Cascades (cascades.com) announces the launch of Respak, the ecological answer to the environmental challenge of polycoated packaging products. Designed primarily for the food and food services industries, Respak is recyclable and compostable, without compromising on the performance and durability characteristic of traditional polycoated packaging.

A reduced ecological footprint

Well known for its resistance, polycoated cardboard is widely used around the world. Unfortunately, it is not recyclable. Every minute, as much as two tonnes of polycoated cardboard are used, enough to cover the Empire State Building 3 times per hour, or 72 times a day! Cascades is proposing Respak, an ecological alternative that is recyclable, compostable and made from 50% recycled fibres. Respak has a unique and revolutionary barrier that repels water, oil and grease just as efficiently as ordinary polycoated cardboard.

"The development of Respak goes hand in hand with the Company's values of respect for the environment and innovation that have made Cascades a leader in eco-friendly packaging for 50 years," explains Marc-André Dépin, president and chief executive officer of Norampac, the Cascades group specializing in packaging solutions. "As the designers and producers of Respak, we are very pleased to be the first to offer the packaging and food industries, as well as consumers, a green alternative that will significantly reduce the impact of food consumption on waste." Based on results from a preliminary life cycle assessment, Respak's environmental impact is 50% less than that of the polycoated cardboard currently in use.

Packaging just got better

Respak complies with the main food safety standards, including those established by the Food and Drug Administration for packaging that comes in contact with dry, aqueous and fatty foods. Elemental chlorine free (ECF) and FSC^®-certified, this innovation from Cascades has a bright future on the food packaging market.