School of Chemical Engineering

We are solving challenges related to the sustainable use of natural resources, the circular economy and a clean environment.

Aalto’s research and innovations impact your everyday life. Whether it’s a breakthrough in detecting memory disorders, a sustainable alternative to cement, or turning ideas into startups, you too are connected to Aalto – and have many reasons to donate.

Collage of colourful letter A designs with 'A! Sign of change' in bold white text on a black background in the centre.

Iris Seitz awarded for exceptional early-career achievement

Decoding the chemistry of space with machine learning

Left: person wearing a black jacket and pearl necklace. Right: molecular structure illustration against a cosmic background.

Catalysis in a new light: Microscale interactions could enhance clean energy technologies

A close-up of numerous small, rectangular particles with rounded edges, appearing grey on a dark background.

Smart textiles are reshaping our understanding of materials – and interspecies communication

Three white, circular lace patterns on a black background, each with a unique geometric design.

See all

People explore a modern indoor exhibition with wooden walls and white display tables with objects.

University Published: 27.3.2026

Aalto University Endowment provided EUR 42 million in 2025 to education and research

The university endowment portfolio returned 8.5%

Awards and Recognition Published: 27.3.2026

Iris Seitz awarded for exceptional early-career achievement

Dr. Iris Seitz, former PhD student of Professor Mauri Kostiainen, has been awarded the 2026 Robert Dirks Molecular Programming Prize for her work on programmable protein architectures with nucleic acid origami.

Four students sit on red and yellow chairs talking outside a modern glass and brick campus building in sunlight.

Studies Published: 25.3.2026

Strong interest in Aalto University’s bachelor’s programmes continues

A total of 15,184 applicants applied to Aalto University’s Finnish- and Swedish-language bachelor’s programmes in technology, business and arts. The number of applicants continued to grow compared to last year.

Finger touches glowing purple sphere linking tech icons above a city skyline, with the word “unite!”

Cooperation, Studies, University Published: 24.3.2026

Recent Advances and Research Trends in AI, Energy & Industry (Online Lecture Series)

Lecture series for doctoral students focusing on artificial intelligence, energy, and Industry 4.0. Register by 31 March.

See all

10.4.

Doctoral hat floating above a speaker's podium with a microphone.

Public defences 10.4.2026 12:00 – 16:00 (UTC +3)

Public defence, Chemical Engineering, MSc Elmeri Pienihäkkinen

Fast pyrolysis of biomass as a tool to transition away from crude oil

14.4.

Yellow background with white circles and rectangles arranged in a pattern.

Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, IT & digital tools, Support for teams, Training to support research 14.4.2026 13:00 – 14:30 (UTC +3)

Qualitative methods and research ethics review, Apr 14, 2026 (external link)

Learn about ethical review at Aalto University.

15.4.

A person stands in front of a screen displaying 'Marsio Presents: Creative Teaching in the Age of AI'.

Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, IT & digital tools, Support for teams, Training to support research, Workshops 15.4.2026 9:00 – 12:00 (UTC +3)

Marsio Presents, 15 April 2026: Creative Teaching in the Age of AI

Marsio Presents: Creative Teaching in the Age of AI is a morning event for Aalto educators interested in how AI is reshaping pedagogy. Hear short, concrete cases from colleagues on using AI in teaching, assessment, and course design. Join to gain practical ideas, discuss ethical questions, and reflect together on what meaningful teaching looks like in the age of AI.

16.4.

Conferences, Networking 16.4.2026 9:30 – 19:00 (UTC +3)

10th Finnish Young Scientist Forum on Catalysis (FYSFC 2026)

10th Finnish Young Scientist Forum on Catalysis is organized at Messukeskus in connection to the ChemBio Finland professional fair.

See all

Join us at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering!

A group of chemical engineering students in front of the CHEM main building.

More than the degree | Aalto Blogs (external link)

Three people sit at a wooden table with a laptop, viewed through a window with reflections of greenery and parked cars.

Lignocellulose samples by Mohamed Magd. Photo: Valeria Azovskaya

Enabling bio and circular economy

Sustainable future with high performance products

World-class materials research

What if we had wood-based colours that never faded?

The color is nontoxic, produced 100% from wood, and can be industrially and economically produced.

https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/structuralcolor

What if the colour of your jeans grew in your garden?

We explore how to produce and utilise natural dyes derived from plants in a sustainable way.

https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/willowbark

What if metals could be protected with wood?

In its pure, additive-free form, lignin coatings have already been proven to be effective in minimising the corrosion of metal surfaces.

https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/metal-coating

What if solar cells could be made out of fish scales?

We are exploring how natural materials like wood or organic byproducts – or even waste like fish scales – could be used for solar cells.

https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/fish-scales

What if you could 3D print custom bone implants?

Thanks to 3D printing, we can manufacture individualized, custom implants that enhance bone growth and degrade as the patient heals.

https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/3d-bones

Bacterial cellulose in bowl on a yellow backround

What if bandages could be grown by bacteria?

Although some bacterial colonies can threaten human life, bacteria can be used to produce essential molecules and materials like bacterial cellulose.

https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/bacterial-cellulose

What if cattle all over the world were eating Finnish wood?

Microcrystalline cellulose is truly a power food for ruminants, and so it could be used to raise the caloric density of animal feed.

https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/aalto-cell

What if the textiles of the future are growing in Finnish forests?

Ioncell, a fibre woven from cellulose, is a strong contender as a sustainable alternative to cotton and polyester.

https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/ioncell

What if chemists were also programmers?

When modelling chemical engineering processes, programming skills are essential – and understanding programming basics is an asset in many other tasks as well.

https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/chem

What if every engineer thought like an artist?

Breaking out of one’s own bubble challenges the brain and changes attitudes. This is why arts courses at Aalto are available to everyone.

https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/take5-1

At Aalto University, we believe in the power of curiosity. We encourage our students and staff to explore the unknown, learn and do things in completely new ways – to break boundaries together.

See more projects at: https://www.whatif.aalto.fi/

We cooperate with the business world and host numerous competence centers