A U.S. company discharged carcinogens into tap water—this firm agreed to a $10 billion settlement | In-depth report by 36Kr

Facing an avalanche of environmental pollution lawsuits, global chemical giant 3M has finally responded. On June 22 local time, 3M announced it had agreed to pay a settlement ranging from a minimum of $10.5 billion to a maximum of $12.5 billion to resolve hundreds of water contamination claims linked to 'forever chemicals' (PFAS). PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—a broad class of synthetic chemicals dubbed 'forever chemicals' because they resist natural degradation in the environment. In recent years, PFAS have been detected at hazardous concentrations in drinking water, soil, and food across the United States—and have been associated with human health risks including liver damage, weakened immune function, and certain cancers. Under the agreement, 3M will fund testing and treatment of PFAS contamination in U.S. public water systems over the next 13 years. Although 3M has reached this settlement, it does not admit liability for pollution. The company stated that if the agreement is not approved by the court or certain conditions are unmet, it stands ready to defend itself in litigation. In fact, 3M is not alone: other globally renowned chemical firms—including DuPont—have also faced similar pollution allegations. Because 3M pioneered PFAS development as early as the late 1940s and continuously expanded its applications, it now sits squarely at the center of this public controversy. In response to mounting litigation pressure, 3M announced at the end of last year its plan to exit PFAS production and aims to eliminate PFAS from its entire product portfolio by the end of 2025. Today, preventing PFAS contamination has become a global issue—and major chemical conglomerates are all pivoting course. Yet for the irreversible harms caused by PFAS, solutions beyond monetary compensation remain unclear. PFAS: Once Created, They Never Truly Die The public is already well acquainted with plastic and other forms of 'white pollution', yet the dangers posed by certain specific chemicals still fail to attract sufficient attention. In reality, the impact of such substances extends far beyond imagination—and PFAS is one prominent example. PFAS comprises a vast family of chemical compounds—over 5,000 individual substances are known. Thanks to their water-repellent, oil-repellent, low-friction, and high-thermal-stability properties, they are widely used across industrial manufacturing—and today permeate everyday life. Tracing their origins, PFAS emerged during the U.S. Manhattan Project in World War II: a chemist passed toxic yellow fluorine gas through a carbon arc, creating an almost indestructible carbon–fluorine bond (C–F bond)—the foundational chemistry behind PFAS. Shortly thereafter, multinational corporation 3M acquired the chemist’s patent and rapidly expanded PFAS applications—from defense to petrochemicals, electronics, construction, and other civilian sectors. Since the 1940s and 1950s, PFAS have been widely incorporated into numerous consumer products—including fire-fighting foams, non-stick cookware, cleaning sprays, waterproof sportswear, stain-resistant carpets, cosmetics, and even fast-food packaging. Like two sides of a coin, PFAS’s unique chemical properties deliver immense commercial value—but simultaneously plunge them into a 'toxic abyss'.

Liquid cooling industry deep dive: Industry outlook, technical pathways, supply chain, and key companies — A慧博 (Huibo) Research Report

Perfluoropolyethers (PFPEs) offer distinct advantages primarily in safety performance and environmental compliance. First, they are non-flammable, non-explosive, and exhibit extremely low toxicity; second, they enjoy strong regulatory compliance—requiring no re-registration in major markets including Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, thus presenting low barriers to market entry. However, from a broader green-environmental perspective, according to the research paper 'Advances in Immersion Coolants for Data Centers', their Global Warming Potential (GWP) exceeds 5,000, classifying them as potent greenhouse gases—further R&D and optimization are therefore needed to reduce their GWP. Solvay’s Galden HT200 heat-transfer fluid is a perfluoropolyether-based dielectric fluid offering exceptional thermal stability, chemical inertness, and reliable operation across extreme low- and high-temperature ranges—making it an ideal thermal transfer medium for demanding applications in semiconductors, electronics, and solar energy industries. Perfluoroamines also demonstrate outstanding chemical stability—but high synthesis barriers limit their widespread adoption. Their sole viable production route is electrochemical fluorination—a complex process that not only yields perfluoroamines but also generates unwanted byproducts such as perfluorocarbons and nitrogen trifluoride gas. Moreover, electrochemical fluorination is highly energy-intensive. Perfluoroolefins (PFOs) represent a more promising fluorinated coolant option for immersion liquid cooling. PFOs feature high electrical insulation and excellent heat-transfer performance. Crucially, their unsaturated bonds enable rapid atmospheric degradation, resulting in relatively low GWP values—aligning well with green and environmentally sustainable standards. Additionally, PFOs can be synthesized via simple, efficient routes; notably, dimers and trimers of hexafluoropropylene are readily scalable for mass production. Numerous domestic Chinese companies are currently advancing PFO applications in immersion liquid cooling systems. According to the research paper 'Application Progress of Fluorinated Coolants for Immersion Liquid Cooling in Data Centers', PFO-based fluorinated coolants demonstrate superior overall performance—making them a highly suitable choice for immersion liquid cooling. 4. PFAS Regulations Emerge—Liquid Cooling Fluids May Undergo Transformation Growing global concern over PFAS signals long-term phase-outs. PFAS—short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—are notoriously persistent in the environment and thus labeled 'forever chemicals'. In recent years, governments worldwide have intensified scrutiny and enforcement, with an increasing number of countries and regions enacting PFAS bans. As reported by 36Kr, in December 2022, U.S.-based 3M announced it would cease all PFAS production by the end of 2025. On June 22, 2025, 3M announced its agreement to pay between $10.5 billion and $12.5 billion to settle hundreds of PFAS-related water contamination lawsuits. PFAS regulation is catalyzing opportunities for alternatives. According to the WeChat public account 'Coolant & Liquid Cooling Technology', China may begin implementing stricter PFAS restrictions around 2026–2027—providing domestic enterprises adequate time to adjust. The new national standard for energy storage systems, GB38031-2025, mandates that by 2026, energy storage systems must meet 'no fire, no explosion' requirements—driving immersion liquid cooling penetration rates beyond 50%. In semiconductor cooling, alternative options include hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), carbon dioxide, and silicone oils.

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