ECVT reports involuntary departure of George L. Vann Jr.; payout and PSU treatment disclosed

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Ecovyst Inc. reported the involuntary departure of George L. Vann, Jr., effective August 11, 2025, and disclosed the separation terms the company expects to provide under a Separation and Transition Agreement. The filing lists specific cash payments: two weeks pay in lieu of notice of $15,000, 58 weeks of severance equal to $435,000, a 2025 target bonus target payment of $234,000 and an additional pro rata 2025 target bonus of $27,000, with potential further pro rata bonus based on actual performance.

The company will continue health benefits at active employee rates during the severance period and will allow a pro rata portion of performance-based stock units to remain outstanding and be earned based on actual performance through the original vesting dates. The Separation Agreement will be filed as an exhibit to Ecovyst's upcoming quarterly report.

Positive

• Clear separation terms defined in writing reduce uncertainty about transitional costs and process
• Pro rata PSU treatment ties equity payout to actual performance periods rather than accelerating vesting
• Health benefits continuation preserves employee welfare during the severance period

Negative

• Involuntary departure of a named officer may indicate internal disruption; the filing does not explain the reason
• Cash cost of disclosed fixed payments totals $711,000, representing a one-time expense

Insights

Corporate Governance Expert

TL;DR The company documents an orderly involuntary separation with defined compensation and benefits, preserving equity-based performance alignment.

The filing provides a clear separation framework that mitigates immediate governance uncertainty by specifying cash severance, continued benefits, and treatment of PSUs. The pro rata retention of performance stock units aligns former executive payout with actual performance rather than accelerating vesting, which can be governance-positive. The disclosure that a formal Separation Agreement will be filed increases transparency for investors.

Financial Analyst

TL;DR Severance and related payouts total set cash amounts and potential performance-based amounts, representing a one-time personnel cost.

The filing enumerates fixed cash components totaling $711,000 (two weeks pay, 58 weeks severance, 2025 target bonus and pro rata target bonus) before any additional performance-based bonus. Continued health benefits and pro rata PSU treatment may modestly extend compensation-related expense recognition. The disclosure lacks any commentary on budgetary impact or operational implications, so financial effect appears limited to personnel costs disclosed here.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 11, 2025

Ecovyst Inc.

Commission File Number: 001-38221

Delaware		81-3406833
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

600 Lee Road, Suite 200
Wayne, Pennsylvania		19087
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(484) 617-1200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading symbol		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share		ECVT		New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On August 11, 2025, Ecovyst Inc. (the “Company”) announced the departure of George L. Vann, Jr. from the Company, effective as of August 11, 2025 (the “Transition Date”).

The Company and Mr. Vann will enter into a Separation and Transition Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”) to govern the terms of his involuntary separation from the Company. In connection with his separation, it is expected that Mr. Vann will receive the severance benefits he is entitled to under the Amended and Restated Severance Plan of Ecovyst Catalyst Technologies LLC, first effective as of January 1, 2020 (the “Severance Plan”). Under the terms of the Severance Plan, subject to his execution of a release of claims. Mr. Vann is eligible to receive two weeks pay in lieu of notice ($15,000), 58 weeks of severance pay ($435,000), an amount equal to his 2025 target annual bonus ($234,000) and an additional pro rata 2025 annual target bonus payment ($27,000), paid in equal installments over the severance period in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices and less taxes and other withholdings. In addition, Mr. Vann is eligible to receive a pro rata amount of any annual bonus that would have been payable for 2025 based on actual achievement of applicable performance goals, which amount will be paid in a lump sum at the time annual bonuses are normally paid, as well as continuation of health benefits at active employee rates over the severance period (or until Mr. Vann otherwise has access to substantially equivalent health benefits as a result of commencing new employment). Under the terms of his performance-based stock (“PSU”) awards, a pro rata portion of the target number of PSUs will remain outstanding following Mr. Vann’s termination until the applicable vesting date of the award and will be eligible to be earned based on actual performance, with such pro rata portion based on the number of days of the performance period that occurred prior to the termination of employment.

The foregoing summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by the Separation Agreement, a copy of which the Company intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2025.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: August 11, 2025				Ecovyst Inc.
				By:		/s/ Joseph S. Koscinski
				Name:		Joseph S. Koscinski
				Title:		Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary

FAQ

What did Ecovyst (ECVT) disclose about George L. Vann Jr.'s departure?

The filing states Mr. Vann's departure is involuntary effective August 11, 2025 and that a Separation and Transition Agreement will govern the terms of separation.

How much severance will George L. Vann Jr. receive according to the filing?

Under the Severance Plan, he is eligible for $15,000 (two weeks pay), $435,000 (58 weeks severance), $234,000 (2025 target bonus) and an additional pro rata $27,000 of target bonus, totaling $711,000 in disclosed fixed amounts.

Will Mr. Vann receive any performance-based equity after termination?

Yes. A pro rata portion of his performance-based stock units (PSUs) will remain outstanding until the original vesting date and will be eligible to be earned based on actual performance for the prorated period.

Does Ecovyst say why the separation occurred?

The filing does not provide a reason for the involuntary separation and does not include explanatory commentary.

Will Ecovyst continue Mr. Vann's health benefits?

Yes. The company will continue health benefits at active employee rates over the severance period or until he obtains substantially equivalent coverage from new employment.

Where will the full Separation Agreement be available?

The company intends to file the Separation Agreement as an exhibit to its Quarterly Report for the period ending September 30, 2025.