3M Company

3M Company is a diversified technology company headquartered in Minnesota, United States. Its origins were in mineral extraction, but the business gradually shifted toward materials science, adhesives, coatings, filtration, nonwoven materials, and optical technologies. By applying these technology platforms across industries, 3M has built a portfolio spanning industrial manufacturing, transportation and electronics, healthcare, and consumer products. Well-known offerings associated with the company include Post-it notes, Scotch tapes and adhesives, respiratory protection products such as N95 respirators, and materials and solutions used in automotive, electronics, construction, healthcare, and office environments. Its business model has historically depended on research, patents, and cross-industry technology transfer, while the company has also faced product-liability, environmental, and regulatory controversies. In recent years, 3M has reshaped its portfolio and separated certain businesses into independent companies.

3M was founded in 1902 in Minnesota as a mining venture, but problems with the quality of its corundum deposits led the company to move into abrasives. Through continued research and technological development, it gradually evolved from a materials supplier into a diversified technology company serving multiple industries. During the twentieth century, 3M introduced notable tapes, adhesives, and office products, while extending its materials technologies into automotive, electronics, healthcare, and industrial manufacturing applications. Post-it notes and Scotch-branded products became especially recognizable in consumer and office markets. In the twenty-first century, the company expanded through research, acquisitions, and portfolio restructuring, while also confronting product-liability claims, environmental concerns involving chemicals, and regulatory litigation. In 2024, 3M separated its healthcare business into Solventum, leaving 3M focused on safety and industrial, transportation and electronics, and consumer-related activities.

1. 2024Spin-off of healthcare business

   3M completed the spin-off of its healthcare business, which now operates independently as Solventum.

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2. 1968Early development of Post-it notes

   3M developed a low-tack, repositionable adhesive that later became the technical basis for Post-it notes.

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3. 1902Company founded

   The company was founded in Minnesota, USA, initially engaged in corundum mining, then shifted to abrasives business.

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A diversified technology and industrial products company based on materials science and cross-industry technology platforms.

• Post-it NotesOffice supplies1980

  An office and study product line centered on repositionable notes for writing, marking, organizing, and collaboration; it is one of 3M’s most recognizable consumer and office offerings.

• Scotch Tape and AdhesivesTapes and adhesives

  A portfolio of transparent, packaging, double-sided, industrial tapes, and adhesives serving household, office, packaging, manufacturing, and repair applications.

• 3M Respiratory ProtectionPersonal protective equipment

  Respiratory protection products for industrial, healthcare, and public-safety settings, including particulate respirators, filtering devices, and related equipment.

• 3M Medical ProductsMedical products

  A former major 3M business covering medical tapes, dressings, skin care, sterilization, and clinical supplies; the business was separated into Solventum in 2024.

• 3M Industrial Tapes and MaterialsIndustrial materials

  Tapes, adhesives, abrasives, and composite materials for manufacturing, construction, automotive, aerospace, and electronics applications.

• 2024Completed spin-off of healthcare businessStrategy

  The company restructured its business portfolio to allow 3M and the healthcare business to focus on their respective markets and technology directions.

  What changed. Spun off the former healthcare business into an independent company, Solventum.

  Aftermath. 3M continues to operate as an independent company, while Solventum operates the healthcare business separately.

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• 2023PFAS contamination and related lawsuitsControversy

  3M faced lawsuits and regulatory pressure over environmental impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and claims from public water systems, and announced related settlement arrangements.

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• 20243M completes healthcare business separation

  3M将原医疗保健业务分拆为独立上市公司Solventum，作为业务组合调整的一部分。

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1. 3M公司历史
2. 3M管理层与公司治理
3. 3M投资者关系新闻稿
4. Post-it产品历史