Executive Change

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): October 10, 2025     STEPAN COMPANY (Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)       Delaware   1-4462   36-1823834 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)   1101 Skokie Boulevard Suite 500   Northbrook , Illinois   60062 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code) Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 847 446-7500 (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:   ☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)   ☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)   ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))   ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:   Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, $1 par value   SCL   The New York Stock Exchange 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. ☐       Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers On October 10, 2025, Samuel S. Hinrichsen, who previously served as Stepan Company’s (“Stepan”) Vice President and Interim Chief Financial Officer from October 30, 2024 to July 15, 2025 and thereafter assumed the role of Global Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations, notified Stepan of his decision to resign effective October 31, 2025. Mr. Hinrichsen’s resignation was not the result of any disagreement with Stepan on any matter relating to its operations, policies, or practices. Stepan expresses its appreciation to Mr. Hinrichsen for his service in the Vice President and Interim Chief Financial Officer role and his contributions to Stepan.   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.         STEPAN COMPANY Date:  October 14, 2025     By:   /s/ Shawn G. Lisle       Shawn G. Lisle Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary