EXHIBIT 99.1

                   STEPAN EXPECTS LOWER FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

     Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) today announced that it now expects earnings for
the first quarter of 2003 to be lower than first quarter 2002 net income of
$3,810,000, or $0.39 per diluted share. "Higher utility, freight, raw material
and pension costs coupled with relatively flat surfactant sales volume and
weaker polymer volume will result in disappointing earnings for the quarter,"
said F. Quinn Stepan, Chairman and CEO. "We have announced price increases
effective as of April 1, 2003. However, the war and resulting volatility in
prices for crude oil derivatives and natural gas have created a very challenging
business environment on top of already weak economic conditions."

     Stepan expects to announce first quarter earnings before its shareholder
meeting on April 29, 2003.

     Stepan Company, headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, is a leading
producer of specialty and intermediate chemicals used in household, industrial,
personal care, agricultural, food and insulation related products. The common
and the convertible preferred stocks are traded on the New York and Chicago
Stock Exchanges under the symbols SCL and SCLPR.

Information in this press release contains forward looking statements, which are
not historical facts. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially, including without limiting
foreign currency fluctuations, prospects for our foreign operations and certain
global and regional economic conditions and factors detailed in the company's
Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

                   Contact: James E. Hurlbutt, (847) 446-7500.