Public art initiative to counter air pollution around the world

Converse, an American shoe company founded in 1908 and a subsidiary of Nike, Inc. since 2003, is sponsoring giant murals in 13 cities around the world. However, these are not just any murals: the paint used in them can actually break down air pollutants.

In a recent news article, a Converse spokesperson explains the science behind this.

“This technology uses light energy to break down noxious air pollutants and convert them into harmless substances,” the statement said. “Any surface coated with this paint becomes an active air-purifying surface that helps protect people from harmful gases.”

In each of the cities, artists are creating the murals using KNOxOut™ paint from Boysen Paints in the Philippines, the active ingredient of which is CristalACTiV™ photocatalytic TiO₂.

So far, teams of artists in Bangkok, Warsaw, Belgrade, São Paulo, Santiago, Sydney and Lima have produced murals created with smog-eating paint as part of the project called Converse City Forests. Murals are slated to go up in Jakarta, Manila, Johannesburg, Melbourne and Mexico City.

To find out more about the initiative and check out other murals already in place around the world, head here.

To learn more about CristalACTiV™ Photocatalysis technology: https://www.cristalactiv.com/industries/photocatalysis/