East Angus, Quebec, Canada, 31 May 2010 -- Cascades will break ground today for a 10 million dollar investment at its East Angus mill to build a recycled pulp unit that will enable the production of kraft type recycled pulp.

A new building will be added to the premises to house a pulper, loading platforms, and a warehouse for waste paper. This unit will be able to convert more than 200 metric tons/day of old corrugated cardboard (OCC) into recycled pulp. This integration also will enable Cascades to increase the recycled content of its kraft papers from 43% to 70%.

Despite a difficult market, Cascades continues to invest in the production of environmentally sound paper products. "The East Angus plant initiated a shift a few years ago towards products that were more respectful of the environment. The integration of recycled content and the obtention of the FSC certification were some of the actions that were implemented, but also the reduction of water and energy consumption,” commented Mario Plourde, president and chief operating officer of Cascades Specialty Products Group. Whether it is for the production of envelopes, bags, packaging, or construction products, Cascades kraft papers will better serve its diversified customers by offering eco-friendly advantages.

Moreover, the OCC that will be converted will come from the company's sorting centers. “This investment integrates perfectly with our desire to include maximum recycled fibre content in our products," said Alain Lemaire, president and chief executive officer of Cascades. "It is an effective way of reusing local materials that would have probably ended up in a landfill site, while ensuring the longevity of the plant.”
 

Cascades Specialty Products Group is a leader in industrial packaging, consumer product packaging, specialty papers, and recovery and recycling. The Group has 44 business units located in North America and Europe and employs more than 2500 people. With its experience in recycling and continued efforts in research and development, Cascades' philosophy is to provide environmental and innovative solutions to its customers.
 

Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts, and markets packaging and tissue products composed mainly of recycled fibers. Cascades employs close to 12,500 employees who work in more than 100 production units located in North America and Europe. Cascades' management philosophy, its more than 45 years of experience in recycling, and its continued efforts in research and development are strengths that enable the company to create new products for its customers. The Cascades' shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CAS.