Loyal to its tradition of being avant-garde and innovative, Cascades has the largest private Canadian R&D centre in the pulp and paper sector.

The Research and Development Centre provides Cascades' operating units, with the “know-how”, of some 40 employees who specialize in various fields of expertise such as product development, machine operation and wet-end chemistry. The Centre is also active in setting up projects to reduce raw material and water consumption. Its constant commitment to the environment is demonstrated by the development of effective, environmentally friendly de-inking processes, as well as through major innovations in recycled pulp bleaching.

A true hotbed of talent, the Research & Development Centre  is often a good starting place for a brilliant career for young promising scientists.  Some 40 scientists who started their career at the CRD now have key positions in one of Cascades' operating units worldwide.

 

CRD researchers also make a special point of sharing their knowledge with the scientific community and proudly represent Cascades. They contribute to specialized scientific journals (Journal of Pulp & Paper Science, Colloids & Surfaces A, the Journal of Physical Chemistry, etc.) and are speakers at international conferences (Entretiens Jacques-Cartier, Fundamental and Applied Pulp & Paper Modelling Symposium, International Paper & Coating Chemistry Symposium, etc.).

 

At the heart of Cascades' technological evolution since 1985, the CRD has been an important driver for the company's development. In 2008, the CRD team wrote 830 reports, which served to increase the competitiveness of Cascades' plants, which are the main beneficiaries.