What Cascades Sonoco does

Cascades Sonoco is a privately held joint venture between Cascades Inc. (TSX: CAS) and Sonoco Products Company (NYSE: SON), established in 1993 and headquartered in Hartsville, South Carolina. The company manufactures sustainable barrier coatings, laminations, and roll packaging for B2B customers across North America, with two core technology platforms: aqueous-based barrier chemistries (FlexSHIELD®, SurfSHIELD®, FluteSHIELD®) designed to replace polyethylene and wax coatings while remaining recyclable, repulpable, and (where certified) compostable; and the patented Dry-TECH™ moisture-barrier roll packaging system for paper mills and converters. Products are qualified against FDA, CFIA, and EUR direct-food-contact requirements and hold third-party certifications from TÜV AUSTRIA, BNQ, the Fiber Box Association, SQF (GFSI), and FSC.

The Birmingham, Alabama facility — anchored by the May 2023-commissioned 'Dream Machine' production line, a $17M investment delivering in excess of 50,000 tons per year of coating and lamination capacity — is the primary operating asset. Customers span meat & seafood, bakery, dry goods, produce, food service, electronics, automotive, and paper/printing end-markets. Cascades Sonoco sells through a direct enterprise field-sales model with embedded technical account engineers who perform on-site qualification, process redesign, and troubleshooting; pricing is custom-quoted against substrate specification, volume, and customization, with multi-year contract cadences and supply-chain programs (JIT delivery, consignment, VMI, mixed truckloads).

The business model rests on three revenue streams: (1) sale of custom coatings, laminations, and roll-packaging components, (2) sale of complete roll-packaging systems and equipment (heat platens, headers, patches, wrap), and (3) paid technical and supply-chain services. The JV generates undisclosed revenue; financial scale is bounded by the JV's 101–250 employee footprint and the 50,000+ tons/year Birmingham run-rate. Strategic emphasis is on sustainability-driven substitution of wax and plastic coatings, supported by active participation in ASTM, AF&PA, AICC, the Foodservice Packaging Institute, and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.

Name

Cascades Sonoco

Legal name

Cascades-Sonoco

Website

https://cascades-sonoco.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Cascades Sonoco is a Cascades Inc. and Sonoco Products Company joint venture (founded 1993, Hartsville, South Carolina) that manufactures water-based sustainable barrier coatings, laminations, and patented roll packaging systems for North American food, produce, paper, electronics, and automotive converters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Packaging Materials

NAICS

Paper Manufacturing (322), Converted Paper Product Manufacturing (3222), Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including Laminated) Manufacturing (326112)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851), Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650), Paper Mills (2621)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodegradable Coatings & Barrier Layers (paper/packaging barriers) (IMAEAOAH)

Keywords

• Barrier coatings
• Sustainable packaging
• Roll packaging
• Corrugated medium
• Water-based coatings

Headquarters

HQ city

Hartsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Coatings and Laminations: Cascades Sonoco generates revenue through the sale of custom barrier coatings, laminations, and roll packaging solutions to B2B customers. The company works directly with customers to develop tailored solutions for specific packaging requirements across various industries including food service, meat/seafood, bakery, electronics, and automotive. Revenue is derived from both the materials (coatings, films, medium) and associated technical services including process qualification and on-site technical support.
2. Roll Packaging Products and Systems: Sale of roll packaging products including Dry-TECH system components (inside headers, outside headers, roll patches, roll wrap, heat platens). The company produces Garda chipboard headers, NeoCorr corrugated headers, and various substrates at different calipers and basis weights. Products are sold as complete systems or individual components for integration into existing customer manufacturing lines.
3. Technical Support and Engineering Services: The company provides technical support services including process/product redesign, productivity assessments, technical seminars, on-site technical support, cost-effective solution development, technical assistance for packaging line qualification, and troubleshooting. Supply chain solutions include just-in-time delivery, consignment, vendor management inventory, and mixed truckloads. These services support the core product sales and create deeper customer relationships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cascades Sonoco develops, manufactures, and sells sustainable water-based barrier coatings, specialty laminations, and roll packaging systems for paper and paperboard substrates. Its products replace traditional polyethylene and wax coatings used by packaging converters, food producers, paper mills, and industrial shippers, offering recyclable, repulpable, and in many cases compostable alternatives that meet FDA, CFIA, and EUR direct-food-contact requirements.

Product overview

Cascades Sonoco offers a comprehensive suite of sustainable barrier packaging solutions centered around three core product lines: FlexSHIELD® (water-based barrier coatings for folding cartons), SurfSHIELD® (environmental protection coatings and laminations), and FluteSHIELD® (corrugated medium as a wax replacement). These are complemented by the Dry-TECH™ System, which provides complete moisture barrier protection for roll packaging. The product portfolio emphasizes sustainability, with all major products being recyclable, repulpable, and many being compostable alternatives to traditional plastic and wax coatings. The company also offers supporting components including inside/outside headers, roll patches, roll wrap, and heat platens for complete packaging solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FlexSHIELD®: Aqueous-based barrier coating designed for folding carton applications. The first fully compostable product providing polyethylene-like protection. FDA-, CFIA-, and EUR-compliant for direct food contact. Compostable, recyclable, and repulpable. Used in to-go containers, hot cups, frozen containers, and folding cartons.
• SurfSHIELD®
• FluteSHIELD®
• Dry-TECH™

Products and services

• FlexSHIELD® Barrier Coating Aqueous-based barrier coating designed for folding carton and foodservice applications, providing polyethylene-like water and grease resistance while being fully compostable, recyclable, and repulpable. Heat-sealable, FDA/CFIA/EUR-compliant for direct food contact, and crack-resistant in scores and folds; positioned as a sustainable alternative to polyethylene coatings for takeout boxes, hot cups, and frozen food containers.
• SurfSHIELD® Coatings and Laminations Proprietary line of resin-based and water-based coatings plus specialty films and foil laminations applied to paper and paperboard substrates. Available in Regular Cobb, Super Cobb, and SurfSHIELD Plus variants to deliver water hold-out, grease barrier (3M Kit ratings), anti-abrasive, anti-static, anti-slipping, rust-inhibiting (VCI), color-preserving, and bakery-release properties across meat, seafood, bakery, dry goods, produce, electronics, and automotive packaging markets.
• FluteSHIELD® Corrugated Medium Corrugated medium with heat-activated chemistry that renders the medium water-repellent during the corrugating process. When used in concert with SurfSHIELD paper coatings it provides a complete wax-replacement solution that is 100% recyclable and repulpable, meets the UN Cobb standard (30 minutes Cobb under 100 g/m²), and is FDA- and CFIA-compliant for direct food contact.
• Dry-TECH™ Roll Packaging System Patented moisture barrier system for paper roll packaging combining waterproof materials with a patented closure design. Includes inside headers, outside headers, roll patches, roll wrap, and heat platens; certified recyclable as OCC by the Fiber Box Association and proven in customer data to reduce year-over-year water damage claims by more than 80%. Sold to paper mills, converters, and printers across North America.

Quantifiable outcome

• Year-over-year water damage claim reductions of more than 80 percent using Dry-TECH roll packaging system
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and minor.

• Cascades Inc.flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCascades Sonoco is a joint venture between Cascades Inc. and Sonoco Products Company. Cascades (founded 1964) is a Canadian sustainable packaging company employing approximately 10,000-11,700 people across 80-85 facilities in North America and Europe. Cascades was ranked 18th most sustainable corporation globally by Corporate Knights Global 100 index and is committed to Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) approved GHG emission reduction targets. Cascades trades on Toronto Stock Exchange under ticker CAS.
• Sonoco Products CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSonoco Products Company (founded 1899, NYSE: SON) is a global provider of consumer, industrial, healthcare, and protective packaging with annual net sales of approximately $5.2-5.6 billion. Approximately 19,000-20,500 employees work in approximately 300 operations in 32-34 countries serving brands in 85 nations. Sonoco ranked first in Packaging sector on Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies for 2022 and was included in Barron's 100 Most Sustainable Companies for four consecutive years. The company's corporate purpose is 'Better Packaging. Better Life.'
• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)minorOthersCascades Sonoco is a member of ASTM International, participating in standards development for paper and packaging industry.
• American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA)minorOthersCascades Sonoco is a member of AF&PA, the major trade association representing the pulp, paper, packaging, tissue and wood products industry in the United States.
• AICC (Independent Corrugated Converters)minorOthersCascades Sonoco is a member of AICC, the independent corrugated converters association.
• Foodservice Packaging InstituteminorOthersCascades Sonoco is a member of the Foodservice Packaging Institute, supporting the foodservice packaging industry.
• Sustainable Packaging CoalitionminorOthersCascades Sonoco is a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, a collaborative working group focused on packaging sustainability.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sealed Air Corporation: Sealed Air provides protective and sustainable packaging solutions including Cryovac food packaging and Bubble Wrap, with a growing focus on recyclable/compostable coatings. Directly comparable as a B2B barrier packaging manufacturer serving food, industrial, and retail customers with water-resistant coating technologies.
• Mondi Group: Mondi is a global leader in sustainable paper-based packaging with barrier coatings for food, consumer goods, and industrial applications. Comparable in developing recyclable alternatives to plastic laminations and serving corrugated/folding carton markets with sustainability certifications.
• Graphic Packaging Holding Company: Graphic Packaging manufactures paperboard packaging including coated unbleached kraft and folding cartons with barrier properties for food and beverage customers. Directly comparable in serving food service and consumer goods with barrier-coated paperboard solutions.

Broad incumbents

• Sonoco Products Company: Sonoco is one of Cascades Sonoco's two parent companies and a global provider of consumer, industrial, healthcare, and protective packaging. While it owns half of the JV, its broader portfolio across rigid containers, protective solutions, and flexible packaging overlaps with Cascades Sonoco's barrier coating capabilities.
• Cascades Inc. Cascades is the other parent company of Cascades Sonoco and a Canadian sustainable packaging manufacturer with tissue, packaging, and specialty products divisions. Comparable as a broader North American paper-based packaging player with overlapping sustainability positioning and substrate supply capabilities.
• Smurfit Westrock: Smurfit Westrock is the world's largest paper-based packaging company, producing containerboard, corrugated packaging, and coated products. Comparable in scale and customer base, with growing emphasis on recyclable barrier solutions for food and consumer goods packaging.
• International Paper: International Paper is one of the largest pulp, paper, and packaging producers globally, with significant North American containerboard and corrugated operations. Comparable as a major supplier of paper substrates and producer of coated packaging serving similar end markets.

Regional players

• Packaging Corporation of America: Packaging Corporation of America is a major North American producer of containerboard and corrugated products serving similar food, industrial, and retail end markets. Comparable in substrate manufacturing and coatings application, though focused more on containerboard than specialty barrier coatings.
• Greif Inc. Greif is a global leader in industrial packaging including coated paper and corrugated products serving food, chemical, and industrial customers. Comparable in barrier-coated paperboard and containerboard manufacturing with similar multi-vertical reach.

Emerging players

• Novolex (Hood Packaging): Novolex is a leader in sustainable packaging innovation including paper-based and compostable flexible packaging solutions. Comparable in developing recyclable alternatives to plastic laminations for food service and consumer applications, with similar sustainability certifications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cascades Sonoco