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SEC Comment Letter 0000000000-23-008836 to STEPAN CO (SCL) (CIK 0000094049) (SCL)

STEPAN CO (SCL) (CIK 0000094049)
Date: Aug. 14, 2023 · CIK: 0000094049 · Accession: 0000000000-23-008836

AI Filing Summary & Sentiment

File numbers found in text: 001-04462

Date
August 14, 2023
Author
Not clearly detected
Form
UPLOAD
Company
STEPAN CO (SCL) (CIK 0000094049)

Letter

United States securities and exchange commission logo August 14, 2023 David Kabbes General Counsel Stepan Company 1101 Skokie Blvd., Suite 500 Northbrook, Illinois 60062 Re:Stepan Company Annual Report on Form 10-K Filed February 28, 2023 File No. 001-04462 Dear David Kabbes: We have reviewed your filing and have the following comments. In some of our comments, we may ask you to provide us with information so we may better understand your disclosure. Please respond to these comments within ten business days by providing the requested information or advise us as soon as possible when you will respond. If you do not believe our comments apply to your facts and circumstances, please tell us why in your response. After reviewing your response to these comments, we may have additional comments. Annual Report on Form 10-K General 1.We note that you provided more expansive disclosure in your 2022 Sustainability Report and ESG Analyst Download than you provided in your SEC filings. Please advise us what consideration you gave to providing the same type of climate-related disclosure in your SEC filings as you provided in your Sustainability Report and Analyst Download. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, page 2.To the extent material, discuss the indirect consequences of climate-related regulation or business trends, such as the following:

•decreased demand for goods or services that produce significant greenhouse gas emissions or are related to carbon-based energy sources;

FirstName LastNameDavid Kabbes Comapany NameStepan Company August 14, 2023 Page 2 FirstName LastName David Kabbes Stepan Company August 14, 2023 Page 2 •increased demand for goods that result in lower emissions than competing products; •increased competition to develop innovative new products that result in lower emissions; •increased demand for generation and transmission of energy from alternative energy sources; and •any anticipated reputational risks resulting from operations or products that produce material greenhouse gas emissions. 3.We note discussion in your Sustainability Report addressing weather- and climate-related events, water quality and quantity, and potential impacts to your supply chain and your facilities. Please discuss the physical effects of climate change on your operations and results. This disclosure may include the following:

•severity of weather, such as floods, hurricanes, sea levels, extreme fires, and water availability and quality; •quantification of weather-related damages to your property or operations; •potential for indirect weather-related impacts that have affected or may affect your major customers or suppliers; and •the extent to which extreme weather events have reduced the availability of insurance or increased the cost of insurance.

Include quantitative information for each of the periods covered by your Form 10-K and explain whether increased amounts are expected in future periods. 4.You reference the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (“RECs”) or Green Origin Certificates (“GOs”) in your Sustainability Report. Please provide disclosure about your purchase and sale of carbon credits, carbon offsets, RECs, or GOs, and any material effects on your business, financial condition, and results of operations. Provide us with quantitative information for each of the periods covered by your most recent Form 10-K and the amounts budgeted for or expected to be incurred in future periods. We remind you that the company and its management are responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of their disclosures, notwithstanding any review, comments, action or absence of action by the staff. You may Benjamin Richie at 202-551-7857 or Jennifer Angelini at 202-551-3047 with any other questions. Sincerely, Division of Corporation Finance Office of Industrial Applications and Services

Show Raw Text
United States securities and exchange commission logo
August 14, 2023
David Kabbes
General Counsel
Stepan Company
1101 Skokie Blvd., Suite 500
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
Re:Stepan Company
Annual Report on Form 10-K
Filed February 28, 2023
File No. 001-04462
Dear David Kabbes:
            We have reviewed your filing and have the following comments.  In some of our
comments, we may ask you to provide us with information so we may better understand your
disclosure.
            Please respond to these comments within ten business days by providing the requested
information or advise us as soon as possible when you will respond.  If you do not believe our
comments apply to your facts and circumstances, please tell us why in your response.
            After reviewing your response to these comments, we may have additional comments.
Annual Report on Form 10-K
General
1.We note that you provided more expansive disclosure in your 2022 Sustainability Report
and ESG Analyst Download than you provided in your SEC filings.  Please advise us
what consideration you gave to providing the same type of climate-related disclosure in
your SEC filings as you provided in your Sustainability Report and Analyst Download.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, page
21
2.To the extent material, discuss the indirect consequences of climate-related regulation or
business trends, such as the following:

•decreased demand for goods or services that produce significant greenhouse gas
emissions or are related to carbon-based energy sources;

 FirstName LastNameDavid Kabbes
 Comapany NameStepan Company
 August 14, 2023 Page 2
 FirstName LastName
David Kabbes
Stepan Company
August 14, 2023
Page 2
•increased demand for goods that result in lower emissions than competing products;
•increased competition to develop innovative new products that result in lower
emissions;
•increased demand for generation and transmission of energy from alternative energy
sources; and
•any anticipated reputational risks resulting from operations or products that produce
material greenhouse gas emissions.
3.We note discussion in your Sustainability Report addressing weather- and climate-related
events, water quality and quantity, and potential impacts to your supply chain and your
facilities.  Please discuss the physical effects of climate change on your operations and
results. This disclosure may include the following:

•severity of weather, such as floods, hurricanes, sea levels, extreme fires, and water
availability and quality;
•quantification of weather-related damages to your property or operations;
•potential for indirect weather-related impacts that have affected or may affect your
major customers or suppliers; and
•the extent to which extreme weather events have reduced the availability of insurance
or increased the cost of insurance.

Include quantitative information for each of the periods covered by your Form 10-K and
explain whether increased amounts are expected in future periods.
4.You reference the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (“RECs”) or Green Origin
Certificates (“GOs”) in your Sustainability Report.  Please provide disclosure about your
purchase and sale of carbon credits, carbon offsets, RECs, or GOs, and any material
effects on your business, financial condition, and results of operations.  Provide us with
quantitative information for each of the periods covered by your most recent Form 10-K
and the amounts budgeted for or expected to be incurred in future periods.
            We remind you that the company and its management are responsible for the accuracy
and adequacy of their disclosures, notwithstanding any review, comments, action or absence of
action by the staff.
            You may Benjamin Richie at 202-551-7857 or Jennifer Angelini at 202-551-3047 with
any other questions.
Sincerely,
Division of Corporation Finance
Office of Industrial Applications and
Services