Kimberly-Clark controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2026
Greater Augusta Utility District sues paper companies over PFAS contamination of Augusta-area drinking-water wells
Lawsuit filed
The Greater Augusta Utility District, which serves drinking water to about 13,750 residents in and around Augusta, Maine, filed a federal lawsuit against Sappi North America, Huhtamaki, Kimberly-Clark, American Tissue Mills of Maine and American Tissue Corp., alleging that PFAS released from their paper, packaging and tissue facilities over decades entered the Kennebec River and connected groundwater and contaminated the wells serving the Augusta area. The district alleges PFAS was detected in its well water in October 2021 and rose above Maine's drinking-water standard in November 2024, and it seeks to hold the companies jointly and severally liable under the federal Superfund law (CERCLA) for past and future investigation, monitoring, treatment and cleanup costs. Sappi said it is reviewing the complaint, stating it is in compliance with all environmental regulations and does not knowingly use PFAS-containing materials; the other named companies did not respond to comment requests.
Stated objective. Hold the named companies jointly and severally liable under the federal Superfund law (CERCLA) for past and future investigation, monitoring, treatment and cleanup costs.
Company response
Denial — Sappi North America
Sappi does not knowingly use PFAS containing materials in any of its products.
Investigation — Sappi North America
the company is reviewing the complaint
Denial — Sappi North America
A spokeswoman for Sappi said the company is reviewing the lawsuit. She said Sappi complies with environmental regulations, operates within its state and federal discharge permits and doesn’t knowingly use PFAS in products.
Source excerpt
The district alleges PFAS-containing materials used in paper, packaging and tissue manufacturing entered the environment through wastewater, sludge, landfill leachate, stormwater and other waste streams.
The Greater Augusta Utility District is suing several paper and packaging companies, alleging PFAS released from their facilities over decades contaminated drinking-water wells that serve the Augusta area.
It alleges that results increased in November 2024 to numbers above Maine’s drinking-water standard at the time.
2023
Thinx PFAS controversy and settlement
Thinx faced allegations concerning PFAS in period-underwear products and a related class-action settlement. The controversy affected consumer trust and was followed by a significant impairment connected with Thinx and Softex Indonesia.
2020
Kimberly-Clark recalls Cottonelle flushable wipes
Recall announced
Kimberly-Clark recalled Cottonelle Flushable Wipes and Cottonelle GentlePlus Flushable Wipes in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean because they may contain Pluralibacter gergoviae, which can pose an infection risk. Kimberly-Clark said there had been a low rate of non-serious complaints, including irritation and minor infections.
Source excerpt
The bacterium, pluralibacter gergoviae, may cause a higher risk for those that have a weakened immune system, suffer from a pre-existing condition, have been treated surgically, or belong to a more sensitive group of individuals, the company said.
Hygiene product producer Kimberly-Clark (KMB) has recalled its Cottonelle Flushable Wipes and Cottonelle GentlePlus Flushable Wipes throughout the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean because they may contain the bacterium, which can lead to infection.