School of Chemical Engineering

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

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

Two lab workers in white coats and blue gloves operating equipment on a bench

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. 

Collage of colourful letter A designs with 'A! Sign of change' in bold white text on a black background in the centre.

Spotlight

Middle‑aged man with glasses seated, wearing dark jumper and pink shirt, against plain green background.

Aalto Distinguished Professor Tapani Vuorinen receives prestigious Wihuri International Prize

Smiling woman in patterned black and white dress standing on stairs, hand on wooden rail.

Maarit Karppinen appointed Academician of Science

Metal balls on a geometric thread lattice framed in light wood with four silver screws

Turning bobbin lace into shape-shifting textiles

Close-up of a metal pasta machine showing cutting rollers and black adjustment knobs on a white background.

Robot accelerates the search for energy-storage materials

News

See all
A black hand touches a tablet screen with white shapes. Papers and a pen are on a pink surface.
Research & Art Published:

Training available in AI use, research data management, open science + more – register now!

New topics included! Registrations for autumn 2026 are open.
Large black letter A and question mark sculpture beside flower pot outside brick building with tall windows
Awards and Recognition, Research & Art Published:

Grants and recognition from the Wihuri Foundation

From Aalto University, 40 individuals or groups received funding in 2026. The largest single grant went to the Ownership Lab for research on ownership. In addition, Tapani Vuorinen received the Wihuri International Prize
Middle‑aged man with glasses seated, wearing dark jumper and pink shirt, against plain green background.
Awards and Recognition Published:

Aalto Distinguished Professor Tapani Vuorinen receives prestigious Wihuri International Prize

Over more than four decades of research in wood chemistry, Vuorinen has had a wide-ranging impact on science, industry and society
Smiling woman in patterned black and white dress standing on stairs, hand on wooden rail.
Awards and Recognition Published:

Maarit Karppinen appointed Academician of Science

Fundamental research into new materials is at the heart of Karppinen’s work. What she is most proud of is her students, whose expertise benefits companies and society.
See all

Events

See all
School of Chemical Engineering Alumni Seminar in Marsio
Lectures and seminars, Networking –

School of Chemical Engineering's Alumni Seminar: Innovation-Driven Green Transition

Welcome to the School of Chemical Engineering Alumni Seminar to hear inspiring alumni talks, insightful discussions and network with fellow alumni.
Betoninen portaikko rakennuksen sisällä, seinällä värikäs maalaus, portaissa näkymästä poistumassa henkilö.
Campus, Exhibitions, Other –

Cooler Planet: Guided public art tour 20.10.

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.
A white pentagon and triangle on a yellow background.
Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, Other staff training, Support for teams, Training to support research –

AI in research work, Oct 22, 2026

Learn about generative artificial intelligence in research work with Data Agents Dr. Enrico Glerean, Dr. Pedro Silva, and Dr. Emrecan Gulay
Syksyinen metsätie
Other –

Silence retreat for all students and staff

Retreat is a great place to recharge, regardless of religion or worldview. This retreat is lead in Finnish.
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!

Three people sit at a wooden table with a laptop, viewed through a window with reflections of greenery and parked cars.

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

picture

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.
Read more

Careers

A person wearing a striped shirt makes a peace sign at an outdoor event with people in the background.

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.

Follow us

Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!