---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-26-062405"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "SCL"
cik: "0000094049"
company_name: "STEPAN CO"
filed_at: "2026-02-23T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-16T01:22:18.903494+00:00"
event_type: "other_material"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.75
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Stepan announces Project Catalyst restructuring targeting $100M pre-tax savings

## Summary
- Project Catalyst targets approximately $100M in pre-tax savings over two years.
- Company to close Fieldsboro, NJ site and decommission assets at Elwood, IL and Stalybridge, UK by mid-2026.
- Restructuring charges of $70-80M in 2026, with $52-62M expected in Q1 2026; cash impact $29-44M, non-cash $58-62M.
- Plan follows sale of Philippines and Lake Providence sites at end of 2025; aims to optimize global manufacturing footprint.
- CEO Luis Rojo says plan partially offsets inflationary pressures and supports strategic investments for growth.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-26-062405
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: SCL
- cik: 0000094049
- company_name: STEPAN CO
- filed_at: 2026-02-23T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: other_material
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.75
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.75
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 2.05, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/94049/000119312526062405/0001193125-26-062405-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/94049/000119312526062405/d103427d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-062405
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-062405.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-26-062405.txt

## Key facts
- Restructurings & Charges
  STEPAN CO announced a restructuring with charges of in the range of $70 to $80 million affecting Fieldsboro, New Jersey site; Elwood (Millsdale), Illinois and Stalybridge, United Kingdom facilities.
  - Type: restructuring
  - Charge: in the range of $70 to $80 million
  - Affected area: Fieldsboro, New Jersey site; Elwood (Millsdale), Illinois and Stalybridge, United Kingdom facilities
  source text: On February 20, 2026, the Board of Directors of Stepan Company (“Stepan” or the “Company”) approved a comprehensive operational and efficiency plan with the objective to deliver approximately $100 million in pre-tax savings over the next two years (“Project Catalyst”). As part of Project Catalyst, the Company will close its Fieldsboro, New Jersey site and decommission select assets at its Elwood (Millsdale), Illinois and Stalybridge, United Kingdom facilities, by mid-2026. The Company anticipates recognizing restructuring charges in the range of $70 to $80 million in 2026, of which approximately $52 to $62 million is expected to be recognized in the three months ending March 31, 2026.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/94049/000119312526062405/0001193125-26-062405-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.