3M announced today that it is pledging $2.5 million to support relief efforts in Japan following the devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami. Support includes a $500,000 employee and retiree matching grant and up to $2 million in product donations as needs are identified. Grants will be made to the American Red Cross and U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Product donations will likely include respiratory protection products, medical and cleaning supplies.

“Our hearts go out to the people of Japan who have been impacted by this devastating earthquake and tsunami,” said Robin Torgerson, vice president, 3M Community Affairs and the 3M Foundation. “3M has had a presence in Japan for more than 50 years and we are committed to supporting relief efforts.”

About 3M
3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $27 billion in sales, 3M employs about 80,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.

3M Community Giving consists of product donations and cash grants by 3M and the 3M Foundation and bolstered by employee and retiree volunteerism. In 2010, 3M and the 3M Foundation donated nearly $59 million in cash and products to U.S. educational and charitable institutions.

3MJacqueline Berry, 651-733-3611