On 24 June, Chemours (B1/BB-) agreed to a $450m settlement over releases of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as 'forever chemicals', in West Virginia, North Carolina and New Jersey. The settlement is the latest in a series of cases involving major PFAS producers, including 3M (A3/BBB+), DuPont (Baa1/BBB+) and Arkema (Baa1/BBB+), all of which continue to face extensive litigation related to historical PFAS contamination.
Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances are a group of synthetic chemicals used in a wide range of applications for their water, grease, and heat resistant properties. However, their persistence in the environment and links to adverse human health outcomes have made them the focus of increasingly stringent regulation and litigation.
The risk is not confined to manufacturers. Downstream users increasingly face liability where products containing hazardous substances contribute to environmental contamination or human health impacts. Most recently, Estee Lauder (A3/A-) was fined in Canada after importing and selling an eyeliner product containing PFAS without notifying the government as required.
The scale of the risk is significant, and at the start of 2026, more than 15,000PFAS lawsuits were reportedly consolidated in US federal courts, covering claims from individuals, municipalities and drinking water providers. At the same time,...
