Cascades reinforces meal boxes with isothermal packaging tech and new production site

16 Jun 2022 --- Cascades is improving its meal box capabilities with a new isothermal packaging technology that is 20% more efficient than its current home delivery solution. The North American packaging supplier has also commissioned a new production facility in York, Pennsylvania, US, to support the production of this new solution.

The northbox Xtend technology extends Cascades’ line of northbox isothermal packaging solutions. The composition of this meal box creates a moisture barrier that helps keep the insulation rigid. The packaging keeps food fresh during long transit times and in regions with higher temperatures and requires less ice.

Designed with the circular economy in mind, this packaging solution is made of recycled cardboard and was determined to be recyclable by an external laboratory and prequalified by How2Recycle.

“We’re pleased to innovate with our customers to offer them a variety of high-performance and adaptable isothermal packaging solutions. Since 2007, our recycled cardboard meal boxes have been perfected to meet operational and environmental challenges. Our expansion plan in the market is rolling out as anticipated, reinforcing our role as a strategic partner that works in close proximity with customers,” says Luc Langevin, president and COO at Cascades Specialty Products Group.

New production site
The company is also commissioning a new production site for its northbox product line: Cascades Enviropac, in York, Pennsylvania. This facility is the second in four months to be opened to support Cascades’ growth in the isothermal packaging solutions market.

After commissioning its inaugural site in the West of the US, in Tacoma, Cascades is now expanding its presence in the East, getting closer to its customers and strengthening its position as a strategic partner throughout North America.

The first phase of this expansion includes the installation of a state-of-the-art, highly automated packaging line to produce its isothermal boxes, including the new northbox Xtend technology.

These announcements are part of Cascades’ strategic plan supporting its growth as a North American leader in environmentally sustainable packaging while contributing to the achievement of one of the goals in its fourth Sustainability Action Plan: that 100% of its manufactured packaging be recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2030.

In 2020, Cascades rolled out fully recycled thermoformed cardboard food trays in a “North American first.”

Edited By Joshua Poole