New Jersey secures over $2 billion in total PFAS-related settlements as DuPont and affiliates agree to pay $875 million and fund long-term site remediation.
In a landmark environmental enforcement action, DuPont de Nemours, Inc., The Chemours Company, and Corteva, Inc. have agreed to pay $875 million and undertake extensive remediation to resolve claims of PFAS and legacy chemical contamination at four industrial sites across New Jersey. The Judicial Consent Order, dated August 3, 2025, outlines specific financial and site-based obligations and marks the largest environmental settlement ever achieved by a single U.S. state.
“PFAS are particularly insidious. These dangerous chemicals build up and accumulate everywhere, and New Jersey has some of the highest levels of PFAS in the country,” said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “This resolution holds corporate polluters accountable.”
The agreement follows trial proceedings in federal court and comes amid growing litigation across the U.S. over PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and links to serious health effects.
The $875 million settlement is part of more than $2 billion in total PFAS-related recoveries by the State of New Jersey since 2019. This includes recent settlements with 3M, Solvay, and Arkema over similar contamination issues.
“This landmark settlement will advance New Jersey’s nation-leading PFAS abatement efforts, improve drinking water quality, and restore injured natural resources,” said DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette.
The funds will support both natural resource restoration and PFAS abatement projects, including drinking water treatment for impacted communities.
The companies may prepay amounts at an 8% discount rate, and payments will be credited against their PFAS escrow obligations.
DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva will continue remediation at the following sites:
Each site must maintain a Remedial Funding Source (RFS) backed by a surety bond or trust to guarantee future remediation. These RFS instruments will undergo a binding third-party review to ensure sufficiency.
Additionally, a $475 million Reserve Fund will be established to protect taxpayers if any party defaults or declares bankruptcy. This is in addition to an estimated $1.2 billion in site-specific RFSs—bringing total secured remediation funds to $1.675 billion.
The affected sites reflect New Jersey’s industrial past, with operations dating back to the late 1800s:
PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in products ranging from firefighting foam to nonstick cookware. They do not break down in the environment and have been linked to:
New Jersey was the first U.S. state to establish enforceable drinking water standards for PFAS, and state testing has identified widespread contamination.
This settlement signals significant long-term opportunities for companies in:
Firms specializing in ion exchange, granular activated carbon, site investigation, and ESG risk analysis should prepare for multi-year project scopes and public contract opportunities.
“This resolution embodies the steadfast commitment of the DEP and our Attorney General to hold all PFAS polluters to account and to protect public health,” said LaTourette.
DuPont and Corteva will pay $150 million to Chemours in exchange for future rights to PFAS-related insurance recoveries. Once reimbursed, Chemours will regain a 50% share of future proceeds.
The proposed settlement will be published in the New Jersey Register for public comment before final approval by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The 3M settlement, valued up to $450 million, was posted for comment in July 2025.
