Biodegradable balloon breaks down in 9 months, UK team says

Researchers at Imperial College London say they have developed a biodegradable balloon that breaks down completely within about nine months, offering a possible alternative to conventional party balloons.

The product, called Bioloon, is made with natural latex blended with another biodegradable polymer, according to Juliana Cumming, a PhD student at Imperial College London and co-creator of the balloon. She said the team does not use the additives involved in traditional balloon manufacturing that prevent biodegradation.

Cumming said the material degraded in soil, seawater and deionised water during testing. The researchers hope to bring the balloon to market within two years.

The project was part-funded by Charlotte Melia, an events entrepreneur who said balloon waste was a major problem in her work as a party planner. Melia said she and an associate put up about £30,000, or $41,000, to help fund Cumming's doctoral research.

Imperial College's chemical engineering department estimates that 20 billion to 25 billion balloons are bought worldwide each year. A 2019 University of Tasmania study published in Scientific Reports found balloons were the highest-risk plastic debris item for seabirds, with a mortality risk 32 times higher than ingesting hard plastics.

The creators say the technology could eventually be adapted for other latex products, including household gloves, surgical gloves, latex clothing and condoms.