Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering

Sustainable future in bio and circular economy

Our department focuses on sustainable utilization of raw materials, designing and developing more efficient processes for new materials and products. 

As chemical engineers, we contribute to shaping a sustainable future by developing processes that support the evolving circular economy and bioeconomy.

Researchers in the lab

Rodrigo Serna

Head of Department / Associate Professor

Iiro Harjunkoski

Vice Head of Department / Associate Professor

Research

The department is in a key position in research of chemical engineering, materials technology, metals processing, efficient energy technologies and digitalization of these.

Our core competences include unit operations and processes in chemical engineering, hydro- and pyro-metallurgy, catalyst and polymeric materials, novel catalytic process, process control and process systems engineering.

Catalysis Research Group

Group led by Professor Riikka Puurunen

Catalysis Group picture

Chemical engineering

Group led by Professor Ville Alopaeus

Alopaeus_group_laboratory

Chemical Engineering in Aqueous Systems

Led by Professor Marjatta Louhi-Kultanen.

Sea water

Hydrometallurgy and Corrosion (Hydromet)

Led by Professor Mari Lundström

Precious metals in crushed batteries being dissolved in a test tube. Photo: Glen Forde/Aalto Energy Platform

Materials Processing and Powder Metallurgy

Group led by Professor Michael Gasik

Biomedical scaffold

Metallurgical Thermodynamics and Modelling

Group led by Professor Daniel Lindberg

Aalto University/Metallurgical Thermodynamics and Modelling

Mineral Processing and Recycling

Group led by Professor Rodrigo Serna

Serna_Mineral Processing and recycling

Polymer Synthesis Technology

Group led by Professor Jukka Niskanen

Process Systems Engineering

Group led by Professor Iiro Harjunkoski

PSE covers many research topics and objectives under the "optimization umbrella"

Sustainable Systems

Led by professor Rofice Dickson

Research Expertise Summary

Emeritus research groups

Metallurgy

Group led by Professor Ari Jokilaakso

Pyrometallurgy_research Ronja Ruismäki, photo Valeria Azovskaya

Plant design

Group led by Professor Pekka Oinas

Ioncell-materiaalia sinisessä kudotunomaisessa materiaalissa tai kankaassa

Polymer Technology

Group led by Professor Jukka Seppälä

CMET_Polymer group lab

Infrastructures

Research infrastructure

We develop local and global networks

Image from the Aalto Bioproduct centre

AALTOLAB (external link)

AALTOLAB is a virtual laboratory safety training platform developed at Aalto University. AALTOLAB helps both students and staff to maintain high-level safety standards in our laboratories.

An image of virtual laboratory space

Contact information

Academic Staff

Here you can find contact information for the teaching staff

A lecturer sits at a desk in front of a classroom full of students, with computer screens and a periodic table on the wall.

Collaboration and impact

See all the Aalto CHEM collaboration projects here

BATCircle consortium (external link)

BATCircle aims at improving the manufacturing processes of battery chemicals and the mining and metals industries and to increase the recycling of lithium-ion batteries.

Image from remote site: batcircle.aalto.fi
studying chemical engineering

Are you interested in studying at the School of Chemical Engineering? Here are our Chemistry and Metallurgical Engineering programmes:

See all our school's programmes

News

A person stands on a path surrounded by autumn trees with yellow leaves. They wear a dark coat and grey shirt.
Studies Published:

Chemical engineering student Mauri Hartikainen: “With metallurgy, you can truly make an impact in building a sustainable future”

Mauri Hartikainen chose sustainable metallurgy as his Master’s major because he wants to be involved in developing clean technology solutions. What fascinates him most about metals is their almost limitless recyclability.
Aalto Scientific Computing
Research & Art, Studies Published:

Scientific Computing Skills: a new umbrella course for all researchers

Today, computing skills are essential not only in academic research but also across industries. Take part in hands-on trainings provided by Aalto Scientific Computing and by partner organisations such as CodeRefinery and CSC IT Center for Science.
Man in dark suit with blue shirt and striped tie, standing in modern interior with large windows.
Appointments Published:

Professor Iiro Harjunkoski has been appointed as Deputy Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Metallurgy

Professor Iiro Harjunkoski has been appointed as Deputy Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Metallurgy for the period 1 September 2025 to 31 December 2026.
A disassembled battery with its components laid out side by side: metal casing, inner sheets, crushed mass, powders, and coloured granulates.
Press releases, Research & Art Published:

Five things everyone should know about the materials powering the green transition

The green transition depends on more than just clean energy — it requires a massive, complex supply of critical raw materials, especially metals and minerals. From mining and refining to recycling and innovation, here are five key things everyone should know about the materials powering a sustainable future.

Events

Text: Digital Services Act and researcher data access. Maria Rehbinder in black suit and turquoise blouse.
Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, IT & digital tools, Support for teams, Training to support research

Digital Services Act and researcher data access, Nov 20, 2025

Come join this timely talk on the Digital Services Act by Legal Counsel Maria Rehbinder.
Python for Scientific Computing 2025
Lectures and seminars, Networking, Staff trainings, IT & digital tools, Other staff training, Training to support research, Students

Python for Scientific Computing 25-27/11/2025

“Python for scientific computing” is an on-line course on TwitchTV aimed to improve your scientific Python skills starting Tuesday 25th November at 10:00 (3 days, 4 hours per day). 1 ECTS available.
Yellow background with text 'A?' on a white semi-circle and 'Cybersecurity management' in black letters.
Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, IT & digital tools, Support for teams, Training to support research

Cybersecurity management, Dec 2, 2025

Learn about cybersecurity management with Data Agent, Dr. Tanesh Kumar.
Doctoral hat floating above a speaker's podium with a microphone.
Public defences

Public defence in Chemical Engineering, M.Sc. Otacílio Bezerra Leite Neto

Advances in predictive control and feedback equilibrium-seeking with applications to autonomous water resource recovery (title of the thesis).

More about our topics

BatCircle_DSC_6517_photo Valeria Azovskaya

Electrifying society

Solving the challenges of electrification is not just a scientific question: it requires extensive societal debate.

Iita Kejonen kuvattuna Aalto-yliopiston tiloissa.

Iita Kejonen is involved in recycling battery metals from electric cars: ‘By working in industry, I can influence the development of the entire field’

Studies in materials science and engineering at the School of Chemical Engineering led to work with battery metals and minerals. As a Technology Manager, Iita can influence the development of responsibility in the entire automotive sector.

News

Where to find us

Kemistintie 1

Kemistintie 1

Kemistintie 1

Moving to Finland

Here new students and employees can find useful tips for a smooth moving.

We also gathered information about families and recreational activities.

Moving to Finland

Via this page you’ll find information on practical issues regarding moving to Finland, such as social security, taxation and opening a bank account.

For families and spouses

Moving to Finland? Here you can learn more about practicalities.

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Finding a private rental

For longer term accommodation in Helsinki region the best options are either renting or purchasing an apartment or a house. In case you are planning to purchase an apartment we recommend you to contact your bank and/or estate agencies to gain professional assistance and advice. Here you'll find information on renting an apartment, rental rates, and how to find an apartment.

AaltoInn room

Social life and recreation

Having social networks helps you feel at home! Aalto University organises many events and other possibilities for international staff and their families to meet and mingle and thus hopefully settle in smoothly. Additionally, we have collected tips and links for you to find the most suitable information.

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