Major paint brands are swapping oil for plant seeds and corn.

Global paint giant AkzoNobel is leading the charge by replacing petroleum-based ingredients with bio-based alternatives. They have partnered with biochemical companies to use corn-derived ingredients in their industrial wood finishes. This means the protective lacquer on your wooden kitchen table or cabinets can now be made from renewable corn instead of fossil fuels. Similarly, Sherwin-Williams uses leftover soybean oil and recycled plastic bottles to create some of their paint lines. These plant-based ingredients do the exact same job as oil: they help the paint dry into a tough, protective shield that stops water and scratches from ruining the wood or wall underneath.