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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.

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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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Kristiina Kruus has been invited as an honorary member of the Chemistry Guild

Sahar

Turning forest industry side streams into sustainable materials

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

Tanja Kallio

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

News

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Appointments Published:

Rodrigo Serna-Guerrero appointed Dean of the Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering

Serna-Guerrero will start his five-year term on 1 December 2026
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Research & Art Published:

A unique joint effort – Aalto University receives EUR 9 million in donations to accelerate the energy transition

Donations from ABB, Fortum, St1 and the Walter Ahlström Foundation will be used to establish new professorships. At the same time, the donations support the establishment of Aalto University House of Energy Transition.
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Research & Art Published:

Keys to growth: How the energy transition is making oil obsolete

The transition to clean energy is a societal transformation on the same scale as digitalisation, and Finland has many strengths to support it, says professor Annukka Santasalo-Aarnio, who leads Aalto University’s new competence centre, House of Energy Transition.
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Awards and Recognition Published:

Kristiina Kruus has been invited as an honorary member of the Chemistry Guild

At its annual meeting, the Chemistry Guild invited Kristiina Kruus, Dean of the School of Chemical Engineering, to become an honorary member. Honorary membership is for life and may be granted to a person who has made a special contribution to the guild’s activities or otherwise significantly advanced its goals.
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Events

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Exhibitions –

The Pathfinders – overcoming circular economy bottlenecks

Welcome to the exhibition opening at the New European Bauhaus Festival, Brussels!
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Academic events, Lectures and seminars –

Honorary Doctors' Talks – Beyond borders

Newly appointed Honorary Doctors in the field of technology give brief talks on the theme “Beyond Borders”. Open to all – please register by 4 June.
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Public defences –

Public defence, Biotechnology, MSc (Tech) Natalia Kakko von Koch

Novel methods for diverting microbial cells’ resources from growth to production and assessing the robustness of engineered production
Alumneja keskustelemassa Aallon tapahtumassa
Networking –

Joint Finnish alumni event in Shanghai

Meet alumni from Aalto University and Helsinki University in Shanghai in June 2026!
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Our students and alumni

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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

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    Open positions

    At work

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