STEPAN Business Summary

Stepan Company (SCL) is a global manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals, generating revenue primarily through the high-volume sale of chemical-based products to industrial and consumer-facing customers. The company operates through three core business segments: Surfactants, its largest division, which produces cleaning agents for detergents, shampoos, and agricultural solutions; Polymers, which manufactures polyurethane polyols for thermal insulation and phthalic anhydride for construction and automotive industries; and Specialty Products, focused on chemicals for food and flavoring. As of February 2026, the company is executing "Project Catalyst," a strategic restructuring initiative aimed at achieving $100 million in pre-tax savings through asset optimization and facility closures. Stepan competes directly with specialty chemical peers such as Innospec (IOSP), Arkema, Cabot Corporation, and Clariant AG, maintaining a dominant market position as the world’s largest merchant manufacturer of anionic surfactants. Founded in 1932 by Alfred C. Stepan, Jr., the company remains under the leadership of the founding family, with F. Quinn Stepan, Jr. serving as Chairman of the Board. The executive team is led by President and CEO Luis E. Rojo, who was promoted to the role in October 2024 after serving as the company's CFO and spending over two decades in senior finance roles at Procter & Gamble. Ruben Velasquez, a former 3M executive with extensive experience in global finance transformation, was appointed Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in July 2025. Other key leaders include Dr. Jason S. Keiper, Vice President and Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer, and Robert J. Haire, Executive Vice President of Supply Chain. The company’s board features industry veterans such as Corning Painter (CEO of Orion S.A.) and Joaquin Delgado (formerly of 3M), while its institutional investor base is anchored by major firms including Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street.