Chromos factory in Zagreb to wind down after 106 years

After more than a century of continuous production, a landmark Balkan paint manufacturer is winding down its factory in Croatia’s capital. The owner, Kansai Helios, announced a staged transfer of manufacturing from the Zagreb site to the group’s plants in Serbia and Slovenia.

Historic factory, gradual shutdown

The decision follows a strategic reorganisation of the company’s Adriatic production network, the owner said, and will be implemented over several years rather than as an immediate closure. The move ends an industrial chapter that began in 1920: the site’s paintmaking tradition spans 106 years.

The business traces its roots to a company founded by Bernard Moster that operated under the name Moster, later took the name Perunika after World War II and eventually became part of Chromos. In 1964 Chromos, Katran and Kutrilin were merged into the large chemical complex "Chromos – Katran – Kutrilin".

During the Yugoslav period Chromos grew into a major chemical-industry producer, manufacturing paints and coatings, plastics, synthetic resins, pigments and other chemicals. By the late 1970s the complex employed thousands and exported products to more than 20 countries, including Western European markets and the Soviet Union.

After the breakup of the old system the complex was split in the 1990s into several independent firms. Chromos Paints was reorganised as a separate company and joined the Helios group in 2001. Another major change came in 2017 when Japan’s Kansai Paint acquired Slovenia’s Helios, bringing Chromos under the global group.

The Zagreb site occupies roughly 100,000 square metres and, before the closure announcement, annual output reached about 15,000 tonnes. The firm’s product range includes hundreds of items and systems — decorative paints, façade coatings, varnishes and specialised products for floors, roofs and waterproofing. Kansai Helios said production will be concentrated on other regional locations, while sales, marketing and distribution functions will remain in Croatia after manufacturing ends.

Photo: press material from the event