Chemours, DuPont, Corteva Settle North Carolina ‘Forever Chemicals’ Claims for $455M

Chemours, DuPont and Corteva last week reached a $455 million settlement with North Carolina and 11 local entities over PFAS contamination claims tied to Chemours’ Fayetteville Works plant and other historical discharges.

Lawsuits accusing major chemical companies of polluting U.S. drinking water with toxic PFAS chemicals — a group of pollutants referred to as “forever chemicals” — have led to settlements worth billions of dollars, including one struck by the three companies in New Jersey last year.

Payments will be made over 15 years, beginning within 30 days of the agreement’s execution, and Chemours expects to pay about $50 million over the next 12 months, Chemours said on Thursday.

In line with a 2021 agreement among the companies, Chemours will bear 50% of the settlement cost, while DuPont and Corteva will split the remainder.

The North Carolina agreement resolves lawsuits brought by the state and local governments excluded from the U.S. public water system class settlement approved in 2024.

It also covers North Carolina’s claims over PFAS contamination unrelated to Fayetteville Works, including pollution linked to aqueous film-forming foam.

Chemours said the settlement recognizes progress under its 2019 consent order with North Carolina, including investments to cut PFAS emissions and address off-site impacts.

(Reporting by Mathur in Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Ananda)