Bridging Academia and Industry!
Chemical engineering plays an important role in transforming raw materials into valuable products that notably impact daily life. As this field continues to grow, its focus is shifting toward addressing global environmental challenges, such as carbon capture and sustainability, through innovative processes and materials. Advanced chemical engineering now focuses on the development of efficient separation technologies, purification methods, and the creation of nanostructured materials to enhance industrial practices. This progression is crucial for promoting eco-friendly practices and optimizing processes that ensure minimal environmental impact while producing essential compounds that society relies on.
Prof. Youssef Belmabkhout, a distinguished leader in the field, brings a deep passion for advancing chemical processes. As the Director of the Applied Chemistry and Engineering Research Centre of Excellence (ACER CoE), his leadership is marked by an innovative approach that integrates research with practical applications. Prof. Youssef’s expertise in adsorption and nanostructured materials has driven innovative progress in carbon capture and purification processes. His collaborative approach and commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology have allowed him to shape new pathways for addressing environmental concerns through advanced chemical research.
Prof. Youssef leads the Applied Chemistry and Engineering Research Centre of Excellence (ACER CoE) at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), an institution popular for its innovative research initiatives. Under his direction and with a talented faculty team, the ACER CoE focuses on developing modern/advanced technologies in areas such as Decarbonization, low carbon H2, energy efficiency, sustainable energy production/storage, and advanced materials. UM6P serves as a bridge between academia and industry, driving technological advancements that contribute to Morocco’s growing knowledge-based economy.
Let’s delve into Prof. Youssef’s inventive journey in the field of chemical engineering:
Passion for Transforming Raw Materials
Oil and Gas technology process engineer by background, Prof. Youssef, has been passionate about chemistry and the associated processes to transform raw materials into extremely valuable compounds for daily life with a direct impact on society. He was fascinated by transformation and separation technologies to make valuable products for humanity that also create economic value and the wellness of society.
Originating from a country (Kingdom of Morocco) that is dominated by raw product export without transformation, his stays in Moscow (Russia) for undergraduate studies and in Mons (Belgium) for graduate studies allowed him to gain the first set of knowledge in his learning curve. Among many Moroccan natives, he was fortunate to obtain a social fellowship at the Faculty Polytechnique of Mons and work for his PhD under the supervision of remarkable individuals (Prof Marc Freres and Prof Guy de Weireld).
This was the start of his journey into the world of adsorption and nanostructured materials for separation and purification in general. At that time, his interest shifted from oil and gas and petrochemical processes to more processes for the purification and production of substances like hydrocarbons, Methane (CH4), Hydrogen (H2),.., where CO2 capture from different sources was a top priority. Since then, he has continuously worked on CO2 capture technologies both from the materials and process point of view at the French Institute of Petroleum (Lyon, France) and the University of Ottawa.
All these accumulated experiences, combined with collaboration with prominent material chemists (Prof Zoworotko, Prof Eddaoudi,….) and passionate fluorinated materials chemists (Prof Karim Adil), led him to initiate the discovery of advanced concepts for CO2 capture at different concentrations during his stay at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST). The associated fluorinated material platform is currently under scale-up and maturation at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), with potential implementation in the residential, agriculture, and nitrogen fertilizer sectors.
Understanding Atomic and Nanoscale Mechanisms
According to Prof. Youssef, fundamental research is essential to delineate and understand mechanisms of phenomena occurring at the atomic and nanoscale levels. These mechanisms drive the processes of production, transformation, purification, or separation of certain molecules (commodities). The exploration of atomic and nanoscale mechanics is not limited to instances when chemical processes are underperforming; it is equally relevant when these processes function optimally. By understanding these mechanisms deeply, we can push performance to its limits. As part of UM6P, ACER CoE is positioned between academia and industry, aiming to bring together researchers and engineers from various disciplines of chemistry (organic, inorganic, analytical, etc.) and engineering (chemical, electrical, mechanical) in a collaborative environment.
The goal is to develop portfolios of technologies (at the proof-of-concept stage) that will potentially contribute to shaping the future knowledge- and technology-based economies of the Kingdom of Morocco and Africa. The expertise of researchers (PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, scientists, faculty) and engineers spans a broad range, from basic research to process design and prototyping. Such efforts are made possible by the tremendous support from the top management at UM6P and stakeholders (OCP group).
Restructuring Technology Transfer and Leading Techcell
Having the opportunity to work at the academic, industrial, and government levels has allowed him to understand the different languages in these settings and contribute to bridging the gaps. UM6P is a unique model of a private university positioned in the middle of industry (OCP Group). Without such understanding and the ability to manage the interface between these research and innovation settings, it is almost impossible to deliver the expected outcomes.
Before founding ACER CoE in 2022 with the help of other colleagues, Prof. Youssef Belmabkhout was given the responsibility to restructure the technology transfer office within UM6P with a mission for a two-year duration. He also had the opportunity to lead a unique engineering unit in an academic setting called Techcell, which aims to mature and scale up processes developed in the lab.
Multiple interactions with the President of UM6P, Mr. Hicham El Habti, led to the decision to add the ACER CoE component within the university to promote multidisciplinary collaboration toward advancing technologies in the phosphate value chain, PV/optoelectronics, energy storage/batteries, sustainable energy production (E-fuels, etc.), decarbonization, transformation/separation/purification processes for low energy vectors, and water engineering.
Today, ACER CoE has become an important component of UM6P, with 14 faculty members and 6 affiliated professors. By the end of 2025, ACER CoE will have more than 100 people, including PhD students (45), postdoctoral fellows and engineers (20), scientists (5), and staff (10).
Integrating Techno-Economic and Life Cycle Studies
Pr. Youssef Belmabkhout believes overcoming the challenge of developing sustainable technologies is achieved by applying various principles of process intensification targeting process efficiency improvements, particularly through developing advanced materials that represent the heart of processes and devices, combined with early-stage techno-economic, life cycle studies, and maturation assessments.
Developing such a package of studies requires the development of a plethora of local competencies (both in the Kingdom of Morocco and Africa), and this is another crucial mission within UM6P.
Coordinating Research Themes for Excellence
ACER CoE operates under various funding programs with transparent governance. All faculty members, including junior faculty, participate in decision-making to strengthen and challenge them scientifically, preparing them as future leaders. With a highly collaborative mindset and before being great scientists, faculty within ACER have a high sense of responsibility with high levels of integrity and ethics; this is essential to creating a safe, collaborative, and inventive environment.
For organizational purposes, senior faculty coordinate different research themes mentioned above. In such an organization, every faculty member needs to be recognized by peers worldwide. They ensure, with their respective teams, to achieve excellence and conduct competitive, cutting-edge research. Finally, the role within ACER is to facilitate operations and, most importantly, protect the values of excellence and integrity of the center.
Managing High-Level Responsibilities Effectively
In Prof. Youssef Belmabkhout’s opinion, having the trust of colleagues in the center, research teams on the one hand, and the top management of the university, on the other hand, is a significant responsibility that must be accomplished with a high level of wisdom and long days, including weekends. In this process, family support is key. All achievements have been made possible with the support of the Almighty “Allah” first and foremost his wife.
Future Demonstrations and Implementation Initiatives
He believes many inventions are set to become innovative projects, future demonstrations, and implementation projects across all areas mentioned above. The ongoing projects within ACER CoE aim to join other projects within the university and the Kingdom to transition to a knowledge- and technology-based economy soon.
Advice for Young Professionals and Researchers
Pr. Youssef addresses his advice specifically to young professionals and early-stage researchers (PhD students, early-stage postdoctoral fellows) from Morocco and Africa. He highlights that Morocco cannot progress without the rise of Africa and vice versa.
Not only in the fields of applied chemistry and engineering, Moroccan and African youths are capable of many things and have the same brains and capabilities as any human being. If the youngsters are dreaming, it means they are on the right track.
The most difficult part is to keep dreaming while progressing in the learning curve until their time to contribute to the development of Morocco and Africa comes. Whether geographically located in Morocco, Africa, or abroad, the time will come to have the opportunity to contribute to the growth of Morocco and Africa in a knowledge- and technology-based economy. The process of the learning curve is extremely long but rewarding if perseverance prevails.
In this process of the learning curve, youngsters need the right people around to help in their growth. Such people, sent by Almighty “Allah,” will sometimes play the role of facilitators and, at other times, challenge them in many ways, even putting obstacles. These obstacles are part of their own learning curve, and they need to surpass them to achieve their destiny.
Advancing the learning curve can be accomplished only by a “self-challenge attitude.” It is an attitude question. For example, a postdoctoral fellow needs to have an attitude like an assistant professor. A PhD student needs to take a postdoctoral fellow attitude. “A self-challenge attitude”
The Role of Engineering and Maturation in Nanotechnology
CO2 capture is only one element of the decarbonization pillar in the global energy transition strategy. It is only one part of the puzzle of the low-carbon industry’s environmental sustainability.
Besides that, nanotechnology is extremely important to disrupt technology but is also only a piece of the puzzle. Without the association with engineering, maturation, and many other disciplines, nanotechnology cannot address industrial and environmental issues.
