Chemours, DuPont and Corteva Reach North Carolina PFAS Settlement

Doubts and uncertainties about dangerous PFAS Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances — Credit: Francesco Scatena / iStock via Getty Images Plus

Credit: Francesco Scatena / iStock via Getty Images Plus

Need to Know

Chemours, DuPont and Corteva entered into a settlement with North Carolina and 11 local entities involving PFAS-related claims.
Guaranteed settlement payments total $455 million, with Chemours responsible for 50% of the payments.
A separate $135 million reserve will support certain future Chemours obligations under a 2019 consent order.

PCI previously reported on Chemours in the following coverage:

Chemours, DuPont and Corteva have entered into a settlement with the state of North Carolina and 11 local entities involving PFAS-related claims associated with Chemours' Fayetteville Works facility and certain other contamination claims.

The agreement calls for $455 million in settlement payments over 15 years. Chemours will be responsible for 50% of the payments, which it values at approximately $180 million on a net present value basis. DuPont and Corteva will be responsible for the remaining 50%.

North Carolina said $75 million of the settlement amount will go to the state, while $380 million will be divided among the 11 participating local entities. A separate $135 million reserve funded by DuPont and Corteva will back certain future obligations Chemours must continue to perform under a 2019 consent order with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.

The settlement does not resolve all PFAS litigation involving the companies in North Carolina. A separate case brought by Cape Fear Public Utility Authority remains pending, and the agreement itself remains subject to entry of dismissals in the covered litigation.

Sources: Chemours settlement announcement | North Carolina DEQ announcement

Why It Matters to PCI: PFAS liability and regulation continue to affect chemical suppliers serving the coatings market, making the legal and regulatory status of these substances important to coatings manufacturers and formulators. PCI's ongoing PFAS coverage.