## 1 Introduction  
The wood coatings industry is currently prioritizing the tenets of the closed-loop economy, focusing on reducing waste by utilizing natural resources and repurposing materials that were once considered industrial waste [1]. Recent research highlights significant efforts by both researchers and industry professionals to develop innovative, eco-friendly wood protection methods using advanced technologies and sustainable materials [2]. This involves exploring bio-based organic matrices for environmentally friendly protective coatings, incorporating sustainable fillers and additives, and utilizing the properties of natural pigments and dyes [3]. Vegetable oils and their derivatives are emerging as promising alternatives for coating matrices, potentially replacing conventional polymeric ones [4]. These oils offer additional benefits such as antibacterial and antifungal properties [5; 6], hydrophobic characteristics [7], self-cleaning abilities [8], and UV protection [9]. Similarly, natural biopolymers like chitosan, alginate, and cellulose are viable options [10]. The preservatives and impregnators industry is also shifting towards bio-based materials sourced from plants [11; 12; 13] and vegetables [14; 15; 16] to combat harmful fungi affecting wood [17; 18; 19]. A key area of interest is the use of bio-based fillers and protective additives in wood coatings, which can be customized to enhance weather resistance, as seen with materials like hemp-based biocarbon [20], lignin [21], and tannin [22]. These additives also strengthen eco-friendly coatings, with cellulose derivatives showing strong potential [23; 24; 25]. Additionally, many natural fillers have notable antimicrobial properties, including extracts from coffee [26], propolisis [27], and essential oils [28]. Another growing focus is the use of alternative and eco-friendly pigments and dyes. The wood paint industry is increasingly creating coatings with vibrant colors [29] for unique and appealing aesthetics [30; 31]. For example, the coloring potential of natural pigments from sources like spirulina [32; 33], turmeric [34], and wood waste [35] is being explored, along with microbial pigments [36; 37] that offer greater functionality and sustainability compared to traditional methods. Given these considerations, this study seeks to assess the application of a composite additive for wood paints, characterized as bio-based, which integrates both protective and aesthetic attributes. This additive consists of ultrafine rice bran wax powder infused with green tea. Previous research has explored the functional properties of rice bran wax powders as bio-based fillers for wood coatings, revealing their outstanding effectiveness in improving the surface's hydrophobic properties and reinforcing the coatings' mechanical durability [34]. Rice bran wax qualifies as a _green_ additive since it is a natural wax derived from the husk or bran of rice (_Oryza sativa_), a by-product of rice production. Rice bran is extensively grown and processed globally as a major food crop [38]. The wax is extracted during the refining of rice bran oil [39; 40] through a dewaxing process that encompasses phases such as gum removal, acid reduction, color stripping, odor elimination, and cold stabilization [40; 41]. Owing to its inherent hydrophobic properties, rice bran wax appears to be a plentiful and economical bio-based filler, augmenting the protective capabilities of organic coatings. Recent research indicates that the low surface free energy of wax [42; 43] can markedly improve the hydrophobic characteristics of wood [44]. Green tea, on the other hand, is sourced from the leaves of _Camelia sinensis_, a species in the _Theaceae_ family. It is grown in no fewer than 30 nations worldwide [45]. Because of its unique hue, antimicrobial properties, and antioxidant activity, green tea extracts are commonly used in skincare and cosmetic products [46; 47; 48].