What MPI does

Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI) is a non-profit industrial outreach organization founded in 1993 and affiliated with the University of Southern Mississippi's School of Polymer Science & Engineering. Operating from The Accelerator facility in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, MPI provides Make-Test-Assess-Train services to manufacturing companies, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and economic development agencies across the Southeast US. The organization offers ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited third-party testing, product and process development (including polymer synthesis, CAD, laser scanning, 3D printing, extrusion/compounding, and injection molding), manufacturing troubleshooting, sustainability assessments (LCAs, carbon footprinting), and workforce training programs.

MPI's technical infrastructure includes a co-rotating 24mm ThermoFisher extruder rated to 450°C, an 85-ton injection molder, glass reactors from 25ml to 50 liters, stainless steel high-pressure reactors up to 5 gallons, and laser scanning equipment with +/- 0.0016 inch volumetric precision. The organization also accesses advanced analytical instrumentation at the university including NMR, FTIR, and Electron Microscopy, and was an early adopter of 3D printing technology in 1995 with over 100 materials available. Cumulative operational impact includes 927 clients served, 1,438 workforce trainees, and 4,162 new or retained jobs attributed to MPI's activities.

The organization's revenue model is professional services-based with quote-based pricing across four primary streams: testing and analytical services, product and process development, workforce development training, and sustainability assessments. Customer acquisition occurs through direct sales, on-site training delivery, regional events (CONNECT workshops, MPI Ignition Pitch Competition), and partnerships with economic development agencies. As a non-profit affiliated with USM, MPI operates under institutional governance rather than private ownership, with funding derived from fee-for-service revenue, state appropriations, and university support.

Name

MPI

Legal name

Mississippi Polymer Institute

Website

https://thepolymerinstitute.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mississippi Polymer Institute (MPI) is a non-profit industrial outreach organization providing ISO-accredited polymer testing, product development, process scale-up, and workforce training to manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and economic development agencies across the Southeast US.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Polymer Testing and Materials Development Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (541380), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Material Qualification, Testing & Certification (AM Materials) (IMAAABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainability Testing, Certification & Compliance (LCA, Recyclability/Compostability Testing, FSC/PEFC) (IMALAMAK), Engineering Plastics & Performance Resins (PC, PA, POM, PBT, PMMA) (IMAEADAI)

Keywords

• Polymer testing services
• Advanced materials development
• Additive manufacturing services
• Workforce development training
• Product development consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Hattiesburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Testing and Analytical Services: Third-party ISO 17025 accredited testing services including mechanical, thermal, chemical, optical analysis, failure analysis, and custom method development for polymers, composites, and coatings.
2. Product and Process Development: CAD design, laser scanning, 3D printing, polymer synthesis, formulation, extrusion/compounding, injection molding, and scale-up services for entrepreneurs and established companies.
3. Workforce Development Training: Plastics processing training (Injection Molding, Extrusion), sustainability training, and entrepreneur training programs delivered on or off site, tailored to company needs.
4. Sustainability Assessments: Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), carbon footprint analyses, and competitive market assessments for companies seeking ESG goals and sustainability integration.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

MPI (Mississippi Polymer Institute) provides polymer and advanced materials services spanning concept-to-commercialization, including ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited third-party testing (mechanical, thermal, chemical, optical, and failure analysis), product and process development (CAD, laser scanning, 3D printing, polymer synthesis, extrusion/compounding, injection molding), sustainability assessments (LCA and carbon footprint), and workforce training (plastics processing, sustainability, entrepreneur training) for manufacturers, entrepreneurs, and economic development agencies in the U.S. Southeast.

Product overview

MPI (Mississippi Polymer Institute) is a non-profit industrial outreach organization affiliated with The University of Southern Mississippi, offering a comprehensive suite of polymer and advanced materials services. The organization provides Make-Test-Assess-Train services through distinct but interconnected offerings: Product Development (including synthesis, formulations, CAD, laser scanning, and 3D printing), Process Development, Testing (ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited), Manufacturing Troubleshooting, and Workforce Development Training. The core offerings include Additive Manufacturing, Extrusion/Compounding, and Injection Molding services, with specialized Sustainability Assessments and Entrepreneur Training programs. These services work together to support companies from concept validation through commercialization, enabling clients to develop, test, scale, and manufacture polymer-based products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Product Development Comprehensive product development services including material selection, polymer synthesis, formulation, extrusion/compounding, injection molding, laser scanning, CAD, and 3D printing to transform ideas into commercially viable products; aimed at manufacturers and entrepreneurs.
• Process Development Scalable, cost-effective production process development including workflow optimization for material use, energy, and throughput, with scale-up and troubleshooting support; serves manufacturers seeking to industrialize polymer processes.
• Testing Services ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited third-party testing services including mechanical, thermal, chemical, and optical analysis of polymers, composites, and coatings; covers material property testing, quality assurance, method development, and failure analysis for manufacturers and entrepreneurs.
• Coatings Testing Specialized testing services for coatings including waterborne coatings, with standardized ASTM testing capabilities; serves coatings manufacturers and developers.
• Manufacturing Troubleshooting Problem-solving support for manufacturers using root cause analysis, material testing, and process diagnostics to identify production issues and recommend actionable improvements; serves polymer manufacturing operators facing yield, quality, or process issues.
• Sustainability Assessments Data-driven sustainability evaluations including Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), carbon footprinting services, and competitive market assessments; aimed at companies seeking to meet ESG goals.
• Synthesis Services Polymer synthesis capabilities including waterborne polymerization, water dispersible processes, high solids/UV technology, solventborne processes, and specialty polymerizations using reactors from 25 ml to 50 liters; serves companies requiring custom polymer synthesis and scale-up.
• Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Industrial-grade 3D printing with multi-modulus material capability, chemically integrated rigid and flexible sections, over 100 materials available, medium to large format parts, and high resolution; serves manufacturers and product developers needing prototypes or short-run parts.
• Extrusion/Compounding Services Co-rotating 24 mm clam-shell ThermoFisher nitrided D2 extruder with temperatures up to 450°C, solid/liquid/powder feed capability, and minimum 5 lb batch size for polymer compounding; serves clients needing custom compounding and scale-up.
• Injection Molding 85-ton injection molder with clamp size, shot size, and various ASTM molds for producing plastic parts; serves product developers needing prototype and short-run injection molded parts.
• CAD and Laser Scanning Computer Aided Design services using Pro-Engineer, SolidWorks, and Inventor packages, with laser scanning capability achieving ±0.0016 inch volumetric precision; supports reverse engineering and product design clients.
• Plastics Processing Training Industry-focused training courses in Injection Molding and Extrusion designed to equip individuals with knowledge and hands-on understanding to operate process machinery in manufacturing environments; serves manufacturing employers and their workforce.
• Sustainability Training Training programs helping companies integrate environmentally responsible practices including waste reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainable product development; serves companies pursuing ESG and workforce sustainability training.
• Entrepreneur Training Business development programs addressing funding strategies, marketing, venture capital, investment readiness, and scaling support for entrepreneurs at all stages; serves founders and start-ups in the Mississippi ecosystem.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Accelerator (University of Southern Mississippi Innovation and Commercialization Park)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010MPI is housed within The Accelerator, a $28 million facility constructed through state funding to house MPI and incubate emerging technology-based companies. The Accelerator combines laboratory and office space with MPI's expertise to offer complete product development infrastructure.
• University of Southern Mississippi School of Polymer Science & EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPI was born out of the School of Polymer Science & Engineering and has ongoing access to equipment and expertise at the university. In 2010, MPI moved from the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials to The Accelerator.
• The University of Southern Mississippi School of Polymers and High Performance MaterialscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPI has access to equipment at the university's School of Polymers and High Performance Materials, utilizing methods such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and Electron Microscopy for advanced analytical testing.
• RebornCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPI provides advanced materials analyses support for RebornC's industrial decarbonization technology, with testing capabilities helping understand impacts of fabrication processes on final product properties.
• Chromis TechnologiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMPI supports Chromis Technologies with synthesis services and analytical chemistry skills, contributing to job creation in Mississippi.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• RTP Company: RTP Company is a custom compounder of engineered thermoplastics offering polymer formulation, compounding, and development services. Compares to MPI's polymer synthesis, compounding (24mm extruder), and custom formulation work, though RTP operates commercially at far larger production scale.
• Smithers: Smithers provides ISO/IEC 17025-accredited polymer, materials, and product testing services with expertise in rubber, plastics, and composites. Direct overlap with MPI's ISO 17025 polymer testing, failure analysis, and materials characterization offerings, though Smithers operates on a larger global commercial scale.
• Protolabs: Protolabs offers rapid prototyping, 3D printing, CNC machining, and injection molding services to engineers and product developers. Comparable to MPI's additive manufacturing and injection molding services targeting entrepreneurs and product developers, though Protolabs operates a commercial, automated global network.

Broad incumbents

• Bureau Veritas: Bureau Veritas is a global testing, inspection, and certification company with materials, commodities, and industrial testing services. Comparable to MPI in offering accredited laboratory testing for industrial customers, but at much larger global scale with broader regulatory and certification offerings.
• Element Materials Technology: Element is one of the largest global providers of testing, inspection, and certification services with dedicated polymer, composites, and advanced materials capabilities. Compares to MPI as a scaled commercial testing incumbent with broader geographic reach and portfolio depth.
• Intertek: Intertek is a global TIC (testing, inspection, certification) giant with polymer, materials, and product testing services across industrial sectors. Comparable to MPI in core testing capability but operates at multinational scale with much broader service breadth.
• Stratasys: Stratasys is a leading global provider of polymer 3D printing systems, materials, and on-demand manufacturing services. Comparable to MPI's additive manufacturing service offering and 100+ materials range, though Stratasys is the dominant commercial equipment and services provider in the AM space.
• SGS SA: SGS is the world's largest testing, inspection, and certification company with materials and polymer testing labs across multiple continents. Comparable to MPI in offering ISO 17025-accredited materials testing but with vastly greater scale, geographic footprint, and cross-industry coverage.
• Avient (formerly PolyOne): Avient is a specialty polymer materials company offering engineered materials, composites, and colorants with formulation and compounding services. Comparable to MPI's polymer synthesis, formulation, and compounding work for engineered plastics, but Avient is a publicly traded global specialty materials manufacturer.

Regional players

• Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers: The NIST MEP network operates a national system of regional Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers providing technical assistance, workforce development, and process improvement to small and mid-sized US manufacturers. Comparable to MPI's workforce training and industrial outreach model, with each MEP center serving its respective state/region in a similar federally-supported non-profit capacity.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/140261562804407
• LinkedInil.linkedin.com/company/wix-com
• Xx.com/MPI_USM

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about MPI