Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” because they do not easily degrade in the environment, are used in a range of products including some smartphones.
However, they are increasingly being cracked down on because of their links to serious health problems.
3M said it was looking at options to further accelerate the stoppage of manufacturing of PFAS at its Zwijndrecht facility in Belgium, according to a report in Reuters.
This summer, the company agreed a $10.3 billion deal resolving claims by US public water providers over pollution by PFAS produced by the multinational.
According to Reuters, the non-PFAS manufacturing continues at the Belgian facility, with 3M admitting that the idling of PFAS manufacturing could have a "significant adverse impact" on 3M Belgium's normal operations and the businesses that depend on the facility.
“While 3M Belgium continues to engage with the authorities, it has, for now, idled all PFAS manufacturing processes at its Zwijndrecht facility,” 3M said in a regulatory filing.
“3M Belgium is evaluating whether there are options to restart the idled PFAS manufacturing processes and other options to further accelerate the discontinuance of all PFAS manufacturing at its Zwijndrecht facility,” it said in the filing.