3M Earplug Unit Aearo Technologies Tossed Out of Bankruptcy (2)

3M Co. subsidiary Aearo Technologies LLC, the bankrupt maker of allegedly defective combat earplugs, is ineligible for bankruptcy relief, a judge ruled.

Aearo’s Chapter 11 proceedings, filed by the company last year to resolve about 230,000 claims over hearing loss by combat veterans, don’t appear to serve a “valid reorganization purpose,” Judge Jeffrey J. Graham of the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Indiana ruled Friday.

“In this Court’s view, allowing an otherwise financially healthy debtor with no impending solvency issues to remain in bankruptcy, much less one whose liability for most of its debts is supported by ...