Solving a Sticky Dilemma

Moms and maintenance departments rejoice. Scientists have solved the sticky puzzle of how to formulate a nonstick chewing gum. Revolymer, Mostyn, Wales, has completed development of a chewing gum that can be easily removed from shoes, clothes, pavement and hair. Preliminary results also show the gum degrades naturally in water.

The company, spun off from polymer research at the University of Bristol, presented the new product at the BA Festival of Science in York, UK, this week. Our initial research focused on the removability of our new Clean Gum from a variety of surfaces and we have shown that our technology has made a step change in chewing gum as a consumer product, says Terence Cosgrove, chief scientific officer, Revolymer. The advantage of our Clean Gum is that it has a great taste, it is easy to remove and in preliminary results is environmentally degradable.

Chewing gum is based on synthetic latex and contains added softeners, sweeteners and flavorings. These bases not only provide the consumer-expected sticky, stretchy chew, but retain their properties indefinitely under all weather conditions, are resistant to aggressive chemicals and have strong adhesive properties when they are removed from the mouth--proving a bane to sidewalks, shoes and the underside of schoolroom desks. Changing the stickiness or the biodegradability of chewing gum requires a change in the chemical structure of the base. For the chemists, the dilemma was to maintain commercially important features of chewing gum, such as flavor retention, chewiness and shelf life, in a nonsticky, biodegradable gum.

To change the gums properties, researchers added two compounds used in toothpaste and various cosmetics, one hydrophilic, one hydrophobic. The company reported initial results on glass showed a major reduction in adhesion compared to unmodified products, and that the gum disintegrates after extended immersion in water. Laboratory results indicate the company can modify the stickiness required from high to very low contact adhesion.

In addition to laboratory testing, the company completed trials on local pavement: Commercial gums remained stuck to the pavement 3 out of 4 times, but the new gum was removed within 24 hours by natural events.

The company plans to launch its Clean Gum in 2008, and is seeking business collaborations for its technology.