Walter Coke Inc. is one of the oldest industrial companies in Birmingham, Ala. It is a manufacturer of furnace and foundry coke, mineral wool and specialty chemicals. The company has been one of the nation s leading manufacturers of coke since 1920 and produces more than 460,000 tons of coke annually. Coke products include blast furnace coke, foundry, coke and buckwheat coke. The fiber division of Walter Coke has been one of the nations major manufacturers of slag wool and derivative processed fibers for use in a wide variety of markets and applications ranging from ceiling tile and insulation to asphalt and friction materials. The company s chemical division is a major supplier of versatile industrial catalysts, modifiers, agricultural, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical intermediates and performance enhancing antioxidants for rubber and plastics.