The following is management's discussion and analysis (MD&A) of certain
significant factors that have affected the Company's financial condition and
results of operations during the interim periods included in the accompanying
condensed consolidated financial statements.

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, other than purely
historical information, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). These statements include statements
about Stepan Company's and its subsidiaries' (the Company) plans, objectives,
strategies, financial performance and outlook, trends, the amount and timing of
future cash distributions, prospects or future events and involve known and
unknown risks that are difficult to predict. As a result, the Company's actual
financial results, performance, achievements or prospects may differ materially
from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. In some
cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as
"may," "could," "expect," "intend," "plan," "seek," "anticipate," "believe,"
"estimate," "guidance," "predict," "potential," "continue," "likely," "will,"
"would," "should," "illustrative" and variations of these terms and similar
expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Such
forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon estimates and assumptions
that, while considered reasonable by the Company and its management based on
their knowledge and understanding of the business and industry, are inherently
uncertain. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and
stockholders should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors, many of
which are beyond the Company's control, that could cause the Company's actual
results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in
this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Such risks, uncertainties and other important factors, include, among others,
the risks, uncertainties and factors set forth under "Part II-Item IA - Risk
Factors" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and under "Part I-Item IA. Risk
Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2021, including the risks and uncertainties related to the following:

• the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;

• accidents, unplanned production shutdowns or disruptions in any of the

Company's manufacturing facilities;

• reduced demand for Company products due to customer product reformulations

or new technologies;

• the Company's inability to successfully develop or introduce new products;

• compliance with environmental, health and safety, product registration and

anti-corruption laws;

• the Company's ability to make acquisitions of suitable candidates and


       successfully integrate acquisitions;


  • global competition and the Company's ability to successfully compete;

• volatility of raw material, natural gas and electricity costs as well as

any disruption in their supply;

• disruptions in transportation or significant changes in transportation costs;




  • downturns in certain industries and general economic downturns;

• international business risks, including fluctuations in currency exchange


       rates, legal restrictions and taxes;


  • unfavorable resolution of litigation against the Company;

• the Company's ability to keep and protect its intellectual property rights;

• potentially adverse tax consequences due to the international scope of the

Company's operations;

• downgrades to the Company's credit ratings or disruptions to the Company's

ability to access well-functioning capital markets;

• conflicts, military actions, terrorist attacks and general instability,

particularly in certain energy-producing nations, along with increased

security regulations;

• cost overruns, delays and miscalculations in capacity needs with respect to

the Company's expansion or other capital projects;

• interruption of, damage to or compromise of the Company's IT systems and


       failure to maintain the integrity of customer, colleague or Company data;


    •  the Company's ability to retain its executive management and other key

personnel;

• the Company's ability to operate within the limitations of debt covenants;


       and


  • the other factors set forth under "Risk Factors."


                                       20

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These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause
the Company's actual financial results, performance, achievements or prospects
to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any of its
forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could
harm the Company's results. All forward-looking statements attributable to the
Company or persons acting on the Company's behalf are expressly qualified in
their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not
undertake or assume any obligation to update publicly any of these
forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, new information or future
events, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting
forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If
the Company updates one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should
be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or
other forward-looking statements.

The "Company," "we," "our" or "us" means Stepan Company and one or more of its subsidiaries only.



Overview

The Company produces and sells intermediate chemicals that are used in a wide
variety of applications worldwide. The overall business is comprised of three
reportable segments:

Surfactants - Surfactants, which accounted for 67 percent of Company
consolidated net sales for the first six months of 2022, are principal
ingredients in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection products such
as detergents for washing clothes, dishes, carpets, floors and walls, as well as
shampoos and body washes. Other applications include fabric softeners,
germicidal quaternary compounds, disinfectants, lubricating ingredients,
emulsifiers for spreading agricultural products and industrial applications such
as latex systems, plastics and composites. Surfactants are manufactured at five
sites in the United States, two European sites (United Kingdom and France), five
Latin American sites (one site in Colombia and two sites in each of Mexico and
Brazil) and two Asian sites (Philippines and Singapore). Recent significant
events include:

o In February 2021, the Company acquired a fermentation plant located in Lake

Providence, Louisiana. The Company believes this plant complements the

rhamnolipid-based bio-surfactant technology the Company acquired from Logos

Technologies in March 2020. Fermentation is a new platform technology for

the Company and the Company is focusing efforts to further develop,

integrate, produce and commercialize these unique surfactants moving

forward. Bio-surfactants, produced via fermentation, are attractive due to

their biodegradability, low toxicity, and in some cases, unique

antimicrobial properties. These bio-surfactants offer synergies in several

strategic end use markets including oilfield, agriculture, personal care

and household, industrial and institutional cleaning. The acquisition of

this industrial scale fermentation plant represents the latest step in the

Company's bio-surfactant commercialization efforts. See Note 17,

Acquisitions, of the notes to the Company's condensed consolidated

financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) for additional

details.




Polymers - Polymers, which accounted for 30 percent of consolidated net sales
for the first six months of 2022, include polyurethane polyols, polyester resins
and phthalic anhydride. Polyurethane polyols are used in the manufacture of
rigid foam for thermal insulation in the construction industry and are also a
base raw material for coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers
(collectively, CASE products). Powdered polyester resins are used in coating
applications. CASE and powdered polyester resins are collectively referred to as
specialty polyols. Phthalic anhydride is used in unsaturated polyester resins,
alkyd resins and plasticizers for applications in construction materials and
components of automotive, boating and other consumer products. In addition, the
Company uses phthalic anhydride internally in the production of polyols. In the
United States, polyurethane polyols are manufactured at the Company's Elwood,
Illinois (Millsdale) and Wilmington, North Carolina sites (see the INVISTA
acquisition discussion below). Phthalic anhydride is manufactured at the
Company's Millsdale site and specialty polyols are manufactured at the Company's
Columbus, Georgia, site. In Europe, polyurethane polyols are manufactured at the
Company's plants in Germany and the Netherlands (see the INVISTA acquisition
discussion below) and specialty polyols are manufactured at the Company's Poland
site. In Asia, polyurethane polyols and specialty polyols are manufactured at
the Company's China plant. Recent significant events include:

o In January 2021, the Company purchased INVISTA's aromatic polyester polyol


       business and associated assets. Included in the transaction were two
       manufacturing sites, one in Wilmington, North Carolina and the other in
       Vlissingen, Netherlands, along with intellectual property, customer

relationships, inventory and working capital. This acquisition expanded the

Company's manufacturing capabilities in both the United States and Europe

and enhanced the Company's business continuity capabilities for the market.

The Company believes that the facilities' available spare capacity,

combined with debottlenecking opportunities in both plants, will allow

Stepan to support future market growth in a capital efficient way. See Note

17, Acquisitions, of the notes to the Company's condensed consolidated

financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) for additional

details.




Specialty Products - Specialty products, which accounted for three percent of
consolidated net sales for the first six months of 2022, include flavors,
emulsifiers and solubilizers used in food, flavoring, nutritional supplement and
pharmaceutical applications. Specialty products are primarily manufactured at
the Company's Maywood, New Jersey, site and, in some instances, by third-party
contractors.

                                       21

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Deferred Compensation Plans



The accounting for the Company's deferred compensation plans can cause
period-to-period fluctuations in Company income and expenses. Compensation
expense is recognized when the value of Company common stock and mutual fund
investment assets held for the plans increase, and compensation income is
recognized when the value of Company common stock and mutual fund investment
assets decline. The pretax effect of all deferred compensation-related
activities (including realized and unrealized gains and losses on the mutual
fund assets held to fund the deferred compensation obligations) and the income
statement line items in which the effects of the activities were recorded are
displayed in the following table:


                                                     Income (Expense)
                                                   For the Three Months
                                                       Ended June 30
(In millions)                                      2022              2021          Change
Deferred Compensation (Administrative
expenses)                                      $        3.4       $     (1.0 )   $       4.4   (1)
Realized/Unrealized Gains (Losses) on
Investments (Other, net)                               (4.3 )            2.2            (6.5 )
Investment Income (Other, net)                          0.2              0.2               -
Pretax Income Effect                           $       (0.7 )     $      1.4     $      (2.1 )



                                                     Income (Expense)
                                                    For the Six Months
                                                      Ended June 30
(In millions)                                      2022             2021          Change
Deferred Compensation (Administrative
expense)                                       $       10.9      $     (3.7 )   $      14.6   (1)
Realized/Unrealized Gains (Losses) on
Investments (Other, net)                               (6.8 )           2.6            (9.4 )
Investment Income (Other, net)                          0.4             0.5            (0.1 )
Pretax Income Effect                           $        4.5      $     (0.6 )   $       5.1


         (1) See the Segment Results-Corporate Expenses sections of this
             MD&A for details regarding the period-over-period changes in
             deferred compensation.

Effects of Foreign Currency Translation



The Company's foreign subsidiaries transact business and report financial
results in their respective local currencies. As a result, foreign subsidiary
income statements are translated into U.S. dollars at average foreign exchange
rates appropriate for the reporting period. Because foreign exchange rates
fluctuate against the U.S. dollar over time, foreign currency translation
affects period-to-period comparisons of financial statement items (i.e., because
foreign exchange rates fluctuate, similar period-to-period local currency
results for a foreign subsidiary may translate into different U.S. dollar
results). The following table presents the effects that foreign currency
translation had on the period-over-period changes in consolidated net sales and
various income statement line items for the three and six months ended June 30,
2022 and 2021:

                     Three Months Ended
                           June 30
                                                                 (Decrease)
                                                               Due to Foreign
(In millions)         2022          2021        Increase        Translation
Net Sales          $    751.6      $ 595.5     $    156.1     $          (25.6 )
Gross Profit            131.6        111.7           19.9                 (3.5 )
Operating Income         77.6         56.7           20.9                 (2.5 )
Pretax Income            69.5         57.8           11.7                 (2.5 )


                                       22

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                      Six Months Ended
                           June 30
                                                                 (Decrease)
                                                               Due to Foreign
(In millions)        2022          2021         Increase        Translation
Net Sales          $ 1,426.9     $ 1,133.3     $    293.6     $          (37.3 )
Gross Profit           240.8         220.7           20.1                 (5.2 )
Operating Income       141.0         110.6           30.4                 (3.6 )
Pretax Income          128.9         111.0           17.9                 (3.7 )


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

Summary



Net income attributable to the Company in the second quarter of 2022 increased
20 percent to $52.1 million, or $2.26 per diluted share, from $43.3 million, or
$1.85 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2021. Adjusted net income
increased 26 percent to $53.0 million, or $2.30 per diluted share, from $42.2
million, or $1.81 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2021 (see the
"Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share"
section of this MD&A for a reconciliation between reported net income
attributable to the Company and reported earnings per diluted share and non-GAAP
adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per diluted share). Below is a summary
discussion of the major factors leading to the changes in net sales, expenses
and income in the second quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of
2021. A detailed discussion of segment operating performance for the second
quarter of 2022 compared to the second quarter of 2021 follows the summary.

Consolidated net sales increased $156.1 million, or 26 percent, from the prior
year quarter. Higher average selling prices favorably impacted the
year-over-year change in net sales by $190.3 million. The increase in average
selling prices was mainly attributable to the pass-through of higher raw
material and logistics costs as well as more favorable product and customer mix.
Consolidated sales volume declined one percent, which negatively impacted the
change in net sales by $8.6 million.  Sales volume in the Polymer segment
increased two percent while sales volume in the Surfactant and Specialty
Products segments decreased three and seven percent, respectively. Foreign
currency translation negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales
by $25.6 million due to a stronger U.S. dollar against most currencies in
foreign locations where the Company has operations.

Operating income in the second quarter of 2022 increased $21.0 million, or 37
percent, versus operating income in the second quarter of 2021. Polymer,
Specialty Products and Surfactant operating income increased $10.9 million, $2.9
million, and $2.4 million, respectively, versus the second quarter of
2021. Corporate expenses, including business restructuring and deferred
compensation expenses, decreased $4.9 million year-over-year. Most of this
decrease was attributable to a $4.4 million decrease in deferred compensation
expenses. Corporate expenses (excluding deferred compensation and business
restructuring expenses) decreased $0.5 million year-over-year primarily due to
lower acquisition-related expenses. Foreign currency translation had a $2.5
million negative impact on operating income in the second quarter of 2022 versus
the prior year quarter.

Operating expenses (including deferred compensation, business restructuring and
goodwill impairment) decreased $1.1 million, or two percent, versus the prior
year quarter. Changes in the individual income statement line items that
comprise the Company's operating expenses were as follows:

• Selling expenses increased $0.6 million, or four percent, primarily due to


       higher incentive-based compensation expenses.



  • Administrative expenses were flat year-over-year.


• Research, development and technical service (R&D) expenses increased $1.7


       million, or 11 percent, primarily due to higher incentive-based
       compensation expenses.


• Deferred compensation expense decreased $4.4 million, primarily due to a

decrease in the value of mutual fund investment assets held for the

plans. This decrease was partially offset by a $2.54 per share increase in

the market price of Company common stock in the second quarter of 2022

compared to a $6.84 per share decrease in the second quarter of 2021. See

the Overview and Segment Results-Corporate Expenses section of this MD&A


       for further details.


• Business restructuring expenses were $0.1 million in both the second

quarter of 2022 and 2021. The restructuring costs in both years relate to

ongoing decommissioning costs associated with the Company's Canadian plant


       closure.


Goodwill impairment expenses were $1.0 million in the second quarter of

2022 versus no impairment expense recognition in the prior year

quarter. See Note 18, Goodwill Impairment, of the notes to the Company's


       condensed consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this
       Form 10-Q) for additional details.


                                       23

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Net interest expense for the second quarter of 2022 increased $1.2 million, or 74 percent, versus the second quarter of 2021. This increase was primarily attributable to higher borrowings in 2022 and in the second half of 2021.



Other, net was $5.4 million of expense in the second quarter of 2022 versus $2.8
million of income in the second quarter of 2021. The Company recognized $4.3
million of investment losses (including realized and unrealized gains and
losses) for the Company's deferred compensation and supplemental defined
contribution mutual fund assets in the second quarter of 2022 compared to $2.4
million of investment income in the second quarter of 2021. In addition, the
Company reported $1.5 million of foreign exchange losses in the second quarter
of 2022 versus $0.1 million of foreign exchange gains in the second quarter of
2021. The Company also reported $0.2 million of higher net periodic pension
income in the second quarter of 2022 versus the prior year second quarter.

The Company's effective tax rate was 25.0 percent in the second quarter of 2022 compared to 25.1 percent in the second quarter of 2021.

Segment Results

(Dollars in thousands) For the Three Months Ended


                            June 30,           June 30,                     Percent
Net Sales                     2022               2021        Increase       Change
Surfactants              $      485,084       $  384,002     $ 101,082          26
Polymers                        238,885          190,538        48,347          25
Specialty Products               27,664           20,971         6,693          32
Total Net Sales          $      751,633       $  595,511     $ 156,122          26




(Dollars in thousands)                        For the Three Months Ended
                                             June 30,            June 30,          Increase        Percent
Operating Income                               2022                2021           (Decrease)        Change
Surfactants                                $      48,249       $      45,896     $      2,353           5
Polymers                                          33,912              23,025           10,887          47
Specialty Products                                 9,866               6,977            2,889          41
 Segment Operating Income                  $      92,027       $      75,898     $     16,129          21
Corporate Expenses, Excluding Deferred
Compensation
 and Restructuring                         $      17,712       $      18,169     $       (457 )        -3
Deferred Compensation Expense (Income)            (3,406 )               958           (4,364 )       NM
Business Restructuring                                81                 114              (33 )        -29
Total Operating Income                     $      77,640       $      56,657     $     20,983          37


Surfactants

Surfactant net sales for the second quarter of 2022 increased $101.1 million, or
26 percent, versus net sales for the second quarter of 2021. Higher average
selling prices positively impacted the change in net sales by $122.9 million.
The higher average selling prices were mainly attributable to the pass-through
of higher raw material and logistics costs as well as improved product and
customer mix. Foreign currency translation had an $11.3 million unfavorable
impact on the year-over-year change in net sales. Sales volume declined three
percent and negatively impacted the change in net sales by $10.5 million. A
comparison of net sales by region follows:

(Dollars in thousands) For the Three Months Ended


                               June 30,           June 30,        Increase        Percent
Net Sales                        2022               2021         (Decrease)       Change
North America               $      278,310       $  221,645     $     56,665          26
Europe                              92,591           65,339           27,252          42
Latin America                       97,987           79,968           18,019          23
Asia                                16,196           17,050            

(854 ) -5 Total Surfactants Segment $ 485,084 $ 384,002 $ 101,082 26


                                       24
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Net sales for North American operations increased $56.7 million, or 26 percent,
year over year. Higher average selling prices positively impacted the change in
net sales by $57.4 million. The higher average selling prices were mainly
attributable to the pass-through of higher raw material and logistics costs
along with more favorable product and customer mix. Sales volume was flat
between years as higher demand for products sold into the functional products
end markets, along with higher demand within the Tier 2 and Tier 3 customer
channel, offset lower demand for commodity laundry products within the consumer
products business. Continued raw material and logistics constraints also
negatively impacted sales volume. Foreign currency translation negatively
impacted the change in net sales by $0.3 million.

Net sales for European operations increased $27.3 million, or 42 percent, versus
the prior year quarter. Higher average selling prices and a seven percent
increase in sales volume favorably impacted the year-over-year change in net
sales by $34.6 million and $4.3 million, respectively.  The higher average
selling prices were primarily due to the pass-through of higher raw material
costs and improved product and customer mix. The seven percent increase in sales
volume primarily reflects higher demand for products sold into the functional
products and institutional cleaning end markets. Foreign currency translation
negatively impacted the change in net sales by $11.6 million. A stronger U.S.
dollar relative to the European euro and British pound sterling led to the
unfavorable foreign currency translation effect.

Net sales for Latin American operations increased $18.0 million, or 23 percent,
primarily due to higher average selling prices and the favorable impact of
foreign currency translation. These items positively impacted the change in net
sales by $22.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively. The higher average
selling prices were primarily due to the pass-through of higher raw material
costs and improved product and customer mix. A weaker U.S. dollar relative to
the Brazilian real led to the favorable foreign currency translation
effect. Sales volume declined eight percent and negatively impacted the change
in net sales by $6.1 million. The sales volume decline was primarily due to
lower demand for commodity laundry products within the consumer products
business partially offset by higher demand for products sold into the functional
products end markets.

Net sales for Asian operations decreased $0.9 million, or five percent, from the
prior year quarter. A 31 percent decline in sales volume and the unfavorable
impact of foreign currency translation negatively impacted the change in net
sales by $5.2 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The decline in sales
volume primarily reflects lower demand for commodity laundry products sold
within the consumer products business and lower demand from our distribution
partners. Higher average selling prices positively impacted the change in net
sales by $5.7 million. The higher average selling prices primarily reflect the
pass-through of higher raw material costs.

Surfactant operating income for the second quarter of 2022 increased $2.4 million, or five percent, versus operating income for the second quarter of 2021. Gross profit increased $5.0 million, or seven percent, and operating expenses increased $2.7 million, or 10 percent. Comparisons of gross profit by region and total segment operating expenses and operating income follow:



(Dollars in thousands)                        For the Three Months Ended
                                             June 30,            June 30,          Increase        Percent
Gross Profit and Operating Income              2022                2021           (Decrease)        Change
North America                              $      47,188       $      44,412     $      2,776           6
Europe                                            11,620               8,478            3,142          37
Latin America                                     15,567              17,330           (1,763 )        -10
Asia                                               3,692               2,837              855          30
Surfactants Segment Gross Profit           $      78,067       $      73,057     $      5,010           7
Operating Expenses                                29,818              27,161            2,657          10

Surfactants Segment Operating Income $ 48,249 $ 45,896 $ 2,353

           5



Gross profit for North American operations increased $2.8 million, or six
percent, from the prior year quarter primarily due to higher average unit
margins. The higher average unit margins favorably impacted the change in gross
profit by $2.9 million and were mostly attributable to more favorable product
and customer mix that was partially offset by ongoing supply chain challenges,
inclusive of raw material and logistics constraints, and inflationary
pressures.

Gross profit for European operations increased $3.1 million, or 37 percent, due
to higher average unit margins and a seven percent increase in sales volume.
These items positively impacted the change in net sales by $4.0 million and $0.5
million, respectively. The higher average unit margins primarily reflect
improved customer and product mix. The unfavorable impact of foreign currency
translation negatively impacted the change in gross profit by $1.4 million. A
stronger U.S. dollar relative to the European euro and British pound sterling
led to the unfavorable foreign currency translation effect.

Gross profit for Latin American operations decreased $1.8 million, or ten
percent, due to an eight percent decline in sales volume and lower average unit
margins. These items negatively impacted the change in gross profit by $1.3
million and $0.8 million, respectively. The lower average unit margins were
primarily due to the non-recurrence of a $2.1 million VAT tax recovery during
the second quarter of 2021. Foreign currency translation favorably impacted the
year-over-year change in gross profit by $0.3 million.

                                       25
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Gross profit for Asia operations increased $0.9 million, or 30 percent, from the
prior year quarter primarily due to higher average unit margins. The higher unit
margins positively impacted the change in gross profit by $1.7 million. A 31
percent decline in sales volume negatively impacted the change in gross profit
by $0.8 million. The lower volume primarily reflects lost market share at one
major customer.

Operating expenses for the Surfactant segment increased $2.7 million, or ten
percent, in the second quarter of 2022 versus the second quarter of 2021. This
increase was mainly attributable to higher incentive-based compensation
expenses, a goodwill impairment charge at the Company's Philippines subsidiary
and higher bad debt provision expense.

Polymers



Polymer net sales for the second quarter of 2022 increased $48.3 million, or 25
percent, versus net sales for the same period of 2021. Higher average selling
prices and a two percent increase in sales volume favorably impacted the change
in net sales by $58.4 million and $3.6 million, respectively. The higher average
selling prices were mainly due to the pass through of higher raw material
costs. Foreign currency translation had a $13.7 million unfavorable impact on
the year-over-year change in net sales. A comparison of net sales by region
follows:

(Dollars in thousands)     For the Three Months Ended
                            June 30,           June 30,        Increase        Percent
Net Sales                     2022               2021         (Decrease)       Change
North America            $      133,455       $   95,591     $     37,864          40
Europe                           94,424           82,453           11,971          15
Asia and Other                   11,006           12,494           (1,488 )       -12
Total Polymers Segment   $      238,885       $  190,538     $     48,347          25



Net sales for North American operations increased $37.9 million, or 40 percent,
due to higher average selling prices and a three percent increase in sales
volume. These items positively impacted the change in net sales by $34.6 million
and $3.3 million, respectively. The higher average selling prices were mainly
due to the pass-through of higher raw material costs. The higher sales volume
reflects rigid polyol growth of eight percent that was partially offset by lower
demand within the phthalic anhydride and specialty polyols businesses.

Net sales for European operations increased $12.0 million, or 15 percent, year
over year. Higher average selling prices and a three percent increase in sales
volume positively impacted the change in net sales by $22.9 million and $2.7
million, respectively. The higher average selling prices were primarily due to
pass-through of higher raw material costs. The unfavorable impact of foreign
currency translation negatively impacted the change in net sales by $13.6
million. A stronger U.S. dollar relative to the Polish zloty and British pound
sterling led to the unfavorable foreign currency translation effect.

Net sales for Asia and Other operations decreased $1.5 million, or 12 percent,
primarily due to a 17 percent decline in sales volume which had a $2.1 million
negative impact on the year-over-year change in net sales. The decline in sales
volume was primarily attributable to recent COVID lockdowns and restrictions in
China. Higher average selling prices positively impacted the change in net sales
by $0.7 million. The unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation
negatively impacted the change in net sales by $0.1 million.

Polymer operating income in the second quarter of 2022 increased $10.9 million,
or 47 percent, versus operating income in the second quarter of 2021. Gross
profit increased $11.7 million, or 38 percent, and operating expenses were up
$0.8 million, or 11 percent. Comparisons of gross profit by region and total
segment operating expenses and operating income follow:

(Dollars in thousands)                        For the Three Months Ended
                                             June 30,            June 30,          Increase        Percent
Gross Profit and Operating Income              2022                2021           (Decrease)        Change
North America                              $      25,787       $      15,869     $      9,918          62
Europe                                            15,459              13,314            2,145          16
Asia and Other                                     1,118               1,479             (361 )        -24
Polymers Segment Gross Profit              $      42,364       $      30,662     $     11,702          38
Operating Expenses                                 8,452               7,637              815          11

Polymers Segment Operating Income $ 33,912 $ 23,025 $ 10,887 47

Gross profit for North American operations increased $9.9 million, or 62 percent, due to higher average unit margins and a three percent increase in sales volume. These items positively impacted the change in gross profit by $9.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The higher average unit margins primarily reflect partial margin recovery and more favorable product and customer mix as higher rigid polyols sales volume more than offset lower phthalic anhydride sales volume.


                                       26

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Gross profit for European operations increased $2.1 million, or 16 percent, versus the second quarter of 2021. The increase was primarily due to higher average unit margins and a three percent increase in sales volume. These two items favorably impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $3.8 million and $0.4 million respectively. The unfavorable impact of foreign currency translation negatively impacted the change in gross profit by $2.1 million.



Gross profit for Asia and Other operations decreased $0.4 million, or 24
percent, due to a 17 percent decline in sales volume and slightly lower average
unit margins. These items negatively impacted the year-over-year change in gross
profit by $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Operating expenses for the Polymer segment increased $0.8 million, or 11 percent, year over year. This increase was mainly attributable to higher incentive-based compensation and travel-related expenses.

Specialty Products



Specialty Products net sales for the second quarter of 2022 increased $6.7
million, or 32 percent, versus net sales for the second quarter of 2021. This
increase reflects higher average selling prices that were partially offset by a
seven percent decline in sales volume. Gross profit and operating income both
increased by $2.9 million year-over-year. The year-over-year improvements in
gross profit and operating income were mostly attributable to improved margins
and customer mix within the medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) product line,
partially offset by order timing differences within the food and flavor
business.

Corporate Expenses



Corporate expenses, which include deferred compensation, business restructuring
and other operating expenses that are not allocated to the reportable segments,
decreased $4.9 million between quarters. Corporate expenses were $14.4 million
in the second quarter of 2022 versus $19.2 million in the second quarter of
2021. This decrease was primarily attributable to $3.4 million of deferred
compensation income recognized in the second quarter of 2022 versus $1.0 million
of deferred compensation expense recognized in the second quarter of 2021. In
addition, the Company incurred lower acquisition-related expenses
year-over-year.

The $4.4 million decrease in deferred compensation expense was primarily due to
a decrease in the value of mutual fund investment assets held for the
plans. This decrease was partially offset by a $2.54 per share increase in the
market price of Company common stock in the second quarter of 2022 compared to a
$6.84 per share decrease in the second quarter of 2021. The following table
presents the quarter-end Company common stock market prices used in the
computation of deferred compensation expenses for the three months ended June
30, 2022 and 2021:

                                      2022                        2021
                             June 30       March 31      June 30      March 31
Company Common Stock Price   $ 101.35     $    98.81     $ 120.27     $  127.11

Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 and 2021

Summary



Net income attributable to the Company in the first half of 2022 increased 16
percent to $96.9 million, or $4.19 per diluted share, from $83.9 million, or
$3.59 per diluted share, in the first half of 2021. Adjusted net income
increased 11 percent to $93.7 million, or $4.05 per diluted share, versus $84.6
million or $3.62 per diluted share, in the prior year (see the "Reconciliation
of Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income and Diluted Earnings per Share" section of this
MD&A for a reconciliation between reported net income attributable to the
Company and reported earnings per diluted share and non-GAAP adjusted net income
and adjusted earnings per diluted share). Below is a summary discussion of the
major factors leading to the year-over-year changes in net sales, expenses and
income in the first half of 2022 compared to the first half of 2021. A detailed
discussion of segment operating performance for the first half of 2022 compared
to the first half of 2021 follows the summary.

Consolidated net sales increased $293.7 million, or 26 percent, year-over-year.
Higher average selling prices positively impacted the change in net sales by
$341.3 million. The increase in average selling prices was mainly attributable
to the pass through of higher raw material and logistics costs as well as more
favorable product and customer mix. Consolidated sales volume declined one
percent and negatively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $10.3
million. Sales volume in the Polymer segment increased two percent while sales
volume in the Surfactant and Specialty Products segments declined two percent
and nine percent, respectively. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted
the year-over-year change in net sales by $37.3 million due to a stronger U.S.
dollar against the majority of currencies where the Company has foreign
operations.

Operating income for the first half of 2022 increased $30.4 million, or 28
percent, versus operating income for the first half of 2021. Polymer, Specialty
Products and Surfactant operating income increased $7.1 million, $4.0 million,
and $2.9 million, respectively. Corporate expenses, including business
restructuring and deferred compensation expenses, decreased $16.4 million
year-over-year. Most of this decrease was attributable to a $14.6 million
decrease in deferred compensation expenses. Corporate expenses (excluding
deferred compensation and business restructuring expenses) decreased $1.9
million between years largely due to lower acquisition-related expenses that
were partially offset by higher incentive-based compensation expenses. Foreign
currency translation had a $3.6 million negative impact on operating income in
the first half of 2022 versus the first half of 2021.

                                       27
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Operating expenses (including deferred compensation, business restructuring and
goodwill impairment) decreased $10.2 million, or nine percent, between years.
Changes in the individual income statement line items that comprise the
Company's operating expenses were as follows:

• Selling expenses increased $1.3 million, or five percent, year-over-year

mainly due to higher incentive-based compensation expenses and higher bad


       debt provision expenses related to higher global accounts receivable
       balances and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.


    •  Administrative expenses decreased $1.0 million, or two percent,

year-over-year primarily due to lower acquisition-related expenses that

were partially offset by higher incentive-based compensation expenses.

• R&D expenses increased $3.0 million, or 10 percent, year-over-year

primarily due to higher salaries and incentive-based compensation expenses.

• Deferred compensation expense decreased $14.6 million, year-over-year,

primarily due to a decrease in the value of the mutual fund investment

assets held for the plans and a $22.94 per share decrease in the market

price of Company common stock in the first half of 2022 compared to a $0.95

per share increase in the first half of 2021. See the Overview and Segment

Results-Corporate Expenses section of this MD&A for further details.

• Business restructuring expenses were $0.1 million in the first half of 2022

versus $0.2 million in the first half of 2021. The restructuring charges

in both years relate to ongoing decommissioning costs associated with the

Company's Canadian plant closure.

Goodwill impairment expenses were $1.0 million in the first half of 2022

versus no impairment expense recognition in the prior year. See Note 18,

Goodwill Impairment, of the notes to the Company's condensed consolidated

financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) for additional

details.

Net interest expense for the first half of 2022 increased $1.9 million, or 63 percent, compared to net interest expense for the first half of 2021. This increase was primarily attributable to higher borrowings in 2022 and in the second half of 2021.



Other, net was $7.0 million of expense for the first half of 2022 compared to
$3.5 million of income for the first half of 2021. The Company recognized $6.6
million of investment losses (including realized and unrealized gains and
losses) for the Company's deferred compensation and supplemental defined
contribution mutual fund assets in the first half of 2022 compared to $3.3
million of income in the first half of 2021. In addition, the Company reported
foreign exchange losses of $1.2 million in the first half of 2022 versus $0.2
million of foreign exchange losses in the first half of 2021. The Company also
reported $0.3 million higher of net periodic pension income in the first half of
2022 versus the first half of the prior year.

The Company's effective tax rate was 24.8 percent in the first half of 2022
versus 24.4 percent in the first half of 2021. The year-over-year increase was
primarily attributable to a less favorable geographical mix of income and less
favorable tax benefits derived from stock-based compensation awards, exercised
or distributed, in the first half of 2022 versus the first half of 2021.


(In thousands)         For the Six Months Ended
                       June 30,         June 30,                      Percent
Net Sales                2022             2021         Increase       Change
Surfactants          $     953,350     $   754,938     $ 198,412          26
Polymers                   425,964         340,923        85,041          25
Specialty Products          47,595          37,390        10,205          27
Total Net Sales      $   1,426,909     $ 1,133,251     $ 293,658          26



(In thousands)                               For the Six Months Ended
                                             June 30,          June 30,        Increase         Percent
Operating Income                               2022              2021         (Decrease)        Change
Surfactants                                $     102,018       $  99,106     $      2,912            3
Polymers                                          48,041          40,976            7,065           17
Specialty Products                                13,561           9,610            3,951           41
 Segment Operating Income                  $     163,620       $ 149,692     $     13,928            9
Corporate Expenses, Excluding Deferred
Compensation
 and Restructuring                         $      33,408       $  35,274     $     (1,866 )         -5
Deferred Compensation Expense (Income)           (10,907 )         3,652          (14,559 )       NM
Business Restructuring                               133             195              (62 )
Total Operating Income                     $     140,986       $ 110,571     $     30,415           28


                                       28

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Segment Results

Surfactants

Surfactants net sales for the first half of 2022 increased $198.4 million, or 26
percent, versus net sales for the first half of 2021. Higher average selling
prices positively impacted the change in net sales by $230.4 million. The higher
average selling prices were mainly attributable to the pass-through of higher
raw material and logistics costs as well as improved product and customer
mix. Foreign currency translation had a $17.4 million unfavorable impact on the
year-over-year change in net sales. Sales volume declined two percent and
negatively impacted the change in net sales by $14.6 million. A year-over-year
comparison of net sales by region follows:

(In thousands)                For the Six Months Ended
                              June 30,          June 30,        Increase        Percent
Net Sales                       2022              2021         (Decrease)       Change
North America               $     551,538       $ 442,580     $    108,958          25
Europe                            183,608         136,433           47,175          35
Latin America                     183,421         140,137           43,284          31
Asia                               34,783          35,788           (1,005 )        -3
Total Surfactants Segment   $     953,350       $ 754,938     $    198,412

26




Net sales for North American operations increased $109.0 million, or 25 percent,
year-over-year. Higher average selling prices and slightly higher sales volume
favorably impacted the change in net sales by $107.3 million and $2.1 million,
respectively. The higher average selling prices were mainly attributable to the
pass-through of higher raw material and logistics costs along with more
favorable product and customer mix. The slight increase in sales volume
primarily reflects higher demand for products sold into the functional products
end markets, along with higher demand within the Tier 2 and Tier 3 customer
channel, that was mostly offset by lower demand for commodity laundry products
within the consumer products business. Continued raw material supply and
logistics constraints also negatively impacted sales volume. Foreign currency
translation negatively impacted the change in net sales by $0.4 million
year-over-year.

Net sales for European operations increased $47.2 million, or 35 percent,
year-over-year. Higher average selling prices and a two percent increase in
sales volume positively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales by $61.5
million and $2.6 million, respectively. The higher average selling prices were
primarily due to the pass-through of higher raw material costs and improved
product and customer mix. The two percent increase in sales volume primarily
reflects higher demand for products sold into the functional products and
institutional cleaning end markets, partially offset by lower demand for
consumer cleaning products. Foreign currency translation negatively impacted the
change in net sales by $16.9 million. A stronger U.S. dollar relative to the
European euro and British pound sterling led to the unfavorable foreign currency
translation effect.

Net sales for Latin American operations increased $43.3 million, or 31 percent,
primarily due to higher average selling prices and the favorable impact of
foreign currency translation. These items positively impacted the change in net
sales by $48.1 million and $2.3 million, respectively. The higher average
selling prices were primarily due to the pass-through of higher raw material
costs and improved product and customer mix. A weaker U.S. dollar relative to
the Brazilian real led to the favorable foreign currency translation
effect. Sales volume declined five percent and negatively impacted the change in
net sales by $7.1 million. The sales volume decline was primarily due to lower
demand for commodity laundry products within the consumer products business
partially offset by higher demand for products sold into the functional products
end markets.

Net sales for Asian operations decreased $1.0 million, or three percent,
year-over-year. A 22 percent decline in sales volume and the unfavorable impact
of foreign currency translation negatively impacted the change in net sales by
$7.9 million and $2.5 million, respectively. The decline in sales volume
primarily reflects lower demand for commodity laundry products sold within the
consumer products business and lower demand from our distribution
partners. Higher average selling prices positively impacted the change in net
sales by $9.4 million. The higher average selling prices primarily reflect the
pass-through of higher raw material costs.

                                       29
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Surfactant operating income for the first half of 2022 increased $2.9 million,
or three percent, versus operating income for the first half of 2021. Gross
profit increased $7.2 million, or five percent, and operating expenses increased
$4.3 million, or eight percent. Year-over-year comparisons of gross profit by
region and total segment operating expenses and operating income follow:

(In thousands)                               For the Six Months Ended
                                             June 30,          June 30,        Increase         Percent
Gross Profit and Operating Income              2022              2021         (Decrease)        Change
North America                              $     100,356       $  98,468     $      1,888            2
Europe                                            24,779          19,741            5,038           26
Latin America                                     28,706          29,627             (921 )         -3
Asia                                               6,333           5,104            1,229           24
Surfactants Segment Gross Profit           $     160,174       $ 152,940     $      7,234            5
Operating Expenses                                58,156          53,834            4,322            8

Surfactants Segment Operating Income $ 102,018 $ 99,106

  $      2,912            3


Gross profit for North American operations increased $1.9 million, or two
percent, year-over-year primarily due to higher average unit margins and
slightly higher sales volume. These items favorably impacted the change in gross
profit by $1.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively. The higher average unit
margins were mostly attributable to more favorable product and customer mix that
was partially offset by ongoing supply chain challenges and inflationary
pressures.

Gross profit for European operations increased $5.0 million, or 26 percent
year-over-year. Higher average unit margins and a two percent increase in sales
volume favorably impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $6.8
million and a $0.4 million, respectively. The higher average unit margins
primarily reflect a more favorable product and customer mix. The unfavorable
impact of foreign currency translation negatively impacted the change in gross
profit by $2.2 million. A stronger U.S. dollar relative to the European euro and
British pound sterling led to the unfavorable foreign currency translation
effect.

Gross profit for Latin American operations decreased $0.9 million, or three percent, primarily due to a five percent decrease in sales volume that negatively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $1.5 million. Slightly higher unit margins and the favorable impact of foreign currency translation positively impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $0.3 million each.



Gross profit for Asian operations increased $1.2 million, or 24 percent,
primarily due to higher average unit margins. The higher unit margins positively
impacted the year-over-year change in gross profit by $2.3 million. A 22 percent
decline in sales volume negatively impacted the change in gross profit by $1.1
million. The lower volume primarily reflects lost market share at one major
customer.

Operating expenses for the Surfactant segment increased $4.3 million, or eight
percent, year-over-year. This increase was mainly attributable to higher
salaries and incentive-based compensation expenses, a goodwill impairment charge
at the Company's Philippines subsidiary and higher bad debt provision expense.

Polymers



Polymers net sales for the first half of 2022 increased $85.0 million, or 25
percent, versus net sales for the same period of 2021. Higher average selling
prices and a two percent increase in sales volume favorably impacted the
year-over-year change in net sales by $96.9 million and a $7.2 million,
respectively. The higher average selling prices were mainly due to the pass
through of higher raw material costs. The increase in sales volume was partially
due to the 2021 INVISTA polyester polyol acquisition, which closed at the end of
January 2021. Foreign currency translation had a $19.1 million unfavorable
impact on the year-over-year change in net sales. A year-over-year comparison of
net sales by region follows:

(In thousands)             For the Six Months Ended
                           June 30,          June 30,        Increase        Percent
Net Sales                    2022              2021         (Decrease)       Change
North America            $     228,311       $ 166,469     $     61,842          37
Europe                         175,207         150,753           24,454          16
Asia and Other                  22,446          23,701           (1,255 )        -5
Total Polymers Segment   $     425,964       $ 340,923     $     85,041          25


Net sales for North American operations increased $61.8 million, or 37 percent,
primarily due to higher average selling prices and a one percent increase in
sales volume. These items positively impacted the change in net sales by $59.8
million and $2.0 million, respectively. The higher average selling prices were
mainly due to the pass-through of higher raw material costs. The sales volume
growth reflects rigid polyol growth of five percent that was partially offset by
lower sales volume within the phthalic anhydride business. Sales volume during
the first half of 2022 was also impacted by a January 2022 power outage at the
Company's Elwood, Illinois (Millsdale) plant site that negatively impacted
Polymer production. The production disruption resulted in the declaration of
force majeure for select products. Production resumed in February 2022 and the
force majeure was lifted in April 2022.

                                       30
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Net sales for European operations increased $24.5 million, or 16 percent,
year-over-year. Higher average selling prices and a seven percent increase in
sales volume favorably impacted the change in net sales by $33.9 million and
$9.8 million, respectively. The higher average selling prices were primarily due
to the pass-through of higher raw material costs. The increase in sales volume
was partially due to the 2021 INVISTA polyester polyol acquisition, which closed
at the end of January 2021. The unfavorable impact of foreign currency
translation negatively impacted the change in net sales by $19.2 million. A
stronger U.S. dollar relative to the Polish zloty and British pound sterling led
to the unfavorable foreign currency translation effect.

Net sales for Asia and Other operations decreased $1.3 million, or five percent,
largely due to a 15 percent decline in sales volume which had a $3.5 million
negative impact on the year-over-year change in net sales. The decline in sales
volume was primarily attributable to recent COVID lockdowns and restrictions in
China. Higher average selling prices and the favorable impact of foreign
currency translation positively impacted the year-over-year change in net sales
by $2.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Polymer operating income for the first half of 2022 increased $7.1 million, or
17 percent, versus operating income for the first half of 2021. Gross profit
increased $8.5 million, or 15 percent, and operating expenses were up $1.4
million, or nine percent. Year-over-year comparisons of gross profit by region
and total segment operating expenses and operating income follow:

(In thousands)                                For the Six Months Ended
                                             June 30,           June 30,         Increase        Percent
Gross Profit and Operating Income              2022               2021          (Decrease)        Change
North America                              $     34,067       $     29,140     $      4,927          17
Europe                                           28,320             24,310            4,010          16
Asia and Other                                    2,289              2,742             (453 )        -17
Polymers Segment Gross Profit              $     64,676       $     56,192     $      8,484          15
Operating Expenses                               16,635             15,216            1,419           9

Polymers Segment Operating Income $ 48,041 $ 40,976

$ 7,065 17




Gross profit for North American operations increased $4.9 million, or 17
percent, due to higher average unit margins and a one percent increase in sales
volume. These items positively impacted the change in gross profit by $4.6
million and $0.3 million, respectively. The higher average unit margins reflect
partial margin recovery and more favorable product and customer mix as higher
rigid polyol sales volume more than offset lower phthalic anhydride sales
volume.

Gross profit for European operations increased $4.0 million, or 16 percent,
primarily due to higher average unit margins and a seven percent increase in
sales volume. These items positively impacted the change in gross profit by $5.3
million and $1.6 million, respectively. The unfavorable impact of foreign
currency translation negatively impacted the change in gross profit by $2.9
million.

Gross profit for Asia and Other operations declined $0.5 million, or 17 percent,
primarily due to a 15 percent decline in sales volume and slightly lower average
unit margins. These items negatively impacted the year-over-year changes in
gross profit by $0.4 million and a $0.1 million, respectively.

Operating expenses for the Polymers segment increased $1.4 million, or nine percent, year-over-year mainly due to higher incentive-based compensation and travel-related expenses.



Specialty Products

Specialty Products net sales for the first half of 2022 increased $10.2 million,
or 27 percent, versus net sales for the first half of 2021. This increase
reflects higher average selling prices that were partially offset by a nine
percent decline in sales volume. Gross profit and operating income increased by
$3.9 and $4.0 million, respectively. The year-over-year improvements in gross
profit and operating income were mostly attributable to improved margins and
customer mix within the medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) product line,
partially offset by order timing differences within the food and flavor
business.

Corporate Expenses



Corporate expenses, which include deferred compensation, business restructuring
and other operating expenses that are not allocated to the reportable segments,
decreased $16.5 million between years. Corporate expenses were $22.6 million in
the first half of 2022 versus $39.1 million in the first half of 2021. This
decrease was primarily attributable to $10.9 million of deferred compensation
income recognized in the first half of 2022 versus $3.7 million of deferred
compensation expense recognized in the first half of 2021.  In addition, the
Company also incurred lower acquisition-related expenses year-over-year that
were partially offset by higher incentive-based compensation expenses.

The $14.6 million decrease in deferred compensation expense was primarily due to
a decrease in the value of mutual fund investment assets held for the plans. In
addition, during the first half of 2022 the market price of the Company's common
stock decreased $22.94 per share versus a $0.95 per share increase during the
first half of 2021. The following table presents the period-end Company common
stock market prices used in the computation of deferred compensation
expense/income for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021:



                                       31
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                               2022                  2021                    2020
                             June 30       December 31      June 30       December 31
Company Common Stock Price   $ 101.35     $      124.29     $ 120.27     $      119.32

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Overview



For the six months ended June 30, 2022, operating activities were a cash source
of $38.2 million versus a source of $24.7 million for the comparable period in
2021. For the current year period, investing cash outflows totaled $126.3
million versus a cash outflow of $261.5 million in the prior year period.
Financing activities were a source of $128.1 million versus a source of $14.8
million in the prior year period. Cash and cash equivalents increased $35.4
million compared to December 31, 2021, inclusive of a $4.5 million unfavorable
foreign exchange rate impact.

On June 30, 2022, the Company's cash and cash equivalents totaled $194.6 million. Cash in U.S. demand deposit accounts and money market funds totaled $59.7 million and $40.3 million, respectively. The Company's non-U.S. subsidiaries held $94.6 million of cash as of June 30, 2022.

Operating Activity



Net income during the first six months of 2022 increased $13.0 million versus
the comparable period in 2021. Working capital was a cash use of $111.1 million
during the first six months of 2022 versus a use of $69.8 million in the
comparable period in 2021.

Accounts receivable were a use of $111.1 million during the first six months of
2022 compared to a use of $68.0 million for the comparable period of 2021.
Inventories were a use of $38.6 million in 2022 versus a use of $35.7 million in
2021. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities were a source of $43.3 million in
2022 compared to a source of $34.0 million for the same period in 2021.

Working capital requirements were higher in the first six months of 2022 compared to 2021 primarily due to the changes noted above. It is management's opinion that the Company's liquidity is sufficient to provide for potential increases in working capital requirements during 2022.

Investing Activity



Cash used for investing activities decreased $135.2 million year-over-year. Most
of this decrease reflects the Company's acquisition of INVISTA's aromatic
polyester polyol business and associated assets for $184.6 million, net of cash
received, during the first half of 2021. Cash used for capital expenditures was
$129.5 million in the first half of 2022 versus $74.9 million in 2021. This
capital expenditure increase is largely attributable to the alkoxylation plant
the Company is building at its Pasadena, Texas site and equipment upgrades to
meet future regulatory limits on 1,4 Dioxane in the United States.

For 2022, the Company estimates that total capital expenditures will be in the
range of $350.0 million to $375.0 million. This projected spending includes the
new alkoxylation plant that is being built in Pasadena, Texas, equipment
upgrades to meet future regulatory limits on 1,4 Dioxane in the United States,
growth initiatives, infrastructure and optimization spending in the United
States, Germany and Mexico.

Financing Activity



Cash flow from financing activities was a source of $128.1 million in 2022
versus a source of $14.8 million in 2021. The year-over-year change is primarily
due to $75.0 million of cash received from the issuance of private placement
notes and a higher level of borrowing from the Company's revolving credit
facility during the first six months of 2022 versus the same period in 2021.

The Company purchases shares of its common stock in the open market or from its
benefit plans from time to time to fund its own benefit plans and to mitigate
the dilutive effect of new shares issued under its compensation plans. The
Company may, from time to time, seek to purchase additional amounts of its
outstanding equity and/or retire debt securities through cash purchases and/or
exchanges for other securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated
transactions or otherwise, including pursuant to plans meeting the requirements
of Rule 10b5-1 promulgated by the SEC. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any,
will depend on prevailing market conditions, the Company's liquidity
requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved
may be material. For the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company purchased
167,940 shares of its common stock on the open market at a total cost of $17.0
million. At June 30, 2022, the Company had $133.0 million remaining under the
share repurchase program authorized by its Board of Directors.

Debt and Credit Facilities



Consolidated balance sheet debt increased from $363.6 million on December 31,
2021 to $526.0 million on June 30, 2022, primarily due to higher domestic debt,
which includes borrowings from the Company's revolving credit agreement and new
private placement notes issued during the first quarter of 2022. Net debt (which
is defined as total debt minus cash - see the "Reconciliation of Non-

                                       32
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GAAP Net Debt" section of this MD&A) increased $127.0 million, from $204.4
million at December 31, 2021 to $331.4 million at June 30, 2022. This change was
due to a debt increase of $162.4 partially offset by a cash increase of $35.4
million. The cash increase reflects the new debt borrowings partially offset by
scheduled debt repayments, higher working capital requirements and capital
expenditures.

As of June 30, 2022, the ratio of net debt to net debt plus shareholders' equity
was 22.7 percent versus 16.0 percent at December 31, 2021 (see the
"Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Net Debt" section in this MD&A for further details).
On June 30, 2022, the Company's debt included $421.4 million of unsecured notes,
with maturities ranging from 2022 through 2032, that were issued to insurance
companies in private placement transactions pursuant to note purchase agreements
(the Note Purchase Agreements), a $100.0 million short term loan borrowed under
its revolving credit facility, and $4.6 million of foreign credit line
borrowings. The proceeds from the note issuances have been the Company's primary
source of long-term debt financing and are supplemented by borrowings under bank
credit facilities to meet short and medium-term liquidity needs.

On March 1, 2022, pursuant to a note purchase and master note agreement dated as
of June 10, 2021 (the NYL note purchase agreement), the Company issued and sold
$25.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 2.83% Senior Notes, Series
2022-A, due March 1, 2032 (the Series 2022-A Notes). In addition, on March 1,
2022, pursuant to a note purchase and private shelf agreement dated as of June
10, 2021 (the Prudential note purchase agreement), the Company issued and sold
$50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 2.83% Senior Notes, Series
2022-B, due March 1, 2032 (the Series 2022-B Notes). The Series 2022-A Notes and
the Series 2022-B Notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.83%, with interest to
be paid semi-annually and with equal annual principal payments beginning on
March 1, 2026 and continuing through final maturity on March 1, 2032. The
proceeds of the issuance of the Series 2022-A Notes and the Series 2022-B Notes
are being used primarily for capital expenditures, to pay down existing debt and
for other corporate purposes. The NYL note purchase agreement and the Prudential
note purchase agreement require the maintenance of certain financial ratios and
covenants that are substantially similar to the Company's existing long-term
debt and provide for customary events of default.

On June 24, 2022, the Company entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate
of banks. The credit agreement provides for credit facilities in an initial
aggregate principal amount of $450.0 million, consisting of (a) a $350.0 million
multi-currency revolving credit facility and (b) a $100.0 million delayed draw
term loan credit facility, each of which matures on June 24, 2027. This credit
agreement replaced the Company's prior $350.0 million revolving credit
agreement. This credit agreement allows the Company to make unsecured
borrowings, as requested from time to time, to finance working capital needs,
permitted acquisitions, capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes.
This unsecured facility is the Company's primary source of short-term
borrowings. As of June 30, 2022, the Company had outstanding loans totaling
$100.0 million and letters of credit totaling $7.0 million under the credit
agreement, with $343.0 million remaining available.

The Company anticipates that cash from operations, committed credit facilities
and cash on hand will be sufficient to fund anticipated capital expenditures,
working capital, dividends and other planned financial commitments for the
foreseeable future.

Certain foreign subsidiaries of the Company maintain short-term bank lines of
credit in their respective local currencies to meet working capital requirements
as well as to fund capital expenditures and acquisitions. At June 30, 2022, the
Company's foreign subsidiaries had $4.6 million of outstanding debt.

The Company is subject to covenants under its material debt agreements that
require the maintenance of minimum interest coverage and minimum net worth.
These agreements also limit the incurrence of additional debt as well as the
payment of dividends and repurchase of shares. Under the most restrictive of
these debt covenants:

  1. The Company is required to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio, as
     defined within the agreements, of 3.50 to 1.00, for the preceding four
     calendar quarters.


2. The Company is required to maintain a maximum net leverage ratio, as defined


     within the agreements, not to exceed 3.50 to 1.00.


3. The Company is required to maintain net worth of at least $750.0 million.

4. The Company is permitted to pay dividends and purchase treasury shares after

June 24, 2022, in amounts of up to $100.0 million plus 100 percent of net

income and cash proceeds of stock option exercises, measured cumulatively

beginning January 1, 2022. The maximum amount of dividends that could have

been paid within this limitation is disclosed as unrestricted retained

earnings in Note 14, Debt, of the notes to the Company's condensed

consolidated financial statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q).

The Company believes it was in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of June 30, 2022.


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ENVIRONMENTAL AND LEGAL MATTERS



The Company's operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local
environmental laws and regulations and similar laws in the other countries in
which the Company does business. Although the Company's environmental policies
and practices are designed to ensure compliance with these laws and regulations,
future developments and increasingly stringent environmental regulation may
require the Company to make additional unforeseen environmental expenditures.
The Company will continue to invest in the equipment and facilities necessary to
comply with existing and future regulations. During the first six months of 2022
and 2021, the Company's expenditures for capital projects related to the
environment were $5.8 million and $5.5 million, respectively. These projects are
capitalized and depreciated over their estimated useful lives, which are
typically 10 years. Recurring costs associated with the operation and
maintenance of facilities for waste treatment and disposal and managing
environmental compliance in ongoing operations at the Company's manufacturing
locations were $17.0 million and $17.1 million for the six months ended June 30,
2022 and 2021, respectively.

Over the years, the Company has received requests for information related to or
has been named by the government as a potentially responsible party at a number
of waste disposal sites where cleanup costs have been or may be incurred under
CERCLA and similar state or foreign statutes. In addition, damages are being
claimed against the Company in general liability actions for alleged personal
injury or property damage in the case of some disposal and plant sites. The
Company believes that it has made adequate provisions for the costs it is likely
to incur with respect to these sites. It is the Company's accounting policy to
record liabilities when environmental assessments and/or remedial efforts are
probable, and the cost or range of possible costs can be reasonably estimated.
When no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the
minimum is accrued. Estimating the possible costs of remediation requires making
assumptions related to the nature and extent of contamination and the methods
and resulting costs of remediation. Some of the factors on which the Company
bases its estimates include information provided by decisions rendered by State
and Federal environmental regulatory agencies, information provided by
feasibility studies, and remedial action plans developed. After partial
remediation payments at certain sites, the Company has estimated a range of
possible environmental and legal losses of $23.0 million to $42.6 million at
June 30, 2022 and $23.1 million to $41.7 million at December 31, 2021. Within
the range of possible environmental 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 $23.0 million at June 30, 2022 and $23.1 million at December 31, 2021.
Because the liabilities accrued are estimates, actual amounts could differ
materially from the amounts reported. Cash expenditures related to legal and
environmental matters were $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022,
compared to $1.3 million for the same period in 2021.

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
upon 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. Certain of these matters are
discussed in Item 1, Part 2, of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Legal
Proceedings, in this report and in other filings of the Company with the SEC,
which are available upon request from the Company. See also Note 8,
Contingencies, in the notes to the Company's condensed consolidated financial
statements (included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q) for a summary of the
significant environmental proceedings related to certain environmental sites.

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OUTLOOK



Management believes that demand for Surfactant products sold into the functional
product end-markets, inclusive of agricultural and oilfield, should improve
versus 2021. Management believes the Polymer segment will deliver growth versus
2021 as energy conservation efforts and more stringent building codes should
have a continued positive impact on demand for rigid polyols. Management
believes its Specialty Product segment results should improve versus 2021.
Despite optimism that demand for the Company's products will remain healthy,
management also believes the Company will continue to be challenged by the
current inflationary environment and ongoing supply chain challenges, inclusive
of raw material availability and transportation constraints.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES



The Company no longer considers the prior year (a) Business Combinations and (b)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets accounting policies as continuing to be critical
during the first six months of 2022 because the Company has made no acquisitions
in 2022. Other than these items there have been no material changes to the
critical accounting policies disclosed in the Company's 2021 Annual Report on
Form 10-K.

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATIONS

The Company believes that certain non-GAAP measures, when presented in
conjunction with comparable GAAP measures, are useful for evaluating the
Company's performance and financial condition. Internally, the Company uses this
non-GAAP information as an indicator of business performance and evaluates
management's effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. These
measures should be considered in addition to, not as substitutes for or superior
to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The
Company's definitions of these measures may differ from similarly titled
measures used by other entities.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income and Earnings Per Share



Management uses the non-GAAP adjusted net income metric to evaluate the
Company's operating performance. Management excludes the items listed in the
table below because they are non-operational items. The cumulative tax effect
was calculated using the statutory tax rates for the jurisdictions in which the
noted transactions occurred.

                                                             Three Months Ended June 30
(In millions, except per share amounts)                2022                              2021
                                           Net Income       Diluted EPS      Net Income       Diluted EPS
Net Income Attributable to the Company
as Reported                                $      52.1     $        2.26

$ 43.3 $ 1.85


                                                           $           -
Deferred Compensation Expense (Income)
Expense (including related investment
activity)                                          0.7              0.03            (1.4 )           (0.06 )
Business Restructuring                             0.1                 -             0.1                 -
Cash Settled Stock Appreciation Rights             0.1                 -            (0.1 )               -
Environmental Remediation                          0.3              0.02               -                 -
Cumulative Tax Effect on Above
Adjustment Items                                  (0.3 )           (0.01 )           0.3              0.02
Adjusted Net Income                        $      53.0     $        2.30     $      42.2     $        1.81




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                                                              Six Months Ended June 30
(In millions, except per share amounts)                2022                              2021
                                           Net Income       Diluted EPS      Net Income       Diluted EPS
Net Income Attributable to the Company
as Reported                                $      96.9     $        4.19

$ 83.9 $ 3.59


                                                           $           -
Deferred Compensation Expense (Income)
Expense (including related investment
activity)                                         (4.5 )           (0.20 )           0.6              0.03
Business Restructuring                             0.1              0.01             0.2              0.01
Cash Settled Stock Appreciation Rights            (0.4 )           (0.02 )           0.1                 -
Environmental Remediation                          0.6              0.03               -                 -
Cumulative Tax Effect on Above
Adjustment Items                                   1.0              0.04            (0.2 )           (0.01 )
Adjusted Net Income                        $      93.7     $        4.05     $      84.6     $        3.62

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Net Debt

Management uses the non-GAAP net debt metric to gain a more complete picture of the Company's overall liquidity, financial flexibility and leverage level.

June 30,       December 

31,


(In millions)                                        2022             2021
Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt as Reported   $   142.5     $         40.7
Long-Term Debt as Reported                             383.5              322.9
Total Debt as Reported                                 526.0              363.6
Less Cash and Cash Equivalents as Reported            (194.6 )           (159.2 )
Net Debt                                           $   331.4     $        204.4
Equity                                             $ 1,125.7     $      1,074.2
Net Debt plus Equity                               $ 1,457.1     $      1,278.6
Net Debt/(Net Debt plus Equity)                           23 %               16 %




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