Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva settle PFAS claims for $875M

DuPont, along with Chemours and Corteva, agreed to resolve statewide PFAS claims through a comprehensive settlement. (Photo courtesy Dupont)

Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva announced Monday a comprehensive settlement with the State of New Jersey to resolve all pending environmental claims, including those involving PFAS contamination.

The agreement covers four current and former operating sites (Chambers Works, Parlin, Pompton Lakes, and Repauno) as well as statewide PFAS claims, including those associated with aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF).

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The companies will collectively pay $875 million over 25 years, starting no earlier than January 1, 2026, following court approval of a Judicial Consent Order (JCO). The pre-tax present value of the payments is approximately $500 million, which will be split in accordance with a 2021 Memorandum of Understanding: Chemours will pay 50% (about $250 million), DuPont 35.5% (about $177 million), and Corteva 14.5% (about $72 million).

Of the total amount, $16.5 million is allocated to alleged PFAS contamination unrelated to the companies’ facilities, including $4.125 million for AFFF.

Remediation efforts at the sites will continue under existing legal requirements. The settlement also sets a framework for future site cleanup through a Remediation Funding Source (RFS), to be backed by a surety bond or similar instrument. Additionally, DuPont and Corteva will establish a Reserve Fund, capped at $475 million and also secured by a surety bond, to provide further financial assurance. This fund will be accessible only under limited conditions outlined in the settlement.

As part of the agreement, and contingent on court approval of the JCO, DuPont and Corteva will acquire Chemours’ rights to certain PFAS-related insurance proceeds for $150 million. After recovering that amount plus a fee, Chemours will be entitled to 50% of any further insurance recoveries.

The proposed JCO is subject to public notice, comment, and final approval under New Jersey law.