Following record earnings from its coke business in 2008 of $105 million, Sunoco Inc. (SUN) expects a modest return from the business in 2009, an official said Thursday.

Petroleum coke is used as a component in steel, and weakness in the steel market will impact Sunoco's business, said Michael J. Thomson, president of SunCoke Energy Inc., Sunoco's coke-making division. Despite the anticipated dip in 2009, Sunoco executives have said they plan to continue to invest in the coke division for the long term.

Sunoco said it expects contract prices for coke to drop in 2009, and anticipates lower sales.

-By Jessica Resnick-Ault, Dow Jones Newswires; 201-938-4435; jessica.resnick-ault@dowjones.com