Stepan (SCL) 10-Q 8 May 24 2024 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Apr. 26, 2024
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2024
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2024
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	SCL
Entity Registrant Name	STEPAN COMPANY
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Central Index Key	0000094049
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,474,910
Entity Tax Identification Number	36-1823834
Entity File Number	1-4462
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Address Line One	1101 Skokie Boulevard
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 500
Entity Address, City or Town	Northbrook
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60062
City Area Code	847
Local Phone Number	446-7500
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $1 par value
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 551,418	$ 651,436
Cost of Sales	481,137	577,876
Gross Profit	70,281	73,560
Operating Expenses:
Selling	11,388	13,067
Administrative	22,690	22,639
Research, development and technical services	14,256	15,138
Deferred compensation expense	1,778	1,502
Total Operating expenses	50,112	52,346
Business restructuring expense		157
Operating Income	20,169	21,057
Other Income (Expense):
Interest, net	(3,071)	(2,822)
Other, net (Note 15)	2,362	1,668
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	(709)	(1,154)
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes	19,460	19,903
Provision for Income Taxes	5,567	3,761
Net Income	$ 13,893	$ 16,142
Net Income Per Common Share (Note 10):
Basic	$ 0.61	$ 0.71
Diluted	$ 0.61	$ 0.7
Shares Used to Compute Net Income Per Common Share (Note 10):
Basic	22,824	22,757
Diluted	22,948	22,994

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 13,893	$ 16,142
Other Comprehensive Income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments (Note 11)	(6,551)	18,423
Defined benefit pension adjustments, net of tax (Note 11)	58	58
Derivative instrument activity, net of tax (Note 11)	829	(1,517)
Total Other Comprehensive Income	(5,664)	16,964
Comprehensive Income	$ 8,229	$ 33,106

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 125,775	$ 129,823
Receivables, net	446,569	422,050
Inventories (Note 6)	257,118	265,558
Other current assets	40,344	34,452
Total current assets	869,806	851,883
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Cost	2,605,219	2,585,058
Less: Accumulated depreciation	(1,399,585)	(1,378,393)
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,205,634	1,206,665
Goodwill, net	96,309	97,442
Other intangible assets, net	50,564	52,571
Long-term investments (Note 3)	23,466	26,804
Operating lease assets (Note 7)	71,483	70,646
Other non-current assets	55,885	57,343
Total assets	2,373,147	2,363,354
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of debt (Note 14)	245,861	252,898
Accounts payable	256,880	233,031
Accrued liabilities	126,112	121,941
Total current liabilities	628,853	607,870
Deferred income taxes	10,257	10,373
Long-term debt, less current maturities (Note 14)	400,121	401,248
Non-current operating lease liabilities (Note 7)	59,063	58,026
Other non-current liabilities	60,331	69,347
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8)
Equity:
Common stock, $1 par value; authorized 60,000,000 shares; 27,124,666 issued shares in 2024 and 27,005,852 issued shares in 2023	27,125	27,006
Additional paid-in capital	248,337	247,032
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 11)	(136,266)	(130,602)
Retained earnings	1,262,937	1,257,466
Less: Common treasury stock, at cost, 4,650,882 shares in 2024 and 4,628,072 shares in 2023	(187,611)	(184,412)
Total Stepan Company stockholders’ equity	1,214,522	1,216,490
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,373,147	$ 2,363,354

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized	60,000,000	60,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	27,124,666	27,005,852
Treasury stock, shares	4,650,882	4,628,072

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
Net income	$ 13,893	$ 16,142
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	27,604	25,542
Deferred compensation	1,778	1,502
Realized and unrealized gains on long-term investments	(2,267)	(1,516)
Stock-based compensation	1,372	999
Deferred income taxes	2,201	(660)
Other non-cash items	650	36
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables, net	(26,043)	(40,420)
Inventories	3,202	38,265
Other current assets	(5,931)	(9,222)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	25,965	(98,523)
Pension liabilities	(502)	(531)
Environmental and legal liabilities	(56)	(3,464)
Deferred revenues	(312)	(208)
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities	41,554	(72,058)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(30,157)	(92,158)
Other, net	5,742	1,817
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities	(24,415)	(90,341)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
Revolving debt and bank overdrafts, net (Note 14)	(8,415)	123,847
Dividends paid	(8,422)	(8,160)
Stock option exercises	865	1,514
Other, net	(4,012)	(3,665)
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities	(19,984)	113,536
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	(1,203)	2,069
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(4,048)	(46,794)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	129,823	173,750
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	125,775	126,956
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Cash payments of income taxes, net of refunds	4,818	15,518
Cash payments of interest	$ 7,284	$ 6,007

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Pay vs Performance Disclosure
Net Income (Loss)	$ 13,893	$ 16,142

Insider Trading Arrangements

Insider Trading Arrangements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Trading Arrangements, by Individual
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false

Condensed Consolidated Financia

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Stepan Company (the Company), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although management believes that the disclosures are adequate and make the information presented not misleading. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2024, its results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, have been included. These financial statements and related footnotes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related footnotes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K).

Reconciliations of Equity

Reconciliations of Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Equity [Abstract]
Reconciliations of Equity	2. RECONCILIATIONS OF EQUITY Below are reconciliations of total equity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023: (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) Total Common Additional Common Accumulated Retained Balance, December 31, 2023 $ 1,216,490 $ 27,006 $ 247,032 $ ( 184,412 ) $ ( 130,602 ) $ 1,257,466 Issuance of 20,668 shares of common 865 21 844 — — — Stock-based and deferred compensation ( 2,640 ) 98 461 ( 3,199 ) — — Net income 13,893 — — — — 13,893 Other comprehensive income ( 5,664 ) — — — ( 5,664 ) — Cash dividends paid: Common stock ($ 0.375 per share) ( 8,422 ) — — — — ( 8,422 ) Balance, March 31, 2024 $ 1,214,522 $ 27,125 $ 248,337 $ ( 187,611 ) $ ( 136,266 ) $ 1,262,937 (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) Total Common Additional Common Accumulated Retained Balance, December 31, 2022 $ 1,166,065 $ 26,841 $ 237,202 $ ( 180,596 ) $ ( 167,512 ) $ 1,250,130 Issuance of 25,981 shares of common 1,514 26 1,488 — — — Stock-based and deferred compensation ( 2,612 ) 91 895 ( 3,598 ) — — Net income 16,142 — — — — 16,142 Other comprehensive income (loss) 16,964 — — — 16,964 — Cash dividends paid: Common stock ($ 0.365 per share) ( 8,160 ) — — — — ( 8,160 ) Balance, March 31, 2023 $ 1,189,913 $ 26,958 $ 239,585 $ ( 184,194 ) $ ( 150,548 ) $ 1,258,112

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	3. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Derivative assets and liabilities include the foreign currency exchange and interest rate swap contracts discussed in Note 4, Derivative Instruments , of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q). Fair value and carrying value were the same because the contracts were recorded at fair value. The fair values of the foreign currency contracts were calculated as the difference between the applicable forward foreign exchange rates at the reporting date and the contracted foreign exchange rates multiplied by the contracted notional amounts. The fair value of the interest rate swap was calculated as the difference between the contracted swap rate and the floating interest rate multiplied by the present value of the notional amount of the contract. At March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023 , the fair values and related carrying values of debt, including current maturities, were as follows (the fair value and carrying value amounts are presented without regard to unamortized debt issuance costs of $ 772,000 and $ 895,000 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively): (In thousands) March 31, December 31, Fair value $ 614,024 $ 627,695 Carrying value 646,754 655,041 The following tables present financial assets and liabilities, excluding cash and cash equivalents, measured on a recurring basis at fair value as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall: (In thousands) March 31, Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Mutual fund assets $ 23,466 $ 23,466 $ — $ — Derivative assets: Interest rate contracts 7,014 — 7,014 — Foreign currency contracts 630 — 630 — Total assets at fair value $ 31,110 $ 23,466 $ 7,644 $ — Derivative liabilities: Foreign currency contracts $ 738 $ — $ 738 $ — (In thousands) December 31, Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Mutual fund assets $ 26,804 $ 26,804 $ — $ — Derivative assets: Interest rate contracts 6,183 — 6,183 — Foreign currency contracts 1,018 — 1,018 — Total assets at fair value $ 34,005 $ 26,804 $ 7,201 $ — Derivative liabilities: Foreign currency contracts $ 928 $ — $ 928 $ —

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments	4. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS At March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023 , the Company had open forward foreign currency exchange contracts to buy or sell foreign currencies with U.S. dollar equivalent amounts of $ 108,979,000 and $ 106,561,000 , respectively. All forward foreign exchange contracts at March 31, 2024 had durations of one month to three months . The Company is currently exposed to volatility in short-term interest rates and has mitigated certain portions of that risk by using an interest rate swap. The interest rate swap is recognized on the balance sheet as either an asset or a liability measured at fair value. At March 31, 2024 , the Company held an interest rate swap contract with a notional value of $ 100,000,000 that was designated as a cash flow hedge. Period-to-period changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap are initially recognized as gains or losses in other comprehensive income. As the interest rate swap contract is settled, the corresponding gain or loss is reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) into earnings. The maturity date of the current interest swap contract is March 10, 2027 , which is closely aligned with the June 24, 2027 maturity of the Company's revolving credit facility. The fair values of the derivative instruments held by the Company on March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, are disclosed in Note 3, Fair Value Measurements , of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q). Derivative instrument gains and losses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, were immaterial. For amounts reclassified out of AOCI into earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, see Note 11, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) , of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q).

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Stock-based Compensation	5. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Compensation expense recorded for all stock options, performance shares, time-based restricted stock units (RSUs) and stock appreciation rights (SARs) was as follows: (In thousands) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 $ 1,372 $ 999 Unrecognized compensation costs for stock options, performance shares, RSUs and SARs were as follows: (In thousands) March 31, December 31, Stock options $ 211 $ 127 Performance shares and RSUs 10,583 3,761 SARs 5,435 3,648 The change in unrecognized compensation costs for stock options, performance shares, RSUs and SARs is due to new grants issued in 2024. The Company granted the following awards in the first three months of 2024: Shares Stock options 3,356 Performance shares (at target) and RSUs 104,282 SARs 89,073 The unrecognized compensation costs at March 31, 2024 , are expected to be recognized over weighted-average periods of 2.2 years for stock options, 2.4 years for performance shares and RSUs and 2.1 years for SARs.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	6. INVENTORIES The composition of inventories at March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, was as follows: (In thousands) March 31, December 31, Finished goods $ 162,398 $ 184,828 Raw materials 94,720 80,730 Total inventories $ 257,118 $ 265,558

Leases

Leases	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	7. LEASES Lease cost is recognized in both the Cost of Sales and Operating Expenses sections of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. (In thousands) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 Lease Cost Operating lease cost $ 4,493 $ 4,349 Short-term lease cost 2,687 2,779 Variable lease cost 443 557 Total lease cost $ 7,623 $ 7,685 Other Information Cash paid for amounts included in the Operating cash flow from operating leases $ 4,488 $ 4,332 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange 989 6,545 The following table outlines the maturities of lease liabilities as of March 31, 2024. (In thousands) Undiscounted Cash Flows: 2024 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2024) $ 12,541 2025 12,911 2026 10,104 2027 7,771 2028 6,827 Subsequent to 2028 35,527 Total Undiscounted Cash Flows $ 85,681 Less: Imputed interest ( 13,080 ) Present value $ 72,601 Current operating lease liabilities (1) 13,538 Non-current operating lease liabilities 59,063 Total lease liabilities $ 72,601 (1) This item is included in the Accrued liabilities line on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Weighted-average remaining lease term-operating leases 9 Years Weighted-average discount rate-operating leases 3.9 % As of March 31, 2024 , the Company had office equipment and automobile leases, valued at approximately $ 922,000 , that had not commenced. These leases will commence during the second and third quarters of 2024 with lease terms ranging from three years to five years .

Contingencies

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	8. CONTINGENCIES There are a variety of legal proceedings pending or threatened against the Company that occur in the normal course of the Company’s business, the majority of which relate to environmental assessment, protection and remediation matters. Some of these proceedings may result in fines, penalties, judgments or costs being assessed against the Company at some future time. The Company’s operations are subject to extensive local, state and federal regulations, including the U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and the Superfund amendments of 1986 (Superfund) as well as comparable regulations applicable to the Company’s foreign locations. Over the years, the Company has received requests for information related to or has been named by government authorities as a potentially responsible party at a number of sites where cleanup costs have been or may be incurred by the Company under CERCLA and similar state statutes. In addition, the Company is from time to time involved in routine legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business, including personal injury, property damage, tax, trade and labor matters. The Company believes that it has made adequate provisions for the costs it is likely to incur with respect to these claims. In determining the appropriate level of environmental reserves, the Company considers several factors such as information obtained from investigatory studies; changes in the scope of remediation; the interpretation, application and enforcement of laws and regulations; changes in the costs of remediation programs; the development of alternative cleanup technologies and methods; and the relative level of the Company’s involvement at various sites for which the Company is allegedly associated. The level of annual expenditures for remedial, monitoring and investigatory activities will change in the future as major components of planned remediation activities are completed and the scope, timing and costs of existing activities are changed. As of March 31, 2024 , the Company estimated a range of possible environmental losses and legal losses of $ 20,792,000 to $ 49,778,000 . Within the range of possible environmental losses and legal losses, management has currently concluded that no single amount is more likely to occur than any other amounts in the range and, thus, has accrued at the lower end of the range. These accruals totaled $ 20,792,000 at March 31, 2024 and $ 20,646,000 at December 31, 2023. A lthough the Company believes that its estimated range of possible environmental losses and legal losses and its reserves are adequate for contingencies, it is possible, due to the uncertainties noted above, that additional reserves could be required in the future. Cash expenditures related to environmental remediation and certain other legal matters approximated $ 1,585,000 and $ 3,466,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For certain sites, the Company has responded to information requests made by federal, state or local government agencies but has received no response confirming or denying the Company’s stated positions. As such, estimates of the total costs, or range of possible costs, of remediation, if any, or the Company’s share of such costs, if any, cannot be determined with respect to these sites. Consequently, the Company is unable to predict the effect thereof on the Company’s financial position, cash flows and results of operations. Based on the Company’s present knowledge with respect to its involvement at these sites, the possibility of other viable entities’ responsibilities for cleanup, and the extended period over which any costs would be incurred, management believes that the Company has no material liability at these sites and that these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position. However, in the event of one or more adverse determinations with respect to such sites in any annual or interim period, the effect on the Company’s cash flows and results of operations for those periods could be material. Following are summaries of the Company’s major contingencies at March 31, 2024: Maywood, New Jersey Site The Company’s property in Maywood, New Jersey, property formerly owned by the Company adjacent to its current site and other nearby properties (collectively, the Maywood site) were listed on the National Priorities List in September 1993 pursuant to the provisions of CERCLA because of alleged chemical and radiological contamination. Pursuant to (i) a September 21, 1987 Administrative Order on Consent entered into between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and the Company for property formerly owned by the Company at the Maywood site and (ii) the issuance of an order on May 2, 1991 by the USEPA to the Company for property currently owned by the Company at the Maywood site, the Company has completed various Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Studies of soil and groundwater at the Maywood site. On September 24, 2014, the USEPA issued its Record of Decision (ROD) for chemically-contaminated soil at the Maywood site. The ROD was amended pursuant to an Explanation of Significant Differences in January 2021. On February 29, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey entered a consent decree among the Company, the United States, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and the New Jersey Spill Compensation Fund Administrator that requires the Company to take certain actions and to pay certain past costs of the United States and NJDEP. The USEPA has not yet issued a ROD for chemically-contaminated groundwater at the Maywood site. Based on the most current information available, the Company believes its recorded liability is reasonable having considered the range of estimated costs of remediation for the Maywood site. The estimate of the cost of remediation for the Maywood site could change again as the Company continues to hold discussions with the USEPA, as the design of the remedial action is finalized, if a groundwater ROD is issued or if other potentially responsible parties are identified. The ultimate amount for which the Company is liable could differ materially from the Company’s current recorded liability. D’Imperio Property Site During the mid-1970’s, Jerome Lightman and the Lightman Drum Company disposed of hazardous substances generated by the Company at several sites in New Jersey, including the D’Imperio site. The Company was named as a potentially responsible party in an October 2, 1998 lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey that involved the D’Imperio Site. The Company is cooperating with other potentially responsible parties to implement the selected remedy. Based on current information, the Company believes that its recorded liability is reasonable having considered the range of estimated cost of remediation for the D’Imperio site. Depending on the ultimate cost of the remediation at this site, the amount for which the Company is liable could differ materially from the Company’s current recorded liability. Wilmington Site Property formerly owned and operated by the Company in Wilmington, Massachusetts was listed on the National Priorities List in 2006. The Company, together with the current site owner and another potentially responsible party, entered into an Administrative Order on Consent in July 2007 to undertake a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study. A ROD was issued by the USEPA on March 30, 2021. The Company and three other potentially responsible parties entered into a consent decree, dated September 28, 2023, with USEPA and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that requires the remedial design and remedial action of the remedy selected in the ROD for two operable units and an interim remedy for another operable unit. Remediation at this site is being managed by its current owner, to whom the Company sold the property in 1980. The Company is contractually obligated to contribute up to five percent of the environmental response costs incurred by the current owner, with no limitation on the ultimate amount of contributions. The Company has paid the current owner $ 3,778,000 for the Company’s portion of environmental response costs at the Wilmington site through March 31, 2024. The Company has recorded a liability for its portion of the estimated remediation costs for the site. Depending on the ultimate cost of the remediation at this site, the amount for which the Company is liable could differ materially from the current recorded liability. On July 29, 2022, the Company and other potentially responsible parties were notified of a possible joint claim by federal and state trustees for alleged natural resource damages related to the Wilmington site. The alleged damages may result in a range of possible penalties and the Company recorded a liability for this matter during the first quarter of 2024. Depending on the ultimate resolution of this matter, the amount for which the Company is liable could differ materially from the current recorded liability. Millsdale Site On March 26, 2024, the Company received a Notice and Finding of Violation from the USEPA alleging violations of air regulations at the Company’s Elwood, Illinois (Millsdale) facility. The notice alleges violations related to operating parameters and air emission requirements. The notice does not state whether the USEPA intends to pursue financial penalties or operational remedies. The alleged violations may result in a range of possible penalties; however, at this stage of the matter, the Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome or what impact, if any, the outcome might have on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Other U.S. Sites Through the regular environmental monitoring of its plant production sites, the Company discovered levels of chemical contamination that were above thresholds allowed by law at its Millsdale and Fieldsboro, New Jersey plants. The Company voluntarily reported its results to the applicable state environmental agencies. As a result, the Company is required to perform self-remediation of the affected areas. Based on current information, the Company believes that its recorded liability for the remediation of the affected areas is appropriate based on an estimate of expected costs. However, actual costs could differ materially from the current recorded liability.

Postretirement Benefit Plans

Postretirement Benefit Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Postretirement Benefit Plans	9. POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS Defined Benefit Pension Plans The Company sponsors various funded qualified and unfunded non-qualified defined benefit pension plans, the most significant of which cover employees in the U.S. and U.K. locations. The U.S. and U.K. defined benefit pension plans are frozen and service benefits are no longer being accrued. Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost UNITED STATES (In thousands) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 Interest cost $ 1,651 $ 1,731 Expected return on plan assets ( 2,116 ) ( 2,133 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss ( 3 ) ( 6 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ ( 468 ) $ ( 408 ) UNITED KINGDOM (In thousands) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 Interest cost $ 161 $ 164 Expected return on plan assets ( 183 ) ( 170 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 80 81 Net periodic benefit cost $ 58 $ 75 Employer Contributions U.S. Plans As a result of pension funding relief provisions included in the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014, the Company is not required to make contributions to its funded U.S. qualified defined benefit plans. Approximately $ 316,000 is expected to be paid to the unfunded non-qualified plans in 2024 . Of such amount, $ 129,000 had been paid to the non-qualified plans as of March 31, 2024. U.K. Plan The Company’s U.K. subsidiary does not expect to contribute to its defined benefit pension plan in 2024. Defined Contribution Plans The Company sponsors retirement defined contribution plans that cover eligible U.S. and U.K. employees. The Company’s U.S. retirement plans include two qualified plans, one of which is a 401(k) plan and one of which is an employee stock ownership plan (profit sharing plan), and one non-qualified supplemental executive plan. In the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 , the Company made contributions into the qualified retirement plans for U.S. employees and for certain non-U.S. employees. Profit sharing contributions were determined using a formula applied to Company earnings. Approximately 85 percent of union and non-union employees are eligible for either the Company's sponsored or statutory profit sharing contributions and 100 percent of U.S. based union and non-union employees are eligible for the Company's sponsored profit sharing contributions. In 2023 and 2024, profit sharing contributions for U.S. employees were made to the employee stock ownership plan. Profit sharing contributions are allocated to participant accounts based on participant base earnings. Defined contribution plan expenses for the Company’s qualified contribution plans were as follows: (In thousands) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 Retirement savings contributions $ 2,125 $ 2,048 Profit sharing contributions 848 707 Total defined contribution plan expenses $ 2,973 $ 2,755 The Company has a rabbi trust to fund the obligations of its non-qualified supplemental executive defined contribution plans (supplemental plans). The trust is comprised of various mutual fund investments selected by the participants of the supplemental plans. In accordance with the accounting guidance for rabbi trust arrangements, the assets of the trust and the obligations of the supplemental plans are reported on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company elected the fair value option for the mutual fund investment assets so that offsetting changes in the mutual fund values and defined contribution plan obligations would be recorded in earnings in the same period. Therefore, the mutual funds are reported at fair value with any subsequent changes in fair value recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of income. The liabilities related to the supplemental plans increase (i.e., supplemental plan expense is recognized) when the value of the trust assets appreciate and decrease when the value of the trust assets decline (i.e., supplemental plan income is recognized). At March 31, 2024 , the balance of the trust assets was $ 559,000 , which equaled the balance of the supplemental plan liabilities. See the long-term investments section in Note 3, Fair Value Measurements , of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) for further information regarding the Company’s mutual fund assets.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	10. EARNINGS PER SHARE Below are the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023: (In thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 Computation of Basic Earnings per Share Net income attributable to Stepan Company $ 13,893 $ 16,142 Weighted-average number of common shares 22,824 22,757 Basic earnings per share $ 0.61 $ 0.71 Computation of Diluted Earnings per Share Net income attributable to Stepan Company $ 13,893 $ 16,142 Weighted-average number of shares outstanding 22,824 22,757 Add weighted-average net shares from assumed (1) 47 99 Add weighted-average net shares related to unvested 3 1 Add weighted-average net shares from assumed (1) 54 108 Add weighted-average contingently issuable net 20 29 Weighted-average shares applicable to diluted 22,948 22,994 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.61 $ 0.70 (1) 800,025 and 403,711 options/SARs to acquire shares of the Company's common stock were excluded from the computation of dilutive earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The options/SARs' exercise prices were greater than the average market price for the Company's common stock and inclusion of the instruments would have had an antidilutive effect on the computations of the earnings per share.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	11. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Below is the change in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) balance by component (net of income taxes) for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023: (In thousands) Foreign Defined Cash Flow Total Balance at December 31, 2022 $ ( 156,835 ) $ ( 19,079 ) $ 8,402 $ ( 167,512 ) Other comprehensive income before 18,423 — ( 1,514 ) 16,909 Amounts reclassified from AOCI — 58 ( 3 ) 55 Net current-period other comprehensive income 18,423 58 ( 1,517 ) 16,964 Balance at March 31, 2023 $ ( 138,412 ) $ ( 19,021 ) $ 6,885 $ ( 150,548 ) Balance at December 31, 2023 $ ( 116,412 ) $ ( 20,408 ) $ 6,218 $ ( 130,602 ) Other comprehensive income before ( 6,551 ) — 831 ( 5,720 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI — 58 ( 2 ) 56 Net current-period other comprehensive income ( 6,551 ) 58 829 ( 5,664 ) Balance at March 31, 2024 $ ( 122,963 ) $ ( 20,350 ) $ 7,047 $ ( 136,266 ) Information regarding the reclassifications out of AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, is displayed below: (In thousands) Amount Reclassified from AOCI (1) AOCI Components Three Months Ended Affected Line Item in 2024 2023 Amortization of defined benefit $ ( 77 ) $ ( 75 ) (2) 19 17 Tax benefit $ ( 58 ) $ ( 58 ) Net of tax Gains and losses on cash flow Foreign exchange contracts 2 3 Cost of sales 2 3 Total before tax — — Tax benefit $ 2 $ 3 Net of tax Total reclassifications for the period $ ( 56 ) $ ( 55 ) Net of tax (1) A mounts in parentheses denote expense to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. (2) This component of accumulated other comprehensive income is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 9, Postretirement Benefit Plans , of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) for additional details.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	12. SEGMENT REPORTING The Company has three reportable segments: Surfactants, Polymers and Specialty Products. Net sales by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows: (In thousands) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 Segment Net Sales Surfactants $ 390,820 $ 467,828 Polymers 145,508 161,127 Specialty Products 15,090 22,481 Total $ 551,418 $ 651,436 Segment operating income and reconciliations of segment operating income to income before provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, are summarized below: (In thousands) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 Segment Operating Income Surfactants $ 26,079 $ 27,056 Polymers 8,382 10,004 Specialty Products 4,268 2,530 Segment operating income 38,729 39,590 Business restructuring — ( 157 ) Unallocated corporate expenses (1) ( 18,560 ) ( 18,376 ) Total operating income 20,169 21,057 Other Income (Expense) Interest, net ( 3,071 ) ( 2,822 ) Other, net 2,362 1,668 Income before provision for income taxes $ 19,460 $ 19,903 (1) Unallocated corporate expenses are primarily comprised of corporate administrative expenses (e.g., corporate finance, legal, human resources, information systems, deferred compensation and environmental remediation) that are not included in segment operating income and are not used to evaluate segment performance.

Revenue from Contracts with Cus

Revenue from Contracts with Customers	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue from Contracts with Customers	13. REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS As of March 31, 2024 , the Company had $ 931,000 of contract liabilities and no contract assets. A contract liability would typically arise when an advance or deposit is received from a customer before the Company recognizes revenue. In practice, this is rare as it would require a customer to make a payment prior to a performance obligation being satisfied. When such situations do arise, the Company maintains a deferred revenue liability until the time a performance obligation has been satisfied. The Company recognized $ 688,000 of revenue in the first three months of 2024 from pre-existing contract liabilities at December 31, 2023. In addition, during 2020, the Company recorded $ 10,709,000 of long-term deferred revenue associated with a payment received to defray the cost of capital expenditures necessary to service a customer’s future product needs. At March 31, 2024 , $ 6,093,000 was classified as long-term and $ 2,216,000 was classified as short-term. This deferred revenue is being recognized over the period of the contract and $ 2,400,000 of revenue has been recognized from the beginning of the contract term through March 31, 2024. The tables below provide a geographic disaggregation of net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company’s business disaggregation by geographic region most effectively captures the nature and economic characteristics of the Company’s revenue streams impacted by economic factors. (In thousands) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Geographic Market Surfactants Polymers Specialty Total North America $ 229,590 $ 69,809 $ 13,246 $ 312,645 Europe 70,778 63,877 1,835 136,490 Latin America 77,868 417 9 78,294 Asia 12,584 11,405 — 23,989 Total $ 390,820 $ 145,508 $ 15,090 $ 551,418 (In thousands) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Geographic Market Surfactants Polymers Specialty Total North America $ 277,140 $ 81,169 $ 17,599 $ 375,908 Europe 91,120 69,057 4,872 165,048 Latin America 81,099 785 10 81,894 Asia 18,470 10,116 — 28,586 Total $ 467,828 $ 161,127 $ 22,481 $ 651,436

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	14. DEBT At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, debt was comprised of the following: (In thousands) Maturity March 31, December 31, Senior unsecured notes 3.95 % (net of unamortized debt issuance cost 168 and $ 191 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) 2024 - 2027 $ 56,975 $ 56,952 3.86 % (net of unamortized debt issuance cost 81 and $ 105 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) 2024 - 2025 28,490 28,466 2.30 % (net of unamortized debt issuance cost 126 and $ 142 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) 2024 - 2028 49,874 49,858 2.37 % (net of unamortized debt issuance cost 132 and $ 148 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) 2024 - 2028 49,868 49,852 2.73 % (net of unamortized debt issuance cost 149 and $ 175 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) 2025 - 2031 99,851 99,825 2.83 % (net of unamortized debt issuance cost 116 and $ 134 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) 2026 - 2032 74,884 74,866 Revolving credit facility and term loan borrowing 2024 280,000 283,000 Debt of foreign subsidiaries Unsecured bank debt, foreign currency 2024 6,040 11,327 Total debt $ 645,982 $ 654,146 Less current maturities 245,861 252,898 Long-term debt $ 400,121 $ 401,248 The Company's long-term debt financing is comprised of certain senior unsecured notes issued to insurance companies in private placement transactions pursuant to note purchase agreements (the “Note Purchase Agreements”), totaling $ 359,942,000 as of March 31, 2024 . These notes are denominated in U.S. dollars and have fixed interest rates ranging from 2.30 percent to 3.95 percent. The notes had original maturities of seven to 12 years with mandatory principal payments beginning four, five and six years after issuance . The Company will be required to make principal payments on the currently outstanding notes from 2024 to 2032. The Company's credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with a syndicate of banks provides for credit facilities in an initial aggregate principal amount of $ 450,000,000 , consisting of (a) a $ 350,000,000 multi-currency revolving credit facility and (b) a $ 100,000,000 delayed draw term loan credit facility, each of which matures on June 24, 2027 . The Company maintains import letters of credit, and standby letters of credit under its workers’ compensation insurance agreements and for other purposes, as needed from time to time, which are issued under the revolving credit agreement. As of March 31, 2024 , the Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $ 10,979,000 and $ 280,000,000 of outstanding borrowings under the credit agreement, inclusive of a $ 93,750,000 delayed draw term loan ($ 6,250,000 of the term loan principal has been permanently repaid as scheduled). There was $ 152,771,000 available under the credit agreement as of March 31, 2024. The Company’s material debt agreements contain provisions which, among other covenants, require maintenance of certain financial ratios and place limitations on additional debt, investments and payment of dividends. Based on the loan agreement provisions that place limitations on dividend payments, unrestricted retained earnings (i.e., retained earnings available for dividend distribution) were $ 240,735,000 and $ 234,399,000 at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 , respectively.

Other, Net

Other, Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other, Net	15. OTHER, NET Other, net in the condensed consolidated statements of income included the following: (In thousands) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 Foreign exchange losses $ ( 375 ) $ ( 324 ) Investment income 60 143 Realized and unrealized gains on investments 2,267 1,516 Net periodic benefit cost 410 333 Other, net $ 2,362 $ 1,668

Noncash Investing and Financing

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities	16. NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES Noncash investing activities included liabilities (accounts payable) incurred for property, plant and equipment expenditures of approximately $ 13,004,000 and $ 27,061,000 that were unpaid at March 31, 2024 and 2023 , respectively. Noncash financing activities included the issuance of 98,146 shares of the Company’s common stock (valued at $ 8,808,000 ) and 88,497 shares of the Company’s common stock (valued at $ 9,607,000 ) under the Company’s equity incentive compensation plan during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 , respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	17. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) Facilitation of the Effect of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This update provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the burden of implementing the usage of new reference rates. The amendments apply to contract modifications that replace a reference rate affected by reference rate reform and contemporaneous modifications of other contract terms related to the replacement of the reference rate. If elected, the optional expedients to contract modifications must be applied consistently for all eligible contracts or eligible transactions. The original timeframe for electing optional expedients to contract modifications was between March 12, 2020 and December 31, 2022. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-06 deferring the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The guidance should be applied prospectively. Other than electing select expedients associated with an interest rate swap, the Company has not currently utilized any of the optional expedients of exceptions available under this ASU. The Company will continue to assess whether this ASU is applicable throughout the effective period. In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements, Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative . The amendments in this update represent changes to clarify or improve disclosures and presentation requirements of a variety of topics, including Statement of Cash Flows-Overall (disclosures in annual periods where cash flows associated with derivative instruments and their related gains and losses are presented), Earnings Per Share-Overall (disclosures of the methods used in the diluted earnings-per-share computation for each dilutive security), and Debt-Overall (disclosures of amounts and terms of unused lines of credit and unfunded commitments and the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding short-term borrowings). The amendments in this update are effective two years after the SEC removes related disclosure requirements from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K. The implementation of ASU No. 2023-06 will not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flow, but will impact the Company’s interim and annual disclosures related to the relevant subtopics in this update. In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures . This update requires more enhanced and detailed interim and annual disclosures regarding significant segment expenses and other segment items that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker. These items include the difference between segment revenue less the segment expenses that have been already disclosed under the significant expense principle and each reported measure of segment profit and loss. These requirements are in addition to the disclosures that are currently required by Topic 280, Segment reporting . The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. The implementation of ASU No. 2023-07 will not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flow but will impact the Company’s interim and annual segment reporting disclosures. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income taxes (Topic 740) Improvement to Income Tax Disclosures . This update requires that public entities on an annual basis disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. In addition, the amendments in this update require the disclosure on an annual basis of the amount of income taxes paid (net of refund received) disaggregated by federal, state and foreign taxes and the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by individual jurisdictions in which income taxes paid is equal or greater than five percent of total income taxes paid (net of refunds received). This update requires all entities to disclose income (or loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (or benefit) disaggregated between domestic and foreign and income tax expense (or benefit) from continuing operations disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024 and should be applied on a prospective basis. The implementation of ASU No. 2023-09 will not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flow but will impact the Company’s annual income tax disclosures. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) proposed a global minimum tax of 15 percent on reported profits (entitled “Pillar Two”) that has been agreed upon in principle by over 100 countries. During 2023, many countries took steps to incorporate Pillar Two into their domestic laws. Although the OECD’s model provides a framework for applying the minimum tax, countries may enact Pillar Two rules that vary slightly from the model, can adopt a different timeline, and may adjust local tax incentives in response to Pillar Two. While it is uncertain whether the U.S. will enact legislation to adopt Pillar Two, certain countries in which the Company operates have enacted such legislation, and other countries are in the process of introducing legislation to implement Pillar Two. The Company does not expect Pillar Two to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations, cash flow and effective tax rate.

Recent Accounting Pronounceme_2

Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) Facilitation of the Effect of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This update provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the burden of implementing the usage of new reference rates. The amendments apply to contract modifications that replace a reference rate affected by reference rate reform and contemporaneous modifications of other contract terms related to the replacement of the reference rate. If elected, the optional expedients to contract modifications must be applied consistently for all eligible contracts or eligible transactions. The original timeframe for electing optional expedients to contract modifications was between March 12, 2020 and December 31, 2022. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-06 deferring the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The guidance should be applied prospectively. Other than electing select expedients associated with an interest rate swap, the Company has not currently utilized any of the optional expedients of exceptions available under this ASU. The Company will continue to assess whether this ASU is applicable throughout the effective period. In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-06, Disclosure Improvements, Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC’s Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative . The amendments in this update represent changes to clarify or improve disclosures and presentation requirements of a variety of topics, including Statement of Cash Flows-Overall (disclosures in annual periods where cash flows associated with derivative instruments and their related gains and losses are presented), Earnings Per Share-Overall (disclosures of the methods used in the diluted earnings-per-share computation for each dilutive security), and Debt-Overall (disclosures of amounts and terms of unused lines of credit and unfunded commitments and the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding short-term borrowings). The amendments in this update are effective two years after the SEC removes related disclosure requirements from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K. The implementation of ASU No. 2023-06 will not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flow, but will impact the Company’s interim and annual disclosures related to the relevant subtopics in this update. In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures . This update requires more enhanced and detailed interim and annual disclosures regarding significant segment expenses and other segment items that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker. These items include the difference between segment revenue less the segment expenses that have been already disclosed under the significant expense principle and each reported measure of segment profit and loss. These requirements are in addition to the disclosures that are currently required by Topic 280, Segment reporting . The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented in the financial statements. The implementation of ASU No. 2023-07 will not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flow but will impact the Company’s interim and annual segment reporting disclosures. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income taxes (Topic 740) Improvement to Income Tax Disclosures . This update requires that public entities on an annual basis disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. In addition, the amendments in this update require the disclosure on an annual basis of the amount of income taxes paid (net of refund received) disaggregated by federal, state and foreign taxes and the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) disaggregated by individual jurisdictions in which income taxes paid is equal or greater than five percent of total income taxes paid (net of refunds received). This update requires all entities to disclose income (or loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (or benefit) disaggregated between domestic and foreign and income tax expense (or benefit) from continuing operations disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024 and should be applied on a prospective basis. The implementation of ASU No. 2023-09 will not have an impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flow but will impact the Company’s annual income tax disclosures. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) proposed a global minimum tax of 15 percent on reported profits (entitled “Pillar Two”) that has been agreed upon in principle by over 100 countries. During 2023, many countries took steps to incorporate Pillar Two into their domestic laws. Although the OECD’s model provides a framework for applying the minimum tax, countries may enact Pillar Two rules that vary slightly from the model, can adopt a different timeline, and may adjust local tax incentives in response to Pillar Two. While it is uncertain whether the U.S. will enact legislation to adopt Pillar Two, certain countries in which the Company operates have enacted such legislation, and other countries are in the process of introducing legislation to implement Pillar Two. The Company does not expect Pillar Two to have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations, cash flow and effective tax rate.

Reconciliations of Equity (Tabl

Reconciliations of Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Equity [Abstract]
Reconciliations of Total Equity	Below are reconciliations of total equity for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023: (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) Total Common Additional Common Accumulated Retained Balance, December 31, 2023 $ 1,216,490 $ 27,006 $ 247,032 $ ( 184,412 ) $ ( 130,602 ) $ 1,257,466 Issuance of 20,668 shares of common 865 21 844 — — — Stock-based and deferred compensation ( 2,640 ) 98 461 ( 3,199 ) — — Net income 13,893 — — — — 13,893 Other comprehensive income ( 5,664 ) — — — ( 5,664 ) — Cash dividends paid: Common stock ($ 0.375 per share) ( 8,422 ) — — — — ( 8,422 ) Balance, March 31, 2024 $ 1,214,522 $ 27,125 $ 248,337 $ ( 187,611 ) $ ( 136,266 ) $ 1,262,937 (In thousands, except share and per share amounts) Total Common Additional Common Accumulated Retained Balance, December 31, 2022 $ 1,166,065 $ 26,841 $ 237,202 $ ( 180,596 ) $ ( 167,512 ) $ 1,250,130 Issuance of 25,981 shares of common 1,514 26 1,488 — — — Stock-based and deferred compensation ( 2,612 ) 91 895 ( 3,598 ) — — Net income 16,142 — — — — 16,142 Other comprehensive income (loss) 16,964 — — — 16,964 — Cash dividends paid: Common stock ($ 0.365 per share) ( 8,160 ) — — — — ( 8,160 ) Balance, March 31, 2023 $ 1,189,913 $ 26,958 $ 239,585 $ ( 184,194 ) $ ( 150,548 ) $ 1,258,112

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Values and Related Carrying Values of Debt	At March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023 , the fair values and related carrying values of debt, including current maturities, were as follows (the fair value and carrying value amounts are presented without regard to unamortized debt issuance costs of $ 772,000 and $ 895,000 as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively): (In thousands) March 31, December 31, Fair value $ 614,024 $ 627,695 Carrying value 646,754 655,041
Financial Assets and Liabilities, Excluding Cash and Cash Equivalents, Measured on a Recurring Basis at Fair Value	The following tables present financial assets and liabilities, excluding cash and cash equivalents, measured on a recurring basis at fair value as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall: (In thousands) March 31, Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Mutual fund assets $ 23,466 $ 23,466 $ — $ — Derivative assets: Interest rate contracts 7,014 — 7,014 — Foreign currency contracts 630 — 630 — Total assets at fair value $ 31,110 $ 23,466 $ 7,644 $ — Derivative liabilities: Foreign currency contracts $ 738 $ — $ 738 $ — (In thousands) December 31, Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Mutual fund assets $ 26,804 $ 26,804 $ — $ — Derivative assets: Interest rate contracts 6,183 — 6,183 — Foreign currency contracts 1,018 — 1,018 — Total assets at fair value $ 34,005 $ 26,804 $ 7,201 $ — Derivative liabilities: Foreign currency contracts $ 928 $ — $ 928 $ —

Stock-based Compensation (Table

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Compensation Expense Recorded for All Stock Options, Stock Awards and Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)	Compensation expense recorded for all stock options, performance shares, time-based restricted stock units (RSUs) and stock appreciation rights (SARs) was as follows: (In thousands) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 $ 1,372 $ 999
Unrecognized Compensation Costs for Stock Options, Stock Awards and SARs	Unrecognized compensation costs for stock options, performance shares, RSUs and SARs were as follows: (In thousands) March 31, December 31, Stock options $ 211 $ 127 Performance shares and RSUs 10,583 3,761 SARs 5,435 3,648
Share Based Payment Awards Granted in Period	The change in unrecognized compensation costs for stock options, performance shares, RSUs and SARs is due to new grants issued in 2024. The Company granted the following awards in the first three months of 2024: Shares Stock options 3,356 Performance shares (at target) and RSUs 104,282 SARs 89,073

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Composition of Inventories	The composition of inventories at March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, was as follows: (In thousands) March 31, December 31, Finished goods $ 162,398 $ 184,828 Raw materials 94,720 80,730 Total inventories $ 257,118 $ 265,558

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Lease Cost Recognized in both Cost of Sale and Operating Expenses	Lease cost is recognized in both the Cost of Sales and Operating Expenses sections of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. (In thousands) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 Lease Cost Operating lease cost $ 4,493 $ 4,349 Short-term lease cost 2,687 2,779 Variable lease cost 443 557 Total lease cost $ 7,623 $ 7,685 Other Information Cash paid for amounts included in the Operating cash flow from operating leases $ 4,488 $ 4,332 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange 989 6,545
Schedule of Maturities of Lease Liabilities	The following table outlines the maturities of lease liabilities as of March 31, 2024. (In thousands) Undiscounted Cash Flows: 2024 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2024) $ 12,541 2025 12,911 2026 10,104 2027 7,771 2028 6,827 Subsequent to 2028 35,527 Total Undiscounted Cash Flows $ 85,681 Less: Imputed interest ( 13,080 ) Present value $ 72,601 Current operating lease liabilities (1) 13,538 Non-current operating lease liabilities 59,063 Total lease liabilities $ 72,601 (1) This item is included in the Accrued liabilities line on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Schedule of Operating Leases Weighted Average, Remaining Lease Term and Discount Rate	Weighted-average remaining lease term-operating leases 9 Years Weighted-average discount rate-operating leases 3.9 %

Postretirement Benefit Plans (T

Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost UNITED STATES (In thousands) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 Interest cost $ 1,651 $ 1,731 Expected return on plan assets ( 2,116 ) ( 2,133 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss ( 3 ) ( 6 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ ( 468 ) $ ( 408 ) UNITED KINGDOM (In thousands) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 Interest cost $ 161 $ 164 Expected return on plan assets ( 183 ) ( 170 ) Amortization of net actuarial loss 80 81 Net periodic benefit cost $ 58 $ 75
Defined Contribution Plan Expenses for Company's Qualified Contribution Plans	Defined contribution plan expenses for the Company’s qualified contribution plans were as follows: (In thousands) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 Retirement savings contributions $ 2,125 $ 2,048 Profit sharing contributions 848 707 Total defined contribution plan expenses $ 2,973 $ 2,755

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computations of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	Below are the computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023: (In thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 Computation of Basic Earnings per Share Net income attributable to Stepan Company $ 13,893 $ 16,142 Weighted-average number of common shares 22,824 22,757 Basic earnings per share $ 0.61 $ 0.71 Computation of Diluted Earnings per Share Net income attributable to Stepan Company $ 13,893 $ 16,142 Weighted-average number of shares outstanding 22,824 22,757 Add weighted-average net shares from assumed (1) 47 99 Add weighted-average net shares related to unvested 3 1 Add weighted-average net shares from assumed (1) 54 108 Add weighted-average contingently issuable net 20 29 Weighted-average shares applicable to diluted 22,948 22,994 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.61 $ 0.70 (1) 800,025 and 403,711 options/SARs to acquire shares of the Company's common stock were excluded from the computation of dilutive earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The options/SARs' exercise prices were greater than the average market price for the Company's common stock and inclusion of the instruments would have had an antidilutive effect on the computations of the earnings per share.

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Equity [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Below is the change in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) balance by component (net of income taxes) for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023: (In thousands) Foreign Defined Cash Flow Total Balance at December 31, 2022 $ ( 156,835 ) $ ( 19,079 ) $ 8,402 $ ( 167,512 ) Other comprehensive income before 18,423 — ( 1,514 ) 16,909 Amounts reclassified from AOCI — 58 ( 3 ) 55 Net current-period other comprehensive income 18,423 58 ( 1,517 ) 16,964 Balance at March 31, 2023 $ ( 138,412 ) $ ( 19,021 ) $ 6,885 $ ( 150,548 ) Balance at December 31, 2023 $ ( 116,412 ) $ ( 20,408 ) $ 6,218 $ ( 130,602 ) Other comprehensive income before ( 6,551 ) — 831 ( 5,720 ) Amounts reclassified from AOCI — 58 ( 2 ) 56 Net current-period other comprehensive income ( 6,551 ) 58 829 ( 5,664 ) Balance at March 31, 2024 $ ( 122,963 ) $ ( 20,350 ) $ 7,047 $ ( 136,266 )
Summary of Amounts Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Information regarding the reclassifications out of AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, is displayed below: (In thousands) Amount Reclassified from AOCI (1) AOCI Components Three Months Ended Affected Line Item in 2024 2023 Amortization of defined benefit $ ( 77 ) $ ( 75 ) (2) 19 17 Tax benefit $ ( 58 ) $ ( 58 ) Net of tax Gains and losses on cash flow Foreign exchange contracts 2 3 Cost of sales 2 3 Total before tax — — Tax benefit $ 2 $ 3 Net of tax Total reclassifications for the period $ ( 56 ) $ ( 55 ) Net of tax (1) A mounts in parentheses denote expense to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. (2) This component of accumulated other comprehensive income is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 9, Postretirement Benefit Plans , of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) for additional details.

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Segment	The Company has three reportable segments: Surfactants, Polymers and Specialty Products. Net sales by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, were as follows: (In thousands) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 Segment Net Sales Surfactants $ 390,820 $ 467,828 Polymers 145,508 161,127 Specialty Products 15,090 22,481 Total $ 551,418 $ 651,436
Reconciliation of Segment Information to Income Before Provision for Income Taxes	Segment operating income and reconciliations of segment operating income to income before provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, are summarized below: (In thousands) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 Segment Operating Income Surfactants $ 26,079 $ 27,056 Polymers 8,382 10,004 Specialty Products 4,268 2,530 Segment operating income 38,729 39,590 Business restructuring — ( 157 ) Unallocated corporate expenses (1) ( 18,560 ) ( 18,376 ) Total operating income 20,169 21,057 Other Income (Expense) Interest, net ( 3,071 ) ( 2,822 ) Other, net 2,362 1,668 Income before provision for income taxes $ 19,460 $ 19,903 (1) Unallocated corporate expenses are primarily comprised of corporate administrative expenses (e.g., corporate finance, legal, human resources, information systems, deferred compensation and environmental remediation) that are not included in segment operating income and are not used to evaluate segment performance.

Revenue from Contracts with C_2

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Geographic Disaggregation of Net Sales	The tables below provide a geographic disaggregation of net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company’s business disaggregation by geographic region most effectively captures the nature and economic characteristics of the Company’s revenue streams impacted by economic factors. (In thousands) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Geographic Market Surfactants Polymers Specialty Total North America $ 229,590 $ 69,809 $ 13,246 $ 312,645 Europe 70,778 63,877 1,835 136,490 Latin America 77,868 417 9 78,294 Asia 12,584 11,405 — 23,989 Total $ 390,820 $ 145,508 $ 15,090 $ 551,418 (In thousands) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 Geographic Market Surfactants Polymers Specialty Total North America $ 277,140 $ 81,169 $ 17,599 $ 375,908 Europe 91,120 69,057 4,872 165,048 Latin America 81,099 785 10 81,894 Asia 18,470 10,116 — 28,586 Total $ 467,828 $ 161,127 $ 22,481 $ 651,436

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, debt was comprised of the following: (In thousands) Maturity March 31, December 31, Senior unsecured notes 3.95 % (net of unamortized debt issuance cost 168 and $ 191 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) 2024 - 2027 $ 56,975 $ 56,952 3.86 % (net of unamortized debt issuance cost 81 and $ 105 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) 2024 - 2025 28,490 28,466 2.30 % (net of unamortized debt issuance cost 126 and $ 142 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) 2024 - 2028 49,874 49,858 2.37 % (net of unamortized debt issuance cost 132 and $ 148 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) 2024 - 2028 49,868 49,852 2.73 % (net of unamortized debt issuance cost 149 and $ 175 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) 2025 - 2031 99,851 99,825 2.83 % (net of unamortized debt issuance cost 116 and $ 134 for 2024 and 2023, respectively) 2026 - 2032 74,884 74,866 Revolving credit facility and term loan borrowing 2024 280,000 283,000 Debt of foreign subsidiaries Unsecured bank debt, foreign currency 2024 6,040 11,327 Total debt $ 645,982 $ 654,146 Less current maturities 245,861 252,898 Long-term debt $ 400,121 $ 401,248

Other, Net (Tables)

Other, Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Net in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income	Other, net in the condensed consolidated statements of income included the following: (In thousands) Three Months Ended 2024 2023 Foreign exchange losses $ ( 375 ) $ ( 324 ) Investment income 60 143 Realized and unrealized gains on investments 2,267 1,516 Net periodic benefit cost 410 333 Other, net $ 2,362 $ 1,668

Reconciliations of Equity - Rec

Reconciliations of Equity - Reconciliations of Total Equity (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Reconciliations of total equity
Beginning Balance	$ 1,216,490	$ 1,166,065
Issuance of common stock under incentive compensation plan	865	1,514
Stock-based and deferred compensation	(2,640)	(2,612)
Net income	13,893	16,142
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,664)	16,964
Cash dividends paid:
Common stock	(8,422)	(8,160)
Ending Balance	1,214,522	1,189,913
Common Stock [Member]
Reconciliations of total equity
Beginning Balance	27,006	26,841
Issuance of common stock under incentive compensation plan	21	26
Stock-based and deferred compensation	98	91
Cash dividends paid:
Ending Balance	27,125	26,958
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Reconciliations of total equity
Beginning Balance	247,032	237,202
Issuance of common stock under incentive compensation plan	844	1,488
Stock-based and deferred compensation	461	895
Cash dividends paid:
Ending Balance	248,337	239,585
Common Treasury Stock [Member]
Reconciliations of total equity
Beginning Balance	(184,412)	(180,596)
Stock-based and deferred compensation	(3,199)	(3,598)
Cash dividends paid:
Ending Balance	(187,611)	(184,194)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Reconciliations of total equity
Beginning Balance	(130,602)	(167,512)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,664)	16,964
Cash dividends paid:
Ending Balance	(136,266)	(150,548)
Retained Earnings [Member]
Reconciliations of total equity
Beginning Balance	1,257,466	1,250,130
Net income	13,893	16,142
Cash dividends paid:
Common stock	(8,422)	(8,160)
Ending Balance	$ 1,262,937	$ 1,258,112

Reconciliations of Equity - R_2

Reconciliations of Equity - Reconciliations of Total Equity (Parenthetical) (Detail) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Number of shares of common stock issued under incentive compensation plan	20,668	25,981
Common stock	$ 0.375	$ 0.365
Common Stock [Member]
Number of shares of common stock issued under incentive compensation plan		25,981
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Number of shares of common stock issued under incentive compensation plan		25,981
Retained Earnings [Member]
Common stock		$ 0.365

Fair Value Measurements - Addit

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Unamortized debt issuance cost	$ 772,000	$ 895,000

Fair Value Measurements - Fair

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Values and Related Carrying Values of Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value	$ 646,754	$ 655,041
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value	$ 614,024	$ 627,695

Fair Value Measurements - Finan

Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities, Excluding Cash and Cash Equivalents, Measured on a Recurring Basis at Fair Value (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mutual fund assets	$ 23,466	$ 26,804
Derivative assets:
Interest rate contracts	7,014	6,183
Foreign currency contracts	630	1,018
Total assets at fair value	31,110	34,005
Derivative liabilities:
Foreign currency contracts	738	928
Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mutual fund assets	23,466	26,804
Derivative assets:
Total assets at fair value	23,466	26,804
Level 2 [Member]
Derivative assets:
Interest rate contracts	7,014	6,183
Foreign currency contracts	630	1,018
Total assets at fair value	7,644	7,201
Derivative liabilities:
Foreign currency contracts	$ 738	$ 928

Derivative Instruments - Additi

Derivative Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount	$ 108,979,000	$ 106,561,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Jun. 24, 2027
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative notional amount	$ 100,000,000
Maturity date of current interest swap contract	Mar. 10, 2027
Minimum [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative foreign currency exchange contracts durations	1 month
Maximum [Member]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative foreign currency exchange contracts durations	3 months

Stock-based Compensation - Addi

Stock-based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024
Employee Stock Option
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average period for amortization of unrecognized compensation cost	2 years 2 months 12 days
Performance Shares and RSUs [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average period for amortization of unrecognized compensation cost	2 years 4 months 24 days
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Weighted average period for amortization of unrecognized compensation cost	2 years 1 month 6 days

Stock-based Compensation - Comp

Stock-based Compensation - Compensation Expense Recorded for All Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Compensation expense	$ 1,372	$ 999

Stock-based Compensation - Unre

Stock-based Compensation - Unrecognized Compensation Costs for Stock Options, Stock Awards and SARs (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Employee Stock Option
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation costs for stock options, stock awards and SARs	$ 211	$ 127
Performance Shares and RSUs [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation costs for stock options, stock awards and SARs	10,583	3,761
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation costs for stock options, stock awards and SARs	$ 5,435	$ 3,648

Stock-based Compensation - Shar

Stock-based Compensation - Share Based Payment Awards Granted in Period (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024 shares
Employee Stock Option
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted in period	3,356
Performance Shares (at target) and RSUs [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards granted in period	104,282
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards granted in period	89,073

Inventories - Composition of In

Inventories - Composition of Inventories (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 162,398	$ 184,828
Raw materials	94,720	80,730
Total inventories	$ 257,118	$ 265,558

Leases - Schedule of Lease Cost

Leases - Schedule of Lease Cost Recognized in both Cost of Sale and Operating Expenses (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Lease Cost
Operating lease cost	$ 4,493	$ 4,349
Short-term lease cost	2,687	2,779
Variable lease cost	443	557
Total lease cost	7,623	7,685
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flow from operating leases	4,488	4,332
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$ 989	$ 6,545

Leases - Schedule of Lease Liab

Leases - Schedule of Lease Liability Payments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Leases [Abstract]
2024 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2024)	$ 12,541
2025	12,911
2026	10,104
2027	7,771
2028	6,827
Subsequent to 2028	35,527
Total Undiscounted Cash Flows	85,681
Less: Imputed interest	(13,080)
Present value	72,601
Current operating lease liabilities	$ 13,538
Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]	Accrued Liabilities, Current
Non-current operating lease liabilities	$ 59,063	$ 58,026
Total lease liabilities	$ 72,601

Leases - Schedule of Operating

Leases - Schedule of Operating Leases Weighted Average, Remaining Lease Term and Discount Rate (Detail)	Mar. 31, 2024
Leases [Abstract]
Weighted-average remaining lease term-operating leases	9 years
Weighted-average discount rate-operating leases	3.90%

Leases - Additional Information

Leases - Additional Information (Detail) - Equipment and Automobile [Member] - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2024	Mar. 31, 2024
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Leases not yet commenced		$ 922,000
Forecast [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessee, operating lease, term of contract	5 years
Forecast [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessee, operating lease, term of contract	3 years

Contingencies - Additional Info

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Environmental losses accrual	$ 20,792,000		$ 20,646,000
Cash expenditures related to legal and environmental matters	$ 1,585,000	$ 3,466,000
Contribution for future response costs	5%
Wilmington Site [Member]
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Payment of environmental response costs	$ 3,778,000
Minimum [Member]
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Environmental losses and legal losses	20,792,000
Maximum [Member]
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Environmental losses and legal losses	$ 49,778,000

Postretirement Benefit Plans -

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$ (410)	$ (333)
United States [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost	1,651	1,731
Expected return on plan assets	(2,116)	(2,133)
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	(3)	(6)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	(468)	(408)
United Kingdom [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Interest cost	161	164
Expected return on plan assets	(183)	(170)
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss	80	81
Net periodic benefit cost (income)	$ 58	$ 75

Postretirement Benefit Plans _2

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Defined Benefit Pension Plans - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of union and non-union employees eligible for either statutory or Company's sponsored profit sharing contributions	85%
Percentage of us based union and non-union employees eligible for either statutory or Company's sponsored profit sharing contributions	100%
Defined Contribution Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance of trust assets	$ 559,000
United States [Member] | Unfunded Plan [Member] | Non-qualified Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected contributions or payments to defined benefit plans	316,000
Employer contributions or payments	$ 129,000

Postretirement Benefit Plans _3

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Defined Contribution Plan Expenses for Company's Qualified Contribution Plans (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total defined contribution plan expenses	$ 2,973	$ 2,755
Retirement Savings Contributions [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total defined contribution plan expenses	2,125	2,048
Profit Sharing Contributions [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Total defined contribution plan expenses	$ 848	$ 707

Earnings Per Share - Computatio

Earnings Per Share - Computations of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Computation of Basic Earnings per Share
Net income attributable to Stepan Company		$ 13,893	$ 16,142
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		22,824	22,757
Basic earnings per share		$ 0.61	$ 0.71
Computation of Diluted Earnings per Share
Net income attributable to Stepan Company		$ 13,893	$ 16,142
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding		22,824	22,757
Add weighted-average net shares related to unvested stock awards (under treasury stock method)		3	1
Weighted-average shares applicable to diluted earnings		22,948	22,994
Diluted earnings per share		$ 0.61	$ 0.7
Stock Option [Member]
Computation of Diluted Earnings per Share
Add weighted-average net shares from assumed exercise of options (under treasury stock method)	[1]	47	99
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Computation of Diluted Earnings per Share
Add weighted-average net shares from assumed exercise of options (under treasury stock method)	[1]	54	108
Performance Stock Award [Member]
Computation of Diluted Earnings per Share
Add weighted-average net shares from assumed exercise of options (under treasury stock method)		20	29
[1] 800,025 and 403,711 options/SARs to acquire shares of the Company's common stock were excluded from the computation of dilutive earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The options/SARs' exercise prices were greater than the average market price for the Company's common stock and inclusion of the instruments would have had an antidilutive effect on the computations of the earnings per share.

Earnings Per Share - Computat_2

Earnings Per Share - Computations of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Parenthetical) (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Earnings Per Share Basic [Line Items]
Options/SARs to purchase shares of common stock were excluded from the computations of diluted earnings per share	800,025	403,711

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 1,216,490
Ending Balance	1,214,522
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(116,412)	$ (156,835)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(6,551)	18,423
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income	(6,551)	18,423
Ending Balance	(122,963)	(138,412)
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(20,408)	(19,079)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	0
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	58	58
Net current-period other comprehensive income	58	58
Ending Balance	(20,350)	(19,021)
Cash Flow Hedge Adjustments [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	6,218	8,402
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	831	(1,514)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	(2)	(3)
Net current-period other comprehensive income	829	(1,517)
Ending Balance	7,047	6,885
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(130,602)	(167,512)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(5,720)	16,909
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	56	55
Net current-period other comprehensive income	(5,664)	16,964
Ending Balance	$ (136,266)	$ (150,548)

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_4

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Summary of Amounts Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes		$ 19,460	$ 19,903
Tax benefit		(5,567)	(3,761)
Cost of Sales		481,137	577,876
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Adjustments [Member] | Amounts Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Amortization of defined benefit pension actuarial losses	[1],[2]	(77)	(75)
Tax benefit	[1]	19	17
Income applicable to common stock	[1]	(58)	(58)
Cash Flow Hedge Adjustments [Member] | Amounts Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes	[1]	2	3
Income applicable to common stock	[1]	2	3
Cash Flow Hedge Adjustments [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Amounts Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Cost of Sales	[1]	2	3
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] | Amounts Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reclassification Adjustment Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income applicable to common stock	[1]	$ (56)	$ (55)
[1] A mounts in parentheses denote expense to the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. This component of accumulated other comprehensive income is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 9, Postretirement Benefit Plans , of the notes to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) for additional details.

Segment Reporting - Additional

Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024 Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3

Segment Reporting - Operating S

Segment Reporting - Operating Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 551,418	$ 651,436
Surfactants [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	390,820	467,828
Polymers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	145,508	161,127
Specialty Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 15,090	$ 22,481

Segment Reporting - Reconciliat

Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Segment Information to Income Before Provision for Income Taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income		$ 20,169	$ 21,057
Business restructuring			(157)
Other Income (Expense)
Interest, net		(3,071)	(2,822)
Other, net		2,362	1,668
Income before provision for income taxes		19,460	19,903
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income		38,729	39,590
Operating Segments [Member] | Surfactants [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income		26,079	27,056
Operating Segments [Member] | Polymers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income		8,382	10,004
Operating Segments [Member] | Specialty Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating Income		4,268	2,530
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Unallocated corporate expenses	[1]	$ (18,560)	$ (18,376)
[1] Unallocated corporate expenses are primarily comprised of corporate administrative expenses (e.g., corporate finance, legal, human resources, information systems, deferred compensation and environmental remediation) that are not included in segment operating income and are not used to evaluate segment performance.

Revenue from Contracts with C_3

Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2020
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Contract assets	$ 0
Contract liabilities	931,000
Contract liabilities revenue recorded	2,400,000
Long term deferred revenue		$ 10,709,000
Pre-existing Contract Liabilities [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Contract liabilities revenue recorded	688,000
Long-Term [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Long term deferred revenue	6,093,000
Short-Term [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Short-term defferred revenue	$ 2,216,000

Revenue from Contracts with C_4

Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Summary of Geographic Disaggregation of Net Sales (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 551,418	$ 651,436
Surfactants [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	390,820	467,828
Polymers [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	145,508	161,127
Specialty Products [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	15,090	22,481
North America [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	312,645	375,908
North America [Member] | Surfactants [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	229,590	277,140
North America [Member] | Polymers [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	69,809	81,169
North America [Member] | Specialty Products [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	13,246	17,599
Europe [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	136,490	165,048
Europe [Member] | Surfactants [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	70,778	91,120
Europe [Member] | Polymers [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	63,877	69,057
Europe [Member] | Specialty Products [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	1,835	4,872
Latin America [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	78,294	81,894
Latin America [Member] | Surfactants [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	77,868	81,099
Latin America [Member] | Polymers [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	417	785
Latin America [Member] | Specialty Products [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	9	10
Asia [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	23,989	28,586
Asia [Member] | Surfactants [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	12,584	18,470
Asia [Member] | Polymers [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 11,405	$ 10,116

Debt - Debt (Detail)

Debt - Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 645,982	$ 654,146
Less current maturities	245,861	252,898
Long-term debt	400,121	401,248
Senior unsecured 3.95% note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 56,975	$ 56,952
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	3.95%	3.95%
Senior unsecured 3.95% note [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2024	2024
Senior unsecured 3.95% note [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2027	2027
Senior unsecured 3.86% note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 28,490	$ 28,466
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	3.86%	3.86%
Senior unsecured 3.86% note [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2024	2024
Senior unsecured 3.86% note [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2025	2025
Senior unsecured 2.30% note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 49,874	$ 49,858
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	2.30%	2.30%
Senior unsecured 2.30% note [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2024	2024
Senior unsecured 2.30% note [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2028	2028
Senior unsecured 2.37% note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 49,868	$ 49,852
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	2.37%	2.37%
Senior unsecured 2.37% note [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2024	2024
Senior unsecured 2.37% note [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2028	2028
Senior unsecured 2.73% note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 99,851	$ 99,825
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	2.73%	2.73%
Senior unsecured 2.73% note [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2025	2025
Senior unsecured 2.73% note [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2031	2031
Senior unsecured 2.83% note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 74,884	$ 74,866
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	2.83%	2.83%
Senior unsecured 2.83% note [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2026	2026
Senior unsecured 2.83% note [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2032	2032
Debt of foreign subsidiaries Unsecured bank debt, foreign currency [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 6,040	$ 11,327
Maturity Dates	2024	2024
Revolving credit facility and term loan borrowing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 280,000	$ 283,000
Revolving credit facility and term loan borrowing [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity Dates	2024	2024

Debt - Debt (Parenthetical) (De

Debt - Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance cost	$ 772,000	$ 895,000
Senior unsecured 3.95% note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance cost	168,000	191,000
Senior unsecured 3.86% note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance cost	81,000	105,000
Senior unsecured 2.30% note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance cost	126,000	142,000
Senior unsecured 2.37% note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance cost	132,000	148,000
Senior unsecured 2.73% note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance cost	149,000	175,000
Senior unsecured 2.83% note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance cost	$ 116,000	$ 134,000

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended
	Jun. 24, 2022	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt		$ 645,982,000	$ 654,146,000
Debt instrument maturity dates description		The notes had original maturities of seven to 12 years with mandatory principal payments beginning four, five and six years after issuance
Multi-Currency Credit Facility with Syndicate of Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing capacity	$ 450,000,000
Committed multi-currency credit facility, maturity date	Jun. 24, 2027
Multi-Currency Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Multi-Currency Credit Facility with Syndicate of Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing capacity	$ 350,000,000
Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing capacity		$ 93,750,000
Term loan principal repaid		6,250,000
Delayed Draw Term Loan Credit Facility [Member] | Multi-Currency Credit Facility with Syndicate of Banks [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing capacity	$ 100,000,000
Multi Currency Revolving Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding borrowings, including term loan		280,000,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding		10,979,000
Unused Revolving credit		152,771,000
Unrestricted retained earnings		240,735,000	$ 234,399,000
Unsecured Private Placement Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt		$ 359,942,000
Unsecured Private Placement Notes [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate percentage		2.30%
Maturity Dates		7 years
Unsecured Private Placement Notes [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument interest rate percentage		3.95%
Maturity Dates		12 years

Other, Net - Other Net in Conde

Other, Net - Other Net in Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Foreign exchange losses	$ (375)	$ (324)
Investment income	60	143
Realized and unrealized gains on investments	2,267	1,516
Net periodic pension benefit income	410	333
Other, net	$ 2,362	$ 1,668

Noncash Investing and Financi_2

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 31, 2023
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Line Items]
Noncash investing activities, payables incurred for property, plant and equipment expenditures, unpaid	$ 13,004,000	$ 27,061,000
Common Stock [Member] | Stock Award Plan [Member]
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Line Items]
Noncash financing activities shares issued	98,146	88,497
Noncash financing activities issued value	$ 8,808,000	$ 9,607,000

Recent Accounting Pronounceme_3

Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024 Country
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Percentage of global minimum tax on reported profits	15%
Number of countries	100