3M to Invest $1 Billion to Achieve Carbon Neutrality, Reduce Water Use, Improve Water Quality

3M said it expects to invest approximately $1 billion over the next 20 years to accelerate new environmental goals: Achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, reduce water use by 25% at its facilities, and return higher-quality water to the environment after use in manufacturing operations.

“As we grow 3M, we will lead in environmental stewardship, social equity and justice, and corporate governance,” 3M Chairman and CEO Mike Roman said. “We are taking action now to bend the curve on carbon emissions and water use and improve water quality. Our investments will make us more effective and efficient and drive growth.”

The company’s long-term investments will help advance waste reduction and pollution control programs, reduce water usage, and acquire and apply the best available technology. The investments further accelerate 3M’s continuous improvement of its manufacturing operations and ability to deliver on its environmental goals.

3M expects to further reduce carbon emissions, aiming for a 50% reduction by 2030, an 80% reduction by 2040, and 100% carbon neutrality in its operations by 2050. 

“3M has consistently surpassed interim targets along their renewable journey, and their science-based approach has allowed them to set even more ambitious sustainability goals,” said Amy Davidsen, executive director, North America at The Climate Group. “3M continues to demonstrate what leadership truly looks like and should serve as an inspiration for more companies to take action.”

Starting this year, as part of its ongoing review of its manufacturing facilities, 3M will also work to ensure all operations become best in class for minimizing emissions that can be produced during manufacturing operations.

“We are bringing our innovation to bear on the climate challenges we all face, so we can more rapidly bend the curve on carbon emissions and water use,” said Roman. “Since 2000, while continuing to grow our company, we’ve significantly reduced our greenhouse gas emissions, our global headquarters is completely powered by renewable electricity, and we are advancing our goal of reducing waste globally by targeting it at the source—working to eliminate single-use plastics and converting more facilities to zero-landfill status.”

3M is committed to reducing water use at its worldwide manufacturing facilities over the next decade. 

As it is in carbon emissions, 3M is taking immediate steps to drive reductions in water use in the coming months and over the longer-term: a 10% reduction in water use by 2022, a 20% reduction by 2025, and a 25% reduction by 2030.

3M expects to install state-of-the-art water purification technology by the end of 2023 and be fully operational by 2024 at all of its largest water-using locations. 

This will enable the company to return even higher quality water to the environment after its use in manufacturing operations. 

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

“We are proactively reviewing our manufacturing facilities, going plant by plant to make investments and updates that will go beyond what is required, and at the same time further improve our operations,” said Roman. “We are applying 3M technologies at a broad scale, which allows us to do more to reduce, restore and reuse the water in our manufacturing processes. We are offering our experience and expertise to communities so we can help others achieve better water quality.”

3M’s ongoing efforts in sustainability and environmental stewardship date back decades and include the creation of the Pollution Prevention Pays program that has prevented over two million tons of pollution. 

In 2015, the company introduced its ambitious 2025 Sustainability Goals which focus on how 3M science drives change for a more sustainable future.

Building on the company’s global capabilities and diverse technologies, 3M products drive positive environmental impact around the world. Examples include:

• Semiconductor and electronics: 3M products enable more efficient semiconductor manufacturing and improve the performance and lifespan of electronic devices as we move toward a paperless world;
• Recycled content and plant-based materials: 3M is helping expand the supply chain and demand for recycled materials by making products with post-consumer recycled content and leading plant-based material innovation in iconic everyday products like Scotch tape, Post-it Notes, and Scotch-Brite sponges;
• Automotive electrification: 3M materials for assembling and light-weighting, like glass bubbles, are powering the next generation of vehicles and battery technologies, helping shed pounds per vehicle and enabling better overall fuel economy and battery range;
• Energy-efficient buildings: 3M window film solutions help keep the heat out and the cool air in, making buildings more efficient and reducing the energy needed to heat and cool the places where people live and work;
• Renewable energy: 3M films, tapes, and adhesive technologies help solar panels capture more light, increasing efficiency, and help protect wind turbine blades against weathering and harsh environments, ultimately enhancing reliability, extending life, and improving performance;
• Improving indoor air quality: Filtrete room air purifiers and heating and cooling solutions help capture airborne particles, including dust, lint, pet dander, and bacteria, reducing indoor air pollutants and making homes and workplaces safer.