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What we learned from external stakeholders.
Climate change and reducing plastic and packaging waste are the most important issues that stakeholders think 3M should address and are also seen to pose among the most significant risks to the world over the next five years.
When asked, most respondents were not familiar with 3M’s Strategic Sustainability Framework, but once they were introduced to the strategy, it was generally well perceived. 3M’s Science for Climate pillar was the most interesting to respondents, with external stakeholders expressing an interest in science-based targets and goals, reduced emissions, and more active engagement in climate change advocacy in order to make a difference in this area.
The insight from the 2020 assessment will inform 3M’s long-term strategies and direct our efforts to areas in which we can have a significant impact across our value chain. See the Materiality section for more information.
Stakeholders expressed interest in the Science for Circular pillar and would like to see 3M engage in more innovative, circular product development, use materials more responsibly, and collaborate with others to drive large-scale solutions. Regarding the Science for Community pillar, stakeholders would like to see 3M engage in educational initiatives and provide support for local communities to become empowered through sustainability — both of which we are already doing on a broad scale.
“Taking the science-based approach is critical,” said one stakeholder from an NGO. “I think that Science for Community on the face sounds good, but it’s a little vague. To be fair, we are all figuring out how to evolve science-based thinking beyond carbon and water and things like that, so social sustainability is an emerging, evolving field and may be an opportunity for 3M to be a real leader in this.”
What we learned from 3M employees 3M employees rated workplace safety, air quality, and sustainable manufacturing as the top areas where 3M is seen as demonstrating leadership. Reducing plastic and packaging waste, sustainable manufacturing, and designing products for a more circular economy are rated by employees as the top issues that 3M can impact. “The materiality analysis is the bedrock of strategic planning.
We need a future where business can thrive and where society can thrive also. They go hand in hand. You can’t have a successful business in a failed world.”
Eric Whan GlobeScan Director.
Climate change and reducing plastic waste are the most important issues stakeholders think 3M should address.
Feature stories Who we are How we work What we create About report 18 3M 2021 Sustainability Report | #improvinglives
casts strong light on sustainability.
For the last four years, 3M has conducted the annual State of Science Index (SOSI), a 14-country global survey that tracks attitudes about science.
In 2020, we conducted two surveys. The first wave was conducted before the pandemic hit, and the second wave was fielded about six months into the pandemic. This research captured how science is perceived against the backdrop of the coronavirus outbreak, allowing us to compare and contrast pre-pandemic and mid-pandemic attitudes around science.
Four key themes emerged from SOSI in 2020.
Theme 1: Trust in science is on the rise. COVID-19 is a factor; 92% believe we should use science to contain the pandemic.
Theme 2: Sustainable solutions remain an important focus. Even amid COVID-19 concerns, sustainability remained a clear priority.
Theme 3: STEM equity and gender/ race inequality are barriers that impact our future. According to the SOSI data, 27% cite some form of inequality (race, ethnicity, gender) — and this surges to 50% in the United States.
Theme 4: Science leadership provides an opportunity for collaboration and shared responsibility. Who is responsible for furthering the development of science to solve the world’s problems? Most believe governments should have the primary responsibility, but there’s also the feeling that corporations, nonprofits, and individuals should also play a role.
“I was certainly pleased to see that people didn’t take their eye off the climate ball in the face of the pandemic.”
Gayle Schueller Chief Sustainability Officer.
Feature stories Who we are How we work What we create About report 19 3M 2021 Sustainability Report | #improvinglives
Sustainable solutions a focus.
Before the pandemic, climate change was the priority that respondents felt science should prioritize after health care. In fact, the top five issues following health care all related to the environment: climate change, air quality, ocean plastics pollution, clean water supply/sanitation, and access to renewable energy sources. During the pandemic, when asked what people most wanted science to solve for during this time, health care issues (e.g., coronavirus), unsurprisingly, was the top response, but next in line were social issues and helping mitigate the effects of climate change. When people were asked about the negative consequences if people don’t value science, the top concern was risks to health care, and the second-highest concern was risks to the environment.
“I was certainly pleased to see that people didn’t take their eye off the climate ball in the face of the pandemic,” says Chief Sustainability Officer Gayle Schueller. “We were concerned about it, so that’s why we asked the question.”
She added that while the SOSI 2020 results hit on each of 3M’s sustainability pillars (Science for Climate, Science for Circular, and Science for Community), “we entered 2020 thinking this would be the year of Science for Climate and that we’d be putting our primary focus there. What we found as the year progressed is that 2020 is the year of Science for Community. Whether it’s the pandemic or social justice challenges, it’s about how we can help address critical issues in the community pillar. That’s been a big ‘aha’ for us.”
The SOSI results are public, and the hope is that governments, businesses, NGOs, and more will find value in them and come together to create solutions. But how does 3M use the results? 3M’s Chief Science Advocate Jayshree Seth sees SOSI impacting sustainability for 3M in three primary ways.
1. Foster a conversation. “We want to call attention to the fact that everyone should do what they can to support sustainability and sustainable solutions,” Seth says.
2. Inform our own strategies. The SOSI results are being used differently and strategically across 3M’s four business groups and in the 14 countries we surveyed. “SOSI helps guide the conversation, investment, and strategy for the business in the different countries,” says 3M Science Advocacy Communications Manager Robert Brittain. Schueller herself is using the SOSI results on a weekly basis. “If we can’t do everything, how do we prioritize? The SOSI results provide additional insight that helps us identify where to focus,” she explains.
3. Guide what we’re doing externally. Decisions around who we support, how we support, and why we support can be informed by the SOSI data. For example, it makes sense for 3M to continue to support STEM initiatives for underrepresented minorities because the SOSI data shows a gap there: Lack of access to a good STEM education, especially among underrepresented minority groups, is a barrier to future advancements in science and technology.
“…What we found as the year progressed is that 2020 is the year of Science for Community.
Whether it’s the pandemic or social justice challenges, it’s about how we can help address critical issues in the community pillar.”
Gayle Schueller Chief Sustainability Officer.
Feature stories Who we are How we work What we create About report 20 3M 2021 Sustainability Report | #improvinglives
in shape with coatings and tape.
In the 1960s, 3M’s Aerospace Division developed a special tape that helped protect the rotor blades of military aircraft from damage caused by sand and other environmental factors.
Decades later, this technology has been optimized and adapted to serve a new use: wind energy. It turns out that the blade of an aircraft is similar to the blade of a wind turbine, but instead of sand, the primary cause of damage and erosion to a wind turbine is rain.
“From a distance, it may not seem like a wind turbine is moving very fast,” says 3M Global Wind Portfolio Leader Thomas Hardy. “But in reality, the tip of the blade can travel in excess of 200 miles per hour.” Each raindrop that strikes a turbine creates a tiny shockwave through the blade surface. The force of these shockwaves over time cracks and breaks apart the composite; once the blade surface starts to crack, the splashing raindrops rip at those weak points, causing erosion. Once material loss begins to occur, turbine efficiency starts to decline significantly: Data shows power losses can exceed 5%, which means 5% less revenue for wind farm owners and 5% less renewable wind energy being produced.1.
Feature stories Who we are How we work What we create About report 21 3M 2021 Sustainability Report | #improvinglives
That doesn’t even include the revenue and energy lost from days of turbine downtime or the expense to repair erosion-damaged blades in the field. Multiply that times the 58,000 wind turbines in the United States and more than 340,000 globally, and the potential losses become quite significant.
While the lifespan of an average wind turbine is 20 to 25 years, the turbine blades can begin eroding after just a few years.2 Industry trends will cause the erosion problem to worsen, including: • Longer blades with higher tip speeds • Offshore installations • Installations in other demanding environments like deserts and cold climates.
The 3M Electrical Markets Division makes two types of products that protect the blades that power this clean energy source: 3M™ Wind Protection Tapes and 3M™ Wind Blade Protection Coatings. The majority of the applications for these products are in the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) segment, where the tapes and coatings are applied in the factory in a controlled environment.
A new customer for 3M’s wind tapes and coatings is the aftermarket customer — the hundreds of wind farm owners around the world. They have gained a growing awareness of the erosion problem and the need to protect turbine blades. “These are their assets. Protecting them with our tapes and coatings helps assure ongoing profitability for their wind farms while supporting the global transition to clean energy,” Hardy says.
One reason wind farm owners are becoming more aware of the damage to their turbines is the advent of low-cost drones. Ten years ago, physically inspecting the blades was very expensive. Now, it’s standard operating procedure to send low-cost drones up once a year to get highresolution photos of the leading edges of blades. Because of this, the industry is starting to understand the extent of damage and the resulting power loss from eroded edges. “The return on investment for protecting blade leading edges is very compelling, so turbine owners are increasingly opting for protection solutions,” says 3M Global R&D Leader Mike Strommen.
Repairing the blades is no small feat and is incredibly expensive. Protecting them before erosion occurs is the most cost-effective option. “When it comes to wind erosion protection, you have one shot to get it right,” explains Paolo Rocca, 3M Canada renewable energy expert. “You’re going to be over 200 feet in the air; you need a solution that is fast and reliable. That’s 3M™ Wind Protection Tape.” An added benefit is the tape’s ability to be installed in a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions, extending the maintenance season and allowing more turbines to be serviced each year.
“One of the great things about 3M tape is its history and proven track record,” says Bladefense North America CEO Ville Karkkolainen. “There’s a lot of confidence in the product.”
Moving to a more sustainable world requires a transition to clean sources of energy, like wind. 3M products that support the wind energy market are a key part of our Electrical Markets business, and another way Science for Climate comes to life in our company.
1 Sandia National Laboratories. https://energy. sandia.gov/programs/renewable-energy/windpower/blade-reliability/leading-edge-erosion/ 2 Renewables First. https://www.renewablesfirst. co.uk/windpower/windpower-learning-centre/ how-long-do-wind-turbines-installations-last/ “The return on investment for protecting blade leading edges is very compelling, so turbine owners are increasingly opting for protection solutions.”
Mike Strommen Global R&D Leader.
Feature stories Who we are How we work What we create About report 22 3M 2021 Sustainability Report | #improvinglives
for a better world.
The Tsay Keh Dene Nation is a First Nations community in British Columbia, Canada, whose territory includes some of the world’s only remaining intact forests.
In addition to being the home of many First Nations communities, the Great Northern Forest (a boreal forest) provides the world with crucial carbon sequestration services and is a habitat for caribou and other endangered species.
The Tsay Keh Dene traditional territory is near the Ingenika River, which is of crucial importance to them historically, ecologically, culturally, and spiritually. 3M is committed to sourcing from forest areas where High Conservation Values (HCVs) are protected.
In 2020, 3M and its community-based partner Earthworm Foundation began working with the Tsay Keh Dene to help define which areas might be acceptable for harvesting for pulp and paper products and which areas must be left alone to preserve their ecological values and cultural traditions.
The Earthworm partnership.
Earthworm Foundation is a nonprofit organization with expertise in implementing responsible sourcing policies and improving forest management practices across global supply chains. They helped 3M build a robust Pulp and Paper Policy in 2015 and develop a responsible sourcing program that includes implementing supplier requirements and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
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“Earthworm really guided us through this process and helped us develop a policy that reflected 3M’s values,” says Kate Shelton, 3M supplier sustainability lead. “It was an important step for us.”
Full supply chain traceability.
A unique aspect of the policy is that 3M requires full supply chain traceability. It’s part of 3M’s goal to assure that the virgin wood fiber used in our pulp- and paper-based products and packaging (like sponges, Post-it® Notes, and many others) comes from sources that protect forests and respect people’s rights.
3M does not own or manage forest land, so our policy is designed to set standards of excellence for our suppliers and their suppliers. “If we are buying from a paper supplier, we need to know the paper source and where the pulp is manufactured to make the paper. Then, we want to know where the pulp company gets its fiber,” Shelton explains.
Collaborative approach to transformation.
Earlier in the relationship, Earthworm guided 3M on working with suppliers to get full traceability and to help those suppliers understand 3M’s responsible sourcing commitment. “Now, 3M has internalized a lot of this work because they know how to engage suppliers on these complex issues, which is exactly what we want to see,” says Earthworm Foundation Forester Chris Raynham.
The work has shifted to address the responsible sourcing opportunities in the supply chain, including collaborating with our suppliers as well as with other stakeholders and First Nations communities like the Tsay Keh Dene. “We are bringing multiple voices to this chorus and amplifying the work that this Indigenous group is doing,” says Raynham. “There is power in 3M saying that this matters to the Tsay Keh Dene, but it is also important to us, and we want it to be important to our suppliers who are connecting us to this landscape.” In November 2020, 3M co-hosted a webinar for suppliers to raise awareness about harvesting in these special areas and to work together toward solutions.
“Earthworm uses science-based data and research to inform us,” says Shelton. “At 3M, we appreciate applying science-based rigor to our policy positions, including for the pulp and paper supply chain.”
Supporting the American Forest Foundation.
Another way 3M helps maintain healthy forests is by working with the American Forest Foundation (AFF). In 2020, we supported the Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Program (SFLR) at AFF, which through eight community-based organizations located across the southeastern U.S. assists African American landowners to increase income and resiliency by turning their family forests into sustainable economic and conservation assets. It’s a way for these landowners to derive income from their often ancestral land and keep it in their family for future generations.
Forest health directly impacts 3M’s Science for Circular, Science for Climate, and Science for Community pillars, and we continue to champion sustainable forestry and transparent, responsible supply chains.
“We are bringing multiple voices to this chorus and amplifying the work that this Indigenous group is doing.”
Chris Raynham Earthworm Foundation “At 3M, we appreciate applying science-based rigor to our policy positions, including for the pulp and paper supply chain.”
Kate Shelton 3M Supplier Sustainability Lead.
Feature stories Who we are How we work What we create About report 24 3M 2021 Sustainability Report | #improvinglives
and liquid fireworks: helping kids experience science while distance learning.
Soap boats. Rubber band guitars. Cotton ball launchers. These are just a few of the science projects that are part of 3M’s Science at Home program, designed to provide fun, educational science experiments for students ages 6 to 12.
Science at Home launched in April 2020 to offer accessible, hands-on science to the 55 million students across the United States who were suddenly learning remotely after schools closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The online video library contains more than 20 experiments, each featuring a 3M scientist, engineer, or a special guest — including Miss America 2020 and a Minnesota Vikings football player — performing a simple experiment that follows the Next Generation Science Standard (NGSS). Many states use NGSS to measure science-related education.
Educators can use this free content in their classrooms, and parents and kids can do the experiments safely together at home. The experiments use common household items like tissue boxes and rubber bands and include step-by-step instructions. “You learn more by doing,” says 3M Science Advocacy Program Manager Robert Brittain. “Making it easy, making it accessible — that’s the whole key to this. You don’t have to go out and buy something special. You can do it in 10 minutes.”
When creating the framework for the series, the 3M team worked to make sure it would appeal to both boys and girls. “It was very important to me that the experiments connected to real-life examples,” says 3M Chief Science Advocate Jayshree Seth. “Without that, we could lose a lot of girls. Studies, and my own experiences with my children, have shown that while it may be sufficient for boys to just have the content, girls will typically want to know more about the context.”
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As an extension of 3M’s long history of promoting science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, each experiment was recorded, without fanfare, in the home of the person demonstrating it. “It was raw and real. There is something about that relatability that I would sign up for any day because it is so authentic and representative of what people are going through,” Seth adds.
Once the initial series was complete, it became evident that distance learning and hybrid teaching models would continue into the 2020–2021 school year. Seeing an ongoing need, 3M extended the Science at Home series, adding new content and video experiments to the site.