Cascades Inaugurates New Molded Pulp Machine

Cascades Inc., Kingsey Falls, Quebec, has inaugurated a new machine that will manufacture molded pulp products at the company’s Forma-Pak plant in Kingsey Falls, Quebec. The new machine is expected to cost more than $3.5 million, according to a Cascades press release.

The project began in 2010 and includes the installation of a new machine and the automation of existing equipment. The company notes that the expansion includes implementing a project to secure the machines to improve employee safety. “Rather than expand, we’ve completely redesigned it to accommodate more equipment and increase efficiency,” says Mario Plourde, Cascades chief operating officer.

According to Cascades, the changes will increase the plant's production capacity by 40 percent. The company adds that significant gains in product quality have also been achieved, particularly in the areas of finishing and packaging. As such, automation will allow for increased packaging rigidity and, as a result, will maximize delivery including up to 20 percent more products on trucks, the company reports.

Cascades Forma-Pak manufactures 100 percent recycled molded pulp products using old newspapers and telephone directories as raw material.  

"It was time to modernize this plant, which manufactures environmentally friendly food packaging solutions. Since molded pulp material is fully recycled and recyclable, we believe that it is a product with a future, especially with a packaging industry that increasingly demands more responsible solutions," Plourde says.