Australia Files $2 Billion Lawsuit Against US Giant 3M for PFAS Contamination

The Australian Labor government has filed legal proceedings against U.S. multinational 3M for failing to disclose dangers linked to the “forever chemical” PFAS.

The Commonwealth is suing 3M and 3M Australia, which produces hundreds of industrial products, for $2 billion (US$1.42 billion) in damages to cover the costs and future costs related to PFAS contamination across 28 military sites.

3M is among the world’s biggest producers of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly called “forever chemicals,” which are synthetic substances used in products to resist water, grease, stains and heat.

They are used in items such as firefighting foam, waterproof clothing, food containers, cosmetics, electronics and non-stick cookware.

Attorney-General Michael Rowland said the lawsuit was the biggest damages claim ever initiated by the Commonwealth.

“Our position is that 3M withheld a range of information and misrepresented the effects of this substance,” Rowland said during a press conference on May 28.

3M Misled Authorities on Toxic Foam

The Commonwealth alleges 3M did not reveal findings from its own laboratory testing that identified major environmental risks associated with the foam.

According to the government, the company also promoted the foam as biodegradable, non-toxic and safe to dispose of, despite allegedly being aware of possible environmental harm

“This misconduct has contributed to substantial costs for defence and the Australian taxpayer, including over $1 billion to date, to investigate, remediate, and mitigate PFAS contamination at defence estate sites,” Rowland said.

In response, 3M said it has never manufactured PFAS in Australia and ceased selling the products locally 20 years ago.

“Despite this, the Department of Defence continued to use PFAS-containing fire fighting foams for nearly two decades longer, as noted in a recent legislative committee report. We will defend ourselves against these claims through the legal process,” the company said in a statement to The Epoch Times.

Defence Costs Blow Out

Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil said PFAS pollution had affected 28 Defence Department locations across the country.

Khalil gave the breakdown of the $1.3 billion spent responding to contamination and supporting affected communities.

That figure includes about $408 million paid through legal settlements covering five class actions from local residents, four litigated claims, and 342 non-litigated claims.

Defence has also treated or removed more than 200,000 tonnes of contaminated soil to reduce the spread of pollution at Defence facilities.

Khalil said the department had provided eligible properties with water assistance for at least eight years and continued operating seven water treatment plants around Australia.

Since the contamination was discovered, more than 13 billion litres of water have been treated.

He added that another 785 properties had received other forms of water support.

National Cleanup Effort

In December 2024, the federal government established a national body to coordinate its response to PFAS contamination.

The coordinating body oversaw contamination management at sites including RAAF Base Williamtown, Army Aviation Centre Oakey, and RAAF Base Tindal.

Evidence presented to a parliamentary committee in October 2025 showed Defence was still carrying out cleanup work at the 28 PFAS-contaminated sites.

Celia Perkins, deputy secretary at the Department of Defence, told the inquiry PFAS-based foam had been removed from fire trucks, aircraft hangars and other defence facilities. The navy is still using the product until suitable replacements are found.