School of Chemical Engineering

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

The global challenges of bioeconomy and energy technology have made collaboration between science and industry a must.

Read why universities need donations

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

Researchers invent nano-clouds that can change colour, temperature and outwit heat sensors

Bio-Inspired Metasurfaces Enable Daytime Cooling, Heating, and Thermal Camouflage in a Single Solution

Diagram showing cooling and heating effects of metasurfaces, with examples of white and grey metasurfaces in winter and cloudy settings.

Turning Research into Impact: Insights from the Inventors Program Panel

Aalto University’s Inventors Program recently hosted a panel discussion bringing together experts from research, entrepreneurship, and industry to share their perspectives on turning scientific ideas into successful ventures.

"The spark for Chemical engineering was ignited" - An alumni's story from Otaniemi to working life

Juha Malinen, an alumn of the School of Chemical Engineering, warmly recounts his years at Otaniemi, the studies that supported his transition to working life and helped him find his place in building a more sustainable future.

Five things everyone should know about the materials powering the green transition

The green transition depends on more than just clean energy — it requires a massive, complex supply of critical raw materials, especially metals and minerals. From mining and refining to recycling and innovation, here are five key things everyone should know about the materials powering a sustainable future.

A disassembled battery with its components laid out side by side: metal casing, inner sheets, crushed mass, powders, and coloured granulates.

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Campus Published: 4.7.2025

Nature at the core of Aalto's campus plan

The trees in the Otaniemi manor area were significant to Alvar Aalto.

Kuvassa näkyy viisi opiskelijaa aurinkolasit päässä. Opiskelijat seisovat kehässä, ja kuva on otettu sen keskeltä alhaalta päin.

Studies Published: 3.7.2025

Aalto University admitted 2053 new students to BSc programmes taught in Finnish or in Swedish

Aalto University has admitted 2053 new students to its bachelor's programs conducted in Finnish or Swedish. New students were also selected via the open university pathway and transfer application.

Research & Art Published: 27.6.2025

Researchers invent nano-clouds that can change colour, temperature and outwit heat sensors

Bio-Inspired Metasurfaces Enable Daytime Cooling, Heating, and Thermal Camouflage in a Single Solution

EIT RawMaterials call for Skills for Tomorrow Training 2025

Cooperation Published: 27.6.2025

Apply to EIT RawMaterials Skills for Tomorrow Training Call (Last Cut-Off Day 29 AUG 2025)

This initiative seeks to support the creation of innovative, revenue-generating training programmes that address digital transformation, technological innovation, and strategic workforce needs across the raw materials value chain.

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22.8.

Image from remote site: aalto.my.salesforce.com

Networking 22.8.2025 13:00 – 16:00 (UTC +3)

Event for university staff members, stakeholders and other partners who participate in the FITech collaboration.

27.8.

27.8.2025 15:00 – 17:30 (UTC +3)

Aalto Creatives afterwork event on 27.8.2025 focuses on Aalto Creatives alumni stories and introducing the Aalto Creatives pre-incubator programme.

27.8.

Orange arrows going to different directions

Exhibitions 27.8.2025 17:00 – 20:00 (UTC +3)

Creative Sustainability Grad Show 2025 Opening

Opening of the exhibition alongside a pecha kucha styled event with students from all of the Creative Sustainability tracks (ARTS, CHEM and BIZ).

A blue-green heatmap-style background with a black circle in the center. Inside the circle, white text reads: Designs for a Cooler Planet. On the left, the word 'Events' appears on black. The image serves as a visual header for Aalto University’s Designs for a Cooler Planet events calendar.

Lectures and seminars 5.9.–28.10.2025

Events programme – Designs for a Cooler Planet 2025

Attend open seminars, talks, tours, film screenings and workshops.

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Join us at Aalto University School of Chemical Engineering!

Read student stories, learn about our guilds and what it is like to study here!

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

Blogposts by Aalto Squad student ambassadors. Read all about student life and studies at Aalto University!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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We cooperate with the business world and host numerous competence centers