Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems
Enabling bio and circular economy
The Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems (Bio2) is at the forefront of forest products technologies and cutting-edge biotechnology.
Ultimately, the activities in Bio2 result in innovative products and solutions for applications ranging from construction and textiles to biomaterials, energy and biomedicine.
Department management
Research
The research in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems focuses on products derived from nature through green chemistry or biotechnological methods. Our department’s core competencies include synthetic biology, biochemical and biotechnical processing, the chemistry of lignocellulosic materials, pre-treatment and fractionation of biomass, downstream unit operations as well as the characterization and analysis of materials.
BIO2 is internationally recognised for its multidisciplinary engineering education development in digitalised and online learning environments.
Professors
Biobased Colloids and Materials (BiCMat)
Group led by Professor Orlando Rojas
Biobased Materials Technology
Group led by Professor Thaddeus Maloney
Biochemistry
Group led by Professor Silvan Scheller
Biohybrid Materials
Group led by Professor Mauri Kostiainen
Biological Engineered Living Materials
Group led by Professor Rahul Mangayil
Biomolecular materials
Group led by Professor Markus Linder
Biopolymer Chemistry and Engineering
Group led by Professor Michael Hummel
Bioproduct Chemistry
Group led by Professor Monika Österberg
Bioproduct Technology
Group led by Professor Juha Lipponen
Clean Technologies
Group led by Professor Olli Dahl
Lignocellulose chemistry
Group led by Professor Tiina Nypelö
Materials Chemistry of Cellulose
Group led by Professor Eero Kontturi
Microbial Physiology
Group led by professor Paula Jouhten.
Paper Converting and Packaging
Group led by Professor Jouni Paltakari
Protein Technology
Group led by Professor Emma Master
Soft Materials Modelling
Group led by Professor Maria Sammalkorpi
Sustainable Bioproducts Innovation
Group led by Professor Luana Dessbesell
Textile Chemistry
Group led by Professor Ali Tehrani
Wood Chemistry
Group led by Professor Tapani Vuorinen
Wood Material Science
Group led by Professor Lauri Rautkari
Wood Material Technology
Group led by Professor Mark Hughes
Cellular engineering
Group led by Professor Sesilja Aranko
Research group leaders
Circular Biobased Materials
Led by Senior Scientist Bruno Mattos
Biobased Materials Structure
Group led by Research Fellow Paavo Penttilä
Photoactive Organic Materials
Group led by Research Fellow Eduardo Anaya
Wood extractives
Headed by Academy Research Fellow Jinze Dou
Emeritus research groups
Biorefineries
Group led by Emeritus Professor Herbert Sixta
Printing Technology
Group led by Emeritus Professor Patrick Gane
Infrastructures
Research infrastructure
We develop local and global networks
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.
Contact information for lecturers and research groups
Contact information for the research groups
Here you can find the contact information for the research groups.
Collaboration
See all the Aalto CHEM collaboration projects here
Key Research Area: Materials and sustainable use of natural resources
Materials research ranges from physics, nanotechnology, mechanics, performance and design to biomaterials and sustainable resource use.
CHEMARTS (external link)
CHEMARTS website
Circular Design Innovation (external link)
Strategies for circular design – design out waste and innovate for longer product lifetime.
ClicInnovation (external link)
Solution Architect for Global Bioeconomy and Cleantech Opportunities
FinnCERES
FinnCERES, competence center for materials bioeconomy, is a Flagship for our sustainable future.
INNPAPER (external link)
Paper is rising as a good alternative to traditional materials for electronics: it is cheap, flexible, renewable and recyclable.
Ioncell-F
Ioncell-F technology developed at Aalto University in collaboration with the University of Helsinki converts wood into textiles without any harmful chemicals.
Research cooperation
The Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems works collaboratively with strong partners from industry and academia.
ValueBioMat (external link)
ValueBioMat is a project funded by the Strategic Research Council (SRC) at the Academy of Finland.
Are you interested in studying at the School of Chemical Engineering? Here are our Bioproducts and Biosystems programmes:
- Aalto Bachelor's Programme in Science and Technology:
- Master's Programmes at the School of Chemical Engineering:
- Joint Master's Programmes:
- Joint international Master's Programmes:
See all our school's programmes
- Doctoral studies: Aalto Doctoral Programme in Chemical Engineering
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.
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.
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.
Get to know us:
Paula Jouhten seeks to replace oil-based chemistry by controlling the physiology of microbial cells
Paula Jouhten, D.Sc., started her five-year fixed-term professorship at the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems at the beginning of 2022. Jouhten leads the Microbial Physiology research group at Aalto University.
Alexander Frey wants to cut health costs with specialised yeast
The Professor of Molecular biotechnology has harnessed a hardy workforce for tasks such as manufacturing cheap medicines and biofuels.
Curiosity is a pathway to science
Researchers are shaping the future. If you want to become a researcher, it is important to be curious and question everything, says Professor Silvan Scheller.
Eero Kontturi: The most important skill for a researcher is the desire to read and write
Professor of Materials Chemistry of Cellulose relaxes by reading scientific articles and makes no distinction between work and free time.
Get to know us: Professor Olli Dahl
Saving the environment via businesses.
Mixing people
Mixing people with different backgrounds is a nutrient for creativity, says professor Tapani Vuorinen.
Get to know us: Associate Professor Michael Hummel
Michael Hummel had plans to stay in Finland for only a year or so. In the end, he enjoyed his work at Aalto so much that he decided to stay.
Michael Hummel: Sustainable and renewable materials will replace oil-based products
Researchers need to be team players, says Professor of Biopolymer Chemistry and Engineering.
Monika Österberg develops from wood a contender to oil
Associate Professor of Bioproduct Chemistry Monika Österberg wants to see her innovations change the world.
Nurturing the passion for research - Interviewing Associate Professor Ali Tehrani
Associate professor Ali Tehrani, who works at Aalto University's School of Chemical Engineering Bioproducts and Biosystems Department, has an impressive background in textile research already before joining Aalto. And he also enjoys guiding and supporting his students in their research and careers.
Revolutionising the bio-based industry
An interview of the new Professor of Practice Juha Lipponen from the School of Chemical Engineering.
Teaching and providing “aha!” experiences motivate our new Vice Dean of Education Jouni Paltakari
Paltakari wants to show all the incredible things we can do with chemical engineering. At the very core of all of our actions are sustainable development and problem solving.
News
New life for construction waste wood
In Finland, almost all waste wood from construction ends up being burned, even though it could play a major role in the development of ecological growing media. New research shows that steam-treated waste wood can replace peat as a growing medium and offers promising results in plant germination and root growth.
Last chance to nominate for 2024 Aalto University Open Science Award
The deadline for submissions is 3 Dec, 2024.
Appointments at the School of Chemical Engineering
The School of Chemical Engineering has appointed Jukka Hassinen as Development Manager and Sanna Hellstén as FinnCERES flagship Manager.
A new eco-friendly method to modify cellulose for sustainable materials
Researchers at Aalto University have developed a method to modify cellulose, reducing toxic solvent use by over ten times compared to traditional methods. This innovation has potential applications in eco-friendly nanocomposites, cellulose-based membranes, and biomedical devices, supporting sustainable material development.Events
Related videos
Where to find us
Vuorimiehentie 1
Aalto Bioproduct Centre
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