Turning forest industry side streams into sustainable materials
When Sahar Babaeipour began studying polymer engineering in Iran, she focused mainly on synthetic materials. Over time, she started questioning their role in a sustainable future.
“I realized that future is in bio-based materials,” she says.
That realization eventually brought her to Aalto University, School of Chemical Engineering, where she completed a master’s degree in fibre and polymer engineering and later continued into doctoral studies at the university’s Bioinnovation Center.
“I knew Finland had a strong educational system, and sustainability was very important to me.”
In her doctoral thesis, Babaeipour developed bio-based coatings using lignin nanoparticles for packaging and textile applications. Lignin is a side stream of the forest industry and one of the world’s most abundant natural polymers.
“The goal was to create a material that adds value to industrial side streams, performs well, can replace oil-based materials and still remains recyclable,” she explains.
Her research focused on coating systems that improve barrier properties such as resistance to moisture, oxygen, water and oil. The work combined chemistry, materials science and sustainability research while keeping industrial applications in mind.
A study exchange to Grenoble University helped her better understand industrial packaging challenges and opportunities.
“One important lesson was that what is interesting in academia is not always what industry needs,” she says. “I wanted to find solutions that are both scientifically valuable and practically relevant.”
One of the key challenges was lignin itself. Because lignin naturally interacts strongly with water, making it suitable for moisture-resistant packaging required extensive formulation work.
Although more development is still needed before large-scale commercial use, Babaeipour believes lignin-based materials have significant potential.
“The forest industry already produces large amounts of lignin. Instead of burning it, we should develop higher-value applications for it.”
According to Babaeipour, chemical engineers have an important role in building more sustainable industries.
“We are not going to solve sustainability challenges overnight, but future industry will be based on the research we are doing today.”
She also highlights the importance of collaboration during doctoral studies as it is a fundamental element in Bioinnovation Center’s way of working.
“I learned a lot about communication, problem-solving and working with people from different backgrounds,” she says. “Collaboration was a major part of my work.”
After completing her doctorate, Babaeipour will continue working with bio-based materials as an application specialist at Boreal Bioproducts. Babaeipour describes her experience at Aalto University as both academically and professionally supportive.
“I had the opportunity to concentrate on studies and research without other distress as I also gained work experience connected to my field. Summer jobs and funded theses works allowed me to focus on professional growth.”
For students interested in sustainability, her advice is simple:
“It is all about passion. No matter what field you come from, you can contribute to sustainability topics. You can work with people who have complimentary skills.”
Sahar Babaeipour’s dissertation, “Development of bio-based coatings incorporating lignin nanoparticles for packaging and textile applications” was approved on 13th May 2026.
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