Stepan Co. engages in the manufacture and sale of specialty and intermediate chemicals. It operates through the following segments: Surfactants, Polymers, and Specialty Products. Read More The Surfactants segment offers a range of surfactant chemicals such as anionic, cationic, nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants. The Polymers segment produces polyester polyols and phthalic anhydride. The Specialty Products are chemicals used in food, flavoring, nutritional supplement and pharmaceutical applications. The company was founded by Alfred C. Stepan Jr. in 1932 and is headquartered in Northfield, IL.