Imperial College London researchers invent biodegradable Bioloon

Researchers at Imperial College London have developed ‘Bioloon’, a biodegradable balloon designed to mitigate the environmental impact of traditional party balloons. Discarded balloons pose a significant threat to wildlife; a 2019 University of Tasmania study identified them as the highest-risk plastic debris for seabirds, being 32 times more lethal than hard plastics.

Co-created by PhD student Juliana Cumming and events entrepreneur Charlotte Melia, the Bioloon is made from natural rubber mixed with a specialized biodegradable material. Unlike conventional balloons that use sulfur vulcanization and various chemical additives that hinder decomposition, the Bioloon is designed to break down completely within nine months in soil, seawater, and deionized water.

The product aims to maintain the ease of inflation found in traditional balloons while offering a sustainable alternative for the events industry. The inventors hope to begin commercial sales by 2028.