Copetrol

Copetrol (Corporacion Paraguaya de Distribucion de Derivados de Petroleo S.A.) is one of the largest fuel distributors in Paraguay and the first with 100% national capital in the sector. It was founded in November 1973 by Abraham Zapag, in a market then dominated by multinationals; its central offices are in Asuncion. The company, owned by the Zapag family, markets gasoline, diesel, lubricants and derivatives through a network of more than 360 service stations distributed throughout the country, and directly employs more than 3,000 people. Throughout its history it went from about 2% of the market to surpass 18% market share. Among its milestones are the introduction of intermediate gasoline in the 1990s and a strong expansion through acquisitions: in 2019 it bought the operations of Axion (formerly Esso) and later acquired 179 stations from Petrobras Paraguay for some US$ 383.5 million. In recent years it has diversified its business toward sustainability and new services at its stations.