Drachen-Propangas

What Drachen-Propangas does

Drachen-Propangas GmbH (operating as DrachenGas) is a German supplier of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG — propane and butane) serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers across Germany. Founded in Frankfurt am Main in 1955 by Prof. Costantino Dragan and now headquartered in Wetzlar, the company is a subsidiary of Veroniki Holding — a diversified Dragan family group operating across 8 European countries with 33 entities and 1,350 employees. DrachenGas distributes LPG in cylinders (5 kg, 11 kg) and bulk tanks, plus specialty variants including GreenLPG (biogenic, up to 80% lower GHG emissions), climate-neutral LPG (CO2-offset since 2016), and application-specific products such as the DrachenGas click & drive tool-free forklift cylinder system, on-site company filling stations, and 24/7 bottled gas vending machines (EnergyToGo).

The business operates a vertically integrated logistics model: 5+ owned LPG warehouses, access to all German refineries, 30+ own railway tank cars, 50+ heavy-goods vehicles, and ~350 affiliated road tankers via two exporting company shareholdings. Six service offices and ~30 energy advisors support direct enterprise field sales, while a cylinder dealer and intermediary network (heating engineers, architects, petrol station owners) plus DEHOGA hospitality association partnerships drive mid-funnel acquisition. Revenue is generated primarily through LPG product sales (transaction-based), monthly flat-rate all-round service packages (subscription), dealer supply, forklift/engine gas supply, and ancillary services including TRF safety training, firefighter training, and a government funding advisory service (Fördergeldservice, €277 one-off).

Customers are segmented into private individuals (home heating, hot water, cooking, leisure) and commercial/industrial buyers spanning Ho.Re.Ca., construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics. Approximately 30,000 customers are served across Germany. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated per customer based on volume, contract length, and delivery type. The company has been 100% climate-neutral since 2016 through verified offset projects in Thailand and India and holds compliance certifications across GDPR, LkSG, BImSchV, TRF, and HSE.

Name

Drachen-Propangas

Legal name

Drachen-Propangas GmbH

Website

https://drachengas.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1955

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Drachen-Propangas GmbH (DrachenGas) is a German LPG supplier founded in 1955, serving ~30,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers across Germany with cylinder and bulk tank gas, GreenLPG, and logistics services. It is a subsidiary of Veroniki Holding, a European Dragan family group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Liquefied Petroleum Gas Distribution

NAICS

Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals (424710), Fuel Dealers (4572)

akta.pro primary industry

Lubricants, Fluids & Chemical Products Distribution (Oils, Coolants, AdBlue/DEF, Cleaners) (TLAKAOAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

NGL/LPG Storage & Fractionation Terminals (TLAGAKAE)

Keywords

• Liquefied petroleum gas
• Propane distribution
• Gas cylinder supply
• Bulk gas delivery
• Forklift engine gas

Headquarters

HQ city

Wetzlar

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. LPG Product Sales (Cylinder, Tank/Tanker): Core revenue from selling liquefied petroleum gas (LPG/propane) delivered in cylinders, tanks, and bulk tanker loads to residential, commercial, and industrial customers across Germany. Cylinder gas is sold in standard sizes (5 kg, 11 kg). Tank gas is supplied via the company's logistics network including own railway tank cars and road tankers. Prices are not publicly disclosed and are negotiated on a per-customer basis.
2. LPG System Rental and Servicing (All-round Package): Monthly flat-rate fees covering the LPG system rental (container, meter, installation), regular delivery, all servicing, repairs, and legally prescribed inspections. Customers pay a one-off connection fee plus monthly basic price plus costs for gas consumed. The company also takes on all maintenance responsibilities.
3. Cylinder Dealer Network (Sales Agency): Revenue from supplying LPG cylinders to independent cylinder dealers and sales agencies who resell to end customers. Dealers join the DrachenGas team and receive cylinder gas supply, marketing support, and commission structures.
4. Engine Gas / Forklift Gas Supply: Supply of LPG engine gas cylinders (11 kg) and bulk engine gas via company filling stations (Betriebstankstelle) for forklifts and industrial trucks. Customers include companies with forklift fleets. Refueling systems are also planned and set up by DrachenGas.
5. TRF Training Courses and Fire-fighter Training: Training services for sanitation, heating, and air-conditioning partners on Technical Rules for Liquefied Gas (TRF) and LPG safety. Also provides fire-fighter training courses. Revenue from training fees; serves as a GTM lever to build partner ecosystem.
6. Funding Service (Fördergeldservice): A paid service helping customers navigate government funding programs (BAFA, KfW) for energy modernization. One-off fee of €277 including VAT for processing applications. Customers who sign a 5-year minimum gas supply contract receive 50% discount; those with >5-year contracts receive the service free of charge. Serves as a conversion lever for new gas supply contracts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

DrachenGas is a German LPG (liquefied petroleum gas/propane and butane) supplier that distributes gas in portable cylinders (5 kg, 11 kg) and bulk tanks to residential, commercial, hospitality, agricultural, and industrial customers across Germany. The company also provides GreenLPG (biogenic LPG) and climate-neutral LPG, on-site company filling stations for forklift fleets, 24/7 bottled gas vending machines, metered single- and multi-user systems, CHP and heat-pump solutions, and an all-round service package bundling supply, installation, maintenance, and 24/7 emergency support.

Product overview

DrachenGas is an LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) energy company offering a comprehensive portfolio of physical energy products and related services across Germany. The core offering is LPG supplied in cylinders (5 kg, 11 kg) and tanks, available as conventional LPG, GreenLPG (biogenic, up to 80% emission reduction), or climate-neutral LPG (CO2-offset). Supporting products include the DrachenGas click & drive tool-free cylinder exchange system for forklifts, company filling stations, bottled gas vending machines (EnergyToGo 24/7), and metered single/multi-user systems. Industrial applications include cogeneration/CHP units, hall heating, LPG-fuelled heat pumps, and process energy solutions. Digital services include a customer portal for online ordering and contract management. Services include 24/7 safety service, TRF and firefighter training courses, and a funding service for government energy modernisation subsidies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GreenLPG: Biogenic liquefied petroleum gas produced from biomass such as biowaste and renewable raw materials.
• DrachenGas click & drive
• EnergyToGo 24/7

Products and services

• LPG in Cylinders (Flüssiggas in Flaschen) Portable LPG (propane/butane) supplied in 5 kg and 11 kg steel or composite cylinders for residential heating, cooking, hot water, barbecues, camping, and small commercial use.
• LPG in Tanks (Flüssiggas in Behältern) Bulk LPG delivered to above-ground or underground on-site tanks for residential, commercial, and industrial customers with meter monitoring and scheduled tour delivery.
• GreenLPG (Biogenic LPG) Biogenic liquefied petroleum gas produced from biomass such as biowaste and renewable raw materials. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% versus conventional LPG and is classified as gaseous biomass under Germany's Building Energy Act (GEG 2024).
• Climate-neutral LPG CO2-neutral LPG whose approximately 2,290-tonne company footprint is fully offset through participation in anaerobic digestion/methane recovery (Thailand) and small wind farm (India) projects.
• DrachenGas click & drive Innovative tool-free 11 kg LPG cylinder quick-exchange system for forklifts and industrial trucks that enables cylinder replacement within seconds, eliminating operational downtime versus conventional multi-minute exchange processes.
• Engine Gas / Forklift Gas (Motorgas/Staplergas) LPG supplied as fuel for forklift fleets and industrial trucks, offered via cylinder exchange or on-site company filling station. Lower cost than diesel/electric alternatives with no charging downtime.
• Company Filling Station (Betriebstankstelle) On-site LPG refueling station for fleets of three or more forklifts or three full shifts per day. Tank capacities of 2,300 to 5,400 litres; DrachenGas handles planning, approval, set-up, and TÜV inspection.
• Bottled Gas Vending Machine (Flaschengas-Automat / EnergyToGo 24/7) Automated 24/7 self-service vending machines dispensing 5 kg and 11 kg LPG cylinders with contactless card payment and integrated safety monitoring at multiple German locations.
• Single-user / Multi-user Meter Systems (Einzel- und Mehrfachzähler) Metered LPG supply systems where each consumer pays a one-off connection fee plus monthly basic fee and is billed only for LPG used. Suits individual homes, weekend resorts, terraced houses, and holiday developments.
• Cogeneration Units / CHP Plants (Blockheizkraftwerke) Combined Heat and Power units that generate electricity while using exhaust heat for heating and hot water, achieving nearly 90% efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 35% compared to conventional power plants. Available as nano CHP for detached houses up to industrial-scale systems.
• LPG-fuelled Heat Pumps (Flüssiggasbetriebene Wärmepumpen) Heat pumps using LPG as the energy source that achieve over 100% efficiency and provide heating, cooling, air conditioning, refrigeration, and dehumidification, reducing energy costs by up to 50% versus conventional systems. BAFA government incentives available.
• Hall and Large Room Heating (Hallen- und Großraumheizung) LPG-powered heating solutions for industrial halls and large rooms including direct-fired warm air heaters, luminous tube heaters, and radiant tube systems that heat surfaces directly, saving up to 50% in energy costs.
• Process Energy (Prozessenergie) LPG supplied as process energy for industrial applications in the metal industry (heating, reshaping, cutting, curing), autogenous technology (thermal cutting, soldering, flame cleaning), and heat treatment of materials.
• DrachenGas All-round Package (Rundum-Sorglos-Paket) Comprehensive monthly subscription package covering supply, setup, installation, and commissioning of LPG containers, building connection, regular LPG delivery, servicing, legally prescribed inspections, and 24-hour emergency service at a flat-rate monthly price.
• 24/7 Safety Service (Sicherheitsdienst) Round-the-clock on-call safety service with own fitters, technicians, and engineers plus trained partner companies in every region. 24/7 emergency hotline 0800 7771212 and free service line 0800 7771818.
• TRF Training Courses (Technische Regeln Flüssiggas) One-day seminars covering theoretical knowledge and practical handling of LPG under Technical Rules for Liquefied Gas (TRF). Successful participants receive certificates entitling them to install, inspect, and commission low-pressure LPG systems.
• Fire-fighting and LPG Training Courses LPG training courses for firefighters held between March and September, covering theoretical presentations on LPG properties and safety, station training on tankers and supply systems, hand fire extinguisher exercises, and practical extinguishing demonstrations. Delivered for over 30 years.
• DrachenGas Funding Service (Fördergeldservice)

Quantifiable outcome

• CO2 emissions reduced by up to 35% with cogeneration units vs. conventional large power plant energy generation
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Bosch Junkers (Junker-Bosch)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2021Joint boiler exchange campaign (Klimaoffensive) where DrachenGas and Bosch Junkers each contribute €250 to a €500 campaign bonus for customers switching to LPG condensing boiler technology. State funding (BAFA/KfW) of up to 40% of eligible costs is also available. The campaign was extended due to high demand. Switching from old heating to modern LPG condensing technology can reduce annual energy consumption by up to 30%.
• DEHOGA Bayern (Bavarian Hotel and Restaurant Association)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2017Drachen-Propangas GmbH has been a premium partner of DEHOGA Bayern since 01 October 2017 and a long-term partner of DEHOGA Hessen. DEHOGA Bayern represents 39,500 hotel and restaurant owners, over 400,000 employees, and around 10,000 apprentices in Bavaria. Under the premium partnership, DEHOGA members receive special LPG conditions for terrace heaters, kitchen installations, heating systems, and cogeneration units.
• Veroniki HoldingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Drachen-Propangas GmbH is part of Veroniki Holding, founded in 2010 by Daniela Veronica Gusa de Dragan as the unique coordination body of the Dragan Group. Veroniki Holding operates across 8 European countries (Italy, Greece, Germany, Romania, Poland, Serbia, Spain, France) with 33 entities in LPG (core business), renewable energies, electricity and natural gas, naval, real estate, food packaging, and cultural/teaching sectors. DrachenGas operates as the German subsidiary under this holding structure.
• BAFA (Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle)minorOthersDrachenGas acts as an intermediary for BAFA (Federal Office of Economics and Export Control) government funding programs. The company's Funding Service (Fördergeldservice) processes applications for ~6,000 different funding programs from the federal government, states, and private providers on behalf of customers, for a fee of €277 including VAT.
• Fokus Zukunft GmbH & Co. KGminorOthersClimate consulting cooperative that determined DrachenGas's CO2 footprint of approximately 2,290 tons using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol standard. Calculation included direct CO2 emissions from combustion (fleet, building heating) and indirect emissions from energy consumption, employee commutes, business trips, suppliers, and commercial documents.
• Climate Protection Projects (Thailand and India)minorOthersDrachenGas balances out all CO2 emissions through participation in climate protection projects: (1) anaerobic digestion and methane recovery system for wastewater treatment at a starch plant in Chaiyaphum province, northeastern Thailand; (2) small wind farms in the Indian state of Maharashtra. CO2 certificates from these projects make the company 100% climate-neutral since the beginning of 2016.
• TRF Training Partners (Sanitation, Heating, Air-conditioning Trades)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrachenGas partners with sanitation, heating, and air-conditioning companies who are familiar with the Technical Rules for Liquefied Gas (TRF). The company holds TRF training courses across Germany. After successful participation, partners receive certificates entitling them to install, inspect, and commission low-pressure LPG systems. This partnership ensures a qualified installation partner network across Germany.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Antargaz / UGI International: European LPG distributor (French parent) serving residential, commercial, and mobility customers across multiple markets. Comparable business model and customer base; larger conglomerate with broader geographic reach.
• TotalEnergies Gas & Power (LPG division): Major integrated energy company with LPG distribution activities in Germany and Europe. Overlaps with DrachenGas on LPG for heating and industrial use, but operates as part of a broader downstream portfolio.
• SHV Energy (Benegas / Energo): Global LPG distribution group with German subsidiaries (Benegas, Energo). Offers similar LPG products and services at greater scale across multiple European countries, providing broader competitive context.

Direct peers

• Westfalen AG: German energy supplier covering LPG, natural gas, technical gases, and fuel stations. LPG business directly competes with DrachenGas for residential and industrial customers, with similar tank and cylinder offerings.
• Rheingas GmbH: Family-owned German LPG distributor supplying propane and butane for heating, mobility, and industrial use. Competes with DrachenGas in cylinder and bulk tank LPG across Germany.
• Tyczka Energy GmbH: German LPG and propane supplier with bulk tank, cylinder, and technical services for industrial and private customers. Operates its own fleet and warehouses; competes head-to-head with DrachenGas in the German LPG market.
• Calor Gas Deutschland: UK-based Calor Gas operates in Germany offering LPG cylinders and bulk supply for households and businesses. Competes directly with DrachenGas in the German bottle gas and tank gas market.
• Primagas Energie GmbH & Co. KG: One of the largest LPG distributors in Germany, supplying propane to residential, commercial, and industrial customers via tanks and cylinders. Directly comparable to DrachenGas in product breadth, distribution model, and target customer segments.

Regional players

• Statoil / Circle K (now part of Energy Stations): Circle K operates fuel retail stations across Germany with LPG refueling offerings. Intersects with DrachenGas on LPG-as-fuel for vehicles and forklift fleets, though primarily serves a different channel.

Others

• MFPM Group (Manufacture Française de Produits Manutention): European supplier of forklift gas cylinders and exchange services. Comparable to DrachenGas's DrachenGas click & drive engine gas and forklift gas product lines in the industrial mobility segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/drachen-propangas-gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Drachen-Propangas