The Dutch Polymer Institute (DPI) was established in 1997 as a public-private partnership to perform pre-competitive research into polymers and their application, linking scientific knowledge to the industrial need for innovation. This results in added value for universities in scientific publications and for companies in intellectual property rights and the possibilities to execute new activities.

Some 200 researchers (PhDs and Post-Docs) are currently involved in DPI projects at knowledge institutes throughout the world.