The expansion of Cascades’ Tissue Group plant in Lachute, Québec, has received LEED® Gold certification, a standard which recognizes the construction and operation of green buildings. The plant is the first paper manufacturing facility to obtain LEED®-NC (New Construction) certification in the Canadian paper industry.
The 6,800 m2 expansion project of the Lachute plant reflects Cascades' continuous efforts to reduce its ecological footprint.
This project was recognized for its exemplary performance in the following areas:
- reduction of its drinking water consumption, evaluated at 46.57% ;
- use of regional materials, with 47.08% of costs used for the purchase of materials produced and extracted locally;
- the presence of certified wood, accounting for 96.36% of total cost for materials.
“Buildings that are sustainable and respectful of the environment have become an exemplary practice in the building industry, but the manufacturing sector is lagging behind. I congratulate Cascades Tissue Group for its determination in working towards the preservation of the environment and the well-being of Canada," said Thomas Mueller, president and CEO of the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC), the organization behind the certification.
The project was also acknowledged because it offers a 58% reduction in energy costs, when compared to a Canadian reference building.
“The new plant expansion not only meets the strict standards set by the LEED®-NC rating system, but also helps to sustain the local economy, while respecting the building's more than one-hundred-year-old heritage and its contribution to the community," states Alain Lemaire, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cascades.