KINGSEY FALLS, QC, May 1, 2019 – Cascades Sonoco, a joint venture of Cascades Inc. (TSX: CAS) and Sonoco Products Company (NYSE: SON), today inaugurated the expansion of its facility in Birmingham, Alabama, and its new production line of innovative, eco-friendly packaging. This important investment of US$17 million enables the facility to now produce a water-based functional coating solution to create recyclable, repulpable and compostable containers. Numerous partners, clients, suppliers and employees took part in the event.
This new world-class equipment allows for the production of 50,000 tonnes per year of coated paper and paperboard using the company’s FlexShield™, FluteSHIELD® and SurfSHIELD™ water-based coating technology. These water-based functional and barrier coatings are designed to replace the non-compostable applications traditionally used in the design of folding carton take-out containers. The coatings can also replace the wax used in the corrugated industry.
“Located in a strategically important region of the United States with the highest demographic growth and close to boxboard and containerboard manufacturing plants, this Cascades Sonoco investment in water-based coating solutions allows us to offer a greener alternative to our customers so that they, in turn, can meet the needs of the most discerning consumers when it comes to the environment,” said Mario Plourde, President and CEO of Cascades. “Because they are recyclable, repulpable and compostable, this packaging can help the food service industry to significantly reduce its ecological footprint.”
“This technology is the result of listening to our customers, listening to consumers, listening to the marketplace, then working to create something that solves a problem and fills a need. It also fits extremely well with our focus on finding sustainable packaging solutions which are in such great demand today, and it perfectly aligns with our purpose as a company—Better Packaging, Better Life,” said Rob Tiede, President and CEO of Sonoco.
The new production line adds to the diversity of the products offered by the Cascades Sonoco facility in Birmingham, which has a core business of manufacturing roll headers and roll wraps for the pulp and paper industry. The plant employs approximately 75 workers and the new machine will create 20 long-term jobs. The expansion of the Birmingham facility and the installation of the new production line took place in 2018.
Cascades would like to thank its many customers, partners, suppliers and employees who made this project possible, particularly the State of Alabama, Jefferson County and the municipality of Birmingham, for their support.
To learn more, visit www.cascades-sonoco.com.
About Cascades
Founded in 1964, Cascades offers sustainable, innovative and value-added solutions for packaging, hygiene and recovery needs. The company employs 11,000 women and men, who work in over 90 production units in North America and Europe. With its management philosophy, half a century of experience in recycling, and continuous efforts in research and development as driving forces, Cascades continues to deliver the innovative products that customers have come to rely on, while contributing to the well-being of people, communities and the planet. Cascades’ shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CAS. For more information on the company, visit our website www.cascades.com.
About Sonoco
Founded in 1899, Sonoco (NYSE:SON) is a global provider of a variety of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging, and displays and packaging supply chain services. With annualized net sales of approximately $5.0 billion, the company has 20,800 employees working at more than 330 installations in 34 countries, serving some of the world’s best known brands in some 85 nations. Sonoco is a proud member of the 2015/2016 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. For more information on the company, visit its website: www.sonoco.com.
Media:
Hugo D’Amours
Vice-President, Communications and Public Affairs
Cascades Inc.
819 363-5155
hugo_damours@cascades.com
Jeff Stacy
Marketing and Business Development Manager
Cascades Sonoco
843-383-7043
jeff.stacy@sonoco.com
Investors:
Jennifer Aitken, MBA
Director, Investor Relations
Cascades Inc.
514 282-2697
jennifer_aitken@cascades.com
Brian Risinger
Director, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations, Sonoco
843-383-7509
brian.risinger@sonoco.com