Altötting district ends settlement talks with 3M over PFAS contamination

The Altötting Landratsamt announced the termination of settlement negotiations with US chemicals firm 3M over PFAS pollution stemming from historic production at the Gendorf chemical park. Despite prolonged discussions with Bavaria’s economic and environmental ministries, officials said the gap between the parties’ demands remains too wide for an amicable resolution. Landrat Tobias Windhorst highlighted “massive differences” as the reason for the break.

The district is preparing to file claims in court, a step already taken by the city of Burghausen, which intends to bring a lawsuit against the former Dyneon owner for extensive remediation costs. The contamination, originating after 1968 from Hoechst and later 3M-owned Dyneon, affects large areas of soil across the county and will require costly disposal and containment measures. While Dyneon ceased PFOA production years ago, the site is now considered one of the cleanest of its kind worldwide.