Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012

Commission file number 1-3285

3M COMPANY

Principal executive offices: 3M Center, St. Paul, Minnesota 55144

Telephone number: (651) 733-1110

SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:

Note: The common stock of the Registrant is also traded on the SWX Swiss Exchange.

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes  o    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  x    No  o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  x    No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).   Yes  o  No  x

The aggregate market value of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the Registrant, computed by reference to the closing price and shares outstanding, was approximately $69.4 billion as of January 31, 2013 (approximately $61.9 billion as of June 30, 2012, the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second quarter).

Shares of common stock outstanding at January 31, 2013: 689,990,255.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Parts of the Company’s definitive proxy statement (to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after Registrant’s fiscal year-end of December 31, 2012) for its annual meeting to be held on May 14, 2013, are incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K in response to Part III, Items 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14.

Table of Contents

3M COMPANY

FORM 10-K

For the Year Ended December 31, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2

Table of Contents

3M COMPANY

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

For the Year Ended December 31, 2012

PART I

Item 1. Business.

3M Company was incorporated in 1929 under the laws of the State of Delaware to continue operations begun in 1902. The Company’s ticker symbol is MMM. As used herein, the term “3M” or “Company” includes 3M Company and its subsidiaries unless the context indicates otherwise. In this document, for any references to Note 1 through Note 17, refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Available Information

The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including the Company, that file electronically with the SEC. The public can obtain any documents that the Company files with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. The Company files annual reports, quarterly reports, proxy statements and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act). The public may read and copy any materials that the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

3M also makes available free of charge through its website (http://investor.3M.com) the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and, if applicable, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC.

General

3M is a diversified technology company with a global presence in the following businesses: Industrial and Transportation; Health Care; Consumer and Office; Safety, Security and Protection Services; Display and Graphics; and Electro and Communications. 3M is among the leading manufacturers of products for many of the markets it serves. Most 3M products involve expertise in product development, manufacturing and marketing, and are subject to competition from products manufactured and sold by other technologically oriented companies.

At December 31, 2012, the Company employed 87,677 people (full-time equivalents), with 34,746 employed in the United States and 52,931 employed internationally.

Business Segments

In 2012, 3M managed its operations in six operating business segments: Industrial and Transportation; Health Care; Consumer and Office; Safety, Security and Protection Services; Display and Graphics; and Electro and Communications. 3M’s six business segments bring together common or related 3M technologies, enhancing the development of innovative products and services and providing for efficient sharing of business resources. These segments have worldwide responsibility for virtually all 3M product lines. Certain small businesses and lab-sponsored products, as well as various corporate assets and expenses, are not attributed to the business segments. Financial information and other disclosures relating to 3M’s business segments and operations in major geographic areas are provided in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Consistent with 3M’s strategy of building relevance and presence in the marketplace, the Company announced in October 2012 that it was immediately beginning to align resources and management toward a new structure comprised of five business groups: Consumer; Industrial; Health Care; Safety and Graphics; and Electronics and Energy. The company’s operating results were managed on the basis of its existing segment structure through 2012, with the intention that results be managed under the new alignment once it is fully effective in the first quarter of 2013.

Industrial and Transportation Business: The Industrial and Transportation segment serves a broad range of markets, such as automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and automotive aftermarket (auto body shops and retail), renewable energy, electronics, paper and packaging, food and beverage, and appliance. Industrial and Transportation products include tapes, a wide variety of coated and non-woven abrasives, adhesives, specialty materials, filtration products, energy control products, closure systems for personal hygiene products, acoustic systems products, and

3

Table of Contents

components and products that are used in the manufacture, repair and maintenance of automotive, marine, aircraft and specialty vehicles. In the fourth quarter of 2012, 3M acquired Ceradyne, Inc., which develops and produces advanced technical ceramics for demanding applications in the automotive, oil and gas, solar, industrial, electronics and defense industries. In 2011, 3M acquired Winterthur Technologie AG, a leading global supplier of precision grinding technology serving customers in the area of hard-to-grind precision applications in industrial, automotive, aircraft and cutting tools.

Major industrial products include vinyl, polyester, foil and specialty industrial tapes and adhesives; Scotch® Masking Tape, Scotch® Filament Tape and Scotch® Packaging Tape; packaging equipment; 3M™ VHB™ Bonding Tapes; conductive, low surface energy, hot melt, spray and structural adhesives; reclosable fasteners; label materials for durable goods; and coated, nonwoven and microstructured surface finishing and grinding abrasives for the industrial market. 3M Purification Inc. provides a comprehensive line of filtration products for the separation, clarification and purification of fluids and gases. Other industrial products include fluoroelastomers for seals, tubes and gaskets in engines; and engineering fluids. In addition, this segment provides 3M™ Scotchtint™ Window Film for buildings; 3M™ Ultra Safety and Security Window Film for property and personal protection during destructive weather conditions; closure systems for personal hygiene products; and acoustic systems products.

Major transportation products include insulation components, including components for catalytic converters; functional and decorative graphics; abrasion-resistant films; masking tapes; fasteners and tapes for attaching nameplates, trim, moldings, interior panels and carpeting; coated, nonwoven and microstructured finishing and grinding abrasives; structural adhesives; and other specialty materials. In addition, 3M provides paint finishing and detailing products, including a complete system of cleaners, dressings, polishes, waxes and other products.

Health Care Business: The Health Care segment serves markets that include medical clinics and hospitals, pharmaceuticals, dental and orthodontic practitioners, health information systems, and food manufacturing and testing. Products and services provided to these and other markets include medical and surgical supplies, skin health and infection prevention products, inhalation and transdermal drug delivery systems, dental and orthodontic products (oral care), health information systems, and food safety products.

In the medical and surgical areas, 3M is a supplier of medical tapes, dressings, wound closure products, orthopedic casting materials, electrodes and stethoscopes. In infection prevention, 3M markets a variety of surgical drapes, masks and preps, as well as sterilization assurance equipment. Other products include drug delivery systems, such as metered-dose inhalers, transdermal skin patches and related components. In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2010, 3M acquired Arizant Inc., a manufacturer of patient warming solutions designed to prevent hypothermia in surgical settings. Dental and orthodontic products include restoratives, adhesives, finishing and polishing products, crowns, impression materials, preventive sealants, professional tooth whiteners, prophylaxis and orthodontic appliances. In health information systems, 3M develops and markets computer software for hospital coding and data classification, and provides related consulting services. 3M provides food safety products that make it faster and easier for food processors to test the microbiological quality of food.

Consumer and Office Business: The Consumer and Office segment serves markets that include consumer retail, office retail, home improvement, building maintenance and other markets. Products in this segment include office supply products, stationery products, construction and home improvement products (do-it-yourself), home care products, protective material products, certain consumer retail personal safety products, and consumer health care products.

Major consumer and office products include Scotch® brand products, such as Scotch® Magic™ Tape, Scotch® Glue Stick and Scotch® Cushioned Mailer; Post-it® Products, such as Post-it® Flags, Post-it® Note Pads, Post-it® Labeling & Cover-up Tape, and Post-it® Pop-up Notes and Dispensers; construction and home improvement products, including surface-preparation and wood-finishing materials, Command™ Adhesive Products and Filtrete™ Filters for furnaces and air conditioners; home care products, including Scotch-Brite® Scour Pads, Scotch-Brite® Scrub Sponges, Scotch-Brite™ Microfiber Cloth products, O-Cel-O™ Sponges and Scotchgard™ Fabric Protectors; protective material products; certain maintenance-free respirators; certain consumer retail personal safety products, including safety glasses and hearing protectors; Nexcare™ Adhesive Bandages; and ACE® branded (and related brands) elastic bandage, supports and thermometer product lines.

Safety, Security and Protection Services Business: The Safety, Security and Protection Services segment serves a broad range of markets that increase the safety, security and productivity of workers, facilities and systems. Major product offerings include personal protection products, cleaning and protection products for commercial establishments, safety and security products (including border and civil security solutions), roofing granules for asphalt shingles, infrastructure protection products used in the oil and gas pipeline markets, and track and trace solutions. In the fourth quarter of 2010, 3M acquired Cogent Inc. and Attenti Holdings S.A. Cogent Inc. is a provider of finger, palm, face and iris biometric

4

Table of Contents

systems for governments, law enforcement agencies, and commercial enterprises. Attenti Holdings S.A. is a supplier of remote people-monitoring technologies used for offender-monitoring applications and to assist eldercare facilities in monitoring and enhancing the safety of patients.

This segment’s products include personal protection products, such as certain maintenance-free and reusable respirators, personal protective equipment, head and face protection, body protection, hearing protection and protective eyewear. In addition, this segment provides electronic surveillance products, films that protect against counterfeiting, and reflective materials that are widely used on apparel, footwear and accessories, enhancing visibility in low-light situations. 3M’s Track and Trace Solutions business utilizes radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to provide a growing array of solutions. Other products include spill-control sorbents; 3M™ Thinsulate™ Insulation and 3M™ Thinsulate™ Lite Loft™ Insulation; nonwoven abrasive materials for floor maintenance and commercial cleaning; floor matting; natural and color-coated mineral granules for asphalt shingles; and infrastructure protection products.

Display and Graphics Business: The Display and Graphics segment serves markets that include electronic display, traffic safety and commercial graphics. This segment includes optical film solutions for LCD electronic displays; reflective sheeting for transportation safety; commercial graphics sheeting and systems; architectural surface and lighting solutions; and mobile interactive solutions, including mobile display technology, visual systems products, and computer screen films.

The optical film business provides films that serve numerous market segments of the electronic display industry. 3M provides distinct products for five market segments, including products for: 1) LCD computer monitors, 2) LCD televisions, 3) hand-held devices such as cellular phones and tablets, 4) notebook PCs and 5) automotive displays. In traffic safety systems, 3M provides reflective sheeting used on highway signs, vehicle license plates, construction work-zone devices, trucks and other vehicles, and also provides pavement marking systems. Major commercial graphics products include films, inks, digital signage systems and related products used to produce graphics for vehicles, signs and interior surfaces. The mobile interactive solutions business focuses on bringing technology to the projection market, including mobile display technology in addition to its visual communication products that serve the world’s office and education markets with overhead projectors and transparency films, as well as equipment and materials for electronic and multimedia presentations. In addition, this business includes desktop and notebook computer screen filters that address needs for light control, privacy viewing and glare reduction.

Electro and Communications Business: The Electro and Communications segment serves the electrical, electronics and communications industries, including electrical utilities; electrical construction, maintenance and repair; original equipment manufacturer (OEM) electrical and electronics; computers and peripherals; consumer electronics; telecommunications central office, outside plant and enterprise; as well as aerospace, military, automotive and medical markets; with products that enable the efficient transmission of electrical power and speed the delivery of information. Products include electronic and interconnect solutions, microinterconnect systems, high-performance fluids, high-temperature and display tapes, telecommunications products, electrical products, and touch screens and touch monitors.

Major electronic and electrical products include packaging and interconnection devices; high-performance fluids used in the manufacture of computer chips, and for cooling electronics and lubricating computer hard disk drives; high-temperature and display tapes; insulating materials, including pressure-sensitive tapes and resins; and related items. 3M™ Flexible Circuits use electronic packaging and interconnection technology, providing more connections in less space, and are used in ink-jet printer cartridges, cell phones and electronic devices. This segment serves the world’s telecommunications companies with a wide array of products for fiber-optic and copper-based telecommunications systems for rapid deployment in fixed and wireless networks. The 3M™ Aluminum Conductor Composite Reinforced (ACCR) electrical power cable, with an aluminum-based metal matrix at its core, increases transmission capacity for existing power lines. The touch systems business includes touch screens and touch monitors.

Distribution

3M products are sold through numerous distribution channels, including directly to users and through numerous wholesalers, retailers, jobbers, distributors and dealers in a wide variety of trades in many countries around the world. Management believes the confidence of wholesalers, retailers, jobbers, distributors and dealers in 3M and its products — a confidence developed through long association with skilled marketing and sales representatives — has contributed significantly to 3M’s position in the marketplace and to its growth.

5

Table of Contents

Research and Patents

Research and product development constitutes an important part of 3M’s activities and has been a major driver of 3M’s sales growth. Research, development and related expenses totaled $1.634 billion in 2012, $1.570 billion in 2011 and $1.434 billion in 2010. Research and development, covering basic scientific research and the application of scientific advances in the development of new and improved products and their uses, totaled $1.079 billion in 2012, $1.036 billion in 2011 and $919 million in 2010. Related expenses primarily include technical support provided by 3M to customers who are using existing 3M products; internally developed patent costs, which include costs and fees incurred to prepare, file, secure and maintain patents; and amortization of acquired patents.

The Company’s products are sold around the world under various trademarks. The Company also owns, or holds licenses to use, numerous U.S. and foreign patents. The Company’s research and development activities generate a steady stream of inventions that are covered by new patents. Patents applicable to specific products extend for varying periods according to the date of patent application filing or patent grant and the legal term of patents in the various countries where patent protection is obtained. The actual protection afforded by a patent, which can vary from country to country, depends upon the type of patent, the scope of its coverage and the availability of legal remedies in the country.

The Company believes that its patents provide an important competitive advantage in many of its businesses. In general, no single patent or group of related patents is in itself essential to the Company as a whole or to any of the Company’s business segments. The importance of patents in the Display and Graphics segment is described in “Performance by Business Segment” — “Display and Graphics Business” in Part II, Item 7, of this Form 10-K.

Raw Materials

In 2012, the Company experienced stable to declining cost for most raw material categories and transportation fuel costs. This was driven by year-on-year cost decreases in many feedstock categories, including petroleum based materials, minerals, metals and wood pulp based products. To date, the Company is receiving sufficient quantities of all raw materials to meet its reasonably foreseeable production requirements. It is impossible to predict future shortages of raw materials or the impact any such shortages would have. 3M has avoided disruption to its manufacturing operations through careful management of existing raw material inventories and development and qualification of additional supply sources. 3M manages commodity price risks through negotiated supply contracts, price protection agreements and forward physical contracts.

Environmental Law Compliance

3M’s manufacturing operations are affected by national, state and local environmental laws around the world. 3M has made, and plans to continue making, necessary expenditures for compliance with applicable laws. 3M is also involved in remediation actions relating to environmental matters from past operations at certain sites. Refer to the “Environmental Matters and Litigation” section in Note 13, Commitments and Contingencies, for more detail.

Environmental expenditures relating to existing conditions caused by past operations that do not contribute to current or future revenues are expensed. Reserves for liabilities related to anticipated remediation costs are recorded on an undiscounted basis when they are probable and reasonably estimable, generally no later than the completion of feasibility studies or the Company’s commitment to a plan of action. Environmental expenditures for capital projects that contribute to current or future operations generally are capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives.

In 2012, 3M invested about $27 million in capital projects to protect the environment. This amount excludes expenditures for remediation actions relating to existing matters caused by past operations that do not contribute to current or future revenues, which are expensed. Capital expenditures for environmental purposes have included pollution control devices — such as wastewater treatment plant improvements, scrubbers, containment structures, solvent recovery units and thermal oxidizers — at new and existing facilities constructed or upgraded in the normal course of business. Consistent with the Company’s policies stressing environmental responsibility, capital expenditures (other than for remediation projects) for known projects are presently expected to be about $36 million over the next two years for new or expanded programs to build facilities or modify manufacturing processes to minimize waste and reduce emissions.

While the Company cannot predict with certainty the future costs of such cleanup activities, capital expenditures or operating costs for environmental compliance, the Company does not believe they will have a material effect on its capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.

6

Table of Contents

Executive Officers

Following is a list of the executive officers of 3M, and their age, present position, the year elected to their present position and other positions they have held during the past five years. No family relationships exist among any of the executive officers named, nor is there any undisclosed arrangement or understanding pursuant to which any person was selected as an officer. This information is presented in the table below as of the date of the 10-K filing (February 14, 2013).

7

Table of Contents

Executive Officers (continued)

8

Table of Contents

Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may also make forward-looking statements in other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in materials delivered to shareholders and in press releases. In addition, the Company’s representatives may from time to time make oral forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements relate to future events and typically address the Company’s expected future business and financial performance. Words such as “plan,” “expect,” “aim,” “believe,” “project,” “target,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will,” “should,” “could” and other words and terms of similar meaning, typically identify such forward-looking statements. In particular, these include, among others, statements relating to the Company’s

·         strategy for growth, future revenues, earnings, cash flow, uses of cash and other measures of financial performance, and market position,

·         worldwide economic and capital markets conditions, such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, financial conditions of our suppliers and customers, and natural and other disasters affecting the operations of the Company or our suppliers and customers,

·         new business opportunities, product development, and future performance or results of current or anticipated products,

·         the scope, nature or impact of acquisition, strategic alliance and divestiture activities,

·         the outcome of contingencies, such as legal and regulatory proceedings,

·         future levels of indebtedness, common stock repurchases and capital spending,

·         future availability of and access to credit markets,

·         pension and postretirement obligation assumptions and future contributions, asset impairments, tax liabilities, information technology security, and

·         the effects of changes in tax, environmental and other laws and regulations in the United States and other countries in which we operate.

The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events and trends that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual future results and trends may differ materially from historical results or those reflected in any such forward-looking statements depending on a variety of factors. Important information as to these factors can be found in this document, including, among others, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the headings of “Overview,” “Critical Accounting Estimates” and “Financial Condition and Liquidity.”  Discussion of these factors is incorporated by reference from Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of this document, and should be considered an integral part of Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”  For additional information concerning factors that may cause actual results to vary materially from those stated in the forward-looking statements, see our reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the SEC from time to time.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Provided below is a cautionary discussion of what we believe to be the most important risk factors applicable to the Company. Discussion of these factors is incorporated by reference into and considered an integral part of Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations.”

· Results are impacted by the effects of, and changes in, worldwide economic and capital markets conditions. The Company operates in more than 70 countries and derives approximately two-thirds of its revenues from outside the United States. The Company’s business is subject to global competition and may be adversely affected by factors in the United States and other countries that are beyond its control, such as disruptions in financial markets, economic downturns in the form of either contained or widespread recessionary conditions, elevated unemployment levels, sluggish or uneven recovery, in specific countries or regions, or in the various industries in which the Company operates; social, political or labor conditions in specific countries or regions; natural and other disasters affecting the operations of the Company or its customers and suppliers; or adverse changes in the availability and cost of capital, interest rates, tax rates, or regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates.

· The Company’s credit ratings are important to 3M’s cost of capital. The major rating agencies routinely evaluate the Company’s credit profile and assign debt ratings to 3M. The Company currently has an AA- credit rating, with a stable

9

Table of Contents

outlook, from Standard & Poor’s and an Aa2 credit rating, with a stable outlook, from Moody’s Investors Service. This evaluation is based on a number of factors, which include financial strength, business and financial risk, as well as transparency with rating agencies and timeliness of financial reporting. The Company’s current ratings have served to lower 3M’s borrowing costs and facilitate access to a variety of lenders. Failure to maintain the current ratings level would adversely affect the Company’s cost of funds and could adversely affect liquidity and access to capital markets.

· The Company’s results are affected by competitive conditions and customer preferences. Demand for the Company’s products, which impacts revenue and profit margins, is affected by (i) the development and timing of the introduction of competitive products; (ii) the Company’s response to downward pricing to stay competitive; (iii) changes in customer order patterns, such as changes in the levels of inventory maintained by customers and the timing of customer purchases which may be affected by announced price changes, changes in the Company’s incentive programs, or the customer’s ability to achieve incentive goals; and (iv) changes in customers’ preferences for our products, including the success of products offered by our competitors, and changes in customer designs for their products that can affect the demand for some of the Company’s products.

· Foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates may affect the Company’s ability to realize projected growth rates in its sales and earnings. Because the Company’s financial statements are denominated in U.S. dollars and approximately two-thirds of the Company’s revenues are derived from outside the United States, the Company’s results of operations and its ability to realize projected growth rates in sales and earnings could be adversely affected if the U.S. dollar strengthens significantly against foreign currencies.

· The Company’s growth objectives are largely dependent on the timing and market acceptance of its new product offerings, including its ability to continually renew its pipeline of new products and to bring those products to market. This ability may be adversely affected by difficulties or delays in product development, such as the inability to identify viable new products, obtain adequate intellectual property protection, or gain market acceptance of new products. There are no guarantees that new products will prove to be commercially successful.

· The Company’s future results are subject to fluctuations in the costs and availability of purchased components, compounds, raw materials and energy, including oil and natural gas and their derivatives, due to shortages, increased demand, supply interruptions, currency exchange risks, natural disasters and other factors. The Company depends on various components, compounds, raw materials, and energy (including oil and natural gas and their derivatives) supplied by others for the manufacturing of its products. It is possible that any of its supplier relationships could be interrupted due to natural and other disasters and other events, or be terminated in the future. Any sustained interruption in the Company’s receipt of adequate supplies could have a material adverse effect on the Company. In addition, while the Company has a process to minimize volatility in component and material pricing, no assurance can be given that the Company will be able to successfully manage price fluctuations or that future price fluctuations or shortages will not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

· Acquisitions, strategic alliances, divestitures, and other unusual events resulting from portfolio management actions and other evolving business strategies, and possible organizational restructuring could affect future results. The Company monitors its business portfolio and organizational structure and has made and may continue to make acquisitions, strategic alliances, divestitures and changes to its organizational structure. With respect to acquisitions, future results will be affected by the Company’s ability to integrate acquired businesses quickly and obtain the anticipated synergies.

· The Company’s future results may be affected if the Company generates fewer productivity improvements than estimated. The Company utilizes various tools, such as Lean Six Sigma, to improve operational efficiency and productivity. There can be no assurance that all of the projected productivity improvements will be realized.

· The Company employs information technology systems to support its business, including ongoing phased implementation of an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system on a worldwide basis over the next several years. Security breaches and other disruptions to the Company’s information technology infrastructure could interfere with the Company’s operations, compromise information belonging to the Company and its customers and suppliers, and expose the Company to liability which could adversely impact the Company’s business and reputation. In the ordinary course of business, the Company relies on information technology networks and systems, some of which are managed by third parties, to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities. Additionally, the Company collects and stores sensitive data, including proprietary business information. Despite security measures and business continuity plans, the Company’s information technology networks and infrastructure may be vulnerable to damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to attack by hackers or breaches, employee error or malfeasance, power outages, computer viruses, telecommunication or utility failures, systems failures, natural disasters or other catastrophic events. There may be other challenges and risks as the Company upgrades and

10

Table of Contents

standardizes its ERP system on a worldwide basis. Any such events could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability or penalties under privacy laws, disruption in operations, and damage to the Company’s reputation, which could adversely affect the Company’s business.

· The Company’s future results may be affected by various legal and regulatory proceedings and legal compliance risks, including those involving product liability, antitrust, environmental, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and other anti-bribery, anti-corruption, or other matters. The outcome of these legal proceedings may differ from the Company’s expectations because the outcomes of litigation, including regulatory matters, are often difficult to reliably predict. Various factors or developments can lead the Company to change current estimates of liabilities and related insurance receivables where applicable, or make such estimates for matters previously not susceptible of reasonable estimates, such as a significant judicial ruling or judgment, a significant settlement, significant regulatory developments or changes in applicable law. A future adverse ruling, settlement or unfavorable development could result in future charges that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows in any particular period. For a more detailed discussion of the legal proceedings involving the Company and the associated accounting estimates, see the discussion in Note 13 “Commitments and Contingencies” within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

Item 2. Properties.

3M’s general offices, corporate research laboratories, and certain division laboratories are located in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Company operates 93 manufacturing facilities in 30 states. The Company operates 133 manufacturing and converting facilities in 40 countries outside the United States.

3M owns the majority of its physical properties. 3M’s physical facilities are highly suitable for the purposes for which they were designed. Because 3M is a global enterprise characterized by substantial intersegment cooperation, properties are often used by multiple business segments.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

Discussion of legal matters is incorporated by reference from Part II, Item 8, Note 13, “Commitments and Contingencies,” of this document, and should be considered an integral part of Part I, Item 3, “Legal Proceedings.”

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Pursuant to Section 1503 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Act”), the Company is required to disclose, in connection with the mines it operates, information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters in its periodic reports filed with the SEC. For the year 2012, the information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Act is included in Exhibit 95 to this annual report.

PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Equity compensation plans’ information is incorporated by reference from Part III, Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters,” of this document, and should be considered an integral part of Item 5. At January 31, 2013, there were 96,263 shareholders of record. 3M’s stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (NYSE), the Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc., and the SWX Swiss Exchange. Cash dividends declared and paid totaled 59 cents per share for each quarter of 2012, and 55 cents per share for each quarter of 2011. Stock price comparisons follow:

11

Table of Contents

Stock price comparisons (NYSE composite transactions)

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Repurchases of 3M common stock are made to support the Company’s stock-based employee compensation plans and for other corporate purposes. In February 2011, 3M’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $7.0 billion of 3M’s outstanding common stock, with no pre-established end date. In February 2013, 3M’s Board of Directors replaced the Company’s existing repurchase program with a new repurchase program. This new program authorizes the repurchase of up to $7.5 billion of 3M’s outstanding common stock, with no pre-established end date.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

(registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act)

(1)         The total number of shares purchased includes: (i) shares purchased under the Board’s authorizations described above, and (ii) shares purchased in connection with the exercise of stock options.

(2)         The total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs includes shares purchased under the Board’s authorizations described above.

12

Table of Contents

Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

Items included in the preceding table which had a significant impact on results are summarized as follows. 2010 included a one-time, non-cash income tax charge of $84 million, or 12 cents per diluted share, resulting from the March 2010 enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including modifications made in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. 2009 results included net losses that decreased operating income by $194 million and net income attributable to 3M by $119 million. 2009 included restructuring actions ($209 million pre-tax, $128 million after tax and noncontrolling interest), which were partially offset by a gain on sale of real estate ($15 million pre-tax, $9 million after tax). 2008 results included net losses that decreased operating income by $269 million and net income attributable to 3M by $194 million. 2008 included restructuring actions ($229 million pre-tax, $147 million after-tax and noncontrolling interest), exit activities ($58 million pre-tax, $43 million after-tax) and losses related to the sale of businesses ($23 million pre-tax, $32 million after-tax), which were partially offset by a gain on sale of real estate ($41 million pre-tax, $28 million after-tax).

13

Table of Contents

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is designed to provide a reader of 3M’s financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management. 3M’s MD&A is presented in eight sections:

·       Overview

·       Results of Operations

·       Performance by Business Segment

·       Performance by Geographic Area

·       Critical Accounting Estimates

·       New Accounting Pronouncements

·       Financial Condition and Liquidity

·       Financial Instruments

OVERVIEW

3M is a diversified global manufacturer, technology innovator and marketer of a wide variety of products. In 2012, 3M managed its operations in six operating business segments: Industrial and Transportation; Health Care; Consumer and Office; Safety, Security and Protection Services; Display and Graphics; and Electro and Communications.

Consistent with 3M’s strategy of building relevance and presence in the marketplace, the Company announced in October 2012 that it was immediately beginning to align resources and management toward a new structure comprised of five business groups: Consumer; Industrial; Health Care; Safety and Graphics; and Electronics and Energy. The company’s operating results were managed on the basis of its existing segment structure through 2012, with the intention that results be managed under the new alignment once it is fully effective in the first quarter of 2013.

Fourth-quarter 2012 net income attributable to 3M was $991 million, or $1.41 per diluted share, compared to $954 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2011. Fourth-quarter 2012 sales totaled $7.4 billion, an increase of 4.2 percent from the fourth quarter of 2011. Organic local-currency sales (which include organic volume and selling price impacts) grew 4.3 percent, acquisitions added 0.9 percent to sales, and currency effects reduced sales by 1.0 percent year-on-year. From a business segment perspective, Consumer and Office led with organic local-currency sales growth of 8.7 percent, driven by consumer health care, construction and home improvement markets, and stationery and office supplies. Display and Graphics organic local-currency sales growth was 8.3 percent, led by optical systems, with sales also increasing in architectural markets, traffic safety systems and commercial graphics. Health Care organic local-currency sales grew 5.9 percent, with sales growth in all businesses, led by food safety, health information systems, skin and wound care, and oral care. Industrial and Transportation organic local-currency sales grew 3.9 percent, led by liquid filtration, aerospace, industrial adhesives and tapes, abrasives and automotive OEM. Both the advanced materials and renewable energy businesses declined year-on-year. Electro and Communications organic local-currency sales growth was 1.8 percent, with sales increases in electrical and telecommunication markets partially offset by a decline in consumer electronics-related businesses. Organic local-currency sales declined 1.7 percent in Safety, Security and Protection Services, as sales growth in infrastructure protection, personal safety and roofing granules was more than offset by a year-on-year decline in security systems.

From a geographic area perspective, fourth-quarter 2012 organic local-currency sales growth was 9.7 percent in Latin America/Canada, 5.8 percent in Asia Pacific, and 5.2 percent in the United States. Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) organic local-currency sales declined 1.0 percent, impacted by a weak economy in Western Europe. Latin America/Canada sales growth was broad-based, with all six of our business segments generating positive organic local-currency sales growth, led by Health Care; Safety, Security and Protection Services; Consumer and Office; and Electro and Communications. Organic local-currency sales growth increased 11 percent in Brazil, in the face of a still-recovering economy, and Mexico grew nearly 10 percent. In Asia Pacific, Japan declined year-on-year, reflecting continued challenging economic conditions. Organic local-currency sales in the rest of Asia Pacific grew nearly 10 percent, with China up over 16 percent. Organic local-currency sales growth in the United States was led by Consumer and Office.

For total year 2012, net income attributable to 3M was $4.444 billion, or $6.32 per diluted share, compared to $4.283 billion, or $5.96 per diluted share, in 2011, an increase of 6.0 percent on a per diluted share basis. Sales totaled $29.9 billion, an increase of 1.0 percent from 2011. Organic local-currency sales grew 2.6 percent, acquisitions added 0.8 percent to sales and currency effects reduced sales by 2.4 percent year-on-year. From a business segment perspective, organic local-currency sales growth was 4.7 percent in Health Care, 4.5 percent in Industrial and Transportation, 3.8

14

Table of Contents

percent in Consumer and Office, and 2.2 percent in Safety, Security and Protection Services. Local-currency sales declined 0.8 percent in Electro and Communications and 2.4 percent in Display and Graphics. From a geographic area perspective, 2012 organic local-currency sales growth was 10.9 percent in Latin America/Canada, 4.2 percent in the United States, and 0.1 percent in Asia Pacific. Asia Pacific was impacted by a soft global consumer electronics industry. EMEA organic local-currency sales declined 0.6 percent, impacted by a weak economy in Western Europe.

Operating income in 2012 was 21.7 percent of sales, compared to 20.9 percent of sales in 2011, an improvement of 0.8 percentage points. The primary benefit (as discussed in the Results of Operations section) related to the combination of selling price increases and raw material cost decreases. Currency effects reduced diluted earnings per share by an estimated 15 cents. Net insurance recoveries in 2012 related to the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan increased earnings by approximately 4 cents per diluted share. In 2011, the impact of natural disasters, net of insurance recoveries, reduced earnings by approximately 6 cents per diluted share (discussed further below). Early retirement/restructuring costs for 2012 totaled approximately 8 cents per diluted share, which included the first quarter 2012 charge of approximately 3 cents per diluted share related to a voluntary early retirement program in the United States.

The most significant non-operating items that impacted earnings were diluted shares outstanding and income taxes. Average diluted shares outstanding declined 2.2 percent to 703.3 million, which increased earnings per diluted share by approximately 14 cents. The income tax rate for 2012 was 29.0 percent compared to 27.8 percent in 2011, which decreased earnings per diluted share by approximately 11 cents.

Fourth-quarter 2011 sales totaled $7.1 billion, an increase of 5.7 percent from the fourth quarter of 2010. Net income attributable to 3M was $954 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2011, compared to $928 million, or $1.28 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2010. 3M’s sales growth was led by its industrial-oriented businesses, along with steady growth in consumer and health care. The business environment remained challenging, impacted by deteriorating demand in Western Europe and slower consumer electronics activity. While sales grew across much of the portfolio, sales of optical films for LCD TVs remained weak and momentum also slowed in other parts of electronics. Four of the Company’s six business segments showed growth in sales, led by Industrial and Transportation at 14.3 percent, Safety, Security and Protection Services at 9.4 percent, Consumer and Office at 6.1 percent, and Health Care at 5.4 percent. A slowdown in electronics-related businesses negatively impacted both the Electro and Communications and Display and Graphics business segments. Electro and Communications sales decreased 2.7 percent and Display and Graphics sales declined 8.8 percent. Sales declined 17 percent in optical systems, which is part of Display and Graphics, impacted by end-market weakness and lower attachment rates in LCD TVs.

Fourth-quarter 2011 sales increased in every major geographic region, with Latin America/Canada up 9.7 percent, the U.S. up 7.4 percent, EMEA up 4.4 percent, and Asia Pacific up 2.8 percent. Excluding optical systems, Asia Pacific sales increased 7.6 percent. Of the 5.7 percent worldwide sales growth, 3.3 points was from the combined impact of higher organic volume of 1.3 points and selling price growth of 2.0 points, 2.3 points was from acquisitions, and 0.1 points was from favorable currency effects. Organic volume growth of 1.3 percent reflected slower growth in Asia Pacific, partially due to weakness across the electronics market and slower growth in China, in addition to weakness in Western Europe.

For total year 2011, sales increased 11.1 percent to $29.6 billion, led by Industrial and Transportation, Safety, Security and Protection Services, and Health Care. All major geographic regions showed improvement, led by Latin America/Canada. The increase in global sales reflected improved market penetration and new product flow along with significant growth in important end-markets such as general industrial and personal safety. Net income attributable to 3M was $4.283 billion, or $5.96 per diluted share in 2011, compared to $4.085 billion, or $5.63 per diluted share, in 2010 (including the first-quarter 2010 special item discussed below).

During 2011, 3M was impacted by the first-quarter earthquake and tsunami in Japan and by the fourth-quarter flooding in Thailand. Automobile and electronic manufacturers were most impacted; thus, 3M’s automotive OEM and electronics-related businesses were most affected. 3M estimates that combined direct and indirect business disruption resulting from the 2011 Japan natural disaster, net of the benefit from sales of 3M products used in the reconstruction efforts and initial insurance recoveries, plus the impact of Thailand flooding, reduced 2011 sales growth by an estimated 0.8 percentage points and earnings by approximately 6 cents per diluted share, with most of this impact in the first half of 2011. In the fourth quarter of 2011, the flooding in Thailand reduced sales growth by an estimated $35 million and operating income by $20 million, with this operating income effect offset by $23 million in insurance recoveries related to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Japan represented approximately 9 percent of total 3M sales for total year 2011. Related to these natural disasters, no material asset or investment impairments were recorded. In addition, 3M did not have any significant issues related to these natural disasters concerning inventories, customer receivables, lease terminations, environmental exposures, guarantees, indemnifications, debt covenant compliance, or significant tax issues. 3M does have certain

15

Table of Contents

insurance coverage which limited its exposure and resulted in some initial recovery in the fourth quarter of 2011 (as discussed above).

In 2010, 3M recorded a one-time, non-cash income tax charge of $84 million, or 12 cents per diluted share, resulting from the March 2010 enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including modifications made in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Refer to the special items discussion at the end of this overview section for more detail.

The following table contains sales and operating income results by business segment for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. In addition to the discussion below, refer to the section entitled “Performance by Business Segment” and “Performance by Geographic Area” later in MD&A for a more detailed discussion of the sales and income results of the Company and its respective business segments (including Corporate and Unallocated). Refer to Note 15 for additional information on business segments, including Elimination of Dual Credit.

Sales in 2012 increased 1.0 percent, led by Consumer and Office at 3.9 percent, Industrial and Transportation at 2.7 percent and Health Care at 2.5 percent. Sales declined 0.5 percent in Safety, Security and Protection Services, 2.4 percent in Electro and Communications and 3.1 percent in Display and Graphics. Total company organic local-currency sales growth (which includes organic volume and selling price impacts) was 2.6 percent, acquisitions added 0.8 percent, and foreign currency impacts reduced sales by 2.4 percent. Five of 3M’s six business segments posted operating income margins in excess of 21 percent in 2012. Worldwide operating income margins for 2012 were 21.7 percent, compared to 20.9 percent for 2011.

Sales in 2011 increased 11.1 percent, led by Industrial and Transportation at 19.5 percent, Safety, Security and Protection Services at 15.2 percent, and Health Care at 11.5 percent. Electro and Communications sales increased 8.6 percent and Consumer and Office sales increased 7.8 percent. Sales declined 5.4 percent in Display and Graphics, due to fewer orders for optical films. Total company organic local-currency sales growth was 4.7 percent, acquisitions added 3.3 percent, and foreign currency impacts added 3.1 percent. 3M’s six business segments all posted operating income margins in excess of 20 percent in 2011 and 2010. Worldwide operating income margins for 2011 were 20.9 percent, compared to 22.2 percent for 2010.

3M generated $5.3 billion of operating cash flow in 2012, an increase of $16 million when compared to 2011. This followed an increase of $110 million when comparing 2011 to 2010. Refer to the section entitled “Financial Condition and Liquidity” later in MD&A for a discussion of items impacting cash flows. In February 2013, 3M’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $7.5 billion of 3M’s outstanding common stock, which replaced the Company’s previous repurchase program. This new program has no pre-established end date. In 2012, the Company purchased $2.204 billion of treasury stock, compared to $2.701 billion in 2011 and $854 million in 2010. In February 2013, 3M’s Board of Directors authorized a dividend increase of 7.6 percent for 2013, marking the 55th consecutive year of dividend increases for 3M. 3M’s debt to total capital ratio (total capital defined as debt plus equity) was 25 percent at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. 3M has an AA- credit rating with a stable outlook from Standard & Poor’s and an Aa2 credit rating with a stable outlook from Moody’s Investors Service. The Company has significant cash on hand and sufficient additional access to capital markets to meet its funding needs.

In 2012, the Company experienced stable to declining cost for most raw material categories and transportation fuel costs. This was driven by year-on-year cost decreases in many feedstock categories, including petroleum based materials,

16

Table of Contents

minerals, metals and wood pulp based products. To date the Company is receiving sufficient quantities of all raw materials to meet its reasonably foreseeable production requirements. It is impossible to predict future shortages of raw materials or the impact any such shortages would have. 3M has avoided disruption to its manufacturing operations through careful management of existing raw material inventories and development and qualification of additional supply sources. 3M manages commodity price risks through negotiated supply contracts, price protection agreements and forward physical contracts.

On a worldwide basis, 3M’s pension and postretirement plans were 87 percent funded at year-end 2012. The U.S. qualified plans, which are approximately 67 percent of the worldwide pension obligation, were 96 percent funded, the international pension plans were 81 percent funded, and the U.S. non-qualified pension plan is not funded. Asset returns in 2012 for the U.S. qualified plan were 13.6%. For the U.S. qualified pension plan, the expected long-term rate of return on an annualized basis for 2013 is 8.00%, a decrease of 0.25 percentage points from 2012. The U.S. qualified plan year-end 2012 discount rate was 4.14%, down 0.01 percentage points from the year-end 2011 discount rate of 4.15%.

3M expects to contribute approximately $400 million to $600 million of cash to its global pension and postretirement plans in 2013. The Company does not have a required minimum cash pension contribution obligation for its U.S. plans in 2013. 3M expects pension and postretirement benefit expense in 2013 to decrease by approximately $100 million pre-tax, or approximately 10 cents per diluted share, when compared to 2012. Refer to “Critical Accounting Estimates” within MD&A and Note 10 (Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans) for additional information concerning 3M’s pension and post-retirement plans.

There are a few major items that will impact earnings in 2013. As discussed further above, 3M expects that a decrease in pension and postretirement expense will increase 2013 earnings, when compared to 2012, by approximately 10 cents per diluted share. 3M currently expects that its effective tax rate for 2013 will be approximately 29.5 to 30.0 percent, compared to 29.0 percent for 2012. 3M expects to incur restructuring and one-time acquisition costs of approximately $30 million in the first quarter of 2013. Currency effects are not expected to have a material impact on earnings in 2013. Considering these items, 3M currently expects that sales growth and related incremental income, in addition to other benefits, should more than offset the items that will negatively impact earnings.

Forward-looking statements in Item 7 may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those projected (refer to the section entitled “Cautionary Note Concerning Factors That May Affect Future Results” in Item 1 and the risk factors provided in Item 1A for discussion of these risks and uncertainties).

Special Items:

Special items represent significant charges or credits that are important to understanding changes in the Company’s underlying operations.

In 2010, 3M recorded a one-time, non-cash income tax charge of $84 million, or 12 cents per diluted share, resulting from the March 2010 enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, including modifications made in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, the “Act”). The charge is due to a reduction in the value of the company’s deferred tax asset as a result of the Act’s change to the tax treatment of Medicare Part D reimbursements. This item is discussed in more detail in Note 7 (Income Taxes).

17

Table of Contents

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Sales:

In 2012, organic local-currency sales increased 2.6 percent. Organic local-currency sales growth was led by Latin America/Canada and the United States, while Asia Pacific was flat, and EMEA was down slightly. Worldwide organic local-currency sales grew 4.7 percent in Health Care, 4.5 percent in Industrial and Transportation, 3.8 percent in Consumer and Office, and 2.2 percent in Safety, Security and Protection Services. Organic local-currency sales declined 0.8 percent in Electro and Communications and 2.4 percent in Display and Graphics. Acquisitions added 0.8 percent to worldwide growth and currency impacts reduced 2012 worldwide sales growth by 2.4 percent. Worldwide selling prices rose 1.4 percent in 2012, despite selling price declines in 3M’s optical systems business, where prices typically decline each year, which is common for the electronics industry.

In 2011, organic local-currency sales increased 4.7 percent. All major geographic areas showed organic local-currency sales increases, led by Latin America/Canada and the United States. Worldwide organic local-currency sales grew 10.0 percent in Industrial and Transportation, 7.1 percent in Safety, Security and Protection Services, 5.2 percent in Electro and Communications, 4.6 percent in Health Care, and 4.0 percent in Consumer and Office. Organic local-currency sales declined 7.5 percent in Display and Graphics. Acquisitions added 3.3 percent to worldwide growth and currency impacts benefited 2011 worldwide sales growth by 3.1 percent. Worldwide selling prices rose 1.0 percent in 2011, despite selling price declines in 3M’s optical systems business.

Refer to the sections entitled “Performance by Business Segment” and “Performance by Geographic Area” later in MD&A for additional discussion of sales change.

Operating Expenses:

Pension and postretirement expense increased in both 2012 and 2011. The year-on-year increases for 2012 compared to 2011, and 2011 compared to 2010, were $95 million and $233 million, respectively. The year-on-year increase in 2012 includes a $26 million charge related to the first-quarter 2012 voluntary early retirement incentive program (discussed in Note 10). These increases negatively impacted cost of sales; selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A); and research, development and related expenses (R&D).

18

Table of Contents

Cost of Sales:

Cost of sales includes manufacturing, engineering and freight costs. Cost of sales, measured as a percent of net sales, was 52.4 percent in 2012, a decrease of 0.6 percentage points from 2011. The net impact of selling price/raw material cost changes was the primary factor that decreased cost of sales as a percent of sales, as selling prices increased 1.4 percent and raw material costs decreased approximately 2 percent. This benefit was partially offset by higher pension and postretirement costs.

Cost of sales, measured as a percent of net sales, was 53.0 percent in 2011, an increase of 1.1 percentage points from 2010. On a dollar basis, selling price increases largely offset raw material inflation for total year 2011, as selling prices increased 1 percent year-on-year and raw material prices increased approximately 4 percent year-on-year. However, measured as a percent of sales, selling price/raw material impacts accounted for approximately 0.5 percentage points of the cost of sales increase. Cost of sales as a percent of net sales was also negatively impacted by higher pension and postretirement costs. These impacts were partially offset by organic sales volume growth of 3.7 percent.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased $68 million, or 1.1 percent, in 2012 when compared to 2011. In addition to cost-control and other productivity efforts, 3M experienced some savings from its first-quarter 2012 voluntary early retirement incentive program and other restructuring actions. These benefits more than offset increases related to acquisitions, higher year-on-year pension and postretirement expense, and restructuring expenses. SG&A in 2012 included increases from acquired businesses which were not in 3M’s full-year 2011 base spending, primarily related to the 2011 acquisitions of Winterthur Technologie AG and the do-it-yourself and professional business of GPI Group, in addition to SG&A spending related to the 2012 acquisitions of Ceradyne, Inc., Federal Signal Technologies Group, and CodeRyte, Inc. SG&A, measured as a percent of sales, was 20.4 percent in 2012, a decrease of 0.4 percentage points when compared to 2011.

SG&A expenses increased 13 percent in 2011 when compared to 2010, due to several factors. Approximately 5 percentage points of this growth in SG&A was due to increases from acquired businesses not in 3M’s full year 2010 base spending, which primarily related to SG&A spending for the Winterthur Technologie AG, Arizant Inc., Cogent Inc. and Attenti Holdings S.A. acquisitions. Another 3 percentage points of growth in 2011 SG&A was due to foreign exchange effects, which resulted in higher translated costs from 3M’s non-U.S. subsidiaries. Finally, 2011 SG&A increased in part due to higher year-on-year pension and postretirement expense and continued investments to support future growth, such as sales representatives, advertising and promotional investments. SG&A expenses, measured as a percent of net sales, increased 0.3 percentage points in 2011 compared to 2010.

Research, Development and Related Expenses:

Research, development and related expenses (R&D) increased 4.1 percent in 2012 compared to 2011 and increased 9.5 percent in 2011 compared to 2010, as 3M continued to support its key growth initiatives. In 2012, these investments, along with higher pension and postretirement expense, were partially offset by cost-control efforts and savings from 3M’s first-quarter 2012 voluntary early retirement incentive program. In 2011, R&D expense increased versus 2010 due to R&D related to businesses acquired in the last 12 months, foreign exchange effects, and higher pension and postretirement expense, in addition to 3M’s continued investment in new products. R&D, measured as a percent of sales, was 5.5 percent in 2012, compared to 5.3 percent in 2011 and 5.4 percent in 2010.

Operating Income:

3M uses operating income as one of its primary business segment performance measurement tools. Operating income was 21.7 percent of sales in 2012, compared to 20.9 percent of sales in 2011, an improvement of 0.8 percentage points.  The improvement was driven by a 1.6 percentage point benefit from the combination of selling price increases and raw material cost decreases. This was partially offset by increased pension/postretirement benefit costs and acquisition impacts, each of which reduced margins by 0.3 percentage points, and other net impacts, which decreased margins by 0.2 percentage points. Operating income was 20.9 percent of sales in 2011, compared to 22.2 percent of sales in 2010, primarily due to higher cost of sales (as a percent of sales) in 2011 when compared to 2010.

19

Table of Contents

Interest Expense and Income:

Interest Expense: Interest expense decreased in both 2012 and 2011. The 2012 decrease was driven by lower average international debt balances, while the 2011 decrease was attributable to lower U.S. debt balances. Both years were favorably impacted by lower interest rates on U.S. debt.

Interest Income: In 2012, lower U.S. cash balances and lower interest rates internationally were offset by higher international cash balances and higher interest rates in the U.S. In 2011, interest income increased slightly, as higher international cash balances and better investment yields were largely offset by a lower U.S. cash balance.

Provision for Income Taxes:

The effective tax rate for 2012 was 29.0 percent, compared to 27.8 percent in 2011, an increase of 1.2 percentage points. Various factors increased or decreased the effective tax rate when compared to the same periods last year. The primary factors that increased the Company’s effective tax rate year-on-year include international taxes, specifically with respect to the corporate reorganization of a wholly owned international subsidiary (which benefited 2011), state income taxes, lower domestic manufacturer’s deduction, and the lapse of the U.S. research and development credit. These and other factors, when compared to 2011, increased the 2012 effective tax rate by 2.1 percentage points. Factors that decreased the Company’s effective tax rate year-on-year include international taxes as a result of changes to the geographic mix of income before taxes and adjustments to its income tax reserves. These factors, when compared to last year, decreased the effective tax rate 0.9 percentage points.

The effective tax rate for 2011 was 27.8 percent, compared to 27.7 percent in 2010, an increase of 0.1 percentage points. The year-on-year change in international income taxes increased the effective tax rate for 2011 when compared to 2010 by approximately 2.5 percentage points, which includes a partial offsetting benefit from the corporate reorganization of a wholly owned international subsidiary in 2011. This 2.5 percentage point net increase was due primarily to certain 2010 tax benefits, which did not repeat in 2011, related to net operating losses partially offset by a valuation allowance resulting from the 2010 corporate alignment transactions that allowed the Company to increase its ownership of a foreign subsidiary. These transactions are described in the section of Note 5 entitled “Purchase and Sale of Subsidiary Shares and Transfers of Ownership Interest Involving Non-Wholly Owned Subsidiaries”. Other significant items impacting the year-on-year comparison include a one-time 2010 income tax charge of $84 million, which benefited the 2011 tax rate when compared to 2010 by 1.5 percentage points, as this charge did not repeat in 2011. The Company’s effective tax rate also benefited during 2011 when compared to 2010 by approximately 0.7 percentage points from adjustments to its income tax reserves.

On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law. Included in this Act was the extension of the research and development credit for years 2012 and 2013. As this Act was enacted during 2013, the impacts of this law are not included in the 2012 financial results. The Company anticipates a beneficial impact on the effective tax rate in 2013 for both the 2012 and 2013 research and development credit.

The Company currently expects that its effective tax rate for total year 2013 will be approximately 29.5 to 30.0 percent. The rate can vary from quarter to quarter due to discrete items, such as the settlement of income tax audits and changes in tax laws, as well as recurring factors, such as the geographic mix of income before taxes.

Refer to Note 7 for further discussion of income taxes.

20

Table of Contents

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest:

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest represents the elimination of the income or loss attributable to non-3M ownership interests in 3M consolidated entities. The changes in noncontrolling interest amounts are primarily related to Sumitomo 3M Limited (Japan), which is 3M’s most significant consolidated entity with non-3M ownership interests. As of December 31, 2012, 3M’s effective ownership in Sumitomo 3M Limited is 75 percent.

Currency Effects:

3M estimates that year-on-year currency effects, including hedging impacts, decreased net income attributable to 3M by approximately $103 million in 2012 and increased net income attributable to 3M by approximately $154 million in 2011. These estimates include the effect of translating profits from local currencies into U.S. dollars; the impact of currency fluctuations on the transfer of goods between 3M operations in the United States and abroad; and transaction gains and losses, including derivative instruments designed to reduce foreign currency exchange rate risks and the negative impact of swapping Venezuelan bolivars into U.S. dollars. 3M estimates that year-on-year derivative and other transaction gains and losses increased net income attributable to 3M by approximately $49 million in 2012 and had an immaterial impact on net income attributable to 3M in 2011.

PERFORMANCE BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

Disclosures relating to 3M’s business segments are provided in Item 1, Business Segments. Financial information and other disclosures are provided in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The reportable segments are Industrial and Transportation; Health Care; Consumer and Office; Safety, Security and Protection Services; Display and Graphics; and Electro and Communications. Information related to 3M’s business segments is presented in the tables that follow. Organic local-currency sales include both organic volume impacts plus selling price impacts. Acquisition impacts are measured separately for the first twelve months of the acquisition. The acquisition and divestiture impacts, if any, foreign currency translation impact and total sales change are also provided for each business segment. Any references to EMEA relate to Europe, Middle East and Africa on a combined basis.

In addition to these six operating business segments, 3M assigns certain costs to “Corporate and Unallocated,” which is presented separately in the preceding business segments table and in Note 15. Corporate and unallocated includes a variety of miscellaneous items, such as corporate investment gains and losses, certain derivative gains and losses, certain insurance-related gains and losses, certain litigation and environmental expenses, corporate restructuring charges and certain under- or over-absorbed costs (e.g. pension, stock-based compensation) that the Company may choose not to allocate directly to its business segments. Because this category includes a variety of miscellaneous items, it is subject to fluctuation on a quarterly and annual basis. The primary items driving higher expenses in Corporate and Unallocated in 2012 when compared to 2011 were pension and postretirement expense, as a portion of the 2012 increase in these expenses were not allocated directly to the six operating business segments ($63 million), and the impact of an increase in other environmental insurance receivables, which benefited 2012 by $15 million (as discussed in Note 13). The impacts of changes in respirator mask/asbestos liabilities and receivables netted to a $32 million charge in 2012, which was similar to 2011, resulting in a minimal year-on-year effect. The primary item driving higher 2011 expenses when compared to 2010 relates to pension and postretirement expense, as a portion of the 2011 increase in these expenses was not allocated directly to the six operating business segments.

The following discusses total year results for 2012 compared to 2011, and also discusses 2011 compared to 2010, for each business segment.

21

Table of Contents

Industrial and Transportation Business (34.6% of consolidated sales):

The Industrial and Transportation segment serves a broad range of markets, such as automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and automotive aftermarket (auto body shops and retail), renewable energy, electronics, paper and packaging, food and beverage, and appliance. Industrial and Transportation products include tapes, a wide variety of coated and non-woven abrasives, adhesives, specialty materials, filtration products, energy control products, closure systems for personal hygiene products, acoustic systems products, and components and products that are used in the manufacture, repair and maintenance of automotive, marine, aircraft and specialty vehicles.

Year 2012 results:

Sales in Industrial and Transportation totaled $10.3 billion, up 2.7 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 4.5 percent, acquisitions added 1.1 percent, and foreign currency translation reduced sales by 2.9 percent. Acquisitions growth was primarily driven by Winterthur Technologie AG (Winterthur) in the abrasives market, Ceradyne, Inc. (Ceradyne) in the advanced technical ceramics market, and Alpha Beta Enterprise Co. Ltd. (Alpha Beta) in industrial tapes, all of which are discussed further below. On an organic local-currency basis, sales growth was strongest in automotive OEM, aerospace, abrasives and filtration. On an organic local-currency basis, sales declined in renewable energy, impacted by weak end market demand.

Geographically, organic local-currency sales increased 7 percent in both the United States and Latin America/Canada, 3.5 percent in Asia Pacific, and 1 percent in EMEA.

Operating income was $2.3 billion in 2012, 9.8 percent higher than 2011, with the primary benefit related to the combination of selling price increases and raw material cost decreases. Operating income growth was led by the United States. Operating income margins increased by 1.4 percentage points to 21.8 percent.

As disclosed in Note 2, in November 2012, 3M acquired Ceradyne, Inc. (Ceradyne), which is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California. Ceradyne is involved in the development and production of advanced technical ceramics for demanding applications in the automotive, oil and gas, solar, industrial, electronics and defense industries.

Year 2011 results:

Sales in Industrial and Transportation increased 19.5 percent to $10.1 billion, with 10.0 percent of this increase attributable to organic local-currency growth. Acquisitions increased sales by 5.9 percent, primarily driven by Winterthur and Alpha Beta (discussed below). Foreign currency impacts added 3.6 percent to 2011 sales growth. Geographically, sales increased in all major regions, led by Asia Pacific and Europe. Organic local-currency sales growth was broad-based across the portfolio, led by renewable energy, aerospace and aircraft maintenance, energy and advanced materials, abrasives systems, and industrial adhesives and tapes. In addition, despite the Japan and Thailand natural disasters, 3M also achieved growth in its automotive aftermarket and automotive OEM businesses.

3M continued to invest in its Industrial and Transportation business. In March 2011, 3M acquired a controlling interest in Winterthur via completion of a public tender offer. Winterthur, based in Zug, Switzerland, is a leading global supplier of precision grinding technology serving customers in the area of hard-to-grind precision applications in industrial, automotive, aircraft, and cutting tools. In addition, in February 2011, 3M completed its acquisition of the tape-related assets of Alpha Beta, a leading manufacturer of box sealing tape and masking tape headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan.

22

Table of Contents

Operating income was $2.1 billion in 2011, 17.3 percent higher than 2010. 3M achieved operating income margins of 20.4 percent, even with continued investments to support growth.

Investment:

In March 2005, 3M’s automotive business completed the purchase of 19 percent of TI&M Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH (TI&M) for approximately $55 million. TI&M is the parent company of I&T Innovation Technology Entwicklungsund Holding Aktiengesellschaft (I&T), an Austrian maker of flat flexible cable and circuitry. Pursuant to a Shareholders Agreement, 3M marketed I&T’s flat flexible wiring systems for automotive interior applications to the global automotive market. I&T filed a petition for bankruptcy protection in August 2006. As part of its agreement to purchase the shares of TI&M, the Company was granted a put option that gave the Company the right to sell back its entire ownership interest in TI&M to the other investors from whom the Company acquired its 19 percent interest. The put option became exercisable January 1, 2007. The Company exercised the put option and recovered approximately $25 million of its investment from one of the investors based in Belgium in February 2007. The other two TI&M investors from whom the Company purchased its shares filed a bankruptcy petition in Austria in January 2007. The Company has recovered approximately 6.7 million Euros through the Austrian bankruptcy process. The Company then pursued recovery from the bank that held the 3M purchase price paid to the two bankrupt investors, and in March 2012 recovered 4.5 million Euros, leaving a balance of 7.4 million Euros (approximately $10 million). In September 2012, 3M Austria commenced proceedings in the Commercial Court of Vienna against the co-sellers of the shares to recover the remaining balance plus accrued interest pursuant to the terms of the Share Purchase Agreement and Austrian law. The Company believes collection of its remaining investment is probable and, as a result, no impairment reserve has been recorded.

23

Table of Contents

Health Care Business (17.3% of consolidated sales):

The Health Care segment serves markets that include medical clinics and hospitals, pharmaceuticals, dental and orthodontic practitioners, health information systems, and food manufacturing and testing. Products and services provided to these and other markets include medical and surgical supplies, skin health and infection prevention products, inhalation and transdermal drug delivery systems, dental and orthodontic products (oral care), health information systems, and food safety products.

Year 2012 results:

Health Care sales totaled $5.2 billion, an increase of 2.5 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 4.7 percent, led by food safety, health information systems, and skin/wound care. Sales declined year-on-year in drug delivery systems. Acquisitions added 0.3 percent, as 3M further strengthened its health information systems business in April 2012 by acquiring CodeRyte, Inc., which provides clinical natural language processing technology and computer-assisted coding solutions for outpatient providers. Foreign currency translation reduced sales by 2.5 percent.

On a geographic basis, organic local-currency sales increased 12.5 percent in Latin America/Canada, 10 percent in Asia Pacific, 4 percent in the United States, and 1 percent in EMEA.

Operating income increased 10.6 percent to $1.6 billion. Operating income margins were 31.9 percent in 2012 compared to 29.6 percent in 2011, driven by strong manufacturing cost control, improved utilization and production efficiencies. Operating income grew in all major geographic areas.

Year 2011 results:

Health Care sales increased 11.5 percent to $5.0 billion. Organic local-currency sales increased 4.6 percent and acquisition added 3.8 percent. Acquisition growth primarily related to Arizant Inc., a leading manufacturer of patient warming solutions designed to prevent hypothermia in surgical settings. Currency impacts increased sales by 3.1 percent in Health Care. On a geographic basis, all regions posted positive sales growth. Asia Pacific, Latin America/Canada, and Europe all reported sales growth of 10 percent or more, while the U.S. grew at 9 percent. Organic local-currency sales growth increased in the food safety, health information systems, infection prevention, skin and wound care, and oral care businesses. Sales in the drug-delivery systems business increased in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, but were down slightly for total-year 2011 when compared to 2010.

Operating income in Health Care increased 9.3 percent in 2011 to $1.5 billion. Operating income margins were 29.6 percent, compared to 30.2 percent in 2010, with this decrease due in part to growth investments in the health information systems and infection prevention businesses. 3M also invested in emerging markets to improve market penetration levels. The year-on-year decline in operating income margins was also due in part to sales declines in drug delivery systems.

24

Table of Contents

Consumer and Office Business (14.4% of consolidated sales):

The Consumer and Office segment serves markets that include consumer retail, office retail, home improvement, building maintenance and other markets. Products in this segment include office supply products, stationery products, construction and home improvement products (do-it-yourself), home care products, protective material products, certain consumer retail personal safety products, and consumer health care products.

Year 2012 results:

Sales in Consumer and Office totaled $4.3 billion, up 3.9 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales increased 3.8 percent, acquisitions added 2.0 percent, and foreign currency translation reduced sales by 1.9 percent. Organic local-currency sales growth was led by the consumer health care and construction and home improvement businesses. Organic local-currency sales increased slightly in stationery and office supplies, impacted by continued softness in the office wholesale and retail markets. Acquisition growth was largely due to the October 2011 acquisition of the do-it-yourself and professional business of GPI Group. GPI is a manufacturer and marketer of home improvement products such as tapes, hooks, insulation and floor protection products and accessories. The addition of GPI’s products expands 3M’s product portfolio in core and complementary categories in the construction and home improvement markets.

On a geographic basis, organic local-currency sales increased 9.5 percent in Latin America/Canada, 5 percent in Asia Pacific, and 4 percent in the United States. EMEA organic local-currency sales decreased 2 percent.

Consumer and Office operating income increased 10.8 percent to $930 million. Operating income margins were 21.6 percent, compared to 20.2 percent in 2011, as all businesses and major geographic areas posted operating income increases. Consumer and Office benefited from the combination of selling price increases and raw material cost decreases, in addition to cost-control efforts.

In December 2011, 3M (Consumer and Office Business) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Office and Consumer Products business of Avery Dennison Corp. (Avery). 3M and Avery withdrew from the regulatory approval process for this acquisition in September 2012 and subsequently announced that they had terminated this agreement in October 2012.

Year 2011 results:

Sales in Consumer and Office increased 7.8 percent in 2011 to $4.2 billion, with all businesses posting positive sales growth. Organic local-currency sales increased 4.0 percent and acquisitions added 1.4 percent. Acquisition growth was largely due to the October 2011 acquisition of the do-it-yourself and professional business of GPI Group and the April 2010 acquisition of the A-One branded label business and related operations. A-One is the largest branded label business in Asia and the second largest worldwide. 3M also acquired Hybrivet Systems Inc. in the first quarter of 2011, a provider of instant-read products to detect lead and other contaminants and toxins. Foreign currency impacts contributed 2.4 percent to sales growth in the Consumer and Office segment.

On a geographic basis, sales increased in all regions, led by Asia Pacific, Latin America/Canada and Europe, which all had sales growth rates in excess of 10 percent. U.S. sales also grew, albeit at a slower rate.

Consumer and Office operating income was flat when comparing 2011 to 2010, reflecting continued ongoing investments in developing economies in brand development and marketing and sales coverage. Even with these investments, Consumer and Office generated operating income margins of 20.2 percent.

25

Table of Contents

Safety, Security and Protection Services Business (12.7% of consolidated sales):

The Safety, Security and Protection Services segment serves a broad range of markets that increase the safety, security and productivity of workers, facilities and systems. Major product offerings include personal protection products, cleaning and protection products for commercial establishments, safety and security products (including border and civil security solutions), roofing granules for asphalt shingles, infrastructure protection products used in the oil and gas pipeline markets, and track and trace solutions.

Year 2012 results:

Safety, Security and Protection Services sales totaled $3.8 billion, down 0.5 percent in U.S. dollars. Organic local-currency sales grew 2.2 percent and foreign currency translation reduced sales by 2.7 percent. Organic local-currency sales growth was led by infrastructure protection and personal safety, with growth also in building and commercial services and roofing granules.

2012 organic local-currency sales declined 18 percent in security systems, as government spending for security solutions has been declining over the last few years. As discussed later in the “Critical Accounting Estimates” section, 3M will continue to monitor this business to assess whether long-term expectations have been significantly impacted such that an asset or goodwill impairment test would be required. The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2012, with no impairment indicated.

Geographically, organic local-currency sales increased 19 percent in Latin America/Canada. Organic local-currency sales were flat in Asia Pacific and the United States, and declined 2 percent in EMEA.

The combination of selling price increases and raw material cost reductions, plus factory efficiencies, drove a 4.1 percent increase in operating income. Operating income margins increased 1.0 percentage points to 22.3 percent.

Year 2011 results:

Safety, Security and Protection Services sales increased 15.2 percent in 2011. H1N1-related comparisons reduced 2011 sales growth by 2.5 percent, as 3M generated sales related to the H1N1 virus in the first three quarters of 2010. Even with this difficult comparison, organic local-currency sales growth was 7.1 percent. Acquisitions added 4.7 percent, with this benefit primarily related to Attenti Holdings S.A. and Cogent Inc., which were acquired in the fourth quarter of 2010. Attenti Holdings S.A. is a supplier of remote people-monitoring technologies used for offender-monitoring applications and to assist eldercare facilities in monitoring and enhancing the safety of patients. Cogent Inc. is a provider of finger, palm, face and iris biometric systems for governments, law enforcement agencies, and commercial enterprises. Foreign currency effects added 3.4 percent to 2011 sales. All geographic regions posted positive sales growth, with sales growth led by Asia Pacific, Latin America/Canada, and the U.S. These three regions all had sales growth in excess of 15 percent.

Sales increased in all businesses. Sales dollar increases were largest in personal protection products, security systems, building and commercial services, and infrastructure protection. Sales growth in personal protection products, or more specifically, respiratory products, was hampered by H1N1-related comparisons, partially offset by some modest additional sales of personal protective equipment related to the cleanup efforts in Japan.

Operating income for 2011 rose 14.9 percent to $814 million. 3M achieved a 21.3 percent operating income margin, despite H1N1-related comparisons that negatively impacted results.

26

Table of Contents

Display and Graphics Business (11.9% of consolidated sales):