Bio-based materials have unique properties worth exploring and benefits that extend beyond planet-friendly alternatives to synthetic and fossil-based materials.
Bioinnovation involves mindset shifts, seeing value in underutilised resources, and harnessing novel technology – all for a better future.
These seven doctoral student projects push the boundaries of state-of-the-art research to create sustainable solutions to today’s textile and packaging needs: sourcing materials from plants or bio-based side streams, implementing AI design, and ensuring easy recyclability at end of life.
Improving the recycling processes of plastic-coated paperboard packaging, such as milk cartons, all of which cannot currently be recycled since the plastic cannot be separated from the board.
Doctoral Candidate Emilia Kauppi (CHEM)
Professor Jouni Paltakari (CHEM)
Professor Petri Kuosmanen (ENG)
Using origami (paper folding) techniques to create cellulose-based structured materials for re-useable packaging applications.
Doctoral Candidate Laureen Mahler (ARTS) 
Professor Masood Masoodian (ARTS) 
Professor Jarkko Niiranen (ENG) 
University Lecturer Kirsi Peltonen (SCI) 
Using lignin as a surface coating for bio-based packaging and textiles enables broader use of biomaterials and reduces fossil-based, non-degradable materials in packaging and hazardous chemicals in dying textiles.
Doctoral Candidate Sahar Babaeipour (CHEM)
Professor Monika Österberg (CHEM)
Professor of Practice Pekka Oinas (CHEM)
Developing new, bio-based yarns for electronic textiles (e-textiles: digitally enhanced textiles, such as ones including sensors or light sources) by functionalising nanocellulose with the help of AI.
Doctoral Candidate Matteo Iannacchero (CHEM)  
Professor Jaana Vapaavuori (CHEM) 
Professor Patrick Rinke (SCI) 
Merging engineering and materials science to provide a sustainable, intelligent solution to monitoring the condition of products, package ID, and ensuring the security and reliability of the supply chain for medicine or produce.
Doctoral Candidate Madhawa Basnayaka (CHEM)  
Professor Jouni Paltakari (CHEM) 
Professor Riku Jäntti (ELEC) 
Developing bio-based, smart textiles for human-computer interaction.
Doctoral Candidate Sofia Guridi (ARTS)
Professor Kirsi Niinimäki (ARTS)
Professor Simo Särkkä (ELEC & FCAI)
Professor Jaana Vapaavuori (CHEM)
Professor Yu Xiao (ELEC)
Researcher Emmi Pouta (ARTS)
By studying how nature achieves hydrophobicity, uses bio-based chemicals to create water-resistant textiles.
Doctoral Candidate Helena Sederholm (CHEM) 
Professor Michael Hummel (CHEM) 
Professor Samuli Patala (BIZ) 
Professor Minna Halme (BIZ) 
To achieve human wellbeing in planetary boundaries, we need new sustainable solutions to wisely use our natural resources. The Bioinnovation Center especially focuses on innovations in sustainable bio-based materials, with special focus on textiles and packaging.
Professor Pirjo Kääriäinen (ARTS)
Dr. Susanna Ahola (Aalto Bioinnovation Center)
SEREPLAS project: Stora Enso and Valmet
Aalto Bioinnovation Center is funded by the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation.
Aalto University’s biggest annual exhibition presents cross-disciplinary experiments. Come explore students’ and researchers’ acts of change.
