Assoc. Prof. Dr Makram El Bachawati, University of Balamand, Lebanon
Dr. Makram El Bachawati is an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Balamand in Lebanon, specializing in environmental and materials engineering. With over a decade of academic and research experience, he is also the Director of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Center. Fluent in French, English, and Arabic, he has significantly contributed to environmental sustainability through full cradle-to-grave assessments, sustainability audits, and technical reports. Dr. El Bachawati has served as a national expert for EU-funded projects such as SABIOP and SwitchMed, conducting LCAs on biomass briquettes and wine production. He has co-supervised PhD research with the University of Lleida in Spain, focusing on wastewater treatment and green infrastructure. He is actively involved in coordinating several EU and institutionally funded sustainability projects, including SWaTH and REEEB. His work integrates technical expertise, project management, and innovation in eco-engineering to support sustainable development.
Publication Profile
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Education
Dr. Makram El Bachawati holds a PhD in Materials Engineering from Université de La Rochelle, France (2013–2016), where his research centered on advanced environmental materials. He earned his Master’s degree in Research Materials, Nanomaterials, and Multimaterials from Université Paul Sabatier–Toulouse III, France (2009–2010), following a Master of Science in Chemistry of Materials (2008–2009) from the Lebanese University in Beirut. He also obtained a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the Lebanese University (2005–2008). His educational path reflects a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied materials science, with a focus on sustainability, nanomaterials, and environmental performance. Through multidisciplinary academic training across Lebanon and France, Dr. El Bachawati developed deep expertise in life cycle assessment, sustainable design, and engineering solutions for environmental challenges, equipping him with the scientific acumen and cross-cultural insight to lead impactful research and teaching in chemical and environmental engineering.
Experience
Since 2022, Dr. Makram El Bachawati has served as Associate Professor at the University of Balamand, teaching courses in mass transfer, polymers, process simulation, reactor design, and life cycle energy assessment. He is Director of the university’s LCA Center and leads student advising and curriculum development. From 2017–2018, he contributed to national and international environmental assessments, and in 2024, he began co-supervising PhD research with the University of Lleida. As a national expert for the EU-funded SABIOP and SwitchMed programs, he conducted comprehensive LCAs for biomass briquettes and Chardonnay wine. He coordinates EU-funded (e.g., SWaTH) and institutional (e.g., REEEB) projects focusing on green infrastructure and sustainable wastewater treatment. His supervision includes projects on biodiesel, biochar, olive oil, and composting. He’s also skilled in using SimaPro, GaBi, Aspen, and LCA databases like Ecoinvent and ILCD, bringing practical and strategic experience to environmental sustainability engineering.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Makram El Bachawati has gained recognition as a national and international expert in life cycle assessment and sustainability. His selection as a national expert for major EU-funded programs such as SABIOP and SwitchMed reflects his high standing in the field. He co-led the preparation of Product Environmental Footprints (PEF) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which earned acclaim in European sustainability forums. His coordination role in the SWaTH project—funded by Erasmus+ with a nearly €1 million budget—underscores the trust placed in his leadership for high-impact environmental initiatives. Additionally, he leads the REEEB project, funded in collaboration with universities in France and Spain. These honors and roles reflect his ability to bridge research with policy and practice, influencing sustainability standards at national and EU levels. While specific individual awards are not listed, his high-level appointments and EU-funded project leadership speak volumes about his distinguished career.
Research Focus
Dr. Makram El Bachawati’s research focuses on environmental sustainability through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), eco-design, and material reuse. He specializes in cradle-to-grave evaluations, carbon and water footprints, and the circular economy. His investigations include LCA of green roofs, wastewater treatment, biomass and biodiesel production, and biochar integration. His work spans both technical modeling using tools like SimaPro, GaBi, and Aspen, and interpretative sustainability metrics guided by ISO 14040 and 14044 standards. Dr. El Bachawati also explores the environmental and economic impacts of biosolar roofs, composting, and gasification of organic waste. His international research collaborations with institutions like the University of Lleida (Spain) and Université de La Rochelle (France) extend to sustainability in wine production and hospital wastewater treatment. His interdisciplinary research integrates environmental engineering, project management, stakeholder coordination, and LCA methodology, advancing practical solutions for global sustainability challenges.
Publication Top Notes
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✅ Life Cycle Assessment of Biomass Briquettes under the SABIOP Project
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✅ Product Environmental Footprint for Chardonnay Wine under SwitchMed
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✅ LCA of Olive Oil Production: Energy and Environmental Impacts
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✅ Assessment of Biodiesel Production from Waste Cooking Oil via LCA
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✅ Comparative LCA of Tertiary Wastewater Treatments
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✅ Environmental and Economic Assessment of Biosolar Roofs
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✅ LCA-Based Design of Hospital Wastewater Treatment Plants
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✅ Sustainable Gasification of Wastewater Sludge for Energy Production
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✅ Incorporating Biochar into Green Roofs: LCA and CO2 Capture
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✅ Composting Organic Waste: Optimization and Environmental Assessment
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✅ LCA of Biochar Production from Agricultural Waste
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✅ Water Reuse Efficiency in Green Roof Systems: A Life Cycle Perspective
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✅ Circular Economy Assessment in Lebanese Agricultural Practices