Polymer Lab was initiated in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in 1996 as a subsidiary of Chemistry Lab. Processing of epoxy compounds was the main activity of the Polymer Lab at that time. Two years later, the independent Polymer Lab was inaugurated in a 20 m2 room where some characterization tools were added to the lab. The new place provided extra space for students who were enthusiastic in working with polymers. However, processing of thermoplastics was still impossible in the lab and the students had to do many of their experiments in the adjacent labs and departments.

The gradual progress of polymer activity in the department was associated with the growth of the lab until mid-2003 when the Polymer Lab was transferred to its current location with a wide range of processing and characterization tools. The high potential of the lab along with the large number of graduates and students enabled us to stablish Polymeric Materials Research Group (PMRG) at that time. Since then, the group has continued its commitment towards expanding knowledge of polymer science while applied research has been always the center of its activity. Providing a sound environment for learning through collaborative and team work is a major concern in PMRG.

Close contact with the polymer industry of the country enabled PMRG to have good grasp of polymers in action. As a matter of fact, Parsa Polymer Sharif which is now a major plastic compounding company in Iran span off from PMRG in 2006. Many of the group graduates also serve as key engineers in R&D sections in polymer industries. Contributions of PMRG to the society goes beyond engineering activities in the country. Large number of PMRG graduates also act as faculty members and research associates in the respected universities and research organizations around the globe.

Distinguished research group in generation and development of science and technology in the field of polymer engineering and providing consulting services to the industries and in particular, knowledge-based companies and promoting fundamental, developmental and applied research.

Considering its academic position, PMRG is active in education, research and technology in the country and puts priority to professional ethics in expanding the boundaries of science and engineering and generates scientific theories needed by the industry and supports entrepreneurship and high-tech activities. PMRG fulfills its missions through the following steps:

• Combining education and research
• Perform applied researches focused towards specific goals to avoid fragmentation of  potentials
• Create an environment conducive to scientific development and strive to develop the necessary infrastructure
• Centering activities based on teamwork
• Communicating effectively with industry
• Training committed and capable students
• Commercializing the research outcomes
• Providing laboratory and consulting services to industry
• Collaborating with domestic and foreign universities and research institutes

Parsa Polymer Sharif Co. spun off from the research activities of “Polymeric Materials Research Group” of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in Aug. 2007. The company started manufacturing of advanced polymeric compounds in Sept. 2008 and soon became the leading producer of high-tech blends and composites in the plastics industry of the country. Parsa Polymer Sharif Co. was announced as the first Knowledge-Based Company of the country by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education in 2012.