Zakaria Jaouadi, Guest of Honor at the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis for a Master's Thesis Defense on Sustainable Construction

Bridging Academic Excellence and Industrial Innovation

Tunis, January 29, 2025 – Our CEO, Zakaria Jaouadi, had the privilege of serving as a jury member at the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis for the master’s thesis defense of Ms. Abir Fatnassi. Her research, titled "Valorization of Construction Material Waste," presents groundbreaking insights into the sustainable use of construction debris, transforming industrial by-products into eco-friendly building materials.

This distinguished event was held at the Georesources Laboratory of the Water Research and Technology Center (CERTE), a leading institution in Tunisia for geological and environmental research.

The jury was composed of esteemed academics and industry experts:
✔ Prof. Foued Souissi – President of the jury, Professor at FST
✔ Prof. Fakher Jamoussi – Thesis Supervisor, Professor at CERTE
✔ Dr. Béchir Moussi – Examiner, Assistant Professor at CERTE
✔ Mr. Zakaria Jaouadi – Guest jury member, CEO of REG

After a rigorous evaluation, Ms. Fatnassi was awarded an outstanding score of 18/20 with High Distinction, recognizing her exceptional contribution to sustainable development and circular economy practices in the construction sector.

Pioneering Sustainable Solutions in Construction

Ms. Fatnassi's research focuses on developing unfired bricks from construction waste, offering an innovative and sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. Her study highlights key benefits such as:
✅ Reduction of CO₂ emissions by eliminating the need for energy-intensive brick firing
✅ Utilization of recycled materials, minimizing environmental waste
✅ Improved mechanical properties, ensuring durability and strength

Her laboratory experiments examined the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of recycled materials, demonstrating their potential for large-scale industrial application. Her findings emphasize the necessity of a national framework for construction waste valorization, addressing technical, economic, and regulatory challenges.

Industry-Academia Collaboration: A Key to Innovation

Mr. Zakaria Jaouadi’s participation in the jury underscores REG’s commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability in industrial practices. His presence provided valuable industry insights, reinforcing the importance of bridging academic research with real-world applications.

"Encouraging young researchers like Ms. Fatnassi is crucial for driving sustainable industrial progress. Her work aligns perfectly with our mission to integrate recycling and eco-friendly solutions into modern construction," said Mr. Jaouadi.

Future Perspectives and Industrial Implementation

This research holds significant potential for scaling up eco-friendly construction solutions in Tunisia and beyond. The REG Group has already implemented similar recycling initiatives at its Ezzahra site, where industrial waste is processed and repurposed for construction projects. This collaboration between academia and industry marks an important step toward achieving a circular economy in the building sector.

🎉 Congratulations to Ms. Abir Fatnassi for her remarkable achievement, and a big thank you to the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis for this enriching experience!