News

Bioinnovation Center kicked off

Published: 6.6.2022

Aalto University Bioinnovation Center has kicked off its operations and celebrated its opening in a launching event on June 1, 2022. In the event, the journey of the center from an idea to an operational center was explained, also the center’s interdisciplinary doctoral school was presented with posters and prototypes. Cheerful and fruitful discussions filled the venue as the event participants enjoyed mingling and networking with each other.

Susanna Ahola, Niklas von Weymarn and Michael Hummel — Susanna Ahola, Nikas von Weymarn (CEO at Metsä Spring) and Michael Hummel discussing. Photo: Kristina Tsvetkova

“We are excited to move from a planning and recruiting phase to hosting live events, courses, and exhibitions. Especially, we are happy that the first doctoral students have started their research and we are eager to see the progress of the projects,” says Susanna Ahola, the coordinator of the Bioinnovation Center.

‘We want to create a place, in which many stakeholders could work together with our students and researchers. We also want to be a role model for a multidisciplinary doctoral school, which educates future experts;” says Kristiina Kruus, the Dean of the School of Chemical Engineering.

Among the guests were also representatives from the Jane and Aatos Erkko foundation, industry, and research organizations. ’We are glad to be able to finally get together and bring together various members from the Aalto community who have been part of the Bioinnovation Center’s journey from ideation to everyday operations. I am also excited about the future prospects to start collaboration with industrial partners,’ says Michael Hummel, the Director of the Bioinnovation Center.

Director of the Bioinnovation Center, Professor Michael Hummel, welcomed guests at the launching event.

Guests from the funding organization, Jane and Aatos Erkko foundation, were greeted with joy and gratitude. Janne Laine, VP, Innovations (left) and Juho Rousu, Professor, Computer Science (middle) with Hanna-Mari Peltomäki, Jane and Aatos Erkko foundation (right). — Guests from the funding organization, Jane and Aatos Erkko foundation, were greeted with joy and gratitude. Janne Laine, VP, Innovations (left) and Juho Rousu, Professor, Computer Science (middle) with Hanna-Mari Peltomäki, Jane and Aatos Erkko foundation

Kristiina Kruus, Dean, School of Chemical Engineering (middle) and Janne Laine, VP, Innovations, Aalto University (right) describing the journey from an idea to reality and how it all started in an interview with Susanna Ahola (Coordinator, Bioinnovation Center). — Kristiina Kruus, Dean, School of Chemical Engineering (middle) and Janne Laine, VP, Innovations, Aalto University (right) describing the journey from an idea to reality and how it all started in an interview with Susanna Ahola (Coordinator, Bioinnovation

A student of Contemporary Design Sonja Dallyn discussing with a colleague.

The doctoral school’s Cellugami -project tackles packaging challenges through origami designs. Kirsi Peltonen (right) University lecturer, Department of Mathematics and Systems Analysis, showing prototypes to Katariina Kemppainen, Metsä Spring (left).

What is Aalto University Bioinnovation Center? The center operates in multidisciplinary research fields with a special focus on sustainable textiles and packaging, facilitates educational efforts in bio and circular economy, and strives towards ground-breaking new technologies and innovations. The center was established in 2021 and is funded by a generous 10.5M€ grant from the Jane and Aatos Erkko foundation. Read more: Bioinnovation center

Updated: 19.11.2025
Published: 6.6.2022