KINGSEY FALLS, Quebec -- Cascades Inc. announced an investment of $80 million USD for the construction of a new containerboard packaging plant in Piscataway, New Jersey, United States.

This new plant, which will create 120 jobs, will manufacture corrugated packaging products and will be among the most modern of its kind in North America. It will begin operations in the second quarter of 2018. Once all equipment is installed, total annual production capacity will be 2.4 billion square feet. Ultimately, this represents an increase in the integration rate of approximately 5%. The facilities will have a surface area of more than 400,000 square feet.

"The investment announced today, which is already included in our capital expenditure budget, is part of the deployment of our strategic plan that aims specifically to modernize our assets and increase the integration rate between our primary production and conversion activities. It is also part of our continuing process to reorganize and consolidate our containerboard and packaging activities in the northeastern United States. This investment will help us better serve our customers and boost our production capacity, thus increasing our market positioning," stated Mario Plourde, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cascades.

"The Piscataway conversion plant will have state-of-the-art technology and will be among the fastest in the industry. It will offer increased flexibility and allow us to provide more efficient and innovative products to meet our customers' needs. Located close to the major urban centres along the eastern seaboard of the United States, the site was also chosen because it has room for subsequent development. This important investment strengthens our position and continues our growth," commented Charles Malo, President and Chief Operating Officer of Cascades Containerboard Packaging.

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