About us

Sustainable Materials Science (SMS) brings together the complementary expertise of Prof. Kim Verbeken, Prof. Tom Depover and Prof. Inge Bellemans within the Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering (MaTCh) at Ghent University. Since its establishment in 2010, the group has evolved into a dynamic research team addressing scientific and industrial challenges related to sustainable materials and processes.

SMS combines advanced experimental, characterization and modelling capabilities to investigate material performance, degradation mechanisms and resource valorisation. The group benefits from specialised research infrastructure and collaborates closely with industrial and academic partners to bridge fundamental understanding and practical applications.

Research and service activities are centred around three interconnected themes:

• Hydrogen-material interactions and hydrogen-related degradation
• Environmentally induced degradation and corrosion of materials
• High-temperature metallurgical slags and process residues, from fundamental understanding to industrial valorisation

Through these research lines, SMS contributes to the development of more sustainable materials, improved resource efficiency and innovative technologies that support the transition towards a circular and climate-neutral industry.