SunCoke Energy has begun construction of a $360 million coke plant in Middletown, Ohio, which will eventually create 85 jobs. The completed facility will supply AK Steel with approximately 550,000 tons of metallurgical coke each year.

It's also environmentally friendly, recovering waste heat from the coking process to generate approximately 50 megawatts - or 25 percent - of Middletown Works' annual energy requirements.

"Our long-term agreement with SunCoke Energy to supply AK Steel with coke and electrical power is one of the most forward-looking commitments by our company in recent years," said AK Steel President and CEO James L. Wainscott. "The new SunCoke plant will play a vital role in the future competitiveness of our Middletown Works by providing a stable and competitive supply of coke for our blast furnace."

Metallurgical coke is used to produce molten iron in blast furnaces. AK Steel operates coke batteries in Middletown and Ashland, Kentucky.