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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.

Students

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 É«É«À² – and have many reasons to donate. 

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Spotlight

Iris Seitz awarded for exceptional early-career achievement

Iris Seitz

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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Smart textiles are reshaping our understanding of materials – and interspecies communication

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News

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University Published:

Aalto University in 2025: strong results in research, education and innovation activities

Aalto University continued to strengthen its impact in 2025
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Awards and Recognition Published:

Seven new honorary doctors in technology at Aalto University in 2026

The ceremonial conferment takes place on university campus in June.
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University Published:

Aalto University Endowment provided EUR 42 million in 2025 to education and research

The university endowment portfolio returned 8.5%
Iris Seitz
Awards and Recognition Published:

Iris Seitz awarded for exceptional early-career achievement

Dr. Iris Seitz, former PhD student of Professor Mauri Kostiainen, has been awarded the 2026 Robert Dirks Molecular Programming Prize for her work on programmable protein architectures with nucleic acid origami.
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Events

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Public defences –

Public defence, Chemical Engineering, MSc Elmeri Pienihäkkinen

Fast pyrolysis of biomass as a tool to transition away from crude oil
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Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, IT & digital tools, Support for teams, Training to support research –

Learn about ethical review at Aalto University.
A person stands in front of a screen displaying 'Marsio Presents: Creative Teaching in the Age of AI'.
Lectures and seminars, Staff trainings, IT & digital tools, Support for teams, Training to support research, Workshops –

Marsio Presents, 15 April 2026: Creative Teaching in the Age of AI

Marsio Presents: Creative Teaching in the Age of AI is a morning event for Aalto educators interested in how AI is reshaping pedagogy. Hear short, concrete cases from colleagues on using AI in teaching, assessment, and course design. Join to gain practical ideas, discuss ethical questions, and reflect together on what meaningful teaching looks like in the age of AI.
Poster for the 10th Finnish Young Scientist Forum on Catalysis event on 16 April 2026, Helsinki. Finnish Catalysis Society logo.
Conferences, Networking –

10th Finnish Young Scientist Forum on Catalysis (FYSFC 2026)

10th Finnish Young Scientist Forum on Catalysis is organized at Messukeskus in connection to the ChemBio Finland professional fair.
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Our students and alumni

Join us at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering!

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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...

    Structural colors

    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.

    Color from wood

    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.

    Metal coating

    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.

    Fish scales

    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.

    3D arm bone

    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.

    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.

    Cow hair

    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.

    Ioncell wood textile

    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.

    Beakers

    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. 

    Black stain

    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.

    What if logo

    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.

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    Collaborate with us
    We cooperate with the business world and host numerous competence centers

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    Careers

    Open positions

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    Tenure track

    At work
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