Wacker: Chewy candy turns into chewing gum

At ProSweets Cologne, Wacker presented for the first time its Candy2Gum technology for confectionery. “With this technology it is possible to produce innovative chewy candy that turns into chewing gum after a short time – the mouthfeel and chewing experience are absolutely unique,” says Dr. Martin Seizl, Director Business Team Gum.
The new technology does not only alter the texture of confectionery. It also opens up new opportunities for flavours and ingredients that, until now, were unheard of for chewing gum – fruit juice, coffee, milk, caramel, chocolate, coconut and plant extracts. Now, a multitude of water-based, fat-containing and natural ingredients are available for use in chewing gum.
“The secret behind this confectionery innovation is the production process – Candy2Gum products are simply boiled,” explains Seizl. “Conventional chewing gum, on the other hand, is made in a dry kneading process. Water-based and fat-containing ingredients, such as fruit juice and cocoa, are exactly what the traditional kneading process cannot handle.”
At the tradeshow, Wacker also presented the world’s first 3D printing process to use chewing gum. The experts developed Capiva 3D, a novel product formulation specifically for printable gum, and optimized the software and hardware for this sophisticated food matrix. As a result, chewing gum can be formed in many, completely novel shapes. Whatever is needed, whether
a name, logo or lifelike miniature figure, this new technology can produce gum in a wide range of colors, shapes and flavours – individually personalized.