Cascades Tissue Group Upgrades Hand Hygiene, Bringing First-Ever Antibacterial Paper Towel to U.S. Market

WATERFORD, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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.

“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.”

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. For more information, visit www.cascades.com/bacteria.

Product Adds to Growing Portfolio of Novel Towel and Tissue Innovations
This paper towel is the third innovation Cascades Tissue Group has introduced to the North American “Away-from-Home” market this year. Earlier this year, the company launched Cascades® Elite™ towels and Cascades® Moka™ 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, its 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 whitening 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.