Ultrapar Participações S.A. is one of the most solid economic groups in Brazil. It has operations in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and the United States, enjoying an outstanding position in the sectors where its business units operate: distribution of fuels through Ultragaz and Ipiranga, production of chemicals through Oxiteno and integrated logistics solutions for specialty bulk cargo, through Ultracargo.

With a workforce of approximately 9,500 people, its operations are founded on a solid financial base and innovative spirit, with the confidence and experience of a company that has been present in the market for over 70 years.

Leader in Brazil's LPG distribution market, with a market share of 24%, Ultragaz supplies more than 10 million households spread throughout most of the Brazilian territory, with a strong presence in the commercial and industrial segments, supplying more than 30,000 companies. It is also one of the 10 largest independent distributors in the world.

Oxiteno is the largest producer of ethylene oxide and its main derivatives in South America, as well as a major manufacturer of specialty chemicals. Its products are used in cosmetics, detergents, paints, PET packaging, textiles, agro-chemicals and several other markets. Through five industrial units in Brazil and two in Mexico, its production is exported to more than 40 countries, in the five continents.

Ultracargo, in turn, having celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2006, is one of the largest providers of integrated logistics services in Brazil, with transportation, storage and distribution of bulk cargo which requires special handling. The company has multimodal terminals (with access to railroads, highways and coastal shipping) strategically positioned in Brazil's main ports and petrochemical centers, such as the ports of Santos (SP), Suape (PE) and Aratu (BA).

The businesses are based on constantly improving results and excellence, using management tools such as Balanced Scorecard (BSC®) and Economic Value Added (EVA®). National and international certification in environmental, health and quality areas, combined with intense programs for the development and training of its employees, all attest the company's commitment to its main target public, as well as society as a whole.

The focus on excellence is reflected in the presence of the company's shares in the ISE index (corporate sustainability index) of Bovespa, São Paulo Stock Exchange, which is composed of shares issued by companies that have a high degree of commitment to sustainable practices, social responsibility and continuous improvement in corporate governance practices. With shares also listed on the New York Stock Exchange, in the form of ADRs, the company complies with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which regulates control and transparency mechanisms in the management of companies.

In the beginning of 2007, Ultrapar acquired the fuels and lubricants distribution businesses of Ipiranga Group in the South and Southeast regions of Brazil. This acquisition allowed Ultrapar to expand its operations in the oil based fuels distribution business. In addition to being Brazil's leading LPG distributor, the company has become Brazil's second largest distributor of fuels and lubricants, with a national market share of 15%.

Following the acquisition, Standard & Poor’s affirmed its credit ratings for Ultrapar, maintaining the company's credit rating of brAA+ on a national scale (equivalent to Brazilian sovereign risk) and BB+ on a global scale, one notch below investment grade.

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HISTORY

1930 - 1960 1960 - 1992 1993 - 1998 1999 - 2002 2003 - 2005 » 1999 - 2002 On October 6, 1999, Ultrapar concludes its Initial Public Offering (IPO) of preferred shares, having its shares traded at the Bovespa - Bolsa de Valores de São Paulo and at the Nyse - New York Stock Exchange. Ultrapar invests in the expansion of its operations and in the modernization of its assets. In 2002, Ultrapar completes its corporate restructuring process. This corporate restructuring consisted in merger of Gipóia Ltda into Ultrapar and in Ultrapar’s “incorporation” of shares issued by Oxiteno. At the end of this corporate restructuring, Ultrapar increased its ownership at Oxiteno and Ultragaz in 100%. » 1930 – 1960 Mr. Ernesto Igel creates the Companhia de Gás a Domicílio - the future Companhia Ultragaz - using gas cylinders he acquired from Companhia Zeppelin and introduces LPG for domestic cooking to the Brazilian population. Gas stoves gradually begin to replace the traditional wood and, to a smaller extent, the alcohol, kerosene and coal gas stoves. When the company first goes on stream, it has 3 trucks and 166 customers. World War II interrupts the US gas supply to the Brazilian market. Ultragaz overcomes this problem by importing gas from Argentina - an unprecedented transaction that calls for a significant effort to be put into operation. » 1993– 1998 Ultrapar focuses on three main lines of business - LPG distribution, the manufacture of chemicals and petrochemicals, and transport and storage. In 1997, Ultrapar introduces the Ultrasystem, starts the geographic expansion of Ultragaz, through the building of new LPG bottling plants and completes the expansion of the Oxiteno plant in the Petrochemical Complex of Camaçari (BA). » 1960 –1992 In 1966, the demand for high quality and safe service results in the incorporation of what we know today as Transultra, a company specializing in highway transport and storage of chemical and petrochemical products. Twelve years later, Tequimar is established to take over the storage business. 1970 – With the creation of Oxiteno S.A., Ultrapar begins to take part in the building of the Brazilian petrochemical industry. The plant, located in the petrochemical complex of Mauá (SP), is a pioneer producer of ethylene oxide and its by-products in Brazil. Ultrapar expands its Petrochemical and LPG Distribution Businesses through capacity expansion and acquisitions, and sales businesses not related to its core competence, such as Ultrafértil, Ultralar and Ultratec Engenharia. » 2003 – 2005 In 2003, Ultrapar acquires the LPG distribution operations of Royal Dutch/Shell N.V. in Brazil, becoming leader in this segment. Also in 2003 Ultrapar concludes the acquisition of the chemical business of the Berci Group (CANAMEX), a Mexican specialty chemicals company. This acquisition represented the beginning of the operation of Oxiteno Mexico. In 2004, the shareholders of Ultra S.A., the controlling shareholder of Ultrapar, entered into a Shareholders’ Agreement to ensure the continuation of the controlling shareholder block upon the contemplated dissolution and distribution of Ultra S.A. shares held by its shareholders, Igel Participações S.A. and Avaré Participações S.A in December 2004. In April 2005, Ultrapar completed a primary and secondary offering of preferred shares, that resulted in an increase of 51% in the company's total free float, which was enlarged from 26% to 39% of the total capital, and the company’s shareholder base was also significantly increased, with approximately 1,800 new investors. In July 2005, Santos Intermodal Terminal (TIS) starts operations, is the second port installation of Ultracargo integrating road, rail and maritime transportation systems.

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