Butan plin

What Butan plin does

Butan plin (legal name: BUTAN PLIN družba za distribucijo plina, d.d., Ljubljana) is a Slovenian LPG energy solutions provider and wholly-owned subsidiary of Dutch energy conglomerate SHV Energy. The company distributes liquefied petroleum gas (UNP) and related equipment to both residential and business customers across Slovenia, with operations dating back over 150 years. Its core product set comprises gas cylinders (including the branded Zelena jeklenka / Green Cylinder program), bulk LPG delivered to customer-owned or rented storage tanks (plinohram), and a portfolio of gas heating solutions that includes condensing boilers, hybrid systems, Rinnai equipment, cogeneration (kogeneracije), and Biopropan as a renewable LPG alternative. The company also operates Slovenia's only specialized gas-device retail store at Verovškova 70, Ljubljana, supplemented by an e-commerce storefront (trgovina.butanplin.si) and a customer self-service portal (Moj Butan plin).

The company's revenue model combines recurring bulk LPG supply contracts (subscription/metered), transactional cylinder sales and refills (with €10 deposit / €3 exchange economics), managed tank rental with installation and maintenance, one-time hardware sales of heating equipment, and retail through the online and physical stores. Customer segments are segmented vertically across Residential (Za dom), Horeca (Za podjetje/Horeca), Industrial, Agricultural (Kmetijstvo), Commercial Properties, Recreational Vehicles/Camping, Mountain Cabins (delivered by helicopter), and Newly Established Businesses, each with tailored pricing, equipment, and consulting offerings. Go-to-market is multi-modal: direct-to-consumer via the e-commerce site, toll-free call centers (080-prefix numbers), home delivery, and self-service portal; inside sales via the Moj Butan plin portal and business energy consultants; and sales-led motions through referral programs, seasonal promotions, and SEO/SEM.

Logistically, Butan plin runs a nationwide Slovenian distribution network across four cities (Ljubljana headquarters, Maribor, Izola, Kranj), operates a domestic emergency response line for gas leaks, and uniquely performs helicopter-based delivery to mountain cabins. Marketing is conducted through its corporate website, social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, X), email newsletters, Google and Facebook paid acquisition, content marketing, and referral programs. Strategic positioning emphasizes independence from gas pipeline infrastructure, lower CO2 emissions versus heating oil, an oil-to-gas transition service tied to the upcoming 2027 EU ETS2 expansion, and the safety and convenience benefits of the Green Cylinder. The registered share capital is €2,000,000 with VAT ID SI32952902; no funding rounds, acquisitions, or public-market events are disclosed.

Name

Butan plin

Legal name

BUTAN PLIN družba za distribucijo plina, d.d., Ljubljana

Website

https://butanplin.si

Company type

Private

Founded year

1870

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Butan plin distributes LPG, gas cylinders, heating solutions, and camping equipment to residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and recreational customers across Slovenia, operating a nationwide delivery network, retail store, and customer portal as a subsidiary of SHV Energy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

LPG Distribution

NAICS

Fuel Dealers (457210), Natural Gas Distribution (221210)

SIC

Wholesale-Petroleum Bulk Stations & Terminals (5171), Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991), Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)

akta.pro primary industry

NGL/LPG Pipeline Storage & Terminaling (Caverns, Bullet Tanks, Tank Farms) (TLAGAEAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

LPG / Propane-Butane Products Pipeline Transportation (TLAGABAH), LPG / NGL Terminals (Pressurized/ Refrigerated Gas) (TLAHABAK)

Keywords

• LPG distribution services
• Bulk gas supply
• Gas cylinder refills
• Residential heating solutions
• Commercial energy solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Ljubljana

HQ country

Slovenia

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Gas Cylinder Sales and Refills: Sale and refilling of gas cylinders (primarily the proprietary Zelena jeklenka green cylinder) to residential and business customers. Customers pay for gas content plus cylinder deposit/lease arrangements.
2. Bulk LPG Supply (Plinohram): Bulk liquefied petroleum gas (UNP) delivery to customer-owned or rented storage tanks (plinohram) for heating and industrial applications. Customers sign contracts for ongoing supply with regular scheduled deliveries or on-demand ordering.
3. Heating Solutions and Equipment: Sale of gas heating equipment including condensing boilers, hybrid heating systems, and Rinnai products. May include installation services and equipment rental/leasing options.
4. Tank Rental (Plinohram Najem): Rental of LPG storage tanks to customers who don't own their own equipment. The company installs, maintains, and services rented tanks.
5. Specialty Store Retail: Sale of gas equipment, grills, camping gear, car care products, and accessories through their specialized retail store at Verovškova 70, Ljubljana and online store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Butan plin distributes liquefied petroleum gas (LPG/UNP) in Slovenia, supplying gas cylinders (including the proprietary Zelena jeklenka / Green Cylinder) and bulk LPG to on-site storage tanks (plinohram). The company provides heating equipment (gas condensing boilers, hybrid systems, Rinnai units, cogeneration), energy consulting, and an online store for grills, camping gear, and accessories, with home delivery and customer portal services for both residential and business customers.

Product overview

Butan plin is an energy solutions provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) products and services for both residential and business customers. The core offerings include gas cylinders (Jeklenke), bulk LPG supply (UNP), and the branded Zelena jeklenka (Green Cylinder) with home delivery. The product ecosystem spans heating solutions (plinski kondenzacijski kotli, hibridni sistemi), the Moj Butan plin customer portal for account management, and an e-commerce store (Spletna trgovina). Business solutions include Rinnai equipment, cogeneration systems, and oil-to-gas transition services. The company also offers biopropane as a sustainable alternative. The portfolio operates across multiple channels including the main website, online store, and customer portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zelena jeklenka: The 'Green cylinder' — an eco-friendly propane/butane gas cylinder offering promoted as safer, lower, lighter, and more environmentally sustainable.
• Moj Butan plin

Products and services

• Jeklenke (Gas Cylinders) LPG gas cylinders in various sizes for domestic, business, recreational vehicle (motorhome), and camping use. Available via home delivery or pick-up at sales points.
• Zelena jeklenka (Green Cylinder) Proprietary eco-friendly LPG gas cylinder program marketed as safer, lower-weight, and more environmentally sustainable than legacy cylinders. Customers pay a €10 deposit for a new Green Cylinder; old 10kg orange cylinders can be exchanged for a €3 credit. Includes free home delivery and return services.
• UNP (Bulk LPG) Liquefied petroleum gas (propane, butane-propane mix, or biopropane) supplied in bulk quantities to customer-owned or rented storage tanks (plinohram) for industrial, agricultural, commercial, and residential heating applications. Delivery via tanker trucks on scheduled or on-demand basis.
• Biopropan (Biopropane) Bio-based renewable propane offering positioned as an environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional LPG for heating and energy needs.
• Plinski kondenzacijski kotli (Gas Condensing Boilers) High-efficiency gas condensing boilers offered for residential heating as economical and comfortable energy solutions, including installation and equipment rental/lease options.
• Hibridni sistemi (Hybrid Heating Systems) Hybrid heating systems combining LPG with other energy sources for optimized efficiency and reduced environmental impact in residential and commercial settings.
• Rinnai Heating Equipment Rinnai-branded gas heating equipment offered as part of the commercial and residential heating portfolio, including high-efficiency units for business energy solutions.
• Kogeneracije (Cogeneration Systems) Cogeneration systems for businesses that simultaneously generate electricity and useful heat, improving overall energy efficiency for industrial and commercial users.
• Oil-to-Gas Transition Service Consulting and solutions service helping businesses transition from heating oil (ELKO) to LPG, including financing options for the initial investment, energy consulting, and equipment supply to reduce CO2 emissions ahead of ETS2 environmental taxes.
• Spletna trgovina (Specialty Store Retail) Retail of gas equipment, grills and accessories, camping gear, motorhome supplies, car care products, and DIY/hardware tools sold through Slovenia's only specialized gas store at Verovškova 70, Ljubljana and the online store.
• Helicopter Gas Delivery to Mountain Cabins Special logistics service that delivers gas cylinders by helicopter to mountain cabins and huts in inaccessible areas of Slovenia, enabling off-grid heating and cooking in remote alpine locations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Lower CO2 emissions compared to heating oil - part of contribution to environmental footprint reduction
• +1 more outcomes

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SHV EnergycoreOthersSHV Energy is the parent company of Butan plin. Butan plin is part of the SHV Energy group, an international energy company headquartered at 65 Capellalaan, Hoofddorp, North Holland, Netherlands. The parent company provides strategic direction and is referenced in data protection policies as the entity receiving shared customer data for group-wide purposes.
• Pošta Slovenije (Slovenian Post)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPošta Slovenije is used as the delivery partner for shipping products from the online store. Butan plin reserves the right to select alternative delivery services if more efficient.
• RinnaiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRinnai is featured as a partner brand for heating solutions in Butan plin's energy solution finder tool. Rinnai manufactures gas heating equipment that is offered as part of Butan plin's commercial and residential heating portfolio.
• Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTubeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial media platforms are used for marketing, advertising, and customer engagement. Butan plin maintains active presence on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, and YouTube. These platforms are used for brand awareness, customer service, and targeted advertising.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Butagaz: Major French LPG distributor for residential, professional and mobility customers, offering cylinders, bulk tanks, and energy services. Most directly comparable to Butan plin as a national LPG distribution business with a multi-channel model and recurring contracts.
• Antargaz: French and Benelux LPG distributor owned by SHV Energy providing cylinders, bulk storage, and energy services to residential and professional customers. Operates the same business model as Butan plin across parallel European geographies.
• Calor Gas: UK and Ireland LPG distributor owned by SHV Energy, focused on cylinder and bulk tank supply for residential, commercial, and rural off-grid customers. Sister company to Butan plin under the same parent with comparable business model.
• Flaga GmbH: Austrian and Central European LPG distributor supplying cylinders, bulk tanks, and autogas for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Closest geographic and operational peer for Butan plin outside Slovenia.
• Istrabenz plini: Slovenian LPG and gas distributor operating in the same domestic market as Butan plin, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers with cylinder and bulk supply. The closest head-to-head competitor in-country.
• Liquigas: Italian LPG distributor owned by SHV Energy serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers via cylinders, bulk tanks, and home delivery. Comparable regional LPG distributor within the same parent group.
• Primagaz: French and international LPG distributor owned by SHV Energy. Sister company to Butan plin with the same parent, identical LPG cylinder and bulk distribution model, and similar customer segments across residential, industrial and agricultural.

Others

• SHV Energy: Parent company of Butan plin and global LPG distribution roll-up overseeing Primagaz, Calor, Antargaz, Liquigas, and other national LPG operators. Provides capital, procurement, and group-level strategy that flow to Butan plin.

Broad incumbents

• Repsol Butano: LPG division of Repsol in Spain and Portugal distributing bottled gas and bulk tanks to households and businesses. Comparable business model, but operates as one division within a larger integrated energy major.
• Cepsa GLP: Spanish integrated energy major with bottled LPG (butano/canalizado) distribution to Spanish households and businesses. Overlapping in LPG distribution but much larger and more diversified than Butan plin.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/butanplin.slovenia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/butan-plin
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCuzzg15Xe1cyh-BsC2zI7DQ
• Xx.com/ButanPlin

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Butan plin