Astra Paints commenced business in Harare as Herbert Evans paint in 1947. Through the years, it merged with other paint companies like Titanium Paints to eventually become Plascon Paints, whose majority stake was then acquired by the government of Zimbabwe through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe in 1983. The paint concern was then renamed Astra Paints in line with the larger group, Astra Corporation.

Astra Paints is the largest paint and protective coatings manufacturer in Zimbabwe, and commands a market share of about 52%. Astra Paints is ISO 9001:2000 certified for its quality management system and is currently working on their Environmental Management System to ISO14001:1996.

Astra Paints has a technical partnership with Barloworld Coatings (previously known as Plascon), the largest paint manufacturer in Africa.

Production of all paints is done in Bulawayo. The company prides itself in being the only paint manufacturer in Zimbabwe that has achieved ISO9001:2000 certification.

Astra Paints employs 232 permanent employees at its two operating sites who include managerial and administrative staff.

Astra Paints boasts of over 55 years experience in the manufacture and distribution of paints and coatings as well as allied products. Astra Paints prides itself in the training and skills of all staff, amongst which are such skills as marketing, finance, human resources and paint technology for key QC, development and manufacturing staff.

Hardware outlets and industrial customers are the main clientele for Astra Paints’ products. 

Astra Paints operates from two main centres in Harare and Bulawayo. The bulk of the manufacturing is done at the state-of-the-art factory in Bulawayo.