School of Chemical Engineering

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

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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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Bruno Mattos has been appointed as five-year fixed term Associate Professor at the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems

Person in a white lab coat stands in an industrial facility, smiling, blue pen in pocket.

Mari Lundström elected as a new member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters

Tanja Kallio has received the Magnus Ehrnrooth Foundation’s chemistry prize

Iris Seitz awarded for exceptional early-career achievement

Decoding the chemistry of space with machine learning

Left: person wearing a black jacket and pearl necklace. Right: molecular structure illustration against a cosmic background.

Catalysis in a new light: Microscale interactions could enhance clean energy technologies

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Modern light wood and metal building on a slope, surrounded by tall green trees under blue sky

Research & Art Published: 8.5.2026

Aalto University presents circular economy solutions at the New European Bauhaus festival

The European Commission’s New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative will bring together leading experts and changemakers from across Europe in Brussels this June to shape a more sustainable future.

Appointments Published: 8.5.2026

Bruno Mattos has been appointed as five-year fixed term Associate Professor at the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems

PhD Bruno Mattos has been appointed as fixed term Associate Professor position at the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems as of 1 June 2026. The field of the professorship is Biomass Refining and Wood Chemistry.

Awards and Recognition Published: 7.5.2026

Mari Lundström elected as a new member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters

Professor of Metallurgy Mari Lundström has been elected as a member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters.

Awards and Recognition, University Published: 6.5.2026

Aalto University supports the combining of elite sport and studies – a quality label was awarded by the Olympic Committee

The audit team praised personalised study planning, flexible study paths and guidance related to a dual career

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Campus, Students 8.–31.5.2026

Otaniemi on a sustainable path in May - Join the events!

Add mobility to your days, a variety of events and activities on campus, open to all

8.5.

Doctoral hat floating above a speaker's podium with a microphone.

Public defences 8.5.2026 12:00 – 15:00 (UTC +3)

Public defence, Processing of Materials, MSc Yuanmin Zou

Leaching behaviour of battery metals and impurities during black mass recycling

13.5.

Public defences 13.5.2026 12:00 – 15:00 (UTC +3)

Public defence, Bioproduct Technology, MSc Sahar Babaeipour

Development of biobased coatings incorporating lignin nanoparticles for packaging and textile applications

22.5.

Public defences 22.5.2026 12:00 – 15:00 (UTC +3)

Public defence, Biotechnology, MSc Jennifer Tersteegen

Exploring liquid-liquid phase separation of silk proteins as a tool for bio-inspired materials assembly

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Join us at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering!

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

More than the degree | Aalto Blogs (external link)

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Lignocellulose samples by Mohamed Magd. Photo: Valeria Azovskaya

Enabling bio and circular economy

Sustainable future with high performance products

World-class materials research

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/

We cooperate with the business world and host numerous competence centers