Nacional Gás: 75 years of energy, LPG, and commitment to Brazil

The year 2026 is a milestone in the history of Nacional Gás. As we complete 75 years in business, we celebrate a journey built on vision, responsibility, and a commitment to the energy that moves Brazil: from household use to industry, from small shops to large-scale operations.  

And to look back on all these years of history, we have gathered the main milestones of the Nacional Gás journey across the decades.  

For more than seven decades, people, energy, and a commitment to development have been our guide. Come learn a little more about our path. 

Nacional Gás and Grupo Edson Queiroz: how it all began 

75 years ago, the history of energy in Brazil gained a new chapter. In 1951, the entrepreneurial vision of Edson Queiroz gave rise to Nacional Gás, a company that not only pioneered the introduction of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) in Ceará, but also launched a more efficient, safer, and more accessible energy distribution model for the Brazilian population. 

That initiative marked the birth of the first company of Grupo Edson Queiroz (GEQ) and laid the foundations of a business conglomerate that, over more than seven decades, would establish itself as one of the most solid and diversified in the country.  

Since then, Nacional Gás has remained at the center of that journey, connecting people, businesses, and regions throughout Brazil by supplying LPG efficiently and continuously.  

The origin of Nacional Gás 

Nacional Gás emerged from a need that was very common at the time – and that is still a priority – replacing the wood-burning stove with a more practical, cleaner, and safer energy source.  

In the 1950s, access to energy was still limited in many regions of Brazil, and LPG represented an innovation capable of transforming household habits and driving economic development. 

It was then, in 1951, that Edson Queiroz acquired the distributor Mazine, starting an operation that would quickly expand. Two years later, in 1953, the company obtained authorization to purchase and bottle gas in the country, consolidating its presence in the energy sector and strengthening the role of the Northeast in the national LPG market. 

In this way, Grupo Edson Queiroz was also born out of Nacional Gás, and it would go on to expand into different segments while keeping as a principle its long-term vision and its commitment to regional and national development. 

Grupo Edson Queiroz: solidity, diversification, and a nationwide presence 

With 75 years of history, Grupo Edson Queiroz is today a business conglomerate operating in multiple sectors of the Brazilian economy. Its companies are present in people’s daily lives, often quietly but essentially, in areas such as energy, food and beverages, home appliances, communications, and education. 

Brands such as Nacional Gás, Brasilgás, Paragás, Esmaltec, Indaiá, Minalba, and Sistema Verdes Mares reflect the diversity and reach of the group, which operates in different regions of the country, respecting local characteristics and strengthening ties with communities, partners, and consumers. 

This integrated corporate structure ensures scale, governance, and consistency. All of the group’s companies share common values, codes of conduct, and strategic guidelines, which translate into responsible practices and into ethical, transparent conduct. 

Nacional Gás as the energy company of GEQ 

Within this ecosystem, Nacional Gás stands out as a strategic energy company of Grupo Edson Queiroz. Our mission goes beyond distribution: we ensure energy security, continuous supply, and operational reliability for millions of Brazilians. 

With one of the largest LPG structures in the country, Nacional Gás serves about 9 million families and more than 25 thousand business customers, and it has a network of more than 5 thousand accredited resellers, supported by 44 operating and manufacturing sites across the national territory. This reach allows LPG to arrive in regions that other energy sources do not reach. 

Nacional Gás LPG: energy efficiency, versatility, and safety 

LPG is a highly versatile energy source, with applications ranging from household to industrial use, including retail, condominiums, agribusiness, and service segments.  

With its high calorific value, ease of transport and storage, and reliability of supply, liquefied petroleum gas is an essential energy solution for Brazil, one that has been changing the reality of millions of Brazilians. 

It is also worth highlighting that LPG offers important advantages in terms of energy security. Unlike other sources, it does not depend on continuous distribution networks, which ensures greater operational resilience.  

In the case of Nacional Gás, the product also receives an odorant agent, which allows leaks to be identified quickly, increasing safety in everyday use for those who rely on it at home.  

For Nacional Gás, LPG is part of an energy ecosystem supported by technology, logistics, and technical rigor in order to deliver safety, predictability, and continuity of supply. 

Energy for all of Brazil 

Access to energy is directly related to quality of life. In Brazil, there are still millions of people who depend on burning wood to cook, a practice associated with respiratory problems, safety risks, and significant environmental impacts. 

Nacional Gás aims to help make LPG viable in different regions of the country. And now, with the Gás do Povo Program, we seek to expand access to cooking gas in Brazil by making refills of the 13 kg LPG cylinder free at accredited resellers, benefiting more than 15 million families and reaching about 50 million people across the country. 

With this change, it helps ensure energy security, protect the health of families, and promote dignity and energy citizenship, especially among populations in situations of social vulnerability. 

Logistics, innovation, and safety as differentiators 

But it is worth remembering that the operation of Nacional Gás goes beyond household use. For that reason, it is supported by robust nationwide logistics and by continuous investment in innovation.  

Our technological solutions are applied to the bases, the stationary tanks, and the distribution routes. In this way, we are able to raise safety standards and ensure greater efficiency at every end of the operation. 

Projects recognized in national awards, advanced operating practices, and a solid HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) culture reinforce our commitment to protecting people, the surrounding communities, and the environment. 

An important point for our company is safety, a central and non-negotiable value, present both in major strategic decisions and in the small day-to-day actions. 

Culture, people, and values  

The culture of Nacional Gás reflects the pillars of Grupo Edson Queiroz: innovation, customer centricity, integrity, and acting as one team. To these principles, the company adds a deep commitment to caring for people and to safety. 

With more than 3 thousand employees, Nacional Gás believes that sustainable results are only possible when there is respect, human development, and responsibility in working relationships. This culture strengthens the relationship with resellers, institutional partners, local governments, and communities. 

The future of energy and the commitment to Brazil 

Our 75 years are a milestone that allows us to reaffirm the commitment of Nacional Gás to the future of energy in Brazil, with a focus on investments in infrastructure, innovation, and people. 

Because, for Nacional Gás and for Grupo Edson Queiroz, energy and energy efficiency are more than access to a resource: they are a commitment to the present and to the next generations.