当資料は、3M社（本社：米国ミネソタ州、NYSE:MMM）が2023年６月23日（現地時間）に発表した報道資料を抄訳したものです。

• 合意事項には今後13年間で支払われる最大103億ドルを含む
• 飲料水からPFASが検出された全国の公共水道事業者（PWS）および将来何らかのレベルでPFASが検出される可能性のある適格PWSに資金を提供する

3Mは、PFASが何らかのレベルで検出された、あるいは将来検出される可能性のある公共水道事業者を対象に、PFASの浄化を支援する広範な集団解決に至りました。この合意は、大多数の米国人に飲料水を提供している米国拠点の公共水道事業者に利益をもたらします。

裁判所の承認を条件とした合意事項は以下の通りです：

• PFAS処理技術のための資金を追加の訴訟なしで米国の公共水道事業者に提供
• 将来PFASを検出する可能性のある適格な公共水道事業者に資金を提供
• サウスカロライナ州チャールストンを拠点とする水成膜泡消火薬剤（Aqueous Film Forming Foam）広域係属訴訟の一部に含まれるものを含め、PFOA、PFOS、およびその他すべてのPFASに関連する公共水道事業者による現在および将来の飲料水関連の請求を解決
• 全国の公共水道事業者にPFAS検査を実施するための資金を提供

マイク・ローマン会長兼最高経営責任者は、次のように述べています。

「今回の合意は3Mにとって重要な前進となり、20年以上前に発表したPFOAとPFOS製造からの撤退、化学品製造事業における最先端の水ろ過技術への最近の投資、2025年末のPFAS製造撤退発表の基盤となるものです」

財務上の考慮事項

　合意条件に基づき、3Mは現在価値で最大103億ドルを拠出し、13年間にわたって支払うことに合意しました。

3Mは、2023年第2四半期に約103億ドルの税引き前費用を計上し、特別項目調整後の業績への調整として反映させる予定で、その他の詳細については、3Mが証券取引委員会に提出する書類に記載されます。

3Mの強固で安定したビジネスモデルや力強いキャッシュフローを生み出す力は、資本市場での実績と相まって本合意およびその他の契約上のコミットメントや義務に基づく支払いに備えるための柔軟な資本調達を可能にします。

この合意は責任を認めるものではありません。合意が裁判所によって承認されない場合、または合意された特定の条件が履行されない場合、3Mは訴訟における弁護を継続する用意があります。3Mはまた、他のPFAS訴訟についても、法廷での弁護または交渉による解決を通じて、適切な対応を続けていきます。

 

PFASについて

PFASは安全に製造・使用することができ、医療技術、半導体、電池、電話、自動車、航空機など、現代生活に重要な多くの製品の製造に不可欠です。詳細は3Mのウェブサイトwww.3M.com/PFASをご覧ください。

 

 

【 3Mについて】

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Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including projections as to the amount and timing of payments made under the Settlement. You can identify these statements by the use of words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "aim," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "will," "should," "could," "would," "target," "forecast" and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance or business plans or prospects. Forward-looking information is based on management's estimates, assumptions, and projections, and is subject to significant uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond 3M's control. Important risk factors could cause actual future results and other future events to differ materially from those currently estimated by management, including, but not limited to, whether court approval of the Settlement will be obtained, whether the number of plaintiffs that opt out of the Settlement will exceed current expectations or will exceed the level that would permit 3M to terminate the Settlement (and whether 3M will elect to terminate the Settlement if this occurs), whether the Settlement is appealed, the filing of additional, or the outcome of any other pending or future, litigation relating to PFAS or related products or chemistries, costs of remediation obligations relating to PFAS or related products or chemistries, changes in related laws or regulations, or the impact of the settlement, any litigation or related matters on 3M's financial condition. Additional important risk factors that could cause future actual results or events to differ materially are the following: (1) worldwide economic, political, regulatory, international trade, geopolitical, capital markets and other external conditions and other factors beyond 3M's control, including inflation, recession, military conflicts, natural and other disasters or climate change affecting the operations of 3M or its customers and suppliers; (2) risks related to unexpected events such as the public health crises associated with the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic; (3) foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates; (4) risks related to certain fluorochemicals, including liabilities related to claims, lawsuits, and government regulatory proceedings concerning various PFAS-related products and chemistries, as well as risks related to 3M's plans to exit PFAS manufacturing and discontinue use of PFAS across its product portfolio; (5) legal proceedings, including significant developments that could occur in the legal and regulatory proceedings described in 3M's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2022 and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (the "Reports"); (6) competitive conditions and customer preferences; (7) the timing and market acceptance of new product and service offerings; (8) the availability and cost of purchased components, compounds, raw materials and energy due to shortages, increased demand and wages,  supply chain interruptions, or natural or other disasters; (9) unanticipated problems or delays with the phased implementation of a global enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, or security breaches and other disruptions to 3M's information technology infrastructure; (10) the impact of acquisitions, strategic alliances, divestitures, and other strategic events resulting from portfolio management actions and other evolving business strategies; (11) operational execution, including the extent to which 3M can realize the benefits of planned productivity improvements, as well as the impact of organizational restructuring activities; (12) financial market risks that may affect 3M's funding obligations under defined benefit pension and postretirement plans; (13) 3M's credit ratings and its cost of capital; (14) tax-related external conditions, including changes in tax rates, laws or regulations; (15) matters relating to the proposed spin-off of 3M's Health Care business; and (16) matters relating to the voluntary chapter 11 proceedings of 3M's subsidiary Aearo Technologies and certain of its affiliates. Changes in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results. A further description of these factors is located in the Reports under "Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results" and "Risk Factors" in Part I, Items 1 and 1A (Annual Report) and in Part I, Item 2 and Part II, Item 1A (Quarterly Reports). 3M assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements discussed herein as a result of new information or future events or developments.