CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (DEFICIT) (USD $) In Millions	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 641.1	$ 1.2	$ 1,909.4	$ (170.1)	$ (1,188.4)	$ 92.6	$ (3.6)
Net income (loss)	34.8				38.3		(3.5)
Share-based compensation	11.8		11.8
Stock options exercised	0.2		0.2
Tax provision from common stock compensation	(0.4)		(0.4)
Purchase of treasury stock	(1.4)			(1.4)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(48.1)					(48.1)
Common stock dividends	(16.5)				(16.5)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(2.1)						(2.1)
Balance at Sep. 30, 2011	619.4	1.2	1,921.0	(171.5)	(1,166.6)	44.5	(9.2)
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	377.2	1.2	1,922.2	(171.6)	(1,366.0)	2.7	(11.3)
Net income (loss)	(777.0)				(796.9)		19.9
Share-based compensation	12.0		12.0
Tax provision from common stock compensation	(0.5)		(0.5)
Purchase of treasury stock	(1.7)			(1.7)
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(24.9)					(24.9)
Common stock dividends	(11.0)				(11.0)
Income tax payable assumed by noncontrolling interest on behalf of SunCoke Middletown	12.0						12.0
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	$ (413.9)	$ 1.2	$ 1,933.7	$ (173.3)	$ (2,173.9)	$ (22.2)	$ 20.6