Netherlands to Hold 3M Liable for ‘Forever Chemicals’ Pollution

The Netherlands government will hold chemical giant 3M legally responsible for “forever” pollution in the Dutch part of the Scheldt river.

For years, the company’s Antwerp, Belgium-based factory seeped contaminated groundwater into the 350-kilometer (217-mile) river that stretches from France, through Belgium, Netherlands and into the North Sea. Mark Harbers, Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management, has officially started the legal process to make 3M pay for the pollution, according to a statement on Tuesday.

The ministry told Bloomberg in December that the country is investigating the link between 3M’s operations in Antwerp and the chemical PFAS contamination that ...