US-based SunCoke Energy, Inc. has announced preliminary first quarter domestic coke production of 998,000 mt, up an estimated 54,000 mt year on year, reflecting favorable production and better coal-to-coke yields this winter as compared to the same period last year. Domestic capacity utilization for the first quarter of 2015 is estimated to be 95 percent, as compared to 90 percent for the same prior year period.
The company said that production at its Indiana Harbor coke making facility improved year-over-year, but was below its first quarter 2015 targeted range. SunCoke now estimates full year 2015 coke production at Indiana Harbor will be approximately 1.1 million mt.