The aim of the Sub-committee has been to operate an international network of scientists whose interests lie within the broad field of structure and properties of commercial polymers. Drivers of this activity are its members and their motivation to obtain value (to them and their business) from participation in the group.

Format and mode of operation were reviewed in 1983 by its former chairman Clegg (P. L. Clegg, Pure Appl. Chem, 55 (1983) 755-764). The group meets at least once per year and defines projects on which at least a significant part of the members agrees to work on and to commit resources. The projects have a particular scientific target and have been mainly experimental in nature. Co-ordinators guide the projects to the final publication(s). The projects conducted by the Sub-committee are funded by the participants and in turn their organisations.

Participation in a project is voluntary but to maintain membership in the Sub-committee it is mandatory to participate in at least one project and to attend meetings (at least every two years).

Although the Sub-committee sits within an IUPAC structure it is largely democratic and elects in its own executive officers. Its members enjoy the opportunity of working with like-minded scientist albeit that they come from often competitive organisations. However, this is made possible by ensuring that the choice of projects does not invalidate the licence that scientists from different organisation have when working together.

The Sub-committee initiates projects that it knows are of relevance and importance. The balanced membership base from industry and academy works in a manner to ensure that the projects are structured in such a way as to accommodate value in application, need and scientific novelty. Also, in a general sense this has to be convincing to their paymasters who are their industrial managers or academic supervisors. It is therefore obligatory to ensure that the appropriate skills are present and active in the Sub-committee.

Membership in the Sub-committee offers a platform for collaboration on a global basis. It enables contacts and networks that would be difficult to establish by other means. In addition, the value that is generated from a joint scientific project where an individual (or his organisation) is funding only a fraction of the cost can be considerable.