Hubert Rahier

Prof. dr. ir. Hubert Rahier (°1965) obtained his master’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 1988 and his PhD from Vrije Universiteit Brussel in 1995. His doctoral research was in the field of inorganic polymers (geopolymers), and he is widely recognized for his work on non-traditional cements.

He became an assistant professor in 2001 in the Physical Chemistry and Polymer Science lab, part of the Department of Materials and Chemistry (MACH) within the Faculty of Engineering at Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

Today, his research focuses on the use of secondary raw materials for the production of construction materials. An important topic is the use of new cements as matrices for textile-reinforced composites. Through this work, he aims to minimize the environmental impact of construction materials. The use of local resources is of utmost importance for a sustainable built environment, and through collaborations with developing countries, this technology can be shared more broadly worldwide. Sustainable floating cities are the ultimate goal of much of the research he is currently performing.