NEW JERSEY (From news reports) -- 3M reached a $285 million settlement with New Jersey, resolving all claims that the materials maker contributed to industrial contamination at a site in Salem County, located within the Philadelphia metro area.

The company said Monday that the agreement marks a step toward reducing risk and uncertainty surrounding legacy issues, adding that it will allow the company to increase focus on its strategic priorities moving forward.

The settlement, which the company said is not an admission of liability, stems from a 2019 lawsuit, in which New Jersey officials sued chemical makers DuPont, Chemours and 3M to pay for the clean-up of years of contamination caused by toxic chemicals commonly known as PFAS.

PFAS, sometimes referred to as "forever chemicals" due to how difficult they are to break down, can be found in products such as cookware, pizza boxes and stain repellents.

New Jersey officially sought damages for contamination emanating from the Chambers Works facility, which is currently owned by Chemours and was previously owned by DuPont, 3M said. The company noted it historically supplied PFAS to DuPoint at the site, and that it stopped doing so in 2001.

Under the terms of 3M's settlement, $210 million of the payout relates to Chambers Works facility. The remaining $75 million extends to resolving current and future PFAS-related claims that New Jersey officials have against 3M.

Payments will be made over a period of 25 years. 3M expects to record a pre-tax charge of approximately $285 million in the second quarter stemming from the settlement.

The company said it remains on track to discontinue all PFAS manufacturing by the end of the year.