Mr. Jean-David Tardif reports

CASCADES ANNOUNCES THE COMPLETE CLOSURE OF ITS ST. HELENS PLANT

Cascades Inc. will close the second paper machine at its St. Helens, Ore., tissue plant, resulting in the complete shutdown of the facility. The end of operations will be effective at the beginning of October.

The decision follows the company's previously announced repositioning of its tissue paper production platform to improve business performance, which included the closure of one of the two paper machines at the St. Helens plant. Today's announcement further simplifies the company's operational platform by concentrating the majority of its tissue product operating activities at core, geographically well-positioned sites that offer opportunities for future development.

"Over the past few months, market conditions on the West Coast and a significant decline in demand in this region for brown recycled products specifically manufactured at the facility have compromised the long-term financial viability of the plant. Consequently, we made the decision to end the plant's operations," said Jean-David Tardif, president and chief operating officer of Cascades Tissue Group.

The annual capacity of the machine is 50,000 short tons of brown 100-per-cent-recycled tissue paper. These tons are not integrated into the Cascades network, so the closure will have no impact on the company's other operations.

Cascades will work closely with the 75 employees affected to reduce the impact of this announcement and will attempt to relocate those who wish to its other business units in the United States. Those who cannot or do not want to be reassigned to other facilities will be supported in their job search.

Founded in 1964, Cascades offers sustainable, innovative and value-added packaging, hygiene and recovery solutions. The company employs 10,000 talents across a network close to 80 facilities in North America. Driven by its participative management, half a century of experience in recycling, and continuous research and development efforts, Cascades continues to provide innovative products that customers have come to rely on while contributing to the well-being of people, communities and the entire planet. The company's shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CAS.