Chew good, do good - sustainability to chew on
Sometimes it only takes a small change to make a big difference. It is the will to question the status quo and rethink everyday products that creates real innovation. This conviction also drove Cologne-based founder Thomas Krämer when he set out with Forest Gum to revolutionise a seemingly banal habit: chewing gum. His story begins with an aha moment and the courage to challenge an entire industry.
The plastic trap: what we really chew
For most people, chewing gum is a matter of course, but very few people know what is hidden behind the chewable mass of conventional chewing gum. The shocking fact is that it usually consists of synthetic polymers, i.e. plastics - often the same substances that can be found in car tyres, glue or plastic bags. Every time we chew such chewing gum, we are chewing on a piece of disposable plastic. The problem is exacerbated after the brief consumption: carelessly discarded chewing gum pollutes our cities as stubborn stains and remains in the environment as non-biodegradable waste for decades, where it slowly decomposes into microplastics. For founder Thomas Krämer, this realisation was the decisive impetus to create a fundamentally better alternative.
Back to nature: natural rubber instead of plastic
Forest Gum is taking a different path - one that leads back to nature. Long before synthetic chewing gum conquered the market after the Second World War, the basis for enjoyment consisted of natural raw materials such as chicle, the milky sap of the mushy apple tree, which Forest Gum also initially used as a raw material. However, the search for the perfect natural chewing mass led the team down an innovative path: Since the beginning of the year, the company has been using natural rubber from the Hevea brasiliensis tree.
The switch was a conscious decision in favour of quality and sustainability. As a natural product, chicle was subject to natural fluctuations, which sometimes had a major impact on product quality. The consistency was not always satisfactory and, despite numerous tests, it was not possible to flavour the chicle in such a way that the taste lasted long enough. These challenges were overcome with the new chewing mass made from natural rubber: the consistency is of a consistently high quality, the flavouring lasts significantly longer and the chewing sensation is noticeably better.
Sustainability remains the top priority: the rubber comes from various areas in Malaysia, where it is harvested under strict regulations. The "FSC 100%" seal certifies the responsible origin and guarantees that the raw material comes from sustainable forestry. Forest Gum thus combines natural quality with ecological responsibility - 100 per cent from nature.
Holistic thinking: from content to commitment
At Forest Gum, sustainability is more than just an ingredient - it is the DNA of the entire product. The sustainability concept is taken to its logical conclusion, because what good is a natural chewing mass if the rest of the product can't keep up? The packaging is therefore completely plastic-free and uses recyclable cardboard instead. Artificial ingredients are also avoided in the other ingredients: Instead of aspartame, the flavours are sweetened with plant-based xylitol, which also contributes to healthy teeth. The flavourings for flavours such as mint or berry come from natural sources. In addition, the company demonstrates regional responsibility right on its own doorstep with the self-initiated "Project Wildwuchs". Together with strong partners - Woodify from Bonn and the Centre for Econics and Ecosystem Management from Eberswalde - Forest Gum has launched a scientific project that supports the protection of valuable, species-rich forest areas. Every pack of Forest Gum sold contributes to this commitment. In this way, the name "Forest Gum" becomes a living programme and the positive impact can be experienced by all consumers.
A vision that tastes good
Forest Gum is an inspiring example of how a pioneering spirit and a clear set of values can transform an everyday product into a driver of positive change. The journey from idea to finished product was full of challenges, but the result proves that it was worth it. With the recent addition of sustainable fruit gums to the range, the team shows that this is just the beginning of its mission. Forest Gum makes it clear: the path to a more sustainable future can start with the next small decision on the supermarket shelf - and it can even taste really good.
Cover picture: Forest Gum
Since his editorial traineeship in Hamburg, Jan Strahl has worked as a journalist, editor or author for almost every large and small publishing house in the city. He writes for consumer media and corporate publishing publications on art, fashion, lifestyle and knowledge topics.
