Philippe Dubois: Focusing on Green Chemistry

A glance at the career of Belgian researcher Philippe Dubois reveals that the numbers speak for themselves: more than 800 peer-reviewed scientific publications, 76 patents filed (nearly a quarter of which have led to the commercialization of innovative products and processes), and numerous awards (see box below). As Sébastien Clément, director of the Chemistry Department at the Faculty of Sciences in Montpellier and sponsor of his nomination for an honorary doctorate, points out,“Philippe Dubois is an eminent researcher whose academic career has been marked by an unwavering passion for science and innovation.”

And that’s an understatement. Born in Charleroi in 1965 to a modest working-class family (his father was a miner and his mother a homemaker), Philippe Dubois stood out from an early age for his undeniable passion for science, a field in which he excels. After earning a master’s degree in organic chemistry from the Facultés universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix in Namur, he completed a doctoral thesis in polymer chemistry titled “Molecular Engineering of Biocompatible and Biodegradable Materials via Ring-Opening of Lactones and Lactides,” which he defended with honors at the University of Liège. This work led to the filing of his first patent in 1989 and several scientific publications. The study of biocompatible and biodegradable polymers was already central to his work—and would remain so. Following an initial industrial postdoc at Dow Chemicals in the Netherlands, he became a research fellow and later a senior researcher at the FNRS (National Fund for Scientific Research) at the University of Liège. In 1994, he completed a second postdoc in chemical engineering of bio-based polymer materials at Michigan State University in the United States. And he had already filed his second patent.

At the intersection of synthetic chemistry and materials engineering

In 1997, Philippe Dubois joinedthe University of Mons-Hainaut (which became the University of Mons in 2009 following a merger) as a specialist in macromolecular synthetic chemistry and founded the Department of Polymer and Composite Materials (SMPC) as part of the Materia Nova Center of Excellence. He was appointed professor (1999) and then full professor (2003), teaching organic chemistry, macromolecular chemistry, and industrial chemistry, among other subjects. Due to his expertise, he has served as a visiting professor at numerous institutions in Belgium and around the world (the United States, China, Saudi Arabia, etc.). The Belgian researcher has established himself as a champion of green chemistry committed to the ecological transition through pioneering research that promotes interdisciplinarity, at the intersection of synthetic chemistry and materials engineering.

“Plastics are everywhere in our lives—whether in the automotive industry, construction, public works, or packaging—with more than 400 million tons produced worldwide each year,” explains Sébastien Clément. “To improve the environmental footprint of these plastics, Philippe Dubois was one of the first in Europe to demonstrate the potential of local, renewable bioresources for plastic production, thereby eliminating the need for petroleum as a raw material.”Among the many innovations that have emerged thanks to the work of the Belgian scientist’s teams, one major discovery stands out in particular. “The first continuous production process for bio-based and biodegradable plastic—which is the most widely industrialized today, namely polylactic acid (PLA)—was made possible by utilizing a catalytic system capable of reactive exclusion, patented by Professor Philippe Dubois’s team,” adds the director of the Chemistry Department at the Faculty of Sciences in Montpellier, with admiration. Another research project, another industrial application: the very first anti-fouling paint free of any bactericide, designed to prevent the proliferation of marine organisms on boat hulls, leading to massive fuel savings while protecting the marine environment. Philippe Dubois is also working on the recyclability of bio-based polymers through enzymology, with the goal of drastically reducing the amount of waste produced.

Promoting research and the transfer of knowledge

Alongside this cutting-edge research, Philippe Dubois has been deeply involved in the administration ofthe University of Mons. As Vice Dean of the Faculty of Sciences (2002–2005) and Chair of the Department of Chemistry (2003–2007), he also served as the Rector’s advisor on scientific research (2006–2009). At the same time, he consolidated research in the field of polymers through the creation of the Center for Innovation and Research in Polymer Materials (CIRMAP) in 2007 (which he directed until 2016), while serving as co-chair of the Institute for Research in Materials Science and Engineering (2012–2016). As Scientific Director of the Materia Nova asbl research center—an initiative he helped launch, recognizing the importance of the links between research, innovation, and industry—Philippe Dubois played a key role in establishing the spin-off GATE2 S.A., a platform for commercializing the technologies and processes developed and patented by Materia Nova. After a sabbatical year during which he founded the cutting-edge National Composite Center (affiliated with LIST) in Luxembourg, he was elected Rector and President ofthe University of Mons in 2018 (having previously served as Vice-Rector for Research), and was reelected for a four-year term in 2022.

Strong collaborative ties

For Philippe Dubois, this role is an opportunity to “put students at the center of his concerns, ”as he himself puts it. And this is no empty phrase.“He is someone who is deeply committed to education in his role as rector,” says Sébastien Clément. The Montpellier-based researcher is well-placed to know. “Philippe Dubois has been a mentor to an entire generation of scientists, passionately sharing his knowledge and advice—always with a smile. I was one of the researchers he mentored during his career. Our paths crossed a little over 15 years ago during my postdoctoral fellowship. His first words were: ‘Settle in at your own pace, get your bearings, and we’ll discuss the project later.’ Words that perfectly illustrate his human qualities and his commitment to providing a fulfilling work environment for his researchers—one conducive to the success of his laboratory.”

This initial shared professional experience led to further collaborations after Sébastien Clément was hired by the University of Montpellier in 2009. Together, they supervised two joint doctoral theses and helped forge strong ties between the two universities, both in research and teaching. While an Erasmus+ agreement was signed in 2023 between the Faculty of Sciences in Mons and that of Montpellier, new joint projects are already being considered. Despite a strong regional focus, Philippe Dubois does not lose sight of the importance of promoting his university internationally, which is why he serves as president of the European University EUNICE. Another commonality betweenthe University of Mons and the University of Montpellier is that the latter is deeply involved inthe European University CHARM-EU. This demonstrates that research and teaching are solid foundations for building a sustainable and committed future together.