UK environmental technology startup Bioloon has developed a biodegradable balloon that combines natural latex — a milky white liquid material produced by certain plants, primarily the rubber tree — with a biodegradable polymer, in an effort to eliminate the chemical additives traditionally used in balloon manufacturing that can impede decomposition and cause lasting environmental damage.
The innovation follows three years of research led by Juliana Cumming, a doctoral student at Imperial College London. The new formula retains natural latex but removes the sulphur, accelerators, antioxidants, and activators typically employed in converting latex into elastic rubber.
According to Cumming, the resulting material preserves key properties such as elasticity and ease of inflation while demonstrating a significantly greater capacity to decompose in natural environments. The search for alternatives to conventional balloons is driven by the well-documented impact these products have on ecosystems. It is estimated that between 20 and 25 billion balloons are sold globally each year. When discarded, they can reach rivers, beaches, and oceans, where they are frequently mistaken for food by seabirds and other wildlife.
A 2019 study by the University of Tasmania identified balloons as one of the most hazardous types of waste for seabirds, owing to the risk of ingestion and the resulting damage to their digestive systems.
Bioloon's research involved hundreds of tests. The compound was subjected to a range of conditions, including soil, seawater, and deionised water, and demonstrated decomposition across all three environments. Cumming estimates that full decomposition of the material could occur in approximately nine months.
The development of the technology also received an investment of around £30,000 (approximately US$38,000) from Charlotte Melia, a former events company director, and a business partner, to support Cumming's research.
The founders expect to bring the product to market by 2028. Beyond party balloons, the technology could in future be adapted for other latex-based products, including household gloves, surgical gloves, latex garments, and condoms.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=537276
