The petrochemical cluster in Stenungsund is the only one of its kind in Sweden and the centre in the Nordic region in which major sums have been invested in recent years. The two plastics raw material manufacturers Hydro Polymers and Borealis are on the periphery of the market and competition from other centres is increasing, particularly from those that are being built directly adjacent to oil sources – in the Persian Gulf for example.

In 2000, discussions were initiated between the Municipality of Stenungsund, the petrochemical companies in Stenungsund, Business Region Göteborg (BRG), the Västra Götaland Region (VGR) and Invest in Sweden Agency (ISA). This resulted in the commencement of a joint project, the Petrochemical Project, the aim being to generate activities designed to improve the prerequisites for the Stenungsund cluster with the ultimate aim of expanding. Another ambition was to attract new companies to the Stenungsund area.

At a later phase Chalmers also became involved through Professor Thomas Hjertberg. In 2001, prerequisites were mapped and proposals for areas that would contribute to the goals were presented. Six areas were prioritised and of these a "polymer engineering development centre" was considered to be the single most important proposal as a prerequisite for expansion of the cluster.

This led to the creation of PLUS, a competence centre at Chalmers in which Chalmers, SP, Borealis, Hydro Polymers VGR and BRG are partners. The overall aim is to generate growth under the theme plastic for a sustainable society. A further aim is to support and reinforce the development of the petrochemical industry in Stenungsund by investing in the development of polymers and polymer materials with improved environmental properties (compared with the current properties). The transfer of expertise between the petrochemical industry, the university and other research parties will also be stimulated. PLUS will contribute to the future provision of expertise within this area, not only through the PhDs that PLUS produces but also by functioning as a contact network for plastics companies that require operational advice and assistance (serious development of more environmentally correct solutions). PLUS will also contribute with international research information through articles and conference contributions, popular science information to the general public and information to schools.