School of Chemical Engineering

Would you like to make an impact on a 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

MWP

School of Chemical Engineering doctoral researchers win first and second prize in MWP Young Researchers’ Challenge

Four panelists seated on stage with microphones, green screen behind, audience watching

Finland’s green transition requires innovation and collaboration

Yvonne Nygård

Yvonne Nygård appointed Adjunct Professor at the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems

Middle‑aged man with glasses seated, wearing dark jumper and pink shirt, against plain green background.

Aalto Distinguished Professor Tapani Vuorinen receives prestigious Wihuri International Prize

Smiling woman in patterned black and white dress standing on stairs, hand on wooden rail.

Maarit Karppinen appointed Academician of Science

Kemistintie 1 (pienempi). Kuva/Image: Aalto-yliopisto / Mikko Raskinen / Aalto University

New professors join the School of Chemical Engineering

News

See all
Aalto Space mobiilisovellus täytti 10 vuotta
Campus, University Published:

The campus in your pocket for 10 years now! Aalto Space keeps evolving alongside its users

The Aalto Space mobile application has been part of everyday campus life for ten years.
Shimmering Wood -samples
Research & Art Published:

New research ethics recommendations for AI and nature and environment

Researchers: stay informed of the new recommendations and other research integrity guidance
Group of adults sit on yellow beanbags in a modern room, listening attentively.
Cooperation, University Published:

Aalto ranks third in Europe for university spinout funding – this is the recipe for creating new industries

Aalto University's spinout companies, including quantum company IQM and satellite company ICEYE, have raised approximately EUR 2.6 billion in funding since 2010.
People walk past a city building under a large tree with green, yellow and orange autumn leaves.
Campus, University Published:

Wise foresight strengthens the future of the campus

A climate risk assessment prepared for the Aalto University campus identifies key threats and opportunities related to climate change and evaluates their impacts under various future scenarios.
See all

Events

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

Public defence, Bioproduct Technology, MSc Elisa Spönla

Enzymatic modification of lignocellulosic fibres and nanofibrils: From high-consistency fibre processing to laccase-aided hydrophobisation
Three people at lab desk examining equipment with cables, seen through yellow safety barrier
Information sessions, Students –

Master's Programme in Advanced Energy Solutions – Webinar 16.11.

This webinar will introduce all the 5 majors in the programme: Industrial Energy Processes, Energy in Buildings and Built Environment, Energy Conversion and Computational Engineering, Energy Systems and Markets and Energy Production, Economics and Sustainability.
Abstract green and white graphic with two facing half-circles and a notch at the top left
Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, IT & digital tools, Support for teams, Training to support research –

Research data management in chemistry, Nov 17, 2026

Learn about research data management (RDM) in chemistry.
Two children sitting on the floor folding red origami paper with instructions and pastel sheets nearby
Campus –

Children’s Day at Work 20.11.2026

As part of the Children’s Rights Week on 20 November, kids are welcome to come to work with their parents – during the day, there will also be fun activities on offer
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!