Cascades Inc. (CAS- TSX) now offers a new product line of compostable plastic containers. Cascades Inopak becomes the first Canadian manufacturer to produce and commercialize packaging made of NatureWorks (R) PLA, a new plastic made from corn. The PLA containers have the advantage of being as strong and as clear as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The degenerated industrial compost of this material does not produce any residue other than water and carbon dioxide. Its compostable properties do not affect the initial strength of this material thus enabling us to contemplate several uses for this type of plastic. "PLA containers are a major innovation for the plastic industry. From now on, we are pleased to offer a greener type of plastic to our customers", says Mario Plourde, President and Chief Operating Officer of Cascades Inc.'s Specialty Products Group. For the past 25 years, Cascades Inopak has been involved in the rigid plastic container market. It manufactures a range of containers used in retail sales for the packaging of various food products such as candies sold in bulk, fresh salads and prepared meals. Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, transforms and markets packaging products, tissue paper and fine papers, composed mainly of recycled fibers. Cascades employs nearly 15,600 men and women who work in some 140 modern and flexible production units located in North America, in Europe and in Asia. Cascades' management philosophy, its more than 40 years of experience in recycling, its continued efforts in research and development are strengths which enable the company to create new products for its clients and thus offer superior performance to its shareholders. The Cascades shares trade on the Toronto stock exchange under the ticker symbol CAS. /NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca. Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

Source: PR Newswire