Abstract: A coated chewing gum element about 25 to 99.9% by weight of a chewing gum centre having at least one environmentally degradable elastomeric or resinous polymer and about 0.1 to 75% by weight of an outer coating and processes for providing the chewing gum. The outer coating is a hard sugar or sugarless coating, a film coating or a soft coating. The application of an outer coating prevents degradation of the degradable polymers prior to chewing due to physical or chemical effects, thereby improving the shelf life of the environmentally degradable chewing gum. After chewing, the chewing gum will degrade in the environment and can be removed more readily than chewing gum based on non-degradable polymers.

Abstract: There is provided, a novel degradable gum resin replacement compound, which is generally applicable for chewing gum formulations. In particular, a gum base and a chewing gum comprising a polyester co-polymer obtainable by the polymerisation of cyclic esters and wherein the co-polymer has a glass transition temperature (Tg) in the range from 20 to 38° C.

Abstract: There is provided a novel degradable gum base comprising low molecular weight elastomer replacement compounds which are generally applicable for chewing gum formulations. In particular there is provided a gum base and a chewing gum comprising a polyester polymer obtainable by the polymerisation of two or more different cyclic ester monomers, wherein the cyclic ester monomers have a low glass transition temperature (Tg) and the polyester polymer has a glass transition temperature (Tg) in the range from (−20° C.) to (−80° C.).

Abstract: A coated chewing gum element comprising about 25 to 99.9% by weight of a chewing gum centre comprising at least one environmentally degradable elastomeric or resinous polymer and about 0.1 to 75% by weight of an outer coating and processes for providing the chewing gum. The outer coating is a hard sugar or sugarless coating, a film coating or a soft coating. The application of an outer coating prevents degradation of the degradable polymers prior to chewing due to physical or chemical effects, thereby improving the shelf life of the environmentally degradable chewing gum. After chewing, the chewing gum will degrade in the environment and can be removed more readily than chewing gum based on non-degradable polymers.

Abstract: A process for preparing a chewing gum wherein all of the gum base components and all of the chewing gum additives are charged, in any appropriate order, into a mixing apparatus and the apparatus operated at atmospheric pressure to obtain the chewing gum, subject to the limitation that the gum base does not contain a vinyl polyester as the sole polymer. In certain embodiments, the gum base comprises at least one environmentally or biodegradable polymer such as a polyester, a polycarbonates, a polyester amide, a polypeptide and a protein.