[1][2] is a publicly funded nonprofit organization, based in Hanover Germany, whose purpose is the advancement of applied research in rubber technology.
The mission includes both the chemical and physical behavior of rubber, and the reduction to practice of applications.
[6] The founding of the institute occurred during a period of expansion in Germany of 3rd party funding by means of institutionalized collaboration between academia and private industry.
[9] It is a founding member of the European Research & Rubber Laboratories (ERRLAB) initiative.
[10] In 2011, it established a Rubber Excellence Partnership with Lanxess and Qingdao University of Science and Technology.