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Major break through for non-stick chewing gum

Professor Terence Cosgrove holding a piece of Clean Gum

Professor Terence Cosgrove holding a piece of Clean Gum

Press release issued: 14 September 2007

Easy-to-remove chewing gum is to become a reality, thanks to a major technological break-through. The announcement was made this week at the BA Festival of Science in York.

Easy-to-remove chewing gum is to become a reality, thanks to a major technological break-through. The announcement was made this week at the BA Festival of Science in York.

Revolymer, a spin out company from the University of Bristol, has completed development of its new Clean Gum that can be easily removed from shoes, clothes, pavements and hair. Preliminary results also indicate that the gum will degrade naturally in water.

The company has completed initial street trials on pavements in local high streets as part of a collaborative agreement with local councils. In the two trials, leading commercial gums remained stuck to the pavements three out of four times. In all tests the Revolymer gum was removed within 24 hours by natural events.

Professor Terence Cosgrove, of the University of Bristol and Chief Scientific Officer of Revolymer said: “The advantage of our Clean Gum is that it has a great taste, it is easy to remove and has the potential to be environmentally degradable”.

“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.”

“I am delighted with our progress” added Roger Pettman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  “In eighteen months we have converted UK technology into a commercial product, significantly changing the pollution issues facing chewing gum.

A removable, degradable chewing gum is becoming a reality. 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. We are planning our product launch for 2008.”

The irresponsible discarding of gum cuds costs local councils in the UK £150 million pounds a year to clean up.

Further information

Formed in October 2005 as a spin out from the University of Bristol, Revolymer™ LTD is a technology company focused on developing new polymers with enhanced physical properties manufactured from existing commodity polymers. These novel materials have the potential to solve a broad range of formulation problems in existing markets as well as creating new commercial opportunities. Developed by Professor Terence Cosgrove from the University of Bristol, the materials have many potential applications including drug delivery, medical devices, paints and coatings, textiles and personal care products. The company will use research funding to extend its portfolio of materials and to develop revenues and a licensing strategy with selected businesses that have expertise in the sales and marketing of specific applications and products.
Please contact Carrie-Anne Savage for further information.
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