School of Chemical Engineering

Would you like to make an impact on the more sustainable future?

We are solving challenges related to the sustainable use of natural resources, the circular economy and a clean environment.

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Campaigning for a better future

Aalto’s research and innovations impact your everyday life. Whether it’s a breakthrough in detecting memory disorders, a sustainable alternative to cement, or turning ideas into startups, you too are connected to Aalto – and have many reasons to donate. 

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Spotlight

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Prestigious Faraday Medal acknowledges circular economy trailblazer Mari Lundström

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Bio-based materials pave the way for safer construction

Miika Mattinen

Miika Mattinen has been appointed as Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science

Paula Nybergh. Black-and-white portrait of a smiling woman with short hair, glasses and a light jacket over a dark top.

Paula Nybergh Donates to innovation activities of Aalto's Bioinnovation Center

Erdal Aydin

Erdal Aydin has been appointed as a fixed term Associate Professor at the Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering

News

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Woman in a black top leaning on a white railing indoors, large windows showing a blurry autumn cityscape
Awards and Recognition Published:

Prestigious Faraday Medal acknowledges circular economy trailblazer Mari Lundström

Among Professor Lundström’s innovations is a patented electrochemical method for recovering extremely low concentrations of metals from ores and recycled materials.
People talk at a tech fair booth, one with a backpack, another in blue checked shirt, machines beside them
Cooperation Published:

Want to meet the future of deep tech? NORDEEP at Dipoli, Sept 16–17, 2026

At NORDEEP, inventors and founders can connect with investors, and Aalto’s researchers can explore the deep tech startup world and connect with peers who have already ventured into it. Tickets are available for Aaltonians.
Shimber's decorative wooden blocks and cones with floral and mosaic patterns
Cooperation, University Published:

Would you like a small piece of future design history — shimmering wood?

Coming to the Aalto University Shop this September: a limited batch of 20 unique, handmade works by Shimber, crafted entirely from wood. Each piece is finished with Shimber’s wood‑based structural colour — a material that makes the surface shimmer and come alive with the light.
Miika Mattinen
Appointments Published:

Miika Mattinen has been appointed as Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science

PhD Miika Mattinen has been appointed as a five-year fixed-term Assistant Professor at the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science as of 1 September 2026. The field of the professorship is Chemistries and Processes for Sustainable Microelectronics.
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Events

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Text ‘DESIGNS FOR A COOLER PLANET’ on a bright white circle with green glow on a dark background
Exhibitions –

Designs for a Cooler Planet 2026 exhibition

Curious to catch a glimpse of tomorrow? Welcome to experience our largest exhibition of the year!
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Academic events, Students –

Aalto Day One 2026 – Aalto University Opening of the Academic Year

Welcome to Aalto University’s Opening of the Academic Year on 1 Sep 2026 in Otaniemi. Aalto Day One brings the Aalto community together for the opening ceremony, the Aalto Awards and Aalto Party.
Betoninen portaikko rakennuksen sisällä, seinällä värikäs maalaus, portaissa näkymästä poistumassa henkilö.
Campus, Exhibitions, Other –

Cooler Planet: Guided public art tour 8.9.

Join the tour with Outi Turpeinen (manager, Public art) and get to know Aalto University's public art collections in the Marsio, Kide, School of Business, and Väre buildings in more detail.
Betoninen portaikko rakennuksen sisällä, seinällä värikäs maalaus, portaissa näkymästä poistumassa henkilö.
Campus, Exhibitions, Other –

Cooler Planet: Guided public art tour 9.9.

Join the tour with Outi Turpeinen (manager, Public art) and get to know Aalto University's public art collections in the Marsio, Kide, and Viima buildings in more detail.
See all

Our students and alumni

A group of chemical engineering students in front of the CHEM main building.

Join us at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering!

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More than the degree | Aalto Blogs (external link)

Departments

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.

Lignocellulose samples by Mohamed Magd. Photo: Valeria Azovskaya

Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems

Enabling bio and circular economy

Researchers in the lab

Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering

Sustainable future with high performance products

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Department of Chemistry and Materials Science

World-class materials research

We are enthusiastic about...

What if logo
Structural colors
Color from wood

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

Structural colors
Color from wood
Metal coating

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

Color from wood
Metal coating
Fish scales

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

Metal coating
Fish scales
3D arm bone

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

Fish scales
3D arm bone
Bacterial cellulose in bowl on a yellow backround

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

3D arm bone
Bacterial cellulose in bowl on a yellow backround
Cow hair

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

Bacterial cellulose in bowl on a yellow backround
Cow hair
Ioncell wood textile

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

Cow hair
Ioncell wood textile
Beakers

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

Ioncell wood textile
Beakers
Black stain

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

Beakers
Black stain
What if logo

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

Black stain
What if logo
Structural colors

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/

Collaborate with us

We cooperate with the business world and host numerous competence centres.
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Careers

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Open positions

Looking for a job at Aalto University? See our open positions.

At work

Tenure track

Aalto University’s tenure track career system offers a well-supported and clear career path for professor-level academics towards a permanent professorship.

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