Cascades Antibacterial Paper Towels kill 99.99 percent of harmful bacteria

North America’s fourth largest producer of towel and tissue paper, Cascades Tissue Group, announced today the U.S. launch of the Cascades Antibacterial Paper Towel. Redefining the hand towel’s role in enhancing hygiene, the Cascades Antibacterial Paper Towel minimizes hand contamination by killing 99.99 percent of harmful bacteria almost instantly unlike ordinary paper towels.

Since 80 percent of all infections are transmitted by hand, the lack of proper hand hygiene, in particular inadequate hand washing and drying practices, continues to be a consistent, if not deadly, problem.  The distinctly green-colored Cascades Antibacterial Paper Towel can fit anywhere, doesn’t require additional steps and compensates for people’s imperfect hygiene habits without changing the way they wash or dry their hands. The towel releases the active ingredient Benzalkonium Chloride when in contact with wet hands.  This active ingredient has been around since 1935 and is safely used in common products, including gel sanitizers, baby wipes and antiseptic skin solutions.

First cleared by Health Canada, Cascades’ innovative paper product now complies with the regulation and policies of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is expected to be a hit for the healthcare, foodservice, food processing and education industries, where businesses face a daily challenge: reduce bacterial contamination and transmission.  As one example, the U.S. Department of Health estimates that at any given time about one in every 20 inpatients has an infection related to hospital care.

“It’s a first-of-a-kind product that eliminates residual bacteria almost instantly. Now everyone can help control the spread of bacteria, ”said Suzanne Blanchet, CEO of Cascades Tissue Group and product champion. “While this is a groundbreaking innovation, the Antibacterial Paper Towel makes good common sense as it relates to human health. We believe the product will revolutionize the paper towel’s role in proper hygiene because of its efficacy and because it doesn’t require a change of habits.”

Cascades Tissue Group has performed several third-party laboratory tests to ensure the safety and efficacy on the Antibacterial Paper Towel. Importantly, microbiologists also note that using the Antibacterial Paper Towel in conjunction with washing hands with soap and water provides a more hygienic result than using alcohol-based gels and other hand sanitizers. While these products kill bacteria and are useful when there is no water and soap available, they don’t remove the organic matter (grease, dirt, blood, fecal matter) often found on hands. 

Additionally, Cascades Tissue Group produced the Antibacterial Paper Towel using the best environmental practices.  It contains 100 percent recycled fiber, and is made using five times less water than the North American paper industry average, making it an environmentally preferable option as well.

Product Adds to Growing Portfolio of Novel Towel and Tissue Innovations

This paper towel is the third novel innovation Cascades Tissue Group has introduced to the North American “Away-from-Home” market this year. Earlier this year, the company launched Cascadesâ Eliteä towels and Cascadesâ Mokaä bathroom tissue.

Cascades Elite hand towels are made with a unique technology that – for the first time ever – gives recycled fiber paper towels a level of softness and absorbency that’s equivalent to the through-air-dried (TAD) ultra-soft paper towels made from virgin fiber sources.  While its feel and absorbency are the same as TAD products, it’s environmental impact is not, as the technology generates 78 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Cascades Moka, North America’s most sustainable and first beige-colored bathroom tissue, contains corrugated cardboard as part of its pulp recipe.  Boldly, the product also does not undergo the bleaching phase used by papermakers to “improve” aesthetics.  The beige result means minimal energy, chemicals and natural resources used in manufacturing, yet it is just as soft and hygienic as the white tissue alternative.

About Cascades Tissue Group

Cascades Tissue Group, a division of Cascades, ULC, is the fourth largest manufacturer of tissue paper in North America.  Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fiber. The company employs more than 12,000 employees, who work in more than 100 units located in North America and Europe. With its management philosophy, half a century of experience in recycling, and continuous efforts in research and development as driving forces, Cascades continues to serve its clients with innovative products. Cascades' shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange, under the ticker symbol CAS. For more information about Cascades Tissue Group and its environmental product line, visit www.afh.cascades.com.

Cascades Inc.

Cascades Inc.

Founded in 1964, Cascades, Inc. manufactures, converts and markets packaging and tissue products composed mainly of recycled fibers. Cascades employs close to 12,500 employees who work in more than 100 production facilities located in North America and Europe. The company’s visionary management philosophy, 45 years of experience in pioneering recycled paper and continued efforts in environmental stewardship, research and development are strengths enabling it to create quality new products for its customers. Whether for recycling materials, re-using waste, improving water and air quality or energy efficiency, Cascades has established high standards for each operating unit and closely monitors their steps toward achieving the objectives.

The company’s Cascades Tissue Group division is a leading tissue paper manufacturer for retail and away-from-home (commercial) markets, including office buildings, secondary and higher education, health care, hospitality, government and more. With 17 plants, Cascades Tissue Group offers its customers a wide range of sustainable quality products throughout North America. Its North River ivory towels are the first third-party certified 100 percent recycled hand towels, using 100 percent post-consumer content and utilizing 80 percent less water than the North American paper industry average. In the case of its notable North River® towel and tissue products, 100 percent of the electricity used for manufacturing is offset by Green e-certified wind energy, avoiding 43 million pounds of annual carbon dioxide emissions.

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