Cascades Inc. has announced it will discontinue its honeycomb paperboard and partition packaging activities, leading to the closure of three manufacturing facilities in Canada and the United States.
The decision is part of the company’s ongoing effort to optimize its operating platform and concentrate on markets aligned with its long-term growth strategy.
The closures will affect plants in York, Pennsylvania, and in Saint-Césaire and Berthierville, Quebec. According to Cascades, the operations targeted serve niche markets that no longer fit with the strategic priorities of its Packaging sector.
As part of the exit, certain assets have been acquired for approximately $9 million by Emballages LM, a major North American producer of honeycomb paperboard based in Saint-François-de-la-Rivière-du-Sud, Quebec. The buyer aims to ensure continuity of service for customers during the transition.
The Berthierville honeycomb packaging plant has closed with immediate effect, impacting 52 employees. The York, Pennsylvania facility, which manufactures honeycomb packaging products, is expected to shut down permanently by no later than February 19, 2026, affecting 37 employees amid declining regional demand. The Saint-Césaire plant, specializing in cardboard partitions for the beverage market, will cease operations by April 17, 2026. Persistent demand erosion and the site’s distance from key customers have weighed on its competitiveness, with 25 employees impacted.
Cascades said it will work closely with affected employees to support them through the transition, including offering job search assistance and encouraging applications for positions at other Cascades facilities.
“Focusing Cascades’ assets on its strategic markets is essential to achieving our optimization and profitability improvement objectives,” said Hugues Simon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cascades. He added that the refocusing will allow the company to strengthen its position as a partner of choice in priority markets, while thanking employees at the impacted sites for their contributions.
The company noted that the announcement does not affect operations at the Cascades Sonoco – Berthierville plant, located adjacent to the Berthierville site being closed.
Founded in 1964, Cascades operates more than 60 facilities across North America and employs over 9,000 people, providing packaging, hygiene, and recovery solutions.
Source: Cascades
