The department has a broad-based research platform covering pure chemistry, biological engineering, applied chemistry and chemical engineering. The number of employed teaching staff is approximately 70, of whom 29 are professors. There are around 180 students, of whom 50 are PhD students employed by companies or institutes and 25 are on scholarships.

The department is involved in four competence centres supported by Vinnova (Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems) and the Swedish Energy Agency. The department divided into five divisions with 18 research areas.