What is the Kansas Polymer Research Center?
The Kansas Polymer Research Center (KPRC) at Pittsburg State University is one of the world's leading centers specializing in vegetable oil-based polymer research and development. KPRC scientists work with industrial partners, state and federal agencies, and producer associations on developing and commercializing PSU's intellectual property. The KPRC has partnered with Cargill, a leading agribusiness company, in the global commercialization of a line of soy polyols that have applications in the automotive, construction, and home furnishing industries. Core funding is provided by the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation (KTEC).
The KPRC research team brings a combined 100-plus years of experience among their twelve polymer scientists. The team also includes several undergraduate and graduate students from chemistry and plastics engineering technology. Research contracts over a 12-year period have provided the basis for KPRC further developing its expertise in bio-based polymers.
Located in a new state-of-the-art research facility, the KPRC can provide a full range of research and development services in several bio-based product areas. In addition, researchers have access to plastics industry production equipment as part of their collaboration with PSU's four-year nationally accredited undergraduate degree program in plastics engineering technology. Assistance in engineering product design and development is available from the College of Technology engineers and faculty. Supporting research capabilities are also provided by the PSU Departments of Physics and Chemistry.