Cascades has unveiled a visually stunning expansion to its tissue mill in Lachute, Que. The 6800 m2 addition h…
Cascades has unveiled a visually stunning expansion to its tissue mill in Lachute, Que. The 6800 m2 addition has an exposed wood frame, stained glass windows, and 37 skylights, and meets the LEED specification for new construction. The LEED certification recognizes buildings that are of high environmental quality and that meet stringent performance standards, notably in terms of energy, water consumption, and the use of local materials.
According to Cascades, this is the first North American paper manufacturing facility to qualify for such a certification.
The converting line from Fabio Perini will increase the facility’s capacity by 50%, to 3.3 million cases of hand towels and toilet tissue per year.
Quebec Premier Jean Charest was present at the opening celebration on Oct. 19, and praised the Lemaire family, the company founders, for their audacity and “ability to see things that others don’t.”
The $15-million expansion project was eligible for a loan of $3.1 million from Investissement Québec and financial assistance of $379,000 from Emploi-Québec.
“Obtaining this certification positions Cascades in front of other North American companies in its sector,” declared Alain Lemaire, president and CEO of Cascades.
“We can look at this building and be proud,” he continued.
Most of the materials used for construction of the new expansion come from ecologically-sound sources or are recovered materials. Three stained-glass windows and a bell from the former Saint-Julien church located in Lachute were harmoniously integrated into the building. The wood frame was supplied by Chantier Chibougamau, a company that is certified ISO 14001 and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and that collects wood residues in order to maximize their use.
The extensive Lachute mill still retains some of the original structure which began life as the J.C. Wilson paper mill in 1880.
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