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Canopy Welcomes New Cascades Procurement

Cascades Inc. of Montreal, which manufacturers packaging and tissue products, is being applauded by Vancouver-based Canopy, a not-for-profit environmental organization focused on the paper supply chain, for new initiatives.

Cascades, founded in 1964, has been one of Canada’s leading recyclers of commercial products for decades, particularly around the use of recycled fibres. The company has now released a new procurement policy, stating “[It] will not purchase fibres that come from old growth forests, forests in danger, or wooded areas that are home to rare or at-risk species and ecosystems. To do this, priority will be given to fibre suppliers certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.”

“With its bold preferential focus on using post-consumer recycled fibre, commitment to FSC and the avoidance of contentious sources of fibre, Cascades is affirming that sustainability is a core value for the company,” stated Nicole Rycroft, Canopy’s Executive Director.  “This proactive approach to reducing the environmental impacts of its raw fibre, combined with its continued track record of cutting edge eco-paper development place Cascades at the forefront of the pulp and paper industry.”

Canopy explains Cascades is also committing to work collaboratively with suppliers to ensure the company’s fibre needs are met within a set of strict ecological criteria. Canopy has worked with Cascades for several years, including the development of its game-changing 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper to print the Canadian edition of Harry Potter in 2003 to 2005.

Canopy and Cascades worked together again in 2011 to develop straw paper made from agricultural residues. The straw-based paper was used to print a special edition of Margaret Atwood’s book, In Other Worlds – a North American first.

In July 2014, H.I.G. Capital of Miami purchased Cascades Fine Papers Group, owned by Cascades Inc. The resulting company, which includes investment from the current management team, is to be re-named Rolland Enterprises, resembling a prior identity for the historic paper maker headquartered in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec.