All-In-One Protection for Welders

Welding is a job that requires many forms of protection, with the head, face, eyes, ears, and respiratory system all vulnerable to the occupational hazards faced by welders in every industry.

Now, with the 3M™ Speedglas™ Welding Helmet 9100 MP (Multi-Protection), it's easy to help protect all of the above from jobsite dangers without sacrificing comfort.

Featuring a heat-resistant hard hat with a flip-up 3M™ Speedglas™ Auto Darkening Welding Filter to protect wearers' eyes and face, this state-of-the-art helmet easily integrates with other welding products from 3M including the 3M™ Adflo™ Powered Air Purifying Respirator, 3M™ Fresh-Air III Supplied Air Respirator, and 3M™ Peltor™ Earmuffs for respiratory and hearing protection. Additionally, it is fully compatible with all of the latest Speedglas Auto-Darkening Welding Filters in Series 9100, including the top-of-the-line, 3M™ Speedglas™ Auto Darkening Filter 9100XX. It has been assigned a protection factor of 25 according to US OSHA.

3M To Launch Campaign To Help Returning Vets and Their Families.

Through the Automotive Aftermarket Division, 3M will launch a campaign Jan. 1, 2013, to help returning veterans and their families.

As America's troops return home they face unprecedented unemployment rates. Their challenge is to match their military skills and training with career opportunities at home. 3M and its Automotive Aftermarket Division recognize the need for qualified technicians in the collision repair industry and are pleased to announce an opportunity for returning veterans to find rewarding careers through the new 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign.

Its aim is to help provide training and support for the nation's returning veterans and their families. 3M is partnering with three other organizations in this effort: the Collision Repair Education Foundation, the National Auto Body Council (NABC) and Operation Comfort.

The goal of the campaign is to donate up to $250,000 to benefit returning veterans and their families. The donation is based on the sales of select popular 3M products to qualified distributors.

Funding grants and scholarships

"The men and women who have served our country bring excellent training and skills, a commitment for doing the job correctly, a passion for intellectual achievement and a strong work ethic — all tremendous attributes for employment in today's collision repair industry," said Dale Ross, manager, U.S. Marketing Operations, Automotive Aftermarket.

This program will provide funding for education of the nation's returning veterans and their families through the Collision Repair Education Foundation. Grants and scholarships will help cover tuition, books, classroom materials, and tools and equipment. Veterans and their immediate families can apply for 3M Hire Our Heroes grants and scholarships starting Jan. 1 at the website below.

"The Collision Repair Education Foundation does an excellent job of identifying great candidates for scholarship assistance and promoting high-quality education for collision repair professionals at schools throughout the country," said Ross. "We're proud to work with them to support training through this program."

Supporting 'Automotivation'

The 3M Hire Our Heroes program also will help fund rehabilitation for wounded veterans through Operation Comfort and the NABC as part of a unique automotive skills-based rehabilitation program.

Called Automotivation, it provides opportunities for wounded soldiers to channel their automotive skills — or learn new ones — to restore vehicles through the NABC Recycled Rides program for other military veterans. The campaign will raise funds for their new facility in San Antonio, Texas.

"These men and women will receive instruction in collision repair, estimating, vehicle refinishing and other related topics to prepare them for reentry into the civilian workforce, namely our industry," said Chuck Sulkala, executive director, NABC.

Raising awareness

The ultimate goal of 3M Hire Our Heroes is to support the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in raising awareness for hiring America's heroes and help drive employment in the collision repair industry for these deserving veterans and their families.

During the 2013 campaign, 3M will engage its industry alliances, channel partners and collision repair shops to build awareness for this program. 3M will also utilize its relationships with NASCAR — Roush Fenway Racing; team owner Jack Roush; Greg Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion; Chip Foose, leading automotive designer; and Ray Evernham, NASCAR crew chief and ESPN analyst — to help share the message.

Source URL: http://www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org

A Year of Sustainability

3M makes progress on its 2015 sustainability goals and is recognized for its sustainability efforts.

• reduced volatile air emissions indexed to net sales by 9 percent since 2010 (goal is 15 percent by 2015);
• reduced energy use indexed to net sales by 11 percent since 2010 (goal is 15 percent by 2015); and
• reduced waste indexed to net sales by 10 percent (goal is 10 percent by 2015).

3M also held its first-ever employee session and conference at 3M Center called "3M Internal Sustainability Conference and Poster Session: Inventing Tomorrow, Sustaining Our Future," to share innovative ideas around sustainability.

In 2012, 3M also earned accolades for its sustainability efforts.

SolarWorld Sustainability Award

3M received the SolarWorld Sustainability Award in August at a supplier ceremony in Freiberg, Germany, where SolarWorld AG acknowledged achievements in the further development of solar technology. 3M's Renewable Energy Division was one of only three companies to receive recognition in multiple categories.

3M received the award for excellent achievement in the areas of sustainability and environmental compatibility. 3M supplies SolarWorld with 3M™ Scotchshield™ Film Backsheets and other materials for the manufacture of solar power modules.

Dow Jones Sustainability Index

3M recently received recognition for its sustainability work from the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. 3M was included as part of the 2012-2013 Dow Jones Sustainability World and North American Indexes as part of the Diversified Industrials sector. The index includes companies that are leaders in environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic success.

Interbrand's Best Global Green Brands

In addition, 3M ranked 12th on Interbrand's 2012 list of Best Global Green Brands. The best Global Green Brands are determined both by public perception of a brand's environmental performance and the brand's actual performance based on publicly available information.

3M China among China's Top 100 Green Companies

3M made the 2012 list of China's Top 100 Green Companies for the fourth year in a row, and was ranked among the top 10 greenest foreign enterprises in China by the Daonong Centre for Enterprise and Green Herald Magazine.

Perennial ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award winner

3M received a record eighth ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The award symbolizes 3M's world-class sustainability performance and customer solutions.

Source URL: http://estemwinder.3m.com/WebProject.asp?CodeId=7.4.2.55&BookCode=s7712flx#

3M's Sustainable Products — Obvious to Surprising

3M contributions to sustainability are often obvious, but some — hidden deep in customers' products — are not.

Since 1990, many of 3M's improvements in sustainability have been easy to appreciate: they were dramatic and they were closely linked to the company's manufacturing and operating processes and its retail products.

There is nothing subtle about a 95 percent reduction in pounds of volatile organic air emissions. Or about the 72 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, or the parade of branded products that now rely on recycled fibers or that help customers save energy.

But other contributions aren't nearly as observable. Many 3M products — some of them buried deep in customers' materials and devices — have made contributions to sustainability that are just as striking as the more attention-getting process reductions.

"A lot of what the company has accomplished has been obvious to consumers and employees," said Jean Sweeney, vice president, Environmental, Health and Safety Operations. "But we've also been using our technologies to help our customers be more sustainable, and some of those contributions aren't easy to see."

Off-the-shelf sustainability

Branded 3M consumer products typically provide obvious examples of the company's efforts to improve sustainability.

A recent example is the 3M™ LED Advanced Light, a highly efficient light bulb that uses only 13 watts of power to create the light of a 60-watt incandescent bulb. 3M's Corporate Ventures created the new bulb, which lasts up to 25 years and contains no mercury, by drawing on multiple 3M technologies, including adhesives, optical films, electrical connectors and thermal management solutions.

Other easy-to-see examples include the Scotch-Brite™ Greener Clean Natural Fiber Non-Scratch Scrub Sponge, which is made from 100 percent natural fibers, 23 percent of which are from recycled paper. Fifty percent of the scrubbing surface is made of fibers from the agave plant, a highly flexible, renewable byproduct from tequila production.

Solar stars

Sustainable products from the Renewable Energy Division are less obvious — you won't find them at your local hardware store — but they have a high profile in their markets.

Window films like 3M™ Ultra-Clear Solar Film, for example, reduce the need for air-conditioning (and help conserve energy) by blocking the infrared light that heats up interiors. And the division's 3M™ Cool Mirror Films increase the efficiency of solar energy generation; these optical films selectively concentrate the light frequencies that can be used by silicon-based photovoltaic cells while rejecting those that only heat up the solar cells and degrade performance.

Similarly, 3M™ Novec™ Products, from the Electronics Markets Materials Division, are widely recognized in the electronics industry for their unrivaled contributions to sustainability. 3M™ Novec™ Engineered Fluids remove heat from electronic devices and significantly improve energy efficiency.

In a recent application, the hot-running processors of high-density computers are immersed in a bath of 3M™ Novec™ Fluid, which boils at a low temperature, removes the heat, then condenses in a second phase and is reused, all without a pump.

Stealth contributions

Other contributions are hidden in customers' products and are thus much harder to detect.

In planes and cars, 3M's glass bubble technology has helped manufacturers slash vehicle weight and increase fuel efficiency. For example, 3M™ Glass Bubbles used in a handrail system for an Airbus A320, would reduce the weight by more than 5 kg per aircraft, resulting in significant fuel savings and reduced carbon emissions when extended across a fleet of aircraft.

And in what might be 3M's least apparent sustainability contribution, 3M™ Thermal Bonding Films and 3M™ Plastic Bonding Adhesives provide strong adhesion for assembling electronic devices. In addition, they can also be softened with moderate heating, and with pressure appropriately applied, to allow disassembly for rework or recycling at the end of a device's lifecycle. This is an important consideration, given that 3 to 4 million tons of electronic equipment is recycled every year.

The complete package

Packaging presents other subtle but notable opportunities for improving 3M's environmental footprint.

"In the United States, about a third of all landfill waste is from packaging," explained Doreen Purpur, manager, Package Engineering. The impact of packaging is similarly high elsewhere in the world, and rigorous laws and regulations are being implemented to reduce it. Customers, too, see an opportunity to reduce their waste streams and associated costs.

"In the U.S., Wal-Mart requires its suppliers to complete an extensive packaging scorecard for every product sold to Wal-Mart," noted Purpur.

3M's response has been fast and effective. 3M was among the first suppliers to comply with Wal-Mart's scorecard requirements and continues to maintain improvement data in the system. Packaging changes for Command™ Products have reduced not only the consumer package but the materials used in shipping containers. In the U.S., this has led to annual packaging material reductions of more than 200,000 pounds.

Subtle packaging improvements can certainly add up, and the numbers become impressive when several divisions take up the challenge. "Since 2008, 3M has eliminated 9 million pounds of packaging in the U.S. alone," Purpur said. "That's 350 truckloads of garbage that didn't go to a landfill. That's not obvious to the public, but it's definitely making a positive difference in terms of our environmental impact."

Source URL: http://estemwinder.3m.com/WebProject.asp?CodeId=7.4.2.55&BookCode=s7712flx#

Introducing 3M™ Cubitron™ II Bonded Abrasive Grinding and Cut-Off Wheels

New technology revolutionizes the grinding process

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--3M Abrasive Systems introduces 3M™ Cubitron™ II Bonded Abrasive Grinding and Cut-Off Wheels, a revolutionary new technology that reinvents the grinding process. With Cubitron II abrasives, users get precision-shaped grain technology that cuts faster, stays sharper longer, and requires less pressure than conventional grinding and cut-off wheels. In addition, the abrasives can help reduce operator fatigue and increase productivity.

“This technology is the most important change in abrasives in the last 20 years,” said Dan Cunningham, Director Sales and Marketing, 3M Abrasive Systems. “We’ve utilized 3M’s core technology platforms to create products that enable customers to produce more each day, while also helping reduce the impact on their workers.”

Conventional ceramic abrasive grains are irregular in shape, and work by “plowing” through metal, which can cause heat buildup, slower cutting and shorter life. But the precision-shaped grains in Cubitron II grinding wheels continuously fracture to form sharp points and edges. This technology helps Cubitron II abrasives slice cleaner and faster, stay cooler, and last longer than conventional wheels.

Cubitron II abrasives offer performance that dramatically surpasses that of traditional grinding wheels made with aluminum oxide, alumina zirconia or ceramic grain. In fact, competitive products require up to three times the amount of pressure to match the cut of Cubitron II abrasives. With the advantages of 3M’s technology, operators are subjected to less wear and tear, and can remove more material with the same amount of effort. It all adds up to improved productivity, achieved in a way that is good for the business and for workers. In fact, 3M has created a tribute video to grinder operators, “Grindstone Cowboy,” which can be seen at www.3MCubitron2.com/rocks or www.youtube.com/3Mabrasives.

“Operators have a tough job, so it’s our hope that 3M’s new Cubitron II bonded abrasives can make it easier on them, while still performing exceptionally on the shop floor,” continued Cunningham.

A wide variety of industries stand to benefit from these advancements, including ship building; structural steel; general metal fabrication; oil and gas; and agriculture, industrial and construction machinery. Cubitron II abrasives offer potential for operators in all of these fields to easily increase efficiency.

To learn more about Cubitron II abrasives, visit www.3M.com/cubitron2.

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 $30 billion in sales, 3M employs 84,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.

3M and Cubitron are trademarks of 3M Company.

Source URL: http://news.3m.com/press-release/company/introducing-3m-cubitron-ii-bonded-abrasive-grinding-and-cut-wheels

3M Announces Hire Our Heroes Campaign

Campaign will help provide training and support for veterans and their families

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As America’s troops are returning home they are facing unprecedented unemployment rates. Their challenge is to match their military skills and training with career opportunities here at home. 3M recognizes the need for qualified technicians in the collision repair industry and is creating an opportunity for returning veterans to find rewarding careers with the right education and support.

3M, one of 15 corporations honored by the U.S. government as a “Freedom Award Recipient,” and its Automotive Aftermarket Division are ready to help with the new 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign to help provide training and support for the nation’s returning veterans and their families.

3M is partnering with the Collision Repair Education Foundation, the National Auto Body Council, and Operation Comfort to help support rehabilitation and training and drive employment in the collision repair industry for America’s returning veterans. The goal of the 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign, which kicks off in January 2013, is to donate up to $250,000 to benefit returning veterans and their families. The donation is based on the sales of select popular 3M products to qualified distributors.

“The men and women who have served our country bring excellent training and skills, a commitment for doing the job correctly, a passion for intellectual achievement and a strong work ethic – all tremendous attributes for employment in today’s collision repair industry,” said Dale Ross, U.S. Marketing Operations Manager for 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division.

“Our industry needs qualified repair professionals with the necessary skills to keep pace with the evolving repair standards,” added Ross. “We are committed to helping repair facility owners and managers around the country get the capable, qualified repair professionals they need to perform at the high standards expected in today’s collision industry while honoring the tremendous service of our military men and women.”

This program will provide funding for education of the nation’s returning veterans and their families through the Collision Repair Education Foundation. The grants and scholarships will help cover tuition, books and classroom materials, and tools and equipment for returning veterans and their families. Veterans and their immediate families will be able to apply for 3M Hire Our Heroes grants and scholarships beginning January 1, 2013, through www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org.

“The Collision Repair Education Foundation does an excellent job of identifying great candidates for scholarship assistance and promoting high-quality education for collision repair professionals at schools throughout the country,” said Ross. “We’re proud to work with them to support training for these deserving veterans and their family members.”

The 3M Hire Our Heroes program also will help fund rehabilitation for the wounded veterans through Operation Comfort and the National Auto Body Council as part of a unique automotive skill-based rehabilitation program. Called Automotivation, it provides opportunities for wounded soldiers to channel their automotive skills – or learn new ones – to restore vehicles through the NABC Recycled Rides program for other military veterans. The campaign will be raising funds for their new facility in San Antonio, Texas.

“These men and women will receive instruction in collision repair, estimating, vehicle refinishing and other related topics toward the goal of preparing them for reentry into the civilian workforce, namely our industry,” said NABC Executive Director Chuck Sulkala.

“Our wounded heroes have tremendous needs for rehabilitation, not just in our military hospitals but in skills-based rehabilitation that provides intellectual, hands-on opportunities and rewarding projects as they recover from their injuries,” noted Ross.

The ultimate goal of the 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign is to support the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in raising awareness for hiring America’s heroes and help drive employment in the collision repair industry for these deserving veterans and their families. In addition, 3M is a national board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Hiring Heroes program.

During the 2013 campaign, 3M will engage its industry alliances, channel partners and collision repair shops in building awareness for this program. It also will utilize its relationships with NASCAR; Roush Fenway Racing; team owner Jack Roush; Greg Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion; Chip Foose, leading automotive designer; and Ray Evernham, legendary NASCAR crew chief and ESPN analyst to help share the message.

More details will be available closer to the program launch on January 1, 2013. For more information contact Ted Guck, 3M Automotive Aftermarket, at tcguck@mmm.com.

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 $30 billion in sales, 3M employs 84,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.

3M is a trademark of 3M Company.

Source URL: http://news.3m.com/press-release/company/3m-announces-hire-our-heroes-campaign

Infection Fighters

Date of Publication: 9/25/2012

The Infection Prevention Division helps hospitals ward off the ever-present threat of health care-associated infections.

The statistics are grim. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States, approximately one in 20 patients acquire an infection while hospitalized, and tens of thousands of these patients die of the resulting complications. The physical and emotional costs to patients and their families are enormous. And there are other costs, too. Treating such infections costs hospitals an estimated $28.4 billion to $45 billion annually, for which they are not reimbursed.

3M, through its Infection Prevention Division, teams up with hospitals to help eliminate those health-care associated infections.

“Hospitals want solutions,” said Debra Rectenwald, vice president and general manager, Infection Prevention Division, noting the division’s purpose is to raise the standard of care and, very simply, to “help hospitals eliminate these preventable problems.”

Rectenwald added, “If you know anyone who’s contracted an infection, you know it can result in multiple surgeries, and often the patient doesn’t totally recover. In any case, though, it’s extremely painful for those who contract an infection. We have a big mission to partner with hospitals to help eliminate infections.”

A global concern

Bacteria know no boundaries, and health care-associated infections, known as HAIs, are a global concern. In developing countries, hygiene conditions can be especially challenging, and Infection Prevention helps them improve their hygiene practices by working with governments, health agencies and hospitals to raise the standard of care.

The division’s efforts include providing education on the practice of using only sterilized equipment in operating rooms and teaching health care workers the difference between cleaning and sanitizing. A division-furnished manual provides step-by-step instructions on these processes.

In developed nations, too, disinfection and sterilization remain a problem, as evidenced by the high number of HAIs. “Health care employees are overworked, and there is high turnover in hospitals,” Rectenwald said, noting the turnover is highest in areas where disinfection and sterilization are performed, making it a challenge to maintain a competent staff that is following standards and recommended practices.

“We’re focused on developing products that are error-proof and make it easier for hospital employees to do their work, because that will really help raise the standard of care,” she said. “If you want to eliminate infections, the right things have to be done every single time.”

The division’s goal is to keep patients infection-free from the time they enter the hospital until the time they leave. To that end, Infection Prevention offers a number of solutions in different segments of its business that minimize the risk of patients contracting an infection.

Infection Prevention is also leveraging the breadth of 3M to tackle this problem. For example, the business is working with four divisions — Health Information Systems, Skin and Wound Care, Occupational Health and Environmental Safety, and Building and Commercial Services — to bring 3M’s entire corporate expertise and solutions to the complex problem of reducing HAIs.

Setting the standard

The largest segment, representing approximately one-third of Infection Prevention’s sales, is perioperative — that is, products to be used before, during and after surgery. Several of these 3M products have established the standard of care in the operating room (OR).

For instance, 3M™ Avagard™ Surgical and Healthcare Personnel Hand Antiseptic with Moisturizers is a waterless, brushless surgical hand antiseptic that inhibits the growth of microorganisms while maintaining skin health and integrity. This has been a career-saving product for surgeons suffering from dermatitis of the hand. Their condition (resulting from constant scrubbing with water and brush) poses a risk to patients should they be directly exposed to it, such as through a torn glove.

3M™ DuraPrep™ Surgical Solution is another very important defense against infection. Prior to surgery, a patient’s skin is disinfected to reduce the presence of microbes and deter their regrowth. It can be difficult to verify all vulnerable skin is effectively covered, but 3M™ DuraPrep™ surgical solution minimizes the uncertainty. A premeasured amount of the solution, contained in a single-use applicator, is painted on the patient; this forms a film barrier that is both visible and enduring. A 3M™ Ioban™ 2 Antimicrobial Incise Drape is then placed on top of the painted skin to provide a sterile surface to the wound edge, offering another barrier and further protection during surgery.

“Standardization in the OR using Infection Prevention solutions, which include our products and clinical education, ensures OR staff consistency. This kind of repetitive standardization helps reduce the risk of errors and increases patient safety,” Rectenwald said.

Promising growth opportunities

Sterilization is the division’s second-largest segment. Infection Prevention is a market leader in the United States in this area, providing hospitals with monitoring devices to ensure that cleaning and sterilization standards are met. Growth potential is strong in developing economies, where control practices are improving.

A hospital’s sterilization practices are invisible to the patient, but high standards here are critical in reducing the risk of infection. For example, monitoring tools such as 3M™ Attest™ Rapid Readout Biological Indicators validate the sterilization process and ensure conditions are sufficient to kill microorganisms on the instrumentation.

Maintaining normal body temperature throughout surgery protects the patient’s immune system, significantly reducing the risk of postoperative wound infections. Patient warming, a market segment entered through the 2010 acquisition of Arizant Healthcare Inc., is among the division’s biggest growth opportunities.

3M™ Bair Paws® Patient Warming Gowns and 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Blankets help keep patients warm, comfortable and less vulnerable to infection.

Globally, just 40 percent of patients at risk for hypothermia receive active warming before and during surgery. Markets outside the U.S. offer great potential, as many are in the early stages of awareness of these products.

Infection Prevention is taking a leading role in promoting best practices around the world. At a recent anesthesiology conference in Paris, 3M hosted anesthesiologists from 21 countries to introduce a new hospital quality initiative aimed at reducing surgical hypothermia.

Rounding out Infection Prevention’s offerings are complementary solutions that contribute to an infection-free hospital experience for patients. For instance, 3M™ Red Dot™ Pre-wired Monitoring Electrodes, applied during EKG and echocardiogram diagnostics, are disposable, reducing the risk of cross contamination between patients.

Error-proof solutions needed

It’s an enormously exciting time to be in health care for several reasons, according to Rectenwald. Chief among them is a changing environment within the U.S., characterized by health care reform and growing consumer awareness. Hospitals are increasingly being held accountable for infections. Simply put, when patients contract HAIs, insurance providers won’t reimburse for related care required as a result of that infection. And this is pressuring hospitals to improve.

An increasingly educated and demanding patient base is also a factor. Health care is a competitive field, and hospitals want to attract patients. Research shows they have significant room for improvement in meeting customer satisfaction. A recent Consumer Reports study examined the performance of more than 4,000 hospitals in the U.S. in regard to patient safety, experience and outcomes, and on various specified hospital practices. Not one hospital scored higher than 50 on a 100-point scale.

Infection Prevention has developed innovative and clinically relevant solutions that can help hospitals make the necessary improvements, thereby enhancing their performance and improving patient outcomes.

Looking further ahead, Rectenwald envisions rapid changes in the way health care is practiced.

“Ten years out, it’s going to look like we’ve been in the Stone Age,” she said. “We will know so much more and have so much more data about each patient that it will change the way health care is practiced. And one thing is certain: the need for innovative solutions will remain strong. With the technology that 3M offers, we have just begun to tap into the health care market.”

Photo Caption: A patient’s own skin is the No. 1 source of infection. 3M™ DuraPrep™ Surgical Solution (Iodine Povacrylex [0.7% available Iodine] and Isopropyl Alcohol, 74% w/w) Patient Preoperative Skin Preparation is clinically proven and cost effective. This patient skin prepping solution meets Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control guidelines for reducing surgical site infections.

Photo Caption: 3M™ Avagard™ (Chlorhexidine Gluconate 1% Solution and Ethyl Alcohol 61% w/w) Surgical and Healthcare Personnel Hand Antiseptic with Moisturizers is a waterless, brushless surgical hand antiseptic that kills a broad spectrum of microbes, including antibiotic-resistant strains, and is proven to provide a greater than 99 percent microbial kill in 15 seconds in vitro [Data on file (LIMS 8257)].

Photo Caption: 3M™ Bair Paws® Patient Warming Gowns and 3M™ Bair Hugger® Blankets keep patients warm before and during surgery. These forced-air warming innovations are designed for one primary purpose: the treatment and prevention of unintended hypothermia and its associated complications.

Photo Caption: Monitoring tools such as 3M™ Attest™ Rapid Readout Biological Indicators validate the process used to sterilize surgical instruments, ensuring that conditions are sufficient to kill even highly resistant spores.

Photo Caption: 3M™ Littmann® Stethoscopes are also part of the Infection Prevention Division. They provide exceptional sound quality, making it easier for physicians to detect difficult-to-hear heart sounds.

Source URL: http://estemwinder.3m.com/WebProject.asp?CodeId=7.4.2.50&BookCode=s7312flx

Becoming more relevant in an emerging market

Date of Publication: 9/11/2012

3M's technical know-how of matrix resin technology is leading to new opportunities in composite-related products.

Composite pressure vessels are used in many different applications - from paintball equipment to scuba gear, and rocket motors to first-responder oxygen tanks for firefighters. They are also used for storage of compressed natural gas. And this is where 3M sees exciting opportunities.

According to Rick Maveus, global business manager, Engineered Products and Solutions Department, Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division, significant growth opportunities in the composite pressure vessels market are being driven by natural gas vehicles.

3M, capitalizing on its matrix resin technology, entered into an agreement earlier this year with Oklahoma-based Chesapeake Energy Corporation to design, manufacture and market a broad portfolio of compressed natural gas (CNG) tanks for the transportation market.

Focusing on CNG tanks

Compressed natural gas tanks are an attractive opportunity for 3M, as it creates the possibility for 3M to greatly expand its share of content in a vehicle.

"The price for CNG tanks on a vehicle typically range from $750 for a small car up to nearly $20,000 for a Class 8 semi truck," explained Maveus. "As you can imagine, with that share of content 3M becomes incredibly relevant to the original equipment manufacturer. Also, compressed natural gas tanks have the ability to create real value for end customers, particularly with the disparity in fuel prices we're seeing today.

"At the pump, people are paying around $4 a gallon for gasoline or diesel, while CNG is typically going for less than $2 per gallon equivalent," he continued. "That kind of spread creates a fairly quick payback and can save trucking companies, commercial fleets, and city bus and transit systems real money over the life of their vehicle.

"In addition, while CNG is a fossil fuel, it is nevertheless 30 percent cleaner than gasoline, and it is produced domestically, in the 48 contiguous states," noted Maveus. "So while it cannot be classified as a sustainable fuel, it is regarded as a very attractive 'long-term bridge' to more sustainable fuels, it creates domestic jobs and it has the potential to reduce reliance on imports from unfriendly countries."

Chesapeake is a leading supplier of natural gas in the U.S. and has invested heavily in activities to help drive the adoption of natural gas vehicles across the country. In fact, Chesapeake is working with 3M to help accelerate its own product development.

"We believe that this investment - coupled with Chesapeake's extensive network in this value chain and their commitment to help 3M market our tanks - will dramatically speed up 3M's market entrance," said Vic Genco, department director and general manager, Engineered Products and Solutions Department, Industrial Adhesives and Tapes.

3M's first CNG tank will be available in January 2013. Early interest in 3M's technology has been strong, and the Engineered Products and Solutions team has already pre-sold several million dollars' worth of them.

This is another step forward in 3M's planful approach toward broadening its portfolio of matrix resins that began with the commercialization of 3M™ Matrix Resin, which was first used in sporting goods.

Eyeing carbon fiber composites

Not only is 3M matrix resin used in the high-growth market of composite pressure vessels, it also has broad applications in carbon fiber composites across myriad emerging industrial applications. This includes aerospace, defense, transportation, infrastructure, and oil and gas.

"3M's carbon fiber composites are a good choice wherever there is a need for materials that are lighter and more durable, with people who are willing to pay for that benefit," Genco said. "Carbon fiber composites are not the cheapest structural materials, but the range of applications in which they are economically viable is growing."

Overall, the outlook appears to be bright.

The group views itself as an incubator that identifies high-value new or underutilized technology that can be rapidly commercialized for an attractive emerging industrial market. Noted Maveus, "We have a highly talented lab that has been incredibly prolific in building, in a short amount of time, our portfolio of matrix resins."

3M Hearing Protection Devices Now Added to the Federal Procurement List

Release Date: Thursday, August 30, 2012 9:22 am CDT

Dateline City: St. Paul, Minn.

3M and New Dynamics help military personnel combat hearing loss, while creating job opportunities for people with disabilities

Five hearing protection devices from 3M have been added to the U.S. AbilityOne Commission’s Federal Procurement List (FPL), effective Sept. 3, 2012, to help military personnel who are often exposed to excessive noise levels. 3M has a strong commitment to hearing conservation and will work with New Dynamics Corporation to protect warriors and workers from noise-induced hearing loss. As part of a co-branding agreement, New Dynamics Corporation will assemble, package and distribute the 3M devices through its government and commercial contracts, providing employment opportunities for more than 20 employees with and without disabilities.

“Military personnel are exposed to excessive noise levels during combat and training on a variety of land, air and sea missions,” said Walter Pawlowski, vice president of Business Development, New Dynamics Corporation. “This noise exposure has led many personnel to experience hearing loss and tinnitus, which is currently the number-one service-related disability for veterans.” 

Tinnitus, often referred to as “ringing in the ears,” and noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by a one-time exposure to hazardous impulse noise, or by repeated exposure to excessive noise over an extended period of time. 

The hearing protection devices being added to the federal procurement list include a series of 3M Combat Arms Earplugs and the 3M E-A-R Yellow Skull Screws earplugs. Combat Arms Earplugs provide hear-through capabilities, which enable military personnel to hear low-level sounds, such as footsteps or spoken commands, while protecting against damaging impulse noise from explosions or firearms. Yellow Skull Screws earplugs provide high-attenuation, easy insertion and compliance with Foreign Objects and Debris (FOD) requirements in proximity with military aircraft and flight lines. 

The Combat Arms Earplug is made of a washable plastic, has a triple-flange eartip to keep it in place, and features a rocker switch that is operated without removing the earplug. Military personnel can adjust the rocker with a quick “click” depending on the type of protection required for the mission. When it's in the open or “weapons fire” position, sound can travel through the sound channel filter into the ear. For noisy environments that don't require a hear-through listening capability, such as being near helicopters, troop carriers or generators, the rocker can be closed for “constant protection.”

The 3M products were added to the procurement list by the U.S. AbilityOne Commission, which was established as an independent Federal agency by the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act. The Commission administers the AbilityOne Program, which currently provides employment opportunities for more than 50,000 people who are blind or have significant disabilities. The AbilityOne Program uses the purchasing power of the federal government to buy products and services from nonprofit agencies nationwide dedicated to training and employing individuals with disabilities.

New Dynamics Corporation works closely with NISH, a national nonprofit agency whose mission is to create employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities by securing federal contracts through the AbilityOne Program.

“People with disabilities are the nation’s largest untapped labor force and nearly 80 percent of these individuals do not have jobs,” said NISH President and CEO Bob Chamberlin. “It is our mission to help secure work for people with disabilities, and it is particularly fitting that we work with New Dynamics and 3M as their hearing protection products and services can help reduce the number of hearing-related disabilities within the military and other at-risk populations.”

Beginning Sept. 3, 2012, the products and services listed below are suitable for procurement by the Federal Government under 41 U.S.C. 8501-8506 and 41 CFR 51-2.4. National Stock Numbers (NSNs):

• NSN: 6515-01-576-8837 – Combat Arms Earplug, Single Ended, Size Small
• NSN: 6515-01-576-8861 – Combat Arms Earplug, Single Ended, Size Medium
• NSN: 6515-01-576-8869 – Combat Arms Earplug, Single Ended, Size Large
• NSN: 6515-01-466-2710 – Combat Arms Earplug, Dual Ended, Universal Size.
• NSN: 6515-01-576-8796 – Yellow Skull Screws Earplug, Single Ended, Universal Size

“3M has 40 years of experience developing innovative hearing protection products,” said Doug Moses, Military Market Development, Occupational Health & Environmental Safety, 3M. “We look forward to applying our rich history with hearing protection products in support of New Dynamics and NISH to equip the U.S. Armed Forces with devices that allow them to hear mission critical communication, while helping reduce the risk of developing tinnitus and noise-induced hearing loss.” 

3M, Combat Arms, E-A-R, and Skull Screws are trademarks of 3M Company, used under license in Canada. AbilityOne is a registered trademark of the U.S. AbilityOne Commission.

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 $30 billion in sales, 3M employs about 84,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.

About 3M Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Safety Solutions
3M offers a comprehensive, diverse portfolio of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) solutions providing respiratory protection, hearing protection, fall protection, reflective materials for high visibility, protective clothing, protective eyewear, head and face protection, welding helmets, and other adjacent products and solutions such as tactical safety equipment, detection, monitoring equipment, active communications equipment and compliance management. In 2012, 3M celebrates 40 years of safety leadership, recognizing the company’s respiratory and hearing protection solutions introduced in 1972. Visit www.3M.com/PPESafety or m.3M.com/PPESafety.

New Dynamics Corporation, based in Middletown, N.Y., provides employment opportunities for more than 70 disabled and non-disabled employees through its government and commercial contracts for products and services. Formed in 1997, New Dynamics is a not-for-profit sister corporation of Occupations Inc. that manufactures, packages and distributes products and services commercially and to the federal government through the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) and the Defense Logistics Agency.

NISH is a national nonprofit agency whose mission is to create employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities by securing federal contracts through the AbilityOne Program for its network of community-based, nonprofit agencies. Providing employment opportunities to more than 50,000 people, the AbilityOne Program is the largest single source of employment for people with disabilities in the United States. More than 600 participating nonprofit organizations employ these individuals and provide quality goods and services to the federal government at a fair price.

For more information:

• High-resolution graphics of the Combat Arms Earplugs and E-A-R Skull Screws from 3M:
  http://gpimmediacollections.3m.com/index.php/3m/dmrweb?albumId=209943
• Combat Arms Earplugs and E-A-R Skull Screws Now On the Federal Procurement List:
  http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-08-03/html/2012-19034.htm
• Check out the latest industry statistics on hearing loss and the employment of people with disabilities
  https://www.box.com/s/38174a762f1a09f95763

Source URL: http://news.3m.com/press-release/3m-hearing-protection-devices-now-added-federal-procurement-list