Living paint absorbs emissions for cleaner cities

The biomimetic paint is a cost-effective way to capture carbon

Spotted: Photosynthesis – one of nature’s main mechanisms for removing atmospheric CO2 – is increasingly being explored as a solution for achieving carbon neutrality. But as with many emerging technologies, innovations need to be scaled to make significant progress towards climate goals.

The large surface area of concrete in cities around the world provides a unique, and perhaps unexpected, opportunity for increasing the amount of carbon-capturing greenery. In the UK, a multi-disciplinary team that combines expertise in biology, business, and design has created Cyanoskin, which has developed a ‘living paint’ that can turn urban surfaces into a tool for fighting climate change and improving the local environment.

As it grows and thickens, the living, photosynthetic paint captures CO2 from the air in a similar way to algae. Among the high-rise buildings of urban environments, the paint has the potential to provide large-scale carbon capture at an affordable price.

Cyanoskin paint is available in several natural colours, not just green. Like most paints, two coats are required to ensure full and even application, and the company’s prices are similar to other commercially available eco-paints, making the solution far more affordable than the cost of most other living wall systems. No maintenance is required after the initial application as the paint contains nutrients needed to begin the growing process.

Full-grown, Cyanoskin-covered walls could provide communities around the world with a way to reduce atmospheric carbon, reduce air pollution, and improve wellbeing through an increase in visible greenery. Going forward, the company plans to develop additional paint colours.

Written By: Keely Khoury