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Yes, in laboratory experiments. University of Surrey researchers made a water-based polymer coating containing a particular live cyanobacterium, and measured oxygen evolution and carbon capture after the coating was dried and rehydrated. That is promising research—not proof that painted walls can supply oxygen to a room, remove meaningful amounts of carbon from a building, or improve indoor air.
What “green living paint” is
The University of Surrey’s Green Living Paint is a research biocoating: a surface film made from a water-based polymer that holds living cyanobacteria. The study tested Chroococcidiopsis cubana PCC 7433, a desiccation-resistant organism that can continue photosynthesizing after drying and rehydration. It is not ordinary paint with generic algae added, and the results should not be generalized to any cyanobacterium or paint formula.
The peer-reviewed study, “Oxygen evolution from extremophilic cyanobacteria confined in hard biocoatings,” appeared in Microbiology Spectrum in 2023. Read the study.
What the experiments measured
The researchers measured oxygen evolution and carbon capture in experimental coatings. Their headline oxygen result was up to 0.4 grams of oxygen per gram of biomass per day. This is a biomass-normalized rate, not an output per square metre of painted wall, room, or building. It cannot be used by itself to estimate how much oxygen a room would gain or how much carbon a building would remove.
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- Prior to application sand surfaces with 180/200 grit sandpaper, then wash with a degreaser, allow the surface to dry and apply paint
Activity was continuously measured over a month, with no decline reported during that observation period. This supports persistence in the reported experiment; it does not establish indefinite activity or how the coating would perform over years of building use.
The outcome also depended on which organism was used. Of the cyanobacteria compared, C. cubana PCC 7433 photosynthesized in the coating. Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 showed no oxygen evolution in the coating, while Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 was not viable after drying. The results therefore demonstrate a specific organism-formulation combination, not a general recipe for turning paint into a living coating.
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- EGGSHELL SHEEN – Soft, Velvety Glow: Offers a gentle sheen that balances elegance with durability. Ideal for moderate-traffic areas like dining rooms, hallways, and family rooms. Easy to clean without compromising the finish.
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Does it clean indoor air or make a building carbon-negative?
The experiments do not establish either outcome. The oxygen measurement does not show that a painted room receives a meaningful oxygen supply, and the reported carbon capture does not quantify net atmospheric carbon removal or a building’s climate impact. Those claims would require measurements at the relevant surface and building scales, along with evidence accounting for production, maintenance, and service life.
Nor do these results show that the coating improves indoor air quality or is safe and suitable for consumer use. The evidence described is laboratory research, not an indoor-air trial or a building deployment.
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Can you buy Green Living Paint?
The University of Surrey sources describe a research coating; they do not establish that this named paint is sold to consumers. The university’s announcement discusses potential applications and the research context, not a retail product. Read the University of Surrey announcement.
A separate Imperial College London report says Cyanoskin won its 2024 Venture Catalyst Challenge and describes a concept for photosynthetic paint on building surfaces. That is a distinct development from Surrey’s study, and the report does not establish that Cyanoskin is available to buy. Read Imperial’s report.
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- PAINT + PRIMER IN ONE: Evolve’s paint-and-primer formula helps you get great coverage from the start, sealing your surface and reducing the extra work of multiple coats.
- AVAILABLE IN MULTIPLE SHEENS, COLORS & SIZES: Choose from a curated palette of designer colors in Flat, Eggshell, Satin, and Semi-Gloss sheens to match any style, room, or project. Available in 1-Gallons & 5-Gallons.
- EGGSHELL SHEEN – Soft, Velvety Glow: Offers a gentle sheen that balances elegance with durability. Ideal for moderate-traffic areas like dining rooms, hallways, and family rooms. Easy to clean without compromising the finish.
- STAIN & SCRUB RESISTANT: Built to last in real spaces, Evolve helps resist marks, scuffs, and water spotting, so your home continues to look polished and well-maintained.
- DESIGNED FOR MOISTURE-PRONE AREAS: Formulated to perform well in bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, laundry rooms, and other high-humidity spaces.
Dr Suzie Hingley-Wilson, Senior Lecturer in Bacteriology at Surrey, said mechanically robust, ready-to-use biocoatings “could help meet these challenges by reducing water consumption in typically water-intensive bioreactor-based processes.” This describes potential water-use advantages in microorganism processes; it is not evidence of commercial readiness or proven carbon removal.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the research could mean for future coatings
The work shows that a selected extremophilic cyanobacterium can remain photosynthetically active inside a hard biocoating under the study’s laboratory conditions. The paper identifies possible directions such as carbon capture, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production, while the Surrey announcement discusses applications in extreme environments. These are potential uses, not demonstrated performance in buildings or products available on the market.
Quick Recap
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
