•the Company’s strategy for growth, future revenues, earnings, cash flow, uses of cash and other measures of financial performance, and market position,
•competitive conditions and customer preferences,
•foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates,
•new business opportunities, product development, and future performance or results of current or anticipated products,
•fluctuations in the costs and availability of purchased components, compounds, raw materials and energy,
•Information technology systems including ERP system roll-out and implementations,
•Security breaches and other disruptions to information technology infrastructure,
•the scope, nature or impact of acquisition, strategic alliance and divestiture activities,
•operational execution, including inability to generate productivity improvements as estimated,
•future levels of indebtedness, common stock repurchases and capital spending,
•future availability of and access to credit markets,
•pension and postretirement obligation assumptions and future contributions,
•asset impairments,
•tax liabilities and effects of changes in tax rates, laws or regulations,
•the proposed spin-off of the Company's Health Care business to establish two separate public companies,
•the voluntary chapter 11 proceedings initiated by the Company's Aearo Entities, and
•legal and regulatory proceedings, legal compliance risks (including third-party risks) with regards to environmental, product liability and other laws and regulations in the United States and other countries in which we operate.
The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events and trends that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or those reflected in any such forward-looking statements depending on a variety of factors. Important information as to these factors can be found in this document, including, among others, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the headings of “Overview,” “Financial Condition and Liquidity” and annually in “Critical Accounting Estimates.” Discussion of these factors is incorporated by reference from Part II, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of this document, and should be considered an integral part of Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” For additional information concerning factors that may cause actual results to vary materially from those stated in the forward-looking statements, see our reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the SEC from time to time.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
In the context of Item 3, 3M is exposed to market risk due to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. Changes in those factors could impact the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. For a discussion of sensitivity analysis related to these types of market risks, refer to Part II, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, in 3M's Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 26, 2022 (which updated 3M’s 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K). There have been no material changes in information that would have been provided in the context of Item 3 from the end of the preceding year until September 30, 2022. However, the Company does provide risk management discussion in various places in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, primarily in the Derivatives note.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
a. The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
b. There was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
The Company is implementing an enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system on a worldwide basis, which is expected to improve the efficiency of certain financial and related transaction processes. The gradual implementation is expected to occur in phases over the next several years. The implementation of a worldwide ERP system will likely affect the processes that constitute the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and will require testing for effectiveness.
The Company completed implementation with respect to various processes/sub-processes in certain subsidiaries/locations, including aspects relative to the United States, and will continue to roll out the ERP system over the next several years. As with any new information technology application the Company implements, this application, along with the internal controls over financial reporting included in this process, was appropriately considered within the testing for effectiveness with respect to the implementation in these instances. The Company concluded, as part of its evaluation described in the above paragraphs, that the implementation of the ERP system in these circumstances has not materially affected its internal control over financial reporting.
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3M COMPANY
FORM 10-Q
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2022
PART II. Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
Discussion of legal matters is incorporated by reference from Part I, Item 1, Note 14, “Commitments and Contingencies” of this document, and should be considered an integral part of Part II, Item 1, “Legal Proceedings.”
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Provided below is a cautionary discussion of what we believe to be the most important risk factors applicable to the Company. Discussion of these factors is incorporated by reference into and considered an integral part of Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations.”
Risks Related to the Global Economy and Public Health Crises
* The Company’s results are impacted by the effects of, and changes in, worldwide economic, political, regulatory, international trade, geopolitical and other external conditions.
The Company operates in more than 70 countries and derives approximately 60 percent of its revenues from outside the United States, and, accordingly, the Company’s operations and the execution of its business strategies and plans are subject to global competition, economic and geopolitical risks that are beyond its control, such as disruptions in financial markets, economic downturns, military conflicts, public health emergencies such as COVID-19, political changes and trends such as protectionism, economic nationalism resulting in government actions impacting international trade agreements, imposing trade restrictions such as tariffs, and retaliatory counter measures, government deficit reduction and other austerity measures in specific countries or regions, or in the various industries in which the Company operates. Further escalation of specific trade tensions, including those between the U.S. and China, or more broadly in global trade conflict, could adversely impact the Company's business and operations around the world. The Company's business is also impacted by social, political or labor conditions in specific countries or regions; or adverse changes in the availability and cost of capital, monetary policy, interest rates, inflation, recession, commodity prices, currency volatility or exchange control, ability to expatriate earnings and other regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. For example, changes in local economic condition or outlooks, such as lower economic growth rates in China, Europe or other key markets, impact the demand or profitability of the Company's products and services.
The global economy has been impacted by the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The U.S. and other governments have imposed export controls on certain products and financial and economic sanctions on certain industry sectors and parties in Russia. In light of a number of factors, 3M suspended operations of its subsidiaries in Russia in March 2022. Further, in September 2022, management committed to a plan to exit the related net assets through an intended sale of the subsidiaries. 3M also has other operations that source certain raw materials from suppliers in Russia and have experienced related supply disruption due to the conflict. These geopolitical tensions related to the military conflict could result in, among other things, cyberattacks, further supply chain disruptions impacting downstream customers, higher energy cost, lower consumer demand, and changes to foreign exchange rates and financial markets, any of which may adversely affect the Company's business and supply chain.
Climate change, as well as related environmental and social regulations, may negatively impact the Company or its customers and suppliers, in terms of availability and cost of natural resources, sources and supply of energy, product demand and manufacturing, and the health and well-being of individuals and communities in which we operate.
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* The Company is subject to risks related to public health crises such as the global pandemic associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19).
3M, as a global company, is impacted by public health crises such as the global pandemic associated with COVID-19. The outbreak has significantly increased economic and demand uncertainty. In addition, public and private sector policies and initiatives to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, such as the imposition of travel restrictions, the adoption of remote working, and government-ordered vaccine mandates, have impacted and will continue to impact 3M’s operations. In these challenging and dynamic circumstances, 3M continues to work to protect its employees and the public, maintain business continuity and sustain its operations, including ensuring the safety and protection of approximately 50,000 people who work in our plants and distribution centers across the world, many of whom support the manufacturing and delivery of products that are critical in response to the global pandemic. COVID-19 has impacted 3M’s supply chains relative to global demand for products like respirators, surgical masks and commercial cleaning solutions. Within individual regions and countries around the world, 3M is working with governments, distributors and others to prioritize supplies to the most critical customer and public health needs. In addition, trade barriers, export restrictions and other similar measures imposed by national governments also negatively impact the supplies of personal protection equipment including those made by 3M going into the most needed areas. COVID-19 has also affected the ability of suppliers and vendors to provide products and services to 3M. Some of these COVID-related factors have increased demand for certain 3M products, while others have decreased demand from certain end markets or could make it more difficult for 3M to serve customers. 3M has received reports of price gouging, counterfeiting and other illegal or fraudulent activities involving its N95 respirators, has taken legal action in several states and continues to work with state, federal and international law enforcement to protect the public and 3M against those who seek to exploit 3M’s brand and reputation and defraud others. Furthermore, COVID-19 has impacted and may further impact the broader economies of affected countries, including negatively impacting economic growth, the proper functioning of financial and capital markets, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates. For example, COVID-19 has led to disruption and volatility in the global capital markets, which increases the cost of capital and could adversely impact access to capital. With increasing vaccinations and as economies start to reopen in certain parts of the world, workplace safety, for the Company and others, will increasingly become a focus of concern. As part of the return to work process at the Company, the Company could face additional privacy and data security risks in various countries related to the collection of data regarding employees and contractors with respect to COVID-19 testing, temperature checks, contact tracing, and vaccination status. As the pandemic evolves, demand for personal protection products such as disposable respirators has experienced a decline from prior levels. Due to the speed and scope with which the COVID situation is developing and evolving and the uncertainty of its duration and the timing of recovery, 3M is not able at this time to predict the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may have a material effect on its consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
* Foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates may affect the Company’s ability to realize projected growth rates in its sales and earnings.
Because the Company’s financial statements are denominated in U.S. dollars and approximately 60 percent of the Company’s revenues are derived from outside the United States, the Company’s results of operations and its ability to realize projected growth rates in sales and earnings could be adversely affected if the U.S. dollar strengthens significantly against foreign currencies.
Risks Related to Legal and Regulatory Proceedings
* The Company faces liabilities related to certain fluorochemicals, which could adversely impact our results.
As previously reported, governments in the United States and internationally have increasingly been regulating a broad group of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances produced by the Company, collectively known as “PFAS.” 3M has noticed several global regulatory trends related to PFAS, including declining emission standards and limits set as to the presence of certain compounds in various media, and the inclusion of a broadening group of PFAS. Developments in these and other global regulatory trends may require additional actions by 3M, including investigation, remediation and compliance, or may result in additional litigation and enforcement action costs.
The Company has been voluntarily cooperating with various local, state, federal (primarily the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)), and international agencies in their review of the environmental and health effects of certain PFAS produced by the Company.
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The PFAS group contains several categories and classes of durable chemicals and materials with properties that include oil, water, temperature, chemical and fire resistance, as well as electrical insulating properties. The strength of the carbon-fluorine bond also means that these compounds do not easily degrade. These characteristics have made PFAS substances critical to the manufacture of electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets and semi-conductors. They are also used to help prevent contamination of medical products like surgical gowns and drapes. Commercial aircraft and low-emissions vehicles also rely on PFAS technology. PFAS compounds are manufactured by various companies, including 3M, and are used in everyday products, including some manufactured by 3M. As science and technology evolve and advance, and in response to evolving knowledge and the understanding that certain PFAS compounds had the potential to build up over time, 3M announced in 2000 that we would voluntarily phase out production of two PFAS substances, perfluorooctanoate (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) globally as a precautionary measure. We phased out of materials used to produce certain repellants and surfactant products, with most of these activities in the U.S. completed by the end of 2002. Phased out products included Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) and certain coatings for food packaging, for example. The Company continues to review, control or eliminate the presence of certain PFAS in purchased materials, as intended substances in products, or as byproducts of some of 3M’s current manufacturing processes, products, and waste streams.
3M currently is defending lawsuits concerning various PFAS-related products and chemistries, and is subject to unasserted and asserted claims and governmental regulatory proceedings and inquiries related to the production and use of PFAS in a variety of jurisdictions, as discussed in Note 14, “Commitments and Contingencies,” within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 3M has seen increased public and private lawsuits being filed on behalf of states, counties, cities, and utilities alleging, among other things, harm to the general public and damages to natural resources, some of which are pending in the Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) multi-district litigation and some of which are pending in other jurisdictions. Various factors or developments in these and other disclosed actions could result in future charges that could have a material adverse effect on 3M. For example, we recorded a pre-tax charge of $897 million, inclusive of legal fees and other related obligations, in the first quarter of 2018 with respect to the settlement of a matter brought by the State of Minnesota involving the presence of PFAS in the groundwater, surface water, fish or other aquatic life, and sediments in the state. Governmental inquiries, lawsuits or laws and regulations involving PFAS could lead to our incurring liability for damages or other costs, civil or criminal proceedings, the imposition of fines and penalties, or other remedies, including orders to conduct remediation, as well as restrictions on or added costs for our business operations going forward, including in the form of restrictions on discharges at our manufacturing facilities, requiring the installation of control technologies, suspension or shutdown of facility operations, switching costs in seeking alternative sources of supply, potential customer damage claims due to supply disruptions or otherwise, and reporting requirements or bans on PFAS and PFAS-containing products manufactured by the Company.
* The Company’s future results may be affected by various asserted and unasserted legal and regulatory proceedings and legal compliance risks, including those involving product liability, antitrust, intellectual property, environmental, tax, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-bribery laws, U.S. trade sanctions compliance, regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and similar foreign agencies, U.S. federal healthcare program-related laws and regulations including the False Claims Act, anti-kickback laws, the Sunshine Act, or other matters. Legal compliance risks also include third-party risks where the Company’s suppliers, vendors or channel partners have business practices that are inconsistent with 3M’s Supplier Responsibility Code, 3M performance requirements or with legal requirements.
The outcome of these legal proceedings may differ from the Company’s expectations because the outcomes of litigation, including regulatory matters, are often difficult to reliably predict. Although the Company maintains general liability insurance, the amount of liability that may result from certain of these risks may not always be covered by, or could exceed, the applicable insurance coverage. Various factors or developments can lead the Company to change current estimates of liabilities and related insurance receivables where applicable, or make such estimates for matters previously not susceptible of reasonable estimates, such as a significant judicial ruling or judgment, a significant settlement, significant regulatory developments or changes in applicable law. A future adverse ruling, settlement or unfavorable development could result in future charges that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in any particular period. In addition, negative publicity related to product liability, environmental, health and safety or other matters referenced above involving the Company may negatively impact the Company’s reputation. For a more detailed discussion of the legal proceedings involving the Company and the associated accounting estimates, see the discussion in Note 14, “Commitments and Contingencies,” within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Risks Related to Our Products and Customer Preferences
* The Company’s results are affected by competitive conditions and customer preferences.
Demand for the Company’s products, which impacts revenue and profit margins, is affected by (i) the development and timing of the introduction of competitive products; (ii) the Company’s response to downward pricing to stay competitive; (iii) changes in customer order patterns, such as changes in the levels of inventory maintained by customers and the timing of customer purchases which may be affected by announced price changes, changes in the Company’s incentive programs, or the customer’s ability to achieve incentive goals; (iv) changes in customers’ preferences for our products, including the success of products offered by our competitors, and changes in customer designs for their products that can affect the demand for some of the Company’s products; and (v) changes in the business environment related to disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, block-chain, expanded analytics and other enhanced learnings from increasing volume of available data.
* The Company’s growth objectives are largely dependent on the timing and market acceptance of its new product offerings, including its ability to continually renew its pipeline of new products and to bring those products to market.
This ability is subject to difficulties or delays in product development, such as the inability to identify viable new products, obtain adequate intellectual property protection, or gain market acceptance of new products. There are no guarantees that new products will prove to be commercially successful.
* The Company’s future results are subject to vulnerability with respect to materials and fluctuations in the costs and availability of purchased components, compounds, raw materials, energy, and labor due to shortages, increased demand and wages, logistics, supply chain interruptions, manufacturing site disruptions, regulatory developments, natural disasters and other disruptive factors.
The Company depends on various components, compounds, raw materials, and energy (including oil and natural gas and their derivatives) supplied by others for the manufacturing of its products. Supplier relationships have been and could be interrupted in the future due to supplier material shortage, climate impacts, natural and other disasters and other disruptive events such as military conflicts, or be terminated. Any sustained interruption in the Company’s receipt of adequate supplies, supply chain disruptions impacting the distribution of products, or disruption to key manufacturing sites’ operations due to natural and other disasters or events, such as government actions relating to discharge or emission permits or other legal or regulatory requirements, could have a material adverse effect on the Company. In addition, while the Company has a process to minimize volatility in component and material pricing, no assurance can be given that the Company will be able to successfully manage price fluctuations or that future price fluctuations or shortages will not have a material adverse effect on the Company.
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Risks Related to Our Business
* The Company employs information technology systems to support its business and collect, store and use proprietary and confidential information, including ongoing phased implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system as part of business transformation on a worldwide basis over the next several years. Security and data breaches, cyberattacks and other cybersecurity incidents involving the Company’s information technology systems and infrastructure could disrupt or interfere with the Company’s operations, result in the compromise and misappropriation of proprietary and confidential information belonging to the Company or its customers, suppliers and employees, and expose the Company to numerous expenses, liabilities and other negative consequences, any or all of which could adversely impact the Company’s business, reputation and results of operations.
In the ordinary course of business, the Company relies on centralized and local information technology networks and systems, some of which are provided, hosted or managed by vendors and other third parties, to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of businesses. Additionally, the Company collects and stores certain data, including proprietary business information, and has access to confidential or personal information in certain of our businesses that is subject to privacy and cybersecurity laws, regulations and customer-imposed controls. Third parties and threat actors, including organized criminals, nation-state or nation-state supported actors, regularly attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Company’s information technology networks and infrastructure, data and other information, and many such attempts are increasingly sophisticated. Despite our cybersecurity and business continuity measures (including employee and third-party training, monitoring of networks and systems, patching, maintenance, and backup of systems and data), the Company’s information technology networks and infrastructure are still potentially susceptible to attack, compromise, damage, disruption or shutdown, including as a result of the exploitation of known or unknown hardware or software vulnerabilities in our systems or in the systems of our vendors and third-party service providers, the introduction of computer viruses or ransomware, service or cloud provider disruptions or security breaches, phishing attempts or employee error or malfeasance, power outages, telecommunication or utility failures, systems failures, natural disasters or other catastrophic events. The Company’s increased adoption of remote working, initially driven by the pandemic, also introduces additional threats and risk of disruptions to our information technology networks and infrastructure. Despite our cybersecurity measures, it is possible for security vulnerabilities or a cyberattack to remain undetected for an extended time period, up to and including several years, and the prioritization decisions with respect to security measures and remediation of known vulnerabilities that we and the vendors and other third parties upon which we rely make may prove inadequate to protect against attacks. While we have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, cyberattacks on and disruptions of the Company’s information technology systems and infrastructure, we are not aware of any such incidents to date having had a material impact on the Company. Any cybersecurity incident or information technology network disruption could result in numerous negative consequences, including the risk of legal claims or proceedings, investigations or enforcement actions by U.S., state or foreign regulators, liabilities or penalties under applicable laws and regulations, including privacy laws and regulations in the U.S. and other jurisdictions, interference with the Company’s operations, the incurrence of remediation costs, loss of intellectual property protection, the loss of customer, supplier or employee relationships and damage to the Company’s reputation, which could adversely affect the Company’s business. Although the Company maintains insurance coverage for various cybersecurity and business continuity risks, there can be no guarantee that all costs or losses incurred will be fully insured.
* Acquisitions, strategic alliances, divestitures, and other unusual events resulting from portfolio management actions and other evolving business strategies, and possible organizational restructuring could affect future results.
The Company monitors its business portfolio and organizational structure and has made and may continue to make acquisitions, strategic alliances, divestitures and changes to its organizational structure. With respect to acquisitions, including, for example, the acquisition of Acelity, Inc. and its KCI subsidiaries (a leading global medical technology company), future results will be affected by the Company’s ability to integrate acquired businesses quickly and obtain the anticipated synergies.
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* The Company’s future results may be affected by its operational execution, including scenarios where the Company generates fewer productivity improvements than estimated.
The Company’s financial results depend on the successful execution of its business operating plans. The Company utilizes various tools, such as Lean Six Sigma, and engages in ongoing global business transformation. Business transformation is defined as changes in processes and internal/external service delivery across 3M to move to more efficient business models to improve operational efficiency and productivity, while allowing 3M to serve customers with greater speed and efficiency. This is enabled by the ongoing multi-year phased implementation of an ERP system. There can be no assurance that all of the projected productivity improvements will be realized. In addition, the ability to adapt to business model and other changes and agility to respond to customer needs and service expectations are important, which, if not done successfully, could negatively impact the Company’s ability to win new business and enhance revenue and 3M’s brand. Operational challenges, including those related to customer service, pace of change and productivity improvements, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial conditions and results of operations.
Risks Related to Financial and Capital Markets and Tax Matters
* The Company's defined benefit pension and postretirement plans are subject to financial market risks that could adversely impact our results.
The performance of financial markets and discount rates impact the Company's funding obligations under its defined benefit plans. Significant changes in market interest rates, decreases in the fair value of plan assets and investment losses on plan assets, and legislative or regulatory changes relating to defined benefit plan funding may increase the Company's funding obligations and adversely impact its results of operations and cash flows.
* Change in the Company’s credit ratings could increase cost of funding.
The Company’s credit ratings are important to 3M’s cost of capital. The major rating agencies routinely evaluate the Company’s credit profile and assign debt ratings to 3M. This evaluation is based on a number of factors, which include financial strength, business and financial risk, as well as transparency with rating agencies and timeliness of financial reporting. As of September 2022, 3M has a credit rating of A1, stable outlook from Moody's Investors Service and a credit rating of A+, CreditWatch negative from S&P Global Ratings. The Company’s credit ratings have served to lower 3M’s borrowing costs and facilitate access to a variety of lenders. The addition of further leverage to the Company’s capital structure could impact 3M’s credit ratings in the future. Failure to maintain strong investment grade ratings would adversely affect the Company’s cost of funding and could adversely affect liquidity and access to capital markets.
* Changes in tax rates, laws or regulations could adversely impact our financial results.
The Company’s business is subject to tax-related external conditions, such as tax rates, tax laws and regulations, changing political environments in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions that impact tax examination, assessment and enforcement approaches. In addition, changes in tax laws including further regulatory developments arising from U.S. tax reform legislation and/or regulations around the world could result in a tax expense or benefit recorded to the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Earnings. In connection with the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Integrated Framework provided by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), determination of multi-jurisdictional taxation rights and the rate of tax applicable to certain types of income may be subject to potential change. Due to uncertainty of the regulation changes and other tax-related factors stated above, it is currently not possible to assess the ultimate impact of these actions on our financial statements.
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Risks Related to the Voluntary Chapter 11 Proceedings Initiated by the Company’s Aearo Entities
*The Company is subject to risks related to its subsidiaries’ chapter 11 proceedings.
On July 26, 2022, Aearo Technologies and certain of its related entities (“Aearo Entities"), all wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, voluntarily initiated chapter 11 proceedings seeking bankruptcy court supervision to establish a trust – funded by the Company – to address potential liabilities related to Dual-Ended Combat Arms – Version 2 earplugs and mask/respirator products historically manufactured and sold by Aearo Entities. This represents a change in strategy for managing the Combat Arms Version 2 earplugs and Aearo respirator mask/asbestos alleged litigation liabilities. Aearo Entities were acquired by the Company in 2008 and they, along with its related subsidiaries, have operated as Company subsidiaries since that time. 3M has entered into a funding agreement with Aearo Entities and committed to fund a trust to satisfy all claims determined to be entitled to compensation, and to support Aearo Entities as they continue to operate during the chapter 11 proceedings. There are a number of risks and uncertainties associated with the chapter 11 proceedings, including, among others, those related to: legal risks related to the chapter 11 proceedings; potential impacts to the Company’s reputation and relationships with its customers, suppliers, federal contracting officials, employees, regulators and other counterparties and community members; impacts to the Company’s liquidity or results of operations, including risks related to the amount that will be necessary to fully and finally resolve all of the Company’s obligations to make payments to resolve such claims under the terms of its funding and indemnification agreement with Aearo Entities; the costs of chapter 11 proceedings and length of time necessary to resolve the cases; and Aearo Entities’ ability to reach acceptable agreements with claimants and navigate the chapter 11 proceedings to obtain approval and consummation of a plan of reorganization. Due to the inherent uncertainty of litigation, the Company cannot predict the timing, outcome or financial impact of this matter, or any other ongoing or future litigation.
Risks Related to the Planned Spin-off of the Company’s Health Care Business
*The Company is subject to risks related to its plan to spin off its Health Care business.
On July 26, 2022, the Company announced its intent to spin off its Health Care business, resulting in two standalone public companies, in a transaction that is intended to be tax-free for the Company’s stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The spin-off will be subject to the satisfaction of a number of conditions, including final approval by the Company’s board of directors, the filing and effectiveness of a Form 10 registration statement, the receipt of a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service and a tax opinion from external counsel, and other customary conditions. The failure to satisfy all of the required conditions, many of which are outside of the Company’s control, could delay the completion of the spin-off relative to the anticipated timeline or prevent it from occurring. Any delay in the completion of the spin-off or any change to the anticipated terms of the transaction could reduce the expected benefits of the transaction, or delay the time at which such benefits are realized. There can also be no assurance that the anticipated benefits of the transaction will be realized if the spin-off is completed, or that the costs or dis-synergies of the transaction (including costs of related restructuring transactions) will not exceed the anticipated amounts. Whether or not the spin-off is ultimately completed, the pendency of the transaction may impose challenges on the Company and its business, including potential business disruption; the diversion of management time on matters relating to the transaction; the impact on the Company’s ability to retain talent; and potential impacts on the Company’s relationships with its customers, employees, regulators and other counterparties. In addition, while it is intended that the transaction would be tax-free to the Company’s stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, there is no assurance that the transactions will qualify for this treatment. If the spin-off was ultimately determined to be taxable, either the Company, Health Care business, or the Company’s stockholders could incur income tax liabilities that could be significant. Any of these factors could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and/or the price of our common stock.
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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Repurchases of 3M common stock are made to support the Company’s stock-based employee compensation plans and for other corporate purposes. In November 2018, 3M’s Board of Directors replaced the Company’s February 2016 repurchase program with a new repurchase program. This new program authorizes the repurchase of up to $10 billion of 3M’s outstanding common stock, with no pre-established end date.
Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities (registered pursuant to
Section 12 of the Exchange Act)
PeriodTotal Number of
Shares Purchased (1)		Average Price
Paid per Share		Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs (2)		Maximum Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased under the Plans or Programs (Millions)
January 1 - 31, 2022
1,458,623 $176.61 1,458,623 $5,329 
February 1 - 28, 2022
1,445,206 147.03 1,441,534 5,117 
March 1 - 31, 2022
1,871,301 145.61 1,871,301 4,845 
January 1 - March 31, 2022
4,775,130 155.51 4,771,458 
April 1 - 30, 2022
— — — 4,845 
May 1 - 31, 2022
— — — 4,845 
June 1 - 30, 2022
— — — 4,845 
April 1 - June 30, 2022
— — — 
January 1 - June 30, 2022
4,775,130 $155.51 4,771,458 
July 1 - 31, 2022
— — — 4,845 
August 1 - 31, 2022
— — — 4,845 
September 1 - 30, 2022
1,665,747 114.10 1,665,747 4,655 
July 1 - September 30, 2022
1,665,747 114.10 1,665,747 
January 1 - September 30, 2022
6,440,877 144.80 6,437,205 
____________________
(1)The total number of shares purchased includes: (i) shares purchased under the Board’s authorizations described above, and (ii) shares purchased in connection with the exercise of stock options.
(2)The total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs includes shares purchased under the Board’s authorizations described above.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities. — No matters require disclosure.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. Pursuant to Section 1503 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Act”), the Company is required to disclose, in connection with the mines it operates, information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters in its periodic reports filed with the SEC. The information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Act is included in Exhibit 95 to this quarterly report.
Item 5. Other Information.

Disclosure Under Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012

The Company is making the following disclosure under Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act:

Protection of Intellectual Property Rights in Iran Pursuant to Specific License

As part of its intellectual property (“IP”) protection efforts, 3M has obtained and maintains patents and trademarks in Iran. Periodically, 3M pays renewal fees, through IP service providers/counsel located in Germany, Dubai and Iran, to the Iran
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Intellectual Property Office (“IIPO”) for these patents and trademarks and has sought to prosecute and defend such trademarks. On January 26, 2022, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) granted to 3M a specific license to make payments to IIPO at its account in Bank Melli, which was designated on November 5, 2018 by OFAC under its counter terrorism authority pursuant to Executive Order 13224. As authorized by OFAC’s specific license, in the quarter ended September 30, 2022, 3M paid $954 to IIPO as part of its intellectual property protection efforts in Iran. 3M plans to continue these activities, as authorized under the specific license.
Item 6. Exhibits.
(10.1)
(31.1)
(31.2)
(32.1)
(32.2)
(95)
(101.INS)Inline XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)
(101.SCH)Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
(101.CAL)Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
(101.DEF)Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
(101.LAB)Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
(101.PRE)Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
(104)Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
3M COMPANY
(Registrant)
Date: October 25, 2022
By/s/ Monish Patolawala
Monish Patolawala,
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial and Transformation Officer (Mr. Patolawala is a Principal Financial Officer and has been duly authorized to sign on behalf of the Registrant.)
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