The GFP was created in 1970 by the polymer physicist André Kovacs and the chemist Georges Champetier, one of the first researchers in France to study polymer science. 
The statutes of the GFP set out the following goals:
* the advancement and dissemination of studies on macromolecular substances,
* the grouping of researchers studying polymers in order to promote exchanges of ideas and facilitate knowledge of scientific and technical progress in this field,
* the development of relationships between basic research and its applications.
The GFP is based in Strasbourg, where in 1954 the physicist Charles Sadron founded the first CNRS laboratory dedicated to polymer science, which became the Institut Charles Sadron in 1985. Its first general meeting was held on November 26–27, 1970 in Paris. Its first committee comprised Georges Champetier (President), Charles Sadron and René Riou (Vice-presidents), André Kovacs (Secretary general) and Constant Wippler (Treasurer). Since its founding, the presidency of the GFP has alternated between researchers based in academia and industry, while the secretary has always been a member of the Institut Charles Sadron (originally the CRM).