Ultrapar Participações S.A., headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, is a diversified holding company operating principally in the energy, mobility and infrastructure sectors. The company traces its origins to 1937, when founder Ernesto Igel established Empresa Brasileira de Gás a Domicílio (later Ultragaz), marking the beginning of what would become one of Brazil’s major corporate conglomerates. Over time, Ultrapar evolved into a holding company that manages a portfolio of subsidiaries across retail fuel distribution, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) supply, bulk liquid storage and chemical specialties.
The company’s operations span several interrelated segments. In the mobility and fuels area, one of its flagship businesses is Ipiranga (Combustíveis), which distributes gasoline, ethanol, diesel and associated convenience services across Brazil. The LPG business, led by its subsidiary Ultragaz, serves residential, commercial and industrial customers with bottled gas and related services. Ultrapar also has a presence in the logistics of bulk liquids through Ultracargo, which manages storage terminals in major Brazilian ports, enabling the handling of chemicals, fuels and vegetable oils. On the specialty chemicals side, the group has historically operated businesses producing ethylene oxide derivatives and other specialty inputs. The holding structure allows Ultrapar to allocate capital across these segments and pursue growth strategies that take advantage of its scale, distribution networks and integrated infrastructure.
Ultrapar places strategic emphasis on regional leadership in its core segments, leveraging strong brand recognition (in mobility and LPG) and network effects in distribution and logistics. The company has pursued acquisitions and expansions to strengthen its footprint in Brazil while optimizing operational efficiency. In recent years, the group has focused on growth areas such as energy infrastructure, compressed natural gas and logistics for bulk liquids, aligning with evolving market dynamics in mobility and industrial supply chains. The holding‐company model facilitates cross‐segment synergies: for example, fuel stations can integrate convenience retail; LPG operations benefit from logistics capabilities; and chemical operations draw on the same infrastructure. This integrated perspective is central to Ultrapar’s positioning.