SIC code 20301 covers manufacture of paints, varnishes and similar coatings, mastics and sealants businesses. With 564 active companies, this is a specialised niche within the UK business landscape. It falls under Section C (Manufacturing) of the UK SIC 2007 classification system, which is used by Companies House to categorise all registered businesses.
See the full industry analysis on the Manufacture of paints, varnishes and similar coatings, mastics and sealants industry page.
The average company age is 18.9 years, indicating an established sector with a mix of long-running businesses and newer entrants. The sector is experiencing strong growth, with 40% of active companies formed since 2020 and 22% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate points to continued demand for manufacture of paints, varnishes and similar coatings, mastics and sealants services. Companies are geographically dispersed across the UK, with no single location dominating. The top three locations — LONDON, MANCHESTER, BRISTOL — together account for just 18% of the sector.
SIC code 20301 stands for "Manufacture of paints, varnishes and similar coatings, mastics and sealants" under the UK Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2007) system. It belongs to Section C — Manufacturing. Companies use this code when registering with Companies House to indicate their primary business activity. The code is required for annual confirmation statements and is used by HMRC, ONS, and other government bodies for statistical and regulatory purposes.
There are currently 564 active companies registered under SIC code 20301 in the UK, out of 629 total registrations. This gives a survival rate of 90%, meaning 10% of companies registered under this code have since dissolved. These figures are based on Companies House data and updated regularly.
The top locations for manufacture of paints, varnishes and similar coatings, mastics and sealants companies (SIC 20301) are: LONDON (76), MANCHESTER (15), BRISTOL (11), CLECKHEATON (9), SLOUGH (9). Geographic concentration can reflect local economic conditions, industry clusters, or proximity to key markets and supply chains.
The sector is growing: 40% of currently active SIC 20301 companies were formed since 2020, and 22% during the 2010s. This sustained formation rate indicates ongoing demand for manufacture of paints, varnishes and similar coatings, mastics and sealants services in the UK.
Companies classified under SIC 20301 have an average age of 18.9 years. This indicates a mature sector where businesses tend to operate long-term. Notable companies include CROWN PAINTS LIMITED, PPG ARCHITECTURAL COATINGS UK LIMITED, SUN CHEMICAL LIMITED.
Related SIC codes within the same division include: 20420 (Manufacture of perfumes and toilet preparations), 20590 (Manufacture of other chemical products n.e.c.), 20411 (Manufacture of soap and detergents), 20412 (Manufacture of cleaning and polishing preparations). Companies may use multiple SIC codes if they operate across several of these related activities. When registering with Companies House, businesses should select the code that best represents their primary activity.
You can search for companies with SIC code 20301 (Manufacture of paints, varnishes and similar coatings, mastics and sealants) using UVAGATRON's company explorer, which allows filtering by SIC code, location, and company status. Alternatively, Companies House offers a basic search on their website. Our platform adds risk intelligence, director networks, and signals from 50+ government databases to each company record.
Search, filter, and analyse 564 companies classified under this SIC code with AI-powered risk intelligence.
Data sourced from Companies House, HM Land Registry, FCA Register, and 50+ government databases. SIC classification follows the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities 2007 (SIC 2007). Last updated: 2026-04-17.