Cascades EVOK expands into US with Johnsonville

Packaging producer Cascades Inc., Kingsey Falls, Quebec, has announced the arrival of Cascades EVOK, a polystyrene (PS) foam food tray packaging made with 25 percent recycled material, on the American market in collaboration with Johnsonville Sausage. This is the first national sausage brand to use PS foam trays made of 25 percent recycled content, which are now manufactured in the United States.

Launched in Canada in 2013, Cascades says its EVOK is now manufactured in the company’s American installations in order to respond to the needs of numerous businesses eager to reduce their environmental impact. The packaging producer says with a content of 25 percent recycled material, the greenhouse gas emissions of EVOK generated in the United States is reduced by 15 compared with regular PS foam. By replacing its regular PS foam trays with EVOK, Johnsonville will be able to lower its carbon footprint by an equivalent of 750 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually, which is equivalent to more than 270,000 round trips to the grocery store in an average-size vehicle, Cascades says.

Cascades and Johnsonville collaborated in the operational improvements, which, as of May 1, have led to changes that will reduce the environmental impact of their packaging. In 2010, Cascades says it helped Johnsonville transition from a full rectangular-shaped tray to a new curved tray that mimics the shape of its dinner sausages. This improvement led to a 6 percent reduction in packaging being used, along with adding a distinctive feature that stands out on the shelves. To this date, the initiative has resulted in the decrease of 120,000 pounds of waste material per year, the company says.

EVOK trays are used for the packaging of food products such as meat, poultry, fish and seafood, as well as fruits and vegetables. This innovation by Cascades is one of many that subscribe to the objective of reducing environmental impacts, according to the company.

“This announcement reinforces our leadership position as a manufacturer of environmentally friendly packaging for fresh food and our dedication to being a solution provider of choice for our clients,” says Luc Langevin, president and chief operating officer of Cascades’ Specialty Products Group.

To find out more about EVOK, visit food-packaging.cascades.com, Cascades’ website dedicated to food packaging products.

The Consumer Products Packaging sector of Cascades Specialty Products Group designs and manufactures packaging for fresh produce that meets the needs of food and fast food markets, including the consumer goods sector. The company specializes in the manufacturing of trays with or without barriers for the packaging of fresh meats, as well as containers for pastries, fruits and vegetables or bulk food products.

Founded in 1964, Cascades produces, converts and markets packaging and tissue products that are composed mainly of recycled fibers. The company employs 11,000 employees, who work in nearly 90 production units located in North America and Europe.