What IP Gruppo API does

IP Gruppo API (legal entity: italiana petroli S.p.A.) is a vertically integrated Italian fuel and mobility company operating across the petroleum value chain — refining, supply & trading, logistics, wholesale, and retail distribution. The company controls approximately 4,575 branded service stations across Italy (one of the largest private networks in the country) and refining capacity of approximately 10 million tonnes per year (~200,000 barrels/day) through api Raffineria di Ancona and Sarpom. Its product portfolio spans gasoline, diesel, LPG, CNG (metano), LNG, marine and aviation fuels, lubricants, special bitumens, AdBlue, XTL-HVO renewable diesel, and the Optimo premium fuel formulation. The wholesale channel (extrarete), a B2B IP Plus fuel card program, and electronic/variable fuel vouchers address commercial fleets, logistics operators, registered carriers, and Italian Public Administration, while the DRIV& multi-brand loyalty app and IP Pay mobile payment serve consumer motorists.

The business model is anchored in transaction-based retail fuel margins, supplemented by refining margin capture (integrated upstream-to-retail value chain), B2B fuel card and wholesale volumes, specialty petroleum products (lubricants, bitumens, AdBlue), and emerging renewable energy production via subsidiaries Sòlergys and Campana energie rinnovabili. The go-to-market combines physical retail with a regional B2B field sales force (North/Central/South Italy), digital self-service via the Stazioni IP mobile app, and partnerships (Telepass for toll/fuel integration, Poste Italiane for Punto Poste services, and DRIV& linking IP and Esso station networks). Pricing is regulated at the pump while commercial pricing is quote-based; fuel vouchers are sold in fixed denominations (€10-€500).

The company was established in 1936 and was owned by the Brachetti-Peretti family through API Holding until May 2026, when Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR acquired 99.82% of the issued share capital at an enterprise value of approximately €2.5 billion, following European Commission approval. The share capital of italiana petroli S.p.A. stands at €47,665,314 and the group employs 1,533 people. Post-acquisition, IP Gruppo API operates as SOCAR's primary European downstream platform, supplying Italy's mobility needs while positioning for European energy security and lower-carbon fuel transitions.

Name

IP Gruppo API

Legal name

italiana petroli S.p.A.

Website

https://ip.gruppoapi.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Short description

IP Gruppo API (italiana petroli S.p.A.) is a vertically integrated Italian fuel and mobility company operating approximately 4,575 branded service stations, ~10 million tonnes/year refining capacity, wholesale, logistics, and DRIV& digital loyalty services. Acquired by SOCAR in May 2026.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fuel Retail and Distribution

NAICS

Gasoline Stations (4571), Petroleum Refineries (324110), Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals (424710), Gasoline Stations and Fuel Dealers (457)

SIC

Petroleum Refining (2911), Wholesale-Petroleum & Petroleum Products (No Bulk Stations) (5172), Wholesale-Petroleum Bulk Stations & Terminals (5171)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial & Fleet Fueling (Cardlock, On-Site Tanks, Bulk Delivery) (EUALAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fuel Pricing, Loyalty & Payments Platforms (POS, Mobile Pay, Fleet Cards, Loyalty Programs) (EUALAIAK), Non-Fuel Retail & Ancillary Forecourt Services (Car Wash, Auto Care, ATM/Lottery, Parcel Lockers) (EUALAIAJ)

Keywords

• Retail fuel distribution
• Petroleum refining
• Service station network
• Fleet fuel cards
• Mobility loyalty programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Genoa

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Retail Fuel Sales: Sale of petroleum products (gasoline, diesel, LPG, methane/LNG) through owned and branded service station network across Italy. Revenue generated from end-consumer transactions at approximately 4,575 points of sale.
2. Wholesale/Extrarete Fuel Sales: Bulk diesel sales to commercial customers outside the retail network, including logistics companies, fleet operators, and industrial clients. Typically handled through dedicated sales contacts and fuel cards.
3. Refining: Crude oil refining operations at api Raffineria di Ancona facility with capacity of approximately 10 million tonnes per year (as part of Italiana Petroli operations).
4. Lubricants and Special Products: Sale of engine lubricant oils, special bitumens, AdBlue, and other petroleum-derived specialty products to B2B and B2C customers.
5. Fuel Cards and Vouchers: Corporate fuel card programs (IP Plus) and prepaid fuel vouchers (electronic and virtual) for business rewards, incentives, and fleet management.
6. Renewable Energy Production: Solar energy portfolio and production from renewable sources through subsidiaries including Sòlergys, Campana energie rinnovabili, and other group companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

IP Gruppo API is an Italian integrated energy and mobility company that distributes petroleum products and mobility services primarily through its branded network of ~4,575 service stations. Its core offerings span retail and wholesale fuel sales (gasoline, diesel, LPG, CNG/LNG, HVO), lubricants, bitumens, AdBlue, and specialty petroleum products, alongside digital services including the DRIV& loyalty program, IP Pay mobile payment, IP Plus corporate fuel cards, electronic fuel vouchers, and electronic invoicing.

Product overview

IP Gruppo API operates as a comprehensive energy and mobility company, with its primary operating entity Italiana Petroli S.p.A. being one of Italy's largest fuel retailers. The company offers a multi-channel portfolio comprising: (1) Retail fuel sales through approximately 4,575 IP-branded service stations across Italy; (2) Premium fuels including Optimo and paraffinic XTL-HVO; (3) Alternative fuels such as LNG, CNG (metano), and LPG; (4) Aviation (JET A-1) and marine fuels; (5) Lubricants, bitumens, AdBlue, and specialty products; (6) Digital services including the DRIV& loyalty program with mobile app, IP Pay mobile payment, fuel cards (IP Plus), electronic/variable fuel vouchers, and electronic invoicing; (7) Wholesale, supply & trading, and logistics services; (8) Renewable energy production. The company recently transitioned to the DRIV& multi-brand loyalty platform, replacing the previous IP BOX Più program, integrating mobile payments and rewards through dedicated iOS/Android applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DRIV&: Multi-brand loyalty program and mobile app for the world of mobility
• IP Plus
• Optimo
• IPiù
• DRIV&PAY
• Stazioni IP

Products and services

• IP Service Stations Network Network of approximately 4,575 IP-branded service stations across Italy offering fuel, lubricants, AdBlue, car wash, truck station services, and convenience items.
• Optimo Premium Fuel Proprietary premium gasoline/diesel formulation marketed for cleaner engines, improved performance, reduced consumption, and lower CO2 emissions.
• Gasolio paraffinico XTL-HVO (Renewable Diesel) Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) renewable diesel fuel offered for reduced emissions applications.
• Oli Lubrificanti (Lubricant Oils) Engine lubricant oils designed for maximum efficiency, low fuel consumption, and extended oil change intervals.
• Bitumi Speciali IP (Special Bitumens) Special bitumen products for road construction and infrastructure applications, produced by Bitumtec S.r.l.
• AdBlue Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) used for selective catalytic reduction in diesel vehicles to reduce emissions.
• LNG (Gas Liquido Naturale) Liquefied natural gas fuel for heavy-duty transport and marine applications.
• GPL and Metano (LPG and CNG)

Quantifiable outcome

• 4575 service stations nationwide serving Italian consumers and businesses
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• TelepassminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTelepass and IP partnership for integrated road toll payment services. Telepass users can access IP fuel services with integrated payment and invoicing.
• Poste Italiane (Punto Poste)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPoste Italiane offers Punto Poste service points within IP service stations, providing postal and related services to station customers.
• Esso (Integrated via DRIV& program)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDRIV& loyalty program extends across IP and Esso branded stations, allowing members to earn and redeem points at both brand networks. Joint loyalty ecosystem created through TotalErg/ERG heritage.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Eni (Enilive): Eni is Italy's largest integrated oil & gas company, and its Enilive division operates Italy's biggest branded service station network. Directly comparable on retail fuel, refining (Sannazzaro, Livorno), logistics, and alternative fuels (HVO, biofuels). Eni is the dominant incumbent IP competes against on every Italian forecourt.
• Q8 (Kuwait Petroleum Italia): Q8 is one of Italy's largest branded fuel retailers, owned by Kuwait Petroleum International. Directly competes with IP on retail fuel, loyalty programs, fleet cards, and non-fuel retail at service stations across Italy. Comparable consumer-facing fuel and convenience offering.
• Tamoil: Tamoil (Petrolinvest group) operates a significant Italian service station network with refining exposure in Europe. Directly competes with IP on retail fuel, lubricants, and fleet services in Italy with a similar mid-size integrated footprint.
• Esso Italiana (ExxonMobil): Esso operates a major branded retail fuel network in Italy and is integrated into IP's DRIV& loyalty ecosystem. Comparable on branded retail fuel, lubricants, and convenience services; relevant historical counterparty in IP's ex-Esso acquisition reviewed by AGCM.
• TotalEnergies Italia: TotalEnergies operates a branded Italian service station network and refining/marketing assets in Europe. Directly comparable on retail fuel, alternative fuels (EV charging, CNG), and B2B fleet services as a global integrated major with Italian retail presence.
• Shell Italia: Shell operates branded retail fuel stations in Italy and a refining/marketing network across Europe. Comparable on retail fuel, fleet cards, premium fuel offerings, and EV charging build-out across the Italian forecourt footprint.
• BP Italia: BP operates branded retail stations and refining/marketing assets in Italy. Directly comparable on retail fuel, loyalty programs, fleet services, and the energy transition pivot toward convenience and EV charging at forecourts.
• Saras: Saras operates the Sarroch refinery in Sardinia (one of the largest in the Mediterranean) and Italian refining/marketing assets under Rosneft ownership. Comparable on Italian refining scale and downstream integration; less retail network presence than IP.

Regional players

• ERG: ERG is an Italian energy group historically connected to IP via the TotalErg heritage that seeded DRIV& and IPiù loyalty. Comparable as an Italian energy player with refining (ISAB), renewable energy, and retail fuel assets; overlaps via loyalty program lineage rather than direct station competition.

Broad incumbents

• Repsol: Repsol is a Spanish integrated oil & gas major with European refining and a growing multi-energy retail network. Comparable on refining/wholesale and alternative fuels strategy; less direct Italian retail overlap but relevant European peer on integrated downstream economics.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCqUQvZiwu6-qRd8QQihmhFQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/IPperlitalia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gruppoapi
• Instagraminstagram.com/ip_gruppoapi
• Xx.com/gruppoapi

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about IP Gruppo API