School of Chemical Engineering

Research

Our purpose is to drive sustainable chemical engineering for bio- and circular economy.

We advance sustainable solutions and breakthroughs for bio- and circular economy by scientific and engineering excellence.

  • We create internationally attractive ecosystems and excellence clusters
  • We look for answers for sustainable alternatives
  • We drive a shift to a low-carbon economy and mitigate climate change
  • We excel with our partners and collaborate.

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. 

We pursue to be globally recognised on our focus areas, which are:

  1. Chemistry for energy and functional materials  
  2. Advanced lignocellulosic and bioinspired materials
  3. Chemical Engineering and metallurgical processes
  4. Biomass refining and industrial biotechnology

Learn more about the impact we make on our three departments:

We  promote collaboration across the fields and generate an inclusive community with an experimental culture. We provide an excellent working environment with top level infrastructure and strong industrial networks.

The School of Chemical Engineering has two research infrastructures.

Bioeconomy infrastructure enables research from molecular level to bio-based technology concepts.

Raw materials research infrastructure supports the research of circular economy targeting to closed metallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes and inorganic energy materials.

Bioeconomy and RAMI infrastructures enable our excellent research and education. By co-creation with our partners, we achieve groundbreaking innovations.

Infrastructures

Image from the Aalto Bioproduct centre

Research infrastructure

We develop local and global networks

School of Chemical Engineering
An image of virtual laboratory space

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.

Excellence clusters and centers

Photo: Artistic paper sample

Aalto University Bioinnovation Center

To achieve human wellbeing in planetary boundaries, we need new sustainable solutions to wisely use our natural resources. The Bioinnovation Center especially focuses on innovations in sustainable bio-based materials, with special focus on textiles and packaging.

Birch leaves. Photo: Valeria Azovskaya

FinnCERES - Flagship for boosting bioeconomy (external link)

Boosting the world’s bioeconomy by developing new bio-based materials with Aalto University and VTT, companies, and research organizations through a shared passion to create a sustainable future and a belief in innovations based on solid scientific foundations.

LIBER community

The LIBER Centre of Excellence

LIBER aims to create dynamic and soft hybrid materials with a capability to learn, adapt or response to the environment. LIBER combines eight research groups with expertise on molecular self-assembly, soft robotics, surfaces and interfaces, genetic engineering of proteins, biotechnological production of engineered biomolecules, and computational modelling.

Image from remote site: batcircle.aalto.fi

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.

We host several research ecosystems, excellence clusters, and learning environments. Read more!

Our research 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.

cyss logo

Center for Young Synbio Scientists (external link)

Centre for Young Synbio Scientists promotes cutting-edge synthetic biology research in Finland by supporting young researchers, PhD students and post-docs.

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