Noureddine Menad | Electronic Waste | Best Researcher Award

Noureddine Menad | Electronic Waste | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Noureddine Menad at Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières | France

Noureddine Menad is an expert engineer and project leader at BRGM, specializing in the physico-chemical treatment and recycling of industrial wastes such as metallurgical residues, electronic waste, and automotive shredder residues. With a doctorate in geoscience focused on pyro-metallurgical waste treatment from INPL Nancy (1995), he has accumulated decades of experience in both academic and industrial research environments. He has served as an associate professor at Luleå University of Technology in Sweden and contributed to multiple national and European recycling projects. Since 2006, he has led innovative waste management initiatives at BRGM, emphasizing environmental sustainability and circular economy practices.

Professional Profile

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Education

Noureddine Menad holds a strong academic background in geoscience and mineral valorization. He graduated from the École des Mines in Saint Petersburg, Russia, in 1985, and also completed a Master’s degree in mineral valorization the same year. Upon returning to France, he earned a DESS (Diplôme d’Études Supérieures Spécialisées) in geoscience in 1990 and was also recognized as an expert engineer in mineral valorization during the same period. He further advanced his expertise by completing a Doctorate in Geoscience at INPL Nancy in 1995, focusing on the pyro-metallurgical treatment of industrial waste.

Experience

With a multidisciplinary and international career, Noureddine Menad has over three decades of experience in the field of waste treatment and recycling. He served as an Associate Professor (Docent) at the Luleå University of Technology in Sweden in 2004, where he contributed to academic and industrial research collaborations. Since 2006, he has been serving as a Project Manager at BRGM (French Geological Survey), leading several major projects related to the recycling of industrial wastes, including metallurgical slags, used phosphor powders, and WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment). His work spans from laboratory-scale experimentation to European-level project coordination, emphasizing innovation and sustainable waste management practices.

Professional Development

Noureddine Menad’s professional development has been marked by a strong commitment to applied geoscience, sustainable engineering, and international collaboration. His early training in Russia and France laid a robust foundation in mineral valorization and waste processing. He transitioned seamlessly from academia to high-level applied research, taking on roles such as associate professor and leading multi-year projects funded by European and national agencies. At BRGM, he has advanced technologies for recycling steel slags, phosphor powders, and WEEE, and contributed to environmental research on emissions from recycling industries. His multidisciplinary expertise has positioned him as a leader in circular economy innovation.

Research Interests 

Noureddine Menad’s research primarily revolves around industrial waste recycling, environmental geoscience, and resource recovery. His focus includes developing physico-chemical treatment methods for metallurgical byproducts, automotive shredder residues, and electronic waste . His pioneering work has improved the recovery of rare and valuable metals like vanadium, chromium, and rare earths from complex waste streams. He is also engaged in pyrolysis modeling, emissions control, and slags utilization for pollution mitigation and resource reuse. His contributions directly support sustainable industrial practices and the advancement of a circular economy framework across Europe and beyond .

Awards and Recognitions 

While specific named awards are not listed, Noureddine Menad’s recognition is evident through his leadership roles in numerous prestigious national and European projects such as ANR’s ORLA and VALOPLUS, and the EU’s REWARD and BIOMINE. His selection as an associate professor in Sweden and long-standing position at BRGM underscore his status as a trusted expert in waste valorization and environmental engineering. His work has contributed significantly to policy-shaping scientific research and the advancement of recycling technologies, earning him recognition within international research and environmental innovation communities.

Top Noted Publications 

Title: Process Development for Concentrating Valuable Metals Present in the Non-Valorized Solid Fractions from Urban Mining
Year: 2025

Title: Electrostatic Separation of Valuable Metals From Finely-Ground WEEE
Year: 2025

Title: Innovative Process for Strategic Metal Recovery from Electric Arc Furnace Slag by Alkaline Leaching
Year: 2024

Title: Characterization of a Chromium-Bearing Carbon Steel Electric Arc Furnace Slag after Magnetic Separation to Determine the Potential for Iron and Chromium Recovery
Year: 2021

Title: Process for Enhancing the Valuable Metal Recovery from “Electric Arc Furnace” (EAF) Slags
Year: 2021

Title: Advances in Carboxylate Collectors Adsorption on Monazite Surface: Part 1 – Assessment of the Hydroxylation and Carbonation of Surface Lanthanide Ions
Year: 2019

Title: Economic Assessment and Carbon Footprint of Recycling Rare Earths from Magnets: Evaluation at Lab Scale Paving the Way Toward Industrialization
Year: 2019