Black liquor tax credits give US pulp and paper industry balance sheets a $2.3 billion boost in the first half of 2009

摘要

Black liquor energy tax credits poured into US pulp and paper mills in the second quarter to the tune of up to $1.73 billion, mostly pretax, according to a PPl Pulp & Paper Week survey of industry financial reports. Many companies did not apply for the alternative energy fuel credit until January and saw approval from the Internal Revenue Service in April, so much of the second quarter credits included first quarter qualifications. "Obviously it is a huge, huge boost in profitability to the industry," summed one financial analyst. "But several were already profitable without it."