11/26/2025
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of human-made chemicals known for being extremely resistant to breaking down. They’ve been used for decades in products like nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, food packaging, and firefighting foam. Because they don’t degrade easily, PFAS can accumulate in the environment and in our bodies, which is why they’re often called “forever chemicals.” Among the major global producers of PFAS chemicals are: 
• 3M
• DuPont (through its PFAS spin-off The Chemours Company)
• BASF
• Arkema
• Daikin
• Solvay
• AGC
• Dongyue
Because these companies produce PFAS, any pesticide manufacturer that purchases PFAS-rich chemicals or “wetting agents / surfactants / adjuvants” from global chemical suppliers could—especially historically—have applied PFAS in their pesticide formulations. Here are the major investment firms that repeatedly show up as large institutional shareholders across the PFAS-producing companies you mentioned (3M, DuPont/Chemours, BASF, etc.). I’ve listed each firm with a short note and a citation showing them as a top holder in one or more of those companies.
1. The Vanguard Group — one of the largest shareholders of 3M, DuPont and other major chemical companies. 
2. BlackRock, Inc. — a top institutional holder across 3M, Chemours, BASF and others. 
3. State Street / State Street Global Advisors — large holder in 3M, DuPont and multiple European chemical firms. 
4. J.P. Morgan Asset Management — appears among the biggest institutional owners for 3M and other large chemical names. 
5. Capital Research & Management (Capital Group) — a meaningful institutional holder in BASF and other chemical companies. 
6. Fidelity / Franklin Resources (FMR, Franklin) — shows up among top institutional holders for DuPont/Chemours and peers. 
7. Norges Bank Investment Management (Norway’s sovereign wealth fund) — a notable holder in BASF and other European chemicals. 
8. Amundi (European asset manager) — a recurring institutional holder in large European chemical firms such as BASF. 
