Cascades' (Kingsey Falls, Que., Canada) leadership in energy efficiency was recognized repeatedly in the past few weeks. Natural Resources Canada, Novae, and the Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec (FCCQ) each in turn named Cascades as a finalist in their most recent call for candidacies.

 

"The efforts and leadership deployed are producing conclusive results, because the company uses 2.7 times less energy than the Canadian pulp and paper industry average. Despite this performance, we continue to work and prove it is always possible to do more," said Mario Plourde, president and CEO of Cascades.

On May 17, at Energy Summit 2016 held by the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada, Cascades received a Leadership Award under the Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC) in the "Corporate Stewardship" category. Natural Resources Canada thus recognizes the company's good practices and its commitment to support clean growth of Canadian industry. Cascades' innovative approach, which prefers continuous improvement in its energy management, drew the organizers' attention. The CIPEC had also recognized Cascades in 2011 in the "Integrated Energy Efficiency Strategy" category. 

Another fact worth mentioning: Cascades is still the only company in the North American paper industry to employ a group of multi-skilled technical experts dedicated to energy efficiency projects.

 

 

In photo (l-r) are: Scott McNeil-Smith, communications director, Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium; Fabien Demougeot, energy director, Cascades; François Lessard, energy coordinator, Cascades; Patricia Fuller, general director, Office Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada. 

The Alain-Lemaire Solar Park once again drew attention as a finalist in two renowned competitions—the Novae Corporate Citizenship Awards in the "Carbon Footprint" category and the Mercuriades initiated by the FCCQ in the "Sustainable Development - Large Business" category. A worldwide first in the pulp and paper industry, this park serves the Kingsey Falls industrial complex with an integrated system of parabolic solar sensors covering an area of 1,490 sq. meters. This project allows annual savings of 140,000 cubic meters of natural gas.

In addition to these recognitions, Cascades also announced that at the end of its 2013-2015 Sustainable Development Plan, it achieved its energy efficiency target with flying colors. Based on a 3% reduction target, Cascades exceeded expectations by reducing its energy consumption by 12%.

 "The expertise acquired over the past few years and the ingenuity of the teams in place once again made it possible to expand the boundaries. The establishment of energy kaizens, funding of special projects through a dedicated investment fund, and close collaboration with ENERGY STAR® are among the measures that made this improvement possible," declared Pascal Aguettaz, VP, corporate services. 

Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts, and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fibers. The company has 11,000 employees who work in close to 90 production facilities in North America and Europe.