School of Chemical Engineering

Studies in chemical engineering offer a unique combination of natural sciences and technology.

Two students having coffee and sitting outside in front of a red brick building with many windows.

Join the School of Chemical Engineering!

Studies in chemical engineering offer a unique combination of natural sciences and technology. We are developing new technologies to solve major problems of our time, such as climate change and the adequacy of natural resources.

Graduates of chemical engineering understand what needs to be done to safeguard a clean environment and sustainable development, and they know how to do it. They develop solutions that replace plastic, sustainable battery technologies and recycling of raw materials, among other things. The effects of innovations in chemical engineering can be massive even on a global scale.

Join us if you want to change the world! Ninety-nine per cent of graduates find employment in jobs corresponding to education, from consumer brands to large industries.

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Honoured Published: 22.3.2023

Decorations of the President of the Republic at the School of Chemical Engineering

Three Presidential Medals of Honour have been awarded to the School of Chemical Engineering. The medals were awarded to Professor Jouni Paltakari, Research Engineer Esa Uosukainen and Management Assistant Anne Forsström.

Aalto Radical Creativity summer school. Original image: George Atanassov

Studies Published: 22.3.2023

Are you prepared to explore radical creativity this August?

The Radical Creativity Summer School inspires and guides participants to explore and experiment with innovative methods of working towards a more sustainable future. 'This is a condensed package of inspiration, akin to a candy shop where you can sample a variety of flavours.'

Cooperation Published: 21.3.2023

Tapojärvi Innovation Challenge 2023 for Students (apply by 14 APR 2023)

This competition is ideal for any students concerned about making a positive difference for the environment

Research & Art Published: 21.3.2023

Are you our new CHEM Data Agent?

Apply to be the next Data Agent from the School of Chemical Engineering.

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24.3.

Art & Tech Demo Day event visual with partner logos

Networking 24.3.2023 12:00 – 15:00

Art & Tech Open Call Demo Day 2023

Introducing the Art & Tech Open Call ‘23 & showcasing Aalto Studios’ research and technology infrastructure.

28.3.

Academic events, Training to support research 28.3.2023 13:00 – 14:30

Ethical Review and Ethical Self-Evaluation at Aalto

Learn about ethical review with Dr. Annukka Jyrämä, Data Agent Dr. Enrico Glerean, and Legal Counsel Anniina Harju.

30.3.

Academic events, Training to support research 30.3.2023 13:00 – 14:30

Data documentation, folder organisation, and describing datasets in repositories

Learn about data documentation, organisation, and metadata with Data Agents Dr. Pedro Silva, Ilari Lähteenmäki, and Information Specialist Laura Mure from Research Services.

Other, Students 31.3.–2.4.2023

Solve the SDGs 2023

A hackathon on two continents for one purpose: building a better tomorrow. Apply by Friday 17.3. to join!

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Alumna of the Year 2021 Reetta Kaila has built a career that lives up to her values

Reetta Kaila, D.Sc. (Tech.), has been selected as the Alumna of the Year 2021 of the School of Chemical Engineering. Kaila, who is the Director of Sustainable Fuels and Environment at Wärtsilä Energy, is on a mission to reduce emissions and create a sustainable society.

A portrait of Reetta Kaila from Wärtsilä looking off-camera

Change the world - Study Chemical Engineering (external link)

Come and study a field with excellent employment opportunities

Why to choose the School of Chemical Engineering?

Read student stories, learn about our guilds and what it is like to study here!

Image of lots of students wearing blue overalls and making a handsign for their guild

More than the degree | Aalto Blogs (external link)

Blogposts by Aalto Squad student ambassadors. Read all about student life and studies at Aalto University!

Image from remote site: ourblogs.aalto.fi

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

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.

Learn more about the impact we make!

Simone Haslinger and Sherif Elsayed in the laboratory

Enabling bio and circular economy

Sustainable future with high performance products

Close-up on a pair of hands wearing white rubber gloves, holding a black plastic coaster.

World-class materials research

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.

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.

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.

The LIBER Center 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.

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.

Image from remote site: batcircle.aalto.fi

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

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

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

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

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

Bacterial cellulose in bowl on a yellow backround

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

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

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

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

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

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/