Jacques Perrault Awarded the Prestigious John S. Bates Gold Medal at PaperWeek 2025 in Montreal
During the PaperWeek 2025 conference held in Montreal, Jacques Perrault was honored with the John S. Bates Memorial Gold Medal, the highest distinction recognizing outstanding contributions, dedication, and impact in the Canadian pulp and paper industry.
A chemical engineer who graduated from Polytechnique in 1976, Jacques Perrault has dedicated his career to optimizing and troubleshooting papermaking processes. He has worked with several major companies, including CIP, Domtar, Alliance Forest Products, Bowater, and Cascades, across a range of paper grades, from newsprint and groundwood specialties to fine papers and containerboard.
His expertise also led him to Black Clawson, a paper machine manufacturer, where he contributed to the Top Flyte program and played a key role in major machine projects such as Dolbeau PM5, Donnacona PM4, and the conversion of the Bear Island newsprint machine to containerboard. He was also actively involved in the startup of machines such as Domtar Windsor PM7 and PM8, as well as Greenpac. Additionally, he developed a practical energy conservation guide for papermaking on behalf of Hydro-Québec.
A longstanding member of CPPA, OIQ, PAPTAC, TAPPI, and IASPM, Jacques Perrault holds a patent for an instrument measuring paper cockling. His achievements have also been recognized with PAPTAC’s C. Howard Smith and Jasper Mardon awards.
The award ceremony at PaperWeek 2025 provided a special opportunity to celebrate this milestone with colleagues and industry professionals.
