Stepan Company

Stepan Company, incorporated in Delaware on February 19, 1959, and its subsidiaries produce specialty and intermediate chemicals for other manufacturers, which are used in various end products. The company operates through three reportable segments: Surfactants, Polymers, and Specialty Products. Surfactants are chemical agents that modify surface interactions, providing functions such as detergency, wetting, foaming, dispersing, emulsification, demulsification, viscosity modification, and biocidal disinfection. They are fundamental cleaning agents in detergents for laundry, dishes, carpets, and floors, as well as in personal care products like shampoos, body wash, conditioners, fabric softeners, toothpastes, and cosmetics. Commercial and industrial uses include emulsifiers for agricultural products, emulsion polymers for floor polishes and latex foams/coatings, wetting/foaming agents for wallboard, and oilfield applications. Polymers include polyurethane polyols, polyester resins, and phthalic anhydride. Polyurethane polyols are used in rigid foam for thermal insulation in construction and as raw materials for coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE). Polyester resins, available as liquid and powder, are also used in CASE applications. Phthalic anhydride is used in polyester resins, alkyd resins, and plasticizers for construction materials, automotive, boating, and other consumer products, and internally for polyol production. Specialty Products are chemicals used in food, flavoring, nutritional supplement, and pharmaceutical applications. The company sells to a wide range of manufacturers across many industries, competing primarily on product performance, price, technical assistance, ability to meet customer needs, and capacity availability.