New ingredient takes the stick out of gum

Revolymer, a company formed from the University of Bristol, said that by adding an amphiphilic polymer to modified chewing gum, it will no longer stick to many surfaces.

It is possible to remove the Clean Gum from shoes, clothes, pavements and hair, as well as being naturally degradable in water, the company said.

"The advantage of our Clean Gum is that is has a great taste, it is easy to remove and has the potential to be environmentally degradable," said Terence Cosgrove of the University of Bristol and chief scientific officer of Revolymer.

The company tested the product on pavements in local high streets and said the Revolymer gum was removed within 24 hours, whereas the commercial gums remained stuck to the pavements three out of four times, Revolymer said.

"The basis of our technology is to add an amphiphilic polymer to a modified chewing gum formulation which alters the interfacial properties of the discarded gum cuds, making them less adhesive to most common surfaces."

Revolymer said the announcement will be made this week at the BA Festival of Science in York, and the company plans to launch the Clean Gum in 2008.

"In eighteen months we have converted UK technology into a commercial product, significantly changing the pollution issues facing chewing gum," said Roger Pettmen, Revolymer's chief executive officer.

"Our initial research focused on the removability of 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."

Revolymer is a spin out company from the University of Bristol that develops new polymers with enhanced properties for use in various products, the company said.