The Cascades Antibacterial paper towel minimizes hand contamination by killing over 99.99 percent of harmful bacteria.

Cascades Tissue Group (TSX: CAS) today announced that the Cascades® Antibacterial paper towel is currently available for purchase at Office Depot (NYSE: ODP) via, www.officedepot.com. The offering makes Office Depot the first national retailer to sell this novel product, since it’s launch to the U.S. away-from-home market in October 2012. The Cascades Antibacterial paper towel minimizes hand contamination by killing over 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 – namely 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. When placed in contact with wet hands, the towel releases Benzalkonium Chloride. This active ingredient has been used safely in common products like gel sanitizers, baby wipes and antiseptic skin solutions since 1935, but is unique to dry paper towels.

Cascades performed several third-party laboratory tests to ensure the safety and efficacy on the Antibacterial Paper Towel. Microbiologists reported that the Antibacterial paper towel, when used after washing hands with soap and water, provides a more hygienic result versus alcohol-based gels and other hand sanitizers. While these other products kill bacteria and are useful when there is no water and soap available, they don’t remove the organic matter (grease, dirt, blood, etc.) often found on hands. First cleared by Health Canada, Cascades Tissue Group’s innovative paper product now also complies with the regulation and policies of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“We’re delighted that this product, which makes such good common sense as it relates to hand hygiene and human health, is now available through Office Depot,” said Suzanne Blanchet, CEO of Cascades Tissue Group and product champion. “This represents a major milestone in that people nationwide now have convenient access to such a major tool for thwarting the spread of bacteria.”

Cascades Tissue Group produced the Antibacterial paper towel using its unsurpassed environmental practices. The product contains 100 percent recycled fiber, and is made using five times less water than the North American paper industry average.

About Cascades Tissue Group

Cascades Tissue Group is a division of manufacturing and packaging leader Cascades, Inc. (CAS Toronto Exchange), a pioneer in recycled paper manufacturing. The division has 18 mills spread throughout North America, including 10 in the United States. Its towel and tissue products are generally considered single-use goods – a fact motivating Cascades to remain an industry model of forward-thinking manufacturing, sustainability and carbon avoidance. For more information about the Cascades Antibacterial Towel, visit www.cascades.com/bacteria. For more information about Cascades Tissue Group as an organization, visit www.afh.cascades.com or follow Cascades on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CascadesSD.

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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