Crown Paints Kenya PLC plans to end its reliance on imported paint binder by building its own production plant in Machakos County.
The company intends to construct an emulsion binder and plastic injection moulding facility on twin plots at Lukenya, Athi River. An environmental and social impact assessment values the project at Sh355 million. The plant will let Crown Paints produce the emulsion binder polymer it currently imports, along with the plastic containers it uses to package its paints.
Why Crown Paints Is Building Its Own Supply Chain
Crown Paints was established in 1958 and is listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. It produces over 3 million litres of paint per month across decorative, automotive and industrial lines. Emulsion binder combines with water to form the base of emulsion paints, which make up about 80 percent of what Crown Paints sells.
The company currently imports the binder. It brings in 600 to 700 metric tonnes per month, and roughly half of that volume is water. Producing the binder in Kenya removes the cost of shipping that water and shortens the supply chain.
The plastic side of the project addresses a separate issue. Crown Paints currently sources packaging buckets from multiple local manufacturers, which has produced variation in bucket dimensions and design. In house moulding gives the company control over that consistency.
Inside the Lukenya Development
The site contains two main structures: an emulsion binder block and a plastic injection block, each with a subbasement, ground floor and mezzanine levels. An administration block and warehouse buildings complete the layout.
Buildings will use structural steel frames clad with galvanized pre painted sheeting, interspaced with polycarbonate lighting sheets. Ground floors will be reinforced concrete slab, and mezzanine floors will sit on steel chequered plate over steel beams and columns.
Crown Paints has obtained a change of use approval and a development construction permit from the Machakos County Government. The company plans to engage a contractor and secure remaining licenses before construction begins.
| Project Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Lukenya, Athi River, Machakos County |
| Site size | Approximately 9.89 acres |
| Structures | Emulsion binder block, plastic injection block, administration block, warehouse |
| Construction | Structural steel frame, galvanized pre painted cladding, polycarbonate lighting sheets |
| Flooring | Reinforced concrete slab (ground), steel chequered plate on steel beams (mezzanine) |
| County approvals | Change of use approval and development construction permit obtained |
| Project cost | Sh355,000,000 |
Earlier reporting on this project, based on an initial ESIA filing, cited a construction estimate of Sh141.24 million for the two production blocks. The Sh355 million figure represents total project cost, which appears to include statutory fees, equipment and infrastructure beyond the buildings themselves.
Financial Performance
Crown Paints posted a first half net profit of Sh486 million for the six months ended June 2026, up from Sh437 million in the same period last year. Profit before tax rose 25.5 percent to Sh688 million from Sh548 million, taking the pre tax margin to 8.2 percent from 7.4 percent.
| Crown Paints Kenya (Ksh millions) | H1 2023 | H1 2024 | H1 2025 | H1 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net profit | 37 | 75 | 437 | 486 |
| Profit before tax | — | — | 548 | 688 |
Crown Paints attributes the change to higher sales volumes and demand across its regional markets. The company continues to fund its Tanzania subsidiary, which operates at a loss. It injected Sh791.47 million into the unit in 2025, bringing total investment there to Sh1.56 billion. Crown Paints has also discontinued Crown Paints Allied Industries Limited in Kenya and started its deregistration process.
Other Paint Manufacturers in Kenya
Crown Paints operates in a market that includes several other manufacturers.
Basco Paints, founded in 1976 and known for the Duracoat brand, operates a factory it describes as the largest in East Africa by capacity, producing up to 5 million litres per shift. Basco distributes to Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Kansai Plascon entered the Kenyan market in 2017 when Japan’s Kansai Paint Group, founded in 1918, acquired Sadolin Paints across East Africa. Kansai Paint operates 51 locations globally and employs over 10,000 people, with research facilities in Japan, India and South Africa.
Galaxy Paints and Coatings Ltd was founded in 1967 and operates depots in Mombasa, Kisumu and Eldoret, along with a distribution network covering Nairobi, Central, Western, Coastal, Eastern, North Eastern, Rift Valley and Nyanza regions. The company has a partnership with South Africa’s Marmoram for wall coating systems, delivered through its sister company Molecular Kenya Limited.
Other manufacturers operating in the country include Solai Paints, a Kenyan owned company founded in 1990, along with Nasib Industrial Products, United Paints, Robbialac Paints and Apex Paints.
| Company | Founded | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Crown Paints | 1958 | Listed on NSE, over 3 million litres per month |
| Basco Paints | 1976 | Duracoat brand, distributes across 7 countries |
| Kansai Plascon | 2017 (Kenya entry) | Acquired Sadolin, parent founded 1918 in Japan |
| Galaxy Paints and Coatings | 1967 | Partnership with Marmoram, South Africa |
| Solai Paints | 1990 | Kenyan owned |
What This Means Going Forward
The Lukenya plant places Crown Paints among a group of manufacturers adjusting operations in response to import costs and supply chain conditions in Kenya’s construction sector.
Producing binder and packaging locally is expected to reduce unit costs on products that account for most of Crown Paints’ revenue. The company has already secured county approvals and reports improved first half earnings, positioning it to begin construction once remaining permits and a contractor are in place.
