Cascades inaugurates its first green plant in Lachute

KINGSEY FALLS, QC, Oct. 19 /CNW Telbec/ - Cascades (CAS on the Toronto Stock Exchange), a leader in recovery and in green packaging and tissue paper products, inaugurates today the significant expansion of its tissue paper plant located in Lachute in the presence of the Premier of Québec, Jean Charest , and MP of Argenteuil, David Whissell. This expansion project, which required an investment valued at 15 million dollars , was eligible for a loan of 3.1 million dollars from Investissement Québec and financial assistance in the amount of 379,000 dollars from Emploi-Québec. It enables Cascades to be the first in its category in North America to be awarded LEED(R)-NC (New Construction) certification.

The much coveted LEED(R) (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification recognizes buildings that are of high environmental quality and that meet stringent performance standards, notably in terms of energy, water consumption and the use of local materials.

"Obtaining this certification positions Cascades in front of other North American companies in its sector", declared Alain Lemaire, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cascades.

Most of the materials used for construction in the new expansion area of the plant come from an ecological source or a recovery process. In fact, the stained-glass windows and the principal bell from the former Saint-Julien church located in Lachute were harmoniously integrated into the building. The wood frame was supplied by Chantier Chibougamau, a company that is certified ISO 14001 and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and that collects wood residues in order to maximize their use.

"All these changes will be beneficial to our customers who will avail themselves of products that have a lighter environmental footprint", added Suzanne Blanchet , President and Chief Executive Officer of Cascades Tissue Group.

This recent investment will enable the maintenance of 150 jobs in the region and will increase the converting capacity from 2,231,000 to 3,360,000 cases of paper hand-towels and toilet paper that are packaged annually.

Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products composed mainly of recycled fibres. Cascades employs close to 13,000 employees who work in more than 100 modern and flexible production units located in North America and Europe . Cascades' management philosophy, its 45 years of experience in recycling, its continued efforts in research and development are strengths which enable the company to create new products for its customers. The Cascades' shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CAS.

Cascades Tissue Group is a major tissue paper manufacturer for the commercial and institutional commercial markets, as well as for the giant paper-roll market. With 15 North-American plants, Cascades Tissue Group offers its clients a wide range of quality products throughout Canada and the United States .

For further information: Hubert Bolduc, Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs, Cascades Inc., [phone], Cell.: [phone]; Source: Suzanne Blanchet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cascades Tissue Group