Bioloon startup develops fully biodegradable balloons

Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a fully biodegradable balloon, named Bioloon, designed to mitigate the environmental impact of festive decorations. Unlike traditional latex balloons, which often contain toxic additives from the sulfur vulcanization process that prevent rapid decomposition, the new material combines natural latex with a biodegradable polymer.

Developed by PhD researcher Juliana Cumming and funded in part by event entrepreneur Charlotte Melia, the material is expected to fully decompose within nine months in soil, seawater, or distilled water. This is a significant improvement over conventional balloons, which can persist in the environment for years. The innovation addresses a critical ecological issue; research has indicated that balloons are among the most dangerous types of marine debris for birds, carrying a mortality risk 32 times higher than hard plastics.

Bioloon is expected to be commercially available within two years. The startup behind the invention also intends to explore using the material for other products, including medical devices, clothing, and latex gloves.