Oct 12, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. Twenty-four pulp and paper mills have qualified for Canada's version of the United States' black liquor program. Unlike the U.S. program, Canada requires the qualifying mills use the money from the program to finance environmental upgrades, ForestTalk reported. The Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program allows Canadian pulp and paper companies that produced black liquor - a liquid by-product of the chemical pulping process that is used to generate renewable energy - in 2009 to access this $1-billion fund. Qualified companies will be able to use the program to help finance green projects at any pulp and paper facility they own. As a result, many mills across Canada that did not generate credits through black liquor production will still benefit from this program. Qualified companies are now required to submit specific project proposals for their facilities. Companies can expect to receive funding for their capital projects in late 2009 or early in 2010. Companies have until 2012 to apply the credits to environmental improvement projects.