Imperial College London researchers develop biodegradable balloons

Researchers at Imperial College London have developed ‘Bioloon’, a new type of biodegradable balloon designed to mitigate the environmental impact of traditional party decorations. Traditional balloons are considered highly dangerous to wildlife; a 2019 University of Tasmania study identified them as the ‘most dangerous plastic waste’ for seabirds, being 32 times more lethal than rigid plastics.

Developed through a public-private partnership between researcher Juliana Cumming and entrepreneur Charlotte Melia, the Bioloon is made from a material that fully decomposes within nine months. The material is created from a liquid that solidifies into a soft, elastic substance comparable to conventional balloons in texture and ease of inflation. The creators aim to begin commercializing the product by 2028.