Researchers at Imperial College London say they have developed the first fully biodegradable balloon made from natural latex blended with biodegradable polymers, without the chemical additives used in conventional balloons. The researchers say the balloon, called the Bioloon, breaks down completely within nine months and inflates as easily as a traditional balloon.
The development was spearheaded by Ph.D. student Juliana Cumming at the university's Department of Chemical Engineering, with backing from events entrepreneur Charlotte Melia. The partnership was launched after Melia, who spent over a decade as a party planner, sought a sustainable alternative to traditional balloon waste. According to the creators, the Bioloon degrades in soil, seawater and deionized water, with researchers estimating a nine-month biodegradation timeline.
Imperial College's Department of Chemical Engineering estimates that between 20 billion and 25 billion balloons are purchased worldwide every year. A 2019 study by the University of Tasmania found balloons were "the highest-risk plastic debris item" for seabirds, carrying a mortality risk 32 times higher than that from ingesting hard plastics. Traditional balloons, which contain sulfur and chemical additives that prevent degradation and leak toxic chemicals, are largely non-biodegradable despite advertising claims.
The research team spent three years developing the formula, starting with natural latex derived from rubber tree sap but modifying the vulcanization process to eliminate additives that prevent biodegradation. The creators said they hope to bring the Bioloon to market within two years, with potential applications extending beyond party decorations to medical and household products including gloves, clothing and condoms.
