Several plants were scattered across the country, some for polymerization, others for the production of the monomers. The initial plants were built and brought onstream in a record time of nine months.

Firestone produced the program's first bale of synthetic rubber on April 26, 1942, followed by Goodyear on May 18, United States Rubber on September 4, and Goodrich on November 27. In 1942, these four plants produced 2,241 tons of synthetic rubber. By 1945, the United States was producing about 920,000 tons per year of synthetic rubber, 85 percent of which was GR-S rubber. Of that 85 percent, the four major companies were producing 547,500 tons per year (70%).

Research continued after the war ended in August 1945. Synthetic rubber was improved and, after the wartime plants served again during the Korean Conflict, became an integral part of the rubber industry. GR-S production returned to private hands in 1955 when the government sold the plants. As the 20th century draws to a close, the rubber industry has grown to a $60 billion international enterprise with about 15,000 establishments operating in the United States. Synthetic rubber is a vital part of the transportation, aerospace, energy, electronics, and consumer products industries.