SunCoke Energy, Inc. Domestic Coke Production Estimated to Be 1.03 Million Tons in Fourth Quarter 2015

  • Full-year 2015 domestic coke production projected to be 4.12 million tons versus 4.17 million tons in 2014

LISLE, Ill.--()--SunCoke Energy, Inc. (NYSE: SXC) today reported preliminary fourth quarter 2015 domestic coke production of 1.03 million tons, down an estimated 53,000 tons. The decline largely reflects 2015 Granite City volumes at contract maximum levels as well as below target production at our Indiana Harbor cokemaking facility.

Full-year 2015 estimated coke production of 4.12 million tons is down approximately 52,000 tons compared with full-year 2014, reflecting the same items discussed above and in line with 2015 production guidance of 4.1 million to 4.2 million tons.

Domestic capacity utilization for fourth quarter and full-year 2015 is estimated to be 96 percent and 97 percent, respectively, as compared to 101 percent and 98 percent for the same prior year periods.

Preliminary Domestic Coke Production and Capacity Utilization
  For quarter ended   For year ended
December 31, December 31,
(Coke production in thousands of tons)   2015(1)   2014   2015   2014
Domestic Coke Production 1,030   1,083 4,123   4,175
Capacity Utilization (percent)   96   101   97   98
(1) Estimated    
 

See exhibit at end of release for domestic coke production schedule for the last four quarters.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

SunCoke Energy, Inc. also tentatively plans to issue fourth quarter 2015 earnings before market opens and host an investor conference call at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Central Time) on Thursday, January 28, 2016. This conference call will be webcast live and archived for replay in the Investor Relations section of www.suncoke.com. Investors may participate in this call by dialing 1-877-201-0168 in the U.S. or 1-647-788-4901 if outside the U.S., confirmation code 22719293.

ABOUT SUNCOKE ENERGY, INC.

SunCoke Energy, Inc. (NYSE: SXC) supplies high-quality coke to the integrated steel industry under long-term, take-or-pay contracts that pass through commodity and certain operating costs to customers. We utilize an innovative heat-recovery cokemaking technology that captures excess heat for steam or electrical power generation. We are the sponsor of SunCoke Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE: SXCP), a publicly traded master limited partnership, holding a 2 percent general partner interest, 53 percent limited partnership interest and all of the incentive distribution rights. Our cokemaking facilities are located in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, Brazil and India. To learn more about SunCoke Energy, Inc., visit our website at www.suncoke.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the statements included in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” (as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts and may be identified by the use of such words as “believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “may,” “will,” “should” or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties (many of which are beyond the control of SXC) that could cause actual results to differ materially.

Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to domestic and international economic, political, business, operational, competitive, regulatory and/or market factors affecting SXC, as well as uncertainties related to: pending or future litigation, legislation or regulatory actions; liability for remedial actions or assessments under existing or future environmental regulations; gains and losses related to acquisition, disposition or impairment of assets; recapitalizations; access to, and costs of, capital; the effects of changes in accounting rules applicable to SXC; and changes in tax, environmental and other laws and regulations applicable to SXC's businesses.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, but are based upon the current knowledge, beliefs and expectations of SXC management, and upon assumptions by SXC concerning future conditions, any or all of which ultimately may prove to be inaccurate. The reader should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. SXC does not intend, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update or alter its forward-looking statements (or associated cautionary language), whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date of this press release except as required by applicable law.

In accordance with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, SXC has included in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission cautionary language identifying important factors (but not necessarily all the important factors) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by SXC. For information concerning these factors, see SXC's Securities and Exchange Commission filings such as its annual and quarterly reports and current reports on Form 8-K, copies of which are available free of charge on SXC's website at www.suncoke.com. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by such cautionary statements. Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this release also could have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements.

SunCoke Energy, Inc.
Domestic Coke Production and Capacity Utilization
  For quarter ended   For quarter ended   For quarter ended   For quarter ended
December 31, September 30, June 30, March 31,
(Coke production in thousands of tons)   2015(1)   2014   2015   2014   2015   2014   2015   2014
Domestic Coke Production 1,030   1,083 1,049   1,090 1,047   1,059 998   944
Capacity Utilization (percent)   96   101   98   102   99   100   95   90
(1) Estimated

Contacts

SunCoke Energy, Inc.
Investors:
Kyle Bland: 630-824-1907
or
Media:
Steve Carlson: 630-824-1783

Contacts

SunCoke Energy, Inc.
Investors:
Kyle Bland: 630-824-1907
or
Media:
Steve Carlson: 630-824-1783