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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): 9/23/2021

STEPAN COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Commission File Number: 1-4462

1101 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 500, Northbrook, Illinois 60062

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(847) 446-7500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instructions A.2. below):

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

As previously disclosed, on June 10, 2021, Stepan Company (“Stepan”) entered into a Note Purchase and Master Note Agreement by and among Stepan, NYL Investors LLC, the Purchasers named in the Purchaser Schedule attached thereto (the “Initial Purchasers”) and each other New York Life Affiliate (as defined therein) from time to time party thereto (the “Agreement”). On September 23, 2021, pursuant to the Agreement, Stepan issued and sold to the Initial Purchasers $50 million in aggregate principal amount of its 2.37% Senior Notes, Series 2021-B, due September 23, 2028 (the “Notes”).

The Notes will bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.37% with interest to be paid semi-annually. Principal amortization for the Notes is contractually scheduled with equal annual payments beginning on September 23, 2024 and on each September 23 thereafter to and including September 23, 2027, with the outstanding principal balance due at maturity on September 23, 2028.

As previously disclosed, the Agreement requires the maintenance of certain financial ratios and covenants that are similar to Stepan’s existing long-term debt and provides for customary events of default. Generally, if an event of default occurs, subject to certain exceptions, the holders of more than 51% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding under the Agreement may declare all Notes to be immediately due and payable. Stepan may at any time and from time to time prepay all or a portion of the Notes at 100% of the principal amount so prepaid, together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment, plus a make-whole premium. In addition, as previously disclosed, Stepan Specialty Products, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stepan (“Stepan Specialty Products”), and Stepan Surfactants Holdings, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Stepan (“Stepan Surfactants Holdings”), entered into a subsidiary guaranty (the “Subsidiary Guaranty”) whereby Stepan Specialty Products and Stepan Surfactants Holdings agreed to guarantee Stepan’s obligations under the Notes and the Agreement.

The foregoing summary of the terms of the Agreement and the Subsidiary Guaranty is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Agreement and the Subsidiary Guaranty, which are filed as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2 hereto, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.

(d)Exhibits

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.