Whenever new technology is imported or a new manufacturing process is developed, ITRI, as a rule, first tests its usefulness. Only if it is theoretically and economically workable will it be introduced to local industry.
以特用化學品、高分子材料的製程（製造的過程）與產品、以及環境汙染防治技術為研究重點的「聯合工業研究所」，是五個所中，歷史最久的一個，它成立於民國四十二年。