Design Experts Honor Filtrete Ultra Slim Air Purifier by 3M with Red Dot Award: Product Design, 2008

In one of the most renowned international design competitions, the
Red Dot Design Award, the Filtrete Ultra Slim air purifier by 3M
recently received honorable mention. With more than 3,200 products
submitted to the competition, a jury comprised of design experts from
around the world awarded honorable mentions for the first time to
those products distinguished by exceptional design. The award will be
presented at a gala ceremony hosting 1,000 guests at the Essen Aalto
Theater in Essen, Germany on June 23, 2008. Winning products will also
be on display at the Red Dot Design Museum, which houses the largest
permanent exhibition of contemporary design worldwide, from June 24
through July 27.

The Filtrete Ultra Slim air purifier, developed in conjunction
with renowned designer, Paola Pininfarina, is a powerful in-room air
cleaning system that is 98 percent effective at capturing large
airborne particles, such as dirt, dust and mold spores, from the air
that passes through the filter. Its sleek, streamlined design allows
the air purifier to be mounted on the wall, making it ideal for tight
spaces.

"Successful products are in so far different from less successful
products that they can survive in the real world," explains design
expert Professor Dr. Peter Zec, initiator of the Red Dot Design Award.
"Successful participation in a design competition can already be an
initial sign of a product´s later commercial success, because these
competitions allow an objectification of otherwise often very
subjective design decisions."

Products submitted to the red dot design award are assessed by an
international jury consisting of renowned design experts. The jury
tests and examines the products against criteria such as degree of
innovation, functionality, ergonomics, longevity, ecological
compatibility and clarity of function. This year, companies from 51
countries with a total of 3,203 products faced the judgement of the
jury.

"To receive such recognition with a Red Dot Design Award is indeed
a great honor for 3M," said Mauro Porcini, head of design for 3M´s
Consumer and Office Business. "Design is of paramount importance to
our product development, and one of the most challenging elements we
embrace in the integration of 3M´s superior technology to optimize
customer experience."

3M´s receipt of the Red Dot Design Award adds to a history of
recognition in the design category for the company, which includes
honors from other prestigious design organizations, as well as notable
exhibits from museums and cultural organizations around the world.

About The Red Dot Design Award

Today, the red dot design award, the origins of which go back to
1955, is one of the largest and most renowned design competitions
worldwide. It consists of the individual disciplines "red dot award:
product design", "red dot award: communication design", and "red dot
award: design concepts", which has been held annually in Singapore
since 2005. In 2007 the competition recorded more than 7,000 entries
from 60 nations in total.

For further information please visit the following website:
www.red-dot.de/press

About 3M

A recognized leader in research and development, 3M produces
thousands of innovative products for dozens of diverse markets. 3M´s
core strength is applying its more than 40 distinct technology
platforms - often in combination - to a wide array of customer needs.
With $24 billion in sales, 3M employs 75,000 people worldwide and has
operations in more than 60 countries. For more information, visit
www.3M.com.

3M and Filtrete are trademarks of 3M Company.

(C) 3M 2008