Materials producer Teknor Apex has teamed up with a recycling firm to convert chewing gum waste into a raw material for thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) to make boots. Gumdrop, which specialises in the recycling of waste chewing gum, approached Netherlands-based Teknor Apex while working on a programme for reclaiming pre- and post-consumer gum for use in its Gum-Tec compound. “We assembled a multi-disciplinary team drawing on our capabilities for materials analysis, process engineering, and manufacturing,” said Teknor Apex senior market manager Stef Hordijk. The waste chewing gum forms up to 30% of the new gum-based TPE compounds. According to Hordijk, the Gum-Tec compounds, like standard TPEs, have a low compression set, can be formulated for either glossy or matte finishes, accept colours, and are recyclable. Gumdrop was founded in 2009 and specialises in the recycling of pre and post-consumer gum waste, converting waste gum into Gum-Tec compounds which can be used for a number of different rubber and plastic applications, including Wellington boots.