Cascades Concludes 2021–2025 Sustainability Action Plan with Significant Environmental, Social and Governance Achievements

Cascades Inc. released its 2025 Sustainability Report, marking the conclusion of its 2021–2025 Sustainability Action Plan and highlighting five years of progress in environmental stewardship, responsible business practices, employee well-being and community engagement.

Founded in 1964 and employing approximately 9,000 people across nearly 60 operating units in Canada and the United States, Cascades continues to demonstrate that financial performance and sustainable development can advance together. In 2025, the company generated $4.776 billion CAD in revenue while maintaining its leadership position in sustainable packaging, hygiene and recycling solutions.

“Despite economic uncertainty and geopolitical challenges, we remained firmly committed to our sustainability objectives and values,” said Hugues Simon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cascades. “The achievements of our 2021–2025 Sustainability Action Plan demonstrate our ability to improve operational performance while reducing our environmental footprint and creating value for our stakeholders.”

2025 Sustainability Highlights

Environmental Performance

Cascades continued to strengthen its environmental performance, achieving major reductions compared to its 2019 baseline:

• Reduced scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions intensity from mills by 22.2%, progressing toward its 2030 target of 38.7%.
• Reduced scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 10.8%, advancing toward its 2030 target of 22%.
• Reduced purchased energy intensity at mills by 16.6%, exceeding its 2025 target of 6%.
• Reduced effluent intensity from mills by 34.0%, significantly surpassing its 2025 target of 15%.
• Increased renewable electricity supply from 53.0% to 55.6%.
• Maintained environmental leadership by using 4.9 times less water and 2.5 times less energy than the North American paper industry average while emitting 25% fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Circular Economy and Sustainable Products

As a company built on circular economy principles, Cascades continued to expand sustainable sourcing and product stewardship initiatives:

• 98.0% of packaging manufactured and sold is recyclable, compostable or reusable.
• 99.1% of fibre and paper supply is recycled, FSC-certified or FSC-compliant.
• FSC Mix fibre supply increased from 19.4% to 50.1%, surpassing the company’s target of 39%.
• 68.3% of corporate procurement spending came from suppliers deemed responsible, approaching the company’s 70% objective.
• All polyethylene terephthalate (PET) food trays are manufactured using 100% recycled resin.

Community Impact

Community engagement remained a cornerstone of Cascades’ sustainability strategy:

• 79.8% of donations and sponsorship funding was allocated to causes aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, significantly exceeding the minimum annual target of 50%.
• Employees contributed 22,430 hours of volunteer work, exceeding the company’s goal of 15,000 hours.
• Cascades invested $2.8 million CAD in donations and sponsorships supporting sustainable development initiatives and community organizations.

People and Workplace

Cascades continued to invest in employee health, safety and inclusion:

• Reduced workplace accident lost days by 29.6% compared with 2019.
• Expanded preventive health and wellness participation, reaching 42.8% of employees.
• Delivered diversity, equity and inclusion training to 87.4% of employees.
• Added “Better Every Day” as a new corporate value to reinforce continuous improvement, innovation and sustainability.

Strengthening ESG Governance and Risk Management

During 2025, Cascades enhanced its ESG governance framework and risk management processes:

• Continued implementation of a comprehensive ESG governance structure overseen by the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
• Conducted a preliminary climate-related risk and opportunity assessment aligned with Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations and California’s Climate-related Financial Risk Act (SB-261).
• Joined the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) to strengthen understanding of nature-related risks, opportunities and impacts.
• Expanded supplier ESG oversight through EcoVadis assessments and the implementation of a new Supplier Code of Conduct.
• Updated its Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and reinforced cybersecurity governance and employee training programs.

Industry Recognition

Cascades’ sustainability leadership continued to receive external recognition throughout 2025, including:

• Ranked among the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations by Corporate Knights for the seventh consecutive year.
• Included in the Clean200 ranking of companies generating significant revenues from sustainable solutions.
• Named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for the sixth consecutive year.
• Maintained Silver Parity Certification from Women in Governance.
• Recognized as a Walmart Giga Guru supplier for contributions to greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
• Received Forbes Net Zero Leader recognition.
• Earned Corporate Knights Best50 recognition as one of Canada’s top corporate citizens.
• Received the Coup de cœur award at the Envirolys Gala for its “60 Initiatives to Drive Progress” program.

Looking Ahead

Building on the achievements of the 2021–2025 Sustainability Action Plan, Cascades is preparing to launch its 2026–2030 Sustainability Action Plan in summer 2026. The next phase of the company’s sustainability strategy will focus on operational excellence, team mobilization, climate action, value-chain collaboration and deeper integration of sustainability into business decision-making.

“The past five years have confirmed that sustainability is not simply a reporting exercise—it is a strategic driver of resilience, innovation and long-term value creation,” said Hugo D’Amours, Vice-President, Communications, Public Affairs, Sustainability and Environment. “Our next action plan will further strengthen our ability to manage risks, create opportunities and contribute positively across our value chain.”