Cascades
Canadian manufacturer and marketer of recycled-fibre packaging, tissue, and paper products.
Last updated August 27, 2026
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Overview
Cascades is a Canadian forest-products and packaging company whose operations are centered on the production, conversion, and marketing of packaging and tissue products made largely from recycled fibres. The company is headquartered in Kingsey Falls, Quebec, a community that has remained closely associated with its industrial development since the Lemaire family entered recycled-paper manufacturing in the 1960s. Cascades serves customers primarily in North America, with a historical and more limited presence in Europe, and operates through a network of manufacturing and converting facilities. The company’s origins reach back to 1957, when the Lemaire family established Drummond Pulp & Fibre to recover household and industrial waste. In 1964, Antonio Lemaire and his sons acquired a paper mill in Kingsey Falls from Dominion Paper Co. and began producing paper from recycled fibre under the Papier Cascades name. This transaction established the business model that continues to distinguish Cascades: combining recycling, fibre recovery, paper manufacturing, and downstream conversion into finished packaging and tissue products. During the 1970s, Cascades expanded beyond its original paper operation. It created a moulded-pulp facility, a multilayer-board mill, tissue operations, plastics activities, and converting businesses, while also entering containerboard production. The company began its international expansion in the 1980s, first entering the United States and then acquiring or establishing boxboard operations in France, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Although several European assets were later closed, sold, reorganized, or monetized, the expansion helped build Cascades’ experience in serving multinational packaging markets. Cascades also diversified through acquisitions and partnerships. Important transactions included the purchase of Rolland and Paperboard Industries Corporation, investments in Perkins Papers and Provincial Papers, and the creation of Norampac with Domtar. The company later consolidated its position in containerboard and boxboard through additional acquisitions, the purchase of Domtar’s interest in Norampac, and the combination of European boxboard activities with Reno de Medici. Its purchase of Dopaco in 2004 expanded its exposure to foodservice and quick-service-restaurant packaging, although that business was sold to Reynolds Group Holdings in 2011. Sustainability is a central element of Cascades’ market identity. The company emphasizes products containing recycled fibres, the recovery and reuse of fibre, resource efficiency, and packaging solutions intended to reduce dependence on virgin materials. Its portfolio includes containerboard and corrugated packaging, cartonboard and specialty packaging, moulded pulp, tissue products, and related converted paper goods. Cascades has also invested in energy and technology, including a cogeneration facility in Kingsey Falls and a research and development centre established there in 1985. The company has periodically reshaped its footprint through mill closures, asset sales, business integrations, and exits from non-core activities. In 2017 it sold its interest in Boralex to the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, ending Cascades’ direct position in that energy investment. In 2021, Cascades announced the monetization of its controlling interest in RDM Group, marking the end of its long European operating history in that business. Despite these changes, Cascades remains identified with recycled-fibre packaging and tissue manufacturing, and with the Lemaire family’s long-term role in its development.
History
Cascades developed from the Lemaire family’s early work in waste recovery and recycled fibre. In 1957, the family founded Drummond Pulp & Fibre, a business focused on recovering household and industrial waste. Seven years later, Antonio Lemaire and his sons acquired a mill in Kingsey Falls, Quebec, from Dominion Paper Co. and began manufacturing recycled-fibre paper. The new enterprise was named Papier Cascades Inc., establishing the corporate identity later used across the group. The first major expansion phase occurred during the 1970s. Cascades created Cascades Forma-Pak in 1971 as a moulded-pulp mill using entirely recycled fibres. Between 1972 and 1977 it added multilayer board, tissue, plastics, and converting operations. In 1976, the Lemaire brothers also began producing containerboard in Cabano, Quebec. These moves transformed Cascades from a single recycled-paper mill into a diversified paper and packaging manufacturer. Cascades entered the United States in 1983 with the start-up of Cascades Industries in Rockingham, North Carolina. The same year, its shares began trading on the Montreal Stock Exchange. Further Canadian expansion included kraft-paper production in East Angus and the acquisition of a boxboard plant in Jonquière. In 1985, Cascades entered Europe by acquiring a boxboard mill in La Rochette, France. It subsequently formed Cascades S.A. and acquired or joined operations in Blendecques, Sweden, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Some European operations later suffered losses or were closed, converted, reorganized, or divested. The company expanded its technical and energy capabilities alongside manufacturing. Cascades established a research and development centre in Kingsey Falls in 1985. It also created Cascades Énergie, which operated a natural-gas cogeneration plant intended to supply the Kingsey Falls mills. This project supported later diversification into energy investments, including the 1995 acquisition of Boralex. Cascades ultimately held a substantial minority interest in Boralex before selling it in 2017. During the 1990s, Cascades pursued a series of acquisitions and partnerships. It bought Rolland and Paperboard Industries Corporation in 1992, Perkins Papers in 1995, and Provincial Papers in 1997. It also created Norampac with Domtar in 1997, helping organize operations around containerboard, tissue, fine papers, boxboard, and specialized packaging. European development continued through the acquisition of a German boxboard mill and the opening of a sheeting operation in the United Kingdom. The 2000s brought additional North American expansion as Cascades acquired mills in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and established operations in Alberta, New York, Arizona, Oregon, and Tennessee. Norampac built or implemented several modern corrugated-board facilities in Canada and the United States. Cascades acquired Dopaco in 2004, gaining a stronger position in packaging for quick-service restaurants and foodservice. In 2006, Cascades purchased Domtar’s interest in Norampac, while in 2007 its European boxboard operations were combined with Reno de Medici. North American boxboard operations were integrated into Norampac’s cartonboard activities in 2008. The company also restructured. It closed or exited a number of facilities and businesses, including mills in Thunder Bay, Montreal, Red Rock, Pickering, Buffalo, New York, and Boissy-le-Châtel. In 2005, it sold fine-paper and tissue distribution assets. In 2011, Mario Plourde became chief operating officer, allowing Alain Lemaire to focus more heavily on strategic matters. Cascades sold Dopaco to Reynolds Group Holdings during the same year. In the later period covered by the available references, Cascades continued to emphasize recycled-fibre products and North American packaging and tissue operations. It opened a new mill and tissue-converting facility in Scappoose, Oregon, in 2017. The sale of its Boralex stake that year simplified its portfolio. In 2021, Cascades monetized its controlling interest in RDM Group, ending a 35-year European operating chapter. The company’s continuing identity rests on recycled materials, integrated paper and packaging production, tissue manufacturing, and sustainability-oriented product development.
- 2021
European RDM interest is monetized
[1]Cascades announces the monetization of its controlling interest in RDM Group.
- 2017
Boralex investment is sold
[1]Cascades sells its interest in Boralex to the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.
- 2011
Dopaco is divested
[1]Cascades sells the business to Reynolds Group Holdings and appoints Mario Plourde as chief operating officer.
- 2004
Dopaco is acquired
[1]The acquisition expands Cascades’ quick-service-restaurant and foodservice packaging business.
- 1997
Norampac is created
[1]Cascades and Domtar form Norampac, strengthening their containerboard and corrugated-packaging activities.
- 1985
European expansion begins
[1]Cascades acquires a boxboard mill in La Rochette, France, and opens a research and development centre in Kingsey Falls.
- 1983
Public-market listing and U.S. entry
[1]Cascades shares begin trading in Montreal, while the company starts U.S. operations in North Carolina.
- 1971
Moulded-pulp production begins
[1]Cascades creates Forma-Pak, its first moulded-pulp mill using 100 percent recycled fibres.
- 1964
Papier Cascades is established
[1]Antonio Lemaire and his sons acquire a Kingsey Falls mill and begin producing paper from recycled fibres.
- 1957
Drummond Pulp & Fibre is founded
[1]The Lemaire family establishes a business focused on recovering household and industrial waste.
Products and positioning
A sustainability-oriented packaging and tissue manufacturer built around recycled fibres, fibre recovery, manufacturing integration, and resource-efficient paper products.
Packaging · 1976
Containerboard and corrugated packaging
Cascades manufactures containerboard and converts paperboard into corrugated packaging for industrial, commercial, retail, and distribution uses. These products form one of the company’s core packaging platforms and are linked to its long-standing emphasis on recovered fibre and integrated manufacturing.
Packaging · 1972
Cartonboard and boxboard
The cartonboard and boxboard business supplies paperboard used in folding cartons, specialty packaging, and other converted formats. Cascades built this capability through Canadian and European mills and later consolidated activities through Norampac and its combination with Reno de Medici’s European operations.
Sustainable packaging · 1971
Moulded-pulp packaging
Moulded-pulp products are formed from recycled fibre and designed for protective or presentation packaging applications. Cascades entered this segment with Forma-Pak in 1971, making it one of the company’s earliest extensions beyond conventional paper manufacturing.
Tissue paper · 1972
Tissue products
Cascades produces and converts tissue paper for institutional, commercial, and consumer-oriented applications. The tissue platform has included paper manufacturing and downstream converting, with later investment in North American facilities such as the Oregon operation opened in 2017.
Paper · 1964
Recycled paper and specialty papers
Recycled paper and specialty paper products reflect the company’s original manufacturing model. Cascades uses recovered fibre as a principal input and has historically produced multiple paper grades, although it has also sold or exited parts of its fine-paper and distribution activities during portfolio restructurings.
Brand decisions
2021
Monetization of RDM Group interestM&ABackground
Cascades had maintained European boxboard activities and a controlling interest in RDM Group as part of its long international history.
Action taken
Cascades announced the monetization of its controlling interest in RDM Group.
Aftermath
The transaction ended Cascades’ 35-year operating involvement in Europe through that business.
2017
Exit from Boralex investmentStrategyBackground
Cascades had held a substantial interest in Boralex after diversifying into energy through Cascades Énergie.
Action taken
The company sold its Boralex position to the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec for C$287.5 million.
Aftermath
The sale simplified Cascades’ portfolio and ended its direct ownership position in Boralex.
Sale proceeds. C$287.5 million (2017)
2011
Sale of DopacoM&ABackground
Cascades reviewed its portfolio of packaging businesses after building a presence in foodservice and quick-service-restaurant packaging through the Dopaco acquisition.
Action taken
Cascades sold Dopaco to Reynolds Group Holdings.
Aftermath
The divestiture reduced Cascades’ direct exposure to paper cups and foodservice carton converting.
2006
Purchase of Domtar’s Norampac interestM&ABackground
Cascades sought greater control over containerboard and corrugated-packaging activities developed through its Norampac partnership with Domtar.
Action taken
Cascades acquired Domtar’s shares in Norampac.
Aftermath
The transaction consolidated Cascades’ position in North American containerboard and related packaging.
Recent events
Reported
Cascades ranks 49th in Global 100 sustainability ranking[3]
Cascades announced that it ranked 49th in Corporate Knights' Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World list.
Reported
Cascades launches recycled-fibre food tray[4]
Cascades launched a fresh-food packaging container on the North American market: a recyclable cardboard tray made from 100% recycled fibres.
Sources4 sources
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