Apr 20, 2005. /Lesprom Network/. Buckeye Technologies Inc. (NYSE:BKI) announced that it earned $4.1 million after tax (11 cents per share) in the quarter ended March 31, 2005. The Company's results include $0.8 million after tax (2 cents per share) in restructuring costs associated with the previously announced plan to close the Glueckstadt, Germany cotton linter pulp plant at the end of 2005, early extinguishment of debt, and fees related to amending the Company's credit facilities. During the same quarter of the prior year, the Company incurred a loss of $27.5 million after tax (74 cents per share) which included $28.6 million after tax in restructuring and impairment costs, primarily relating to the closure of its Cork, Ireland nonwovens manufacturing facility. Excluding restructuring, impairment, and financing charges in both years, the Company earned $4.9 million after tax (13 cents per share) in January-March 2005 which compares with $1.1 million after tax (3 cents per share) in January-March 2004. Net sales in the just completed quarter were $180.9 million, 5% above the $172.8 million in the same quarter in the prior year. Buckeye Chairman, David B. Ferraro, commented, "Although we did experience some slowdown in sales of nonwoven materials, sales of specialty fibers continue to be strong. Additionally, we are making good progress in implementing our plan to transfer production of grades currently manufactured at the Glueckstadt facility to our plants in the United States and Brazil when Glueckstadt ceases production at the end of calendar 2005." Mr. Ferraro further stated, "While rising costs for chemicals, energy, and other materials continue to have a negative impact on margins, we did reduce our debt net of cash by $17.2 million. We remain confident that the underlying strength of our business will lead to future earnings growth."