3M and AWS collaborate to advance optical connectivity innovation

The collaboration builds on 3M's previously announced plan to double production capacity at its Menomonie, Wisconsin, facility.

Rhea-AI Summary

3M (NYSE: MMM) expanded its collaboration with Amazon Web Services, which plans to deploy and scale 3M's optical connectivity platform. The collaboration centers on Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) technology for AWS data centers. Related investments are expected to support more than 500 jobs directly and indirectly, including more than 100 new roles through 2027. 3M expects its optical connectivity business to contribute nearly $0.5 billion to the U.S. economy.

Positive

• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.AWS plans to deploy and scale 3M's Expanded Beam Optical platform for its data center infrastructure.
• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Collaboration and related investments are expected to support more than 500 jobs, including more than 100 new roles through 2027.
• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.3M expects its optical connectivity business to contribute nearly $0.5 billion to the U.S. economy.
• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Menomonie manufacturing expansion previously announced by 3M will double production capacity.

Negative

• None.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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AWS is investing in 3M's Expanded Beam Optical technology for its data center infrastructure

SAINT PAUL, Minn., Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 3M (NYSE: MMM) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) today announced an expanded strategic collaboration. AWS plans to deploy and scale 3M's Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) platform for its data center infrastructure. Together, the two leading American companies will advance co-innovation and investment in optical connectivity and the critical infrastructure needed for next-generation super intelligence (SI), also known as artificial intelligence (AI). 

"AWS's adoption of 3M's EBO platform demonstrates the potential of our optical connectivity technology to meet the performance demands of next-generation data center infrastructure," said Wendy Bauer, Group President of 3M's Transportation and Electronics Business Group. "By combining AWS's infrastructure expertise and scale with 3M's innovation and materials science capabilities, we can accelerate EBO deployment, advance our transformation and strengthen U.S. innovation and investment." 

"Our work with 3M reinforces our commitment to supporting good jobs here in the U.S.," said Jens Gruenkemeir, Vice President of Supply Chain & Procurement at Amazon. "Beyond powering the services people use every day, from online banking and hospital data records to streaming entertainment and retail purchases, our data center investments are unlocking economic opportunities in the communities where we invest and across the supply chain, including the hundreds of jobs being supported by 3M as a result of its collaboration with Amazon."   

The collaboration and related investments are expected to strengthen the U.S. economy by supporting more than 500 jobs directly and indirectly, including the creation of more than 100 new roles through 2027 across Minnesota, Texas and Wisconsin. These planned roles will support customer co-innovation, technology advancement and supply chain development across 3M's optical networking portfolio and help accelerate industrywide adoption through collaboration with partners. 

3M expects to contribute nearly $0.5 billion to the U.S. economy through its optical connectivity business. This investment will accelerate innovation in optical networking and fiber termination, enable commercialization at scale and drive adoption across the data center industry.

The collaboration builds on 3M's announcement earlier this year that it will double production capacity at its Menomonie, Wisconsin, manufacturing facility, and is expected to support U.S. manufacturing partners involved in equipment and production scale-up throughout the supply chain.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release are considered "forward-looking statements" under the federal securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and are intended to enjoy the protection of those laws. Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this release and are typically identified by the words "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "can," "continue," "could," "estimate," "evaluate," "expect," "forecast," "future," "goal," "guidance," "impact," "initial," "intend," "likely," "may," "outlook," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "probable," "project," "seek," "should," "strategy," "target," "will," "would," and other words that are similar to, or have the opposite meanings of, those words. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, 3M assumes no duty to update those statements, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of those statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events and trends that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those described in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of 3M's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.

About 3M

3M (NYSE: MMM) is focused on transforming industries around the world by applying science and creating innovative, customer-focused solutions. Our multidisciplinary team is working to solve tough customer problems by leveraging diverse technology platforms, differentiated capabilities, global footprint and operational excellence. Discover how 3M is shaping the future at 3M.com/news.

Contacts

3M Investor Contact:
Diane Farrow, 612-202-2449

3M Media Contact:
3MNews@mmm.com 

 

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SOURCE 3M Company

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What does the expanded 3M and AWS collaboration involve?

AWS plans to deploy and scale 3M's Expanded Beam Optical platform for its data center infrastructure. The collaboration includes joint innovation and investment in optical connectivity.

Where will the new jobs associated with 3M's AWS collaboration be located?

The more than 100 new roles planned through 2027 will span Minnesota, Texas and Wisconsin. These roles will support customer co-innovation, technology advancement and supply chain development across 3M's optical networking portfolio.