Koppers (KOP) Investor Day 2026 summary

Strategic transformation and business evolution

• Shifted from a legacy carbon and railroad company to a global leader in wood preservation technology through acquisitions, portfolio optimization, and innovation since 2014.

• Launched Catalyst in 2025, an enterprise-wide transformation to drive performance, discipline, and accountability, targeting $90M in recurring annual adjusted EBITDA benefits by 2028.

• PC and UIP are now the primary growth engines, while RPS and CMC focus on cash generation and risk reduction.

• Major capital investments are complete, enabling focus on optimization, cash harvesting, and disciplined capital deployment.

• Organization redesigned for execution, centralizing key functions and investing in IT, analytics, and R&D.

Segment strategies, innovation, and growth opportunities

• Performance Chemicals (PC) targets profitable growth via new products, international expansion, and innovation, with a new Brazil facility and next-gen preservatives in development.

• UIP is expanding geographically, leveraging recent acquisitions and infrastructure investments to capture share in growing U.S. and Australian utility pole markets.

• RPS is optimizing operations, focusing on cash flow, network utilization, and readiness for future demand cycles.

• CMC is consolidating production to Denmark, closing U.S. facilities to reduce costs, and transitioning to a less volatile, capital-intensive model.

• Recognized for over 139 active patents, with a robust sustainability strategy and comprehensive regulatory, R&D, and quality control support.

Research, product pipeline, and commercialization

• Operates global R&D centers with 28 staff, including 10 PhDs, specializing in wood protection and chemical engineering.

• Employs a stage-gated process for new product development, focusing on next-generation wood preservatives, water repellents, fire-retardant treatments, and mold inhibitors.

• Next-generation micronized copper technology, in development for 12+ years, is set for phased launch from 2027 to 2029, with U.S. patent protection through 2038.

• Commercialization of exterior fire-retardant wraps for utility poles and outdoor structures is underway, with all required third-party tests completed.

• Conducts field stake testing globally to validate product performance in diverse environments.