School of Chemical Engineering

Would you like to make an impact on the more sustainable future?

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

Two lab workers in white coats and blue gloves operating equipment on a bench

Campaigning for a better future

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.

Spotlight

Metal balls on a geometric thread lattice framed in light wood with four silver screws

Turning bobbin lace into shape-shifting textiles

Alex and Lucie Lampen

From humble beginnings to a captain of industry – a visionary’s final gift lives on at Aalto University

Close-up of a metal pasta machine showing cutting rollers and black adjustment knobs on a white background.

Robot accelerates the search for energy-storage materials

Woman in a black top leaning on a white railing indoors, large windows showing a blurry autumn cityscape

Prestigious Faraday Medal acknowledges circular economy trailblazer Mari Lundström

News

See all
Man adjusting antenna in blue anechoic chamber with spiked walls under bright overhead light
Research & Art Published:

Aalto University improves its position in the prestigious THE World University Rankings

Aalto has risen 12 places from last year and is now ranked 183rd.
Kemistintie 1 (pienempi). Kuva/Image: Aalto-yliopisto / Mikko Raskinen / Aalto University
Research & Art Published:

New professors join the School of Chemical Engineering

Meet the new professors at the School of Chemical Engineering, whose expertise spans research areas including sustainable microelectronics, pyrometallurgy, biomass refining, and advanced materials.
People talk at an Aalto University pavilion stand indoors with pink lighting and banners.
Cooperation, University Published:

What did we gain at NORDEEP? Aalto researchers share takeaways from the deep-tech business summit

About 230 Aaltonians attended the NORDEEP 2026 deep-tech business summit. Key takeaways: events like this help researchers and students build networks, clarify ideas, and gain confidence on the innovation path.
Metal balls on a geometric thread lattice framed in light wood with four silver screws
Research & Art Published:

Turning bobbin lace into shape-shifting textiles

Researchers have developed textile structures based on bobbin lace making that can change their shape in response to changes in their environment. The research combines a traditional handicraft technique with active materials and computer modelling.
See all

Events

See all
Doctoral hat floating above a speaker's podium with a microphone.
Public defences –

Public defence, Processing of Materials, MSc (Tech.) Heikki Lappalainen

Evaluation of the environmental impacts of increasing lithium production using life-cycle assessment and process simulation.
Betoninen portaikko rakennuksen sisällä, seinällä värikäs maalaus, portaissa näkymästä poistumassa henkilö.
Campus, Exhibitions, Other –

Cooler Planet: Guided public art tour 7.10.

Join the tour with Outi Turpeinen (manager, Public art) and get to know Aalto University's public art collections in the Marsio, Kide, School of Business, and Väre buildings in more detail.
The event visual for Performing Arts in the Age of AI.
Campus, Lectures and seminars, Networking –

Performing Arts in the Age of AI

Welcome to an open seminar with leading experts of European performing arts and creative technology. The seminar is organised by Espoo Theatre and Aalto University.
Doctoral hat floating above a speaker's podium with a microphone.
Public defences –

Public defence, Chemistry and Materials Science, M.Sc. (Tech) Mario Mäkinen

Utilization of modern supercomputing resources in comparison of surface reaction pathways
See all

Our students and alumni

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

Join us at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering!

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

More than the degree | Aalto Blogs (external link)

Departments

We advance sustainable solutions and breakthroughs by scientific and engineering excellence.

The research at the School of Chemical Engineering focuses on forest products technologies, chemical engineering, industrial biotechnology, materials science and nanotechnology, metals and minerals processing and energy technology.

Lignocellulose samples by Mohamed Magd. Photo: Valeria Azovskaya

Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems

Enabling bio and circular economy

Researchers in the lab

Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering

Sustainable future with high performance products

picture

Department of Chemistry and Materials Science

World-class materials research

We are enthusiastic about...

What if logo
Structural colors
Color from wood

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

Structural colors
Color from wood
Metal coating

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

Color from wood
Metal coating
Fish scales

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

Metal coating
Fish scales
3D arm bone

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

Fish scales
3D arm bone
Bacterial cellulose in bowl on a yellow backround

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

3D arm bone
Bacterial cellulose in bowl on a yellow backround
Cow hair

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

Bacterial cellulose in bowl on a yellow backround
Cow hair
Ioncell wood textile

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

Cow hair
Ioncell wood textile
Beakers

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

Ioncell wood textile
Beakers
Black stain

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

Beakers
Black stain
What if logo

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

Black stain
What if logo
Structural colors

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/

Collaborate with us

We cooperate with the business world and host numerous competence centres.
Read more

Careers

A person wearing a striped shirt makes a peace sign at an outdoor event with people in the background.

Open positions

Looking for a job at Aalto University? See our open positions.

At work

Tenure track

Aalto University’s tenure track career system offers a well-supported and clear career path for professor-level academics towards a permanent professorship.

Follow us

Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!