What has kept you engaged and passionate about working at 3M for over three decades?
Initially, I joined as a PhD scientist, and over the years, I embraced numerous roles in various domains such as electronics, healthcare, and consumer goods. What kept me here is the perpetual learning environment coupled with the diverse range of businesses and technologies we work in. The company’s strong scientific roots and ethical approach towards business have always resonated with me.
How has 3M's approach to sustainability evolved over time, and what are the key initiatives that have been implemented in recent years?
3M's journey towards sustainability has been long and significant. In 1975, we initiated a program focusing on reducing waste, which concurrently brought efficiencies to our operations. Despite “sustainability” not being a word we used in the 90s, we were among the first to bring forward what we would now call a sustainability report in 1990. Over the past 15 years, we started focusing intensively on sustainability. We introduced our Strategic Sustainability Framework about five years ago, focusing on advancing a global circular economy, climate science, and community initiatives. Our sustainability initiatives encompass not only environmental but also social elements.
In recent years, we have been advancing significantly towards our goal of carbon neutrality in scope one and scope two by 2050, with concrete milestones set along the way.
Since 2002, we have successfully reduced our global absolute emissions by 78%, including a 38% reduction since 2019, a testament to our commitment to a 1.5-degree Celsius reduction pathway. But our approach goes beyond: we focus on leveraging our technology platforms to invent new products and collaborate on groundbreaking solutions. Since 2019, every new 3M product has had a Sustainability Value Commitment, describing how it can drive impact for the greater good. This requirement embeds sustainability into the earliest stages of new product ideation and extends across our entire global portfolio.
Could you highlight some key innovations at 3M within industries central to the green transition, such as transportation and construction?
In the transportation sector, where we have been present since its inception, working initially with automotive manufacturers on abrasives, we are now focusing on the convergence of automotive electrification. This involves introducing products like glass bubbles to reduce the overall weight of the vehicle and adhesives that facilitate the assembly of fuel-efficient materials, consequently enhancing battery range. Our innovations extend to ensuring the efficient and safe operation of EV batteries.
Construction is another vital sector, contributing substantially to greenhouse gas emissions globally. At 3M, we are focusing on enhancing energy efficiency in homes, which became more significant with the rise in remote working during the pandemic. We have window films that help manage the home’s interior temperature to reduce energy usage and roofing solutions that reduce the urban heat island effect and even pull smog out of the air, promoting a healthier environment.
In both sectors, we are not just bringing innovations but revamping existing products to be more sustainable, aligned with our commitment to fostering advancements in sustainability with every new product we introduce.
Can you elaborate on your partnership with Svante and any other notable collaborations?
Our partnership with Svante is particularly aimed at advancing the next generation of sustainable technologies and focusing on carbon capture. Svante is renowned as a leading carbon capture and removal solutions provider. By working with Svante, 3M is providing a proprietary material the company has named Sorbents-on-a-Roll - or SOAR, that are stacked in parallel layers in Svante's carbon capture filtration systems. It is about scaling this technology at the moment. We are exploring new ways to extract carbon from the air, with the broader goal of not only achieving net zero but going beyond that to control and potentially reverse the effects of carbon emissions and climate change.
3M is also applying materials science that could make the production of green hydrogen more efficient. Leveraging support from the U.S. Department of Energy, 3M is developing a catalyst technology used in water electrolysis, which is the primary means of green hydrogen production. The catalyst technology can result in substantial cost savings for customers, reducing another barrier to adoption and expansion.
Based on the data from your State of Science Index, how does the world perceive the relevance of science to climate change?
Interestingly, our State of Science Index data reveals that 93 percent of people globally are concerned about the consequences of climate change and 85 percent believe that science has a critical role in improving the lives of the world’s most vulnerable populations. We are seeing increasing rates of global development and decreasing levels of natural resources that are contributing to negative impacts on the environment and are accelerating global climate change. Without swift solutions, the effects of climate change will continue to hit vulnerable people, economies, and ecosystems—while expanding into new geographies.
At 3M, we see the broadening consensus for climate action and growing demand for innovative and sustainable solutions reaching an inflection point. Our robust innovation pipeline allows us—and our customers—to accelerate and scale up existing science-based solutions in the critical areas of decarbonization, energy transition, and the circular economy.
What is the central challenge you face in your daily activities at 3M?
Our central challenge daily is essentially envisioning and working towards a better future through reinvention and leveraging science. It is about striking a balance between learning from the past and employing the rich resources of materials and data science that we have today to foster rapid innovation. We find ourselves at an unprecedented juncture where we can significantly influence a more positive future through the synergy of technological advancements and innovative mindsets. I am highly optimistic about what we can achieve by bringing together materials science and data science in novel ways.
Where do you envision 3M by 2030?
By 2030, I aspire for 3M to have met the sustainability goals we have set for this period, encompassing both environmental and social objectives, setting us firmly on a path of continued growth and innovation. I anticipate us reinventing in numerous ways that fundamentally enhance people's lives through approaches grounded in circularity and climate change mitigation.
In addition to fostering a culture that promotes healthier and safer lifestyles, I envision 3M spearheading initiatives that empower communities and individuals to succeed in their chosen endeavors. It is my hope that we will be a company defined by our commitment to enriching lives and fostering sustainable development, guided by a vision that sees beyond mere business goals to a future characterized by shared prosperity and well-being.
