/ 8 May 2008

Non-stick chewing gum firm raises $20-million

A British company developing a non-stick chewing gum that can be easily removed from pavements and shoes has raised &pound10-million ($20-million) to help bring its product to market.

The new financing comes from institutional and private investors, with IP Group — an early backer — chipping in an additional £800 000, the firm said on Wednesday.

Revolymer’s new Clean Gum is the result of polymer research at the University of Bristol, where the company was created as a research spin-out in 2005.

Today’s chewing gums are made from synthetic latex, which is resistant to the weather and is strongly adhesive. Clean Gum adds a special polymer to modify its properties, making it far less sticky. – Reuters