One of Cyclann's scientific objectives is to contribute to limiting the impacts and nuisances of waste and its management. The research unit also actively participates in the implementation of circular economy approaches and policies at the territorial level in order to allow the integration of the principles of the societal responsibility of organizations (RSO) and to meet the objectives of sustainable development (ODD).
The scientific project
The Cyclann team is particularly interested in four topics:
- engineering and environmental sciences
- water and effluent quality
- effluent and waste treatment
- environmental assessment

The research areas are mainly related to engineering and environmental sciences:
- Water and effluent quality: characterization of organic matter (natural, anthropogenic, particulate, colloidal pollution), indicators, degradation factors...
- Effluent and waste treatment and biological recovery: development and optimization of physico-chemical, electrochemical and biological processes: biostimulation, bioacclimatization, bioethanol production, methane production, platform molecules
- Environmental assessments: development of environmental performance assessment methodologies: integration of LCA software, methodological aspects related to eco-design
- Diagnosis and prospective on the flow of building materials and construction waste; analysis of material flows and stocks (metabolism) for the implementation of circular economy policies or approaches
The team works on this theme in association with the LERES (EHESP). The aim is to study the quality of water and effluents in order to understand phenomena such as the change in water quality in a context of climate change.
The objective is to develop, optimize and control treatment processes (organic matter/anthropic matter discrimination) by characterizing the phenomena of pollution transfer between the different granulometric fractions. The team is therefore working on defining indicators, degradation factors or contributing to the development of monitoring methods based on optical methods.
The team works particularly on :
- treatment by bioaugmentation or biostimulation on industrial or synthetic effluents ;
- electrochemical treatment of effluents containing metals and nanoparticles;
- the treatment of gaseous effluents by absorption.
Some works, in particular the treatment of gaseous effluents containing VOCs by absorption, are carried out in collaboration with the ENSCR research laboratory. In the field of biological treatments, the projects aim to develop and optimize treatment processes.
Projects in this area aim to implement environmental assessment methods such as life cycle assessment or to propose methodologies to evaluate, for example, the environmental impact of a new treatment process.
The Team
Jean-Marie CARIOLET : Doctor in Geography (University of Western Brittany), Mr. Cariolet defended his thesis in 2011 on the risk of marine submersion in Brittany. After a post-doctorate at the University of Leicester (UK) on the mapping of wind-related risks in urban areas, he worked as a teacher-researcher at the Ecole des Ingénieurs de la Ville de Paris (EIVP) for 6 years. His research interests include the spatial dimension of the concept of urban resilience and risks (marine submersion; flooding; air pollution), the adaptation of cities to climate change, and the links between morphology and risks (geomorphology and marine submersions; urban forms and air pollution).
Research topics: territorial resilience, adaptation to climate change, cartography, air pollution, urban morphology
Email : jean-marie.cariolet@unilasalle.fr
See Jean-Marie Cariolet's profile on Researchgate
Applied Sustainable Development Objectives
- Territorial resilience
- Adaptation to climate change
- Mapping
- Air pollution
- Urban morphology
Hayet DJELAL: Associate professor at UniLaSalle - EME since 1992, Doctor of Chemistry from the University of Rennes 1, biotechnology speciality and engineer from the National Polytechnic School of Algiers, sanitary engineering option.
Hayet Djelal was coordinator of the Research and Projects from 2009 to 2011 and responsible for engineering works in the last year of the engineering cycle. Specialized in the field of biological treatment of water and waste, she is a part-time research associate of the Chemistry and Process Engineering team of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes.
Research topics: Biological treatment of effluents, methanization, industrial effluents (leachates, effluents from agro-food activities, organic waste ...), biomass valorization.
Hayet Djelal defended and validated her Habilitation to direct research on May 12, 2017. Her work was on "Intensification of effluent treatment processes by bio-augmentation or combined processes - valorization of biomass. "
Email: hayet.djelal@unilasalle.fr
See Hayet Djelal's profile on ResearchGate
Applied Sustainable Development Objectives
- Water treatment
- Biotreatment, physico-chemical treatment
- Advanced biological treatment processes
- Biovalorisation (biomass)
- Aerobic fermentation
- Anaerobic digestion
- Innovation and transfer
Lucie Domingo, PhD in Industrial Engineering (Grenoble Alpes University, G-SCOP), Lucie Domingo has been working since 2008 on the multiple facets of eco-design as a researcher but also as much as an internal and external consultant with industrialists from different sectors (electrical, electronic, textile and construction in particular). In 2013, she defended her thesis on the development of an eco-design method focusing on the integration of use and users in the development of sustainable products.
She also contributed to the creation of tools and support for the integration of eco-design, life cycle assessment and circular economy in industry (development of life cycle inventory and indicators and database management for product life cycle impact simulation).
Research topics: eco-design, design for sustainable behavior, life cycle assessment, circular economy, steering indicators, environmental strategy
Email : lucie.domingo@unilasalle.fr
See Lucie Domingo's profile on Researchgate
Applied Sustainable Development Objectives (in order of importance)
- Eco-design
- Life cycle assessment (LCA)
- Sustainable behaviors
- Circular economy
- Environmental strategy
Frédéric EBNER,Doctor in Geography (University of Nantes), Mr. Ebner defended his thesis in 2017 on the vulnerability of coasts to oil pollution. He then gained experience on the realization of environmental studies in ecology and urban planning consultancies. He has a transversal vision of development (intersection of biodiversity, water management, energy, waste, mobility and different regulatory approaches). His research topics include ecology, resilience and environmental law.
Research topics: biodiversity, resilience, urban ecology, environmental law
Email : Frederic.EBNER@unilasalle.fr
See Frédéric Ebner's profile on Linkedin
Applied Sustainable Development Objectives
- Biodiversity
- Urban ecology
Marwa ELLOUZA is a PhD in Management Sciences (Hautes Écoles Sorbonne Arts et Métiers University) since December 2020. Her specialty: management, innovation and prospective.
Post-doctoral researcher then teacher-researcher at UniLaSalle Rennes | École des métiers de l'environnement since 2021 Marwa previously worked at the University of Le Mans and at the Sorbonne University.
Research topics: organizational management, foresight, organizational behavior, organizational theories and field theories, institutional work and corporate strategy.
Applied Sustainable Development Objectives
Lydia FRYDA, Teacher-researcher at UniLaSalle Rennes | School of Environmental Professions since 2021, graduated in Mechanical Engineering and holds a PhD in Process Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens ( NTUA) on aspects of biomass gasification for energy production.
Lydia Fryda is an expert in process development for the valorization of organic residues into bioenergy and biochar. She has acquired international experience in R&D, coordination of national and European projects during her employment in the ECN and then TNO research centers until 2020. She joined Uni LaSalle EME in the European Interreg THREEC project as a research fellow and then as a teacher-researcher.
Teaching: Heat transfer, Thermodynamic equilibrium, Thermal machines
Research topics: Valorization of regional biomass for higher value products: biochar, energy, chemicals and fuels, with low environmental impact. Activation and functionalization of biochar with low environmental impact processes. Application of biochar to treat wastewater and stormwater. Life cycle and carbon footprint analysis of bio-based processes and products.
Email: lydia.fryda@unilasalle.fr
See Lydia Fryda's profile on Research Gate
Applied Sustainable Development Objectives
- Biomass
- Biochar
- Energy
- Environmental impact
- Wastewater
- Runoff water
- Bio-based products
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- Carbon footprint of processes
Abdoulaye KANE: Teacher-researcher at UniLaSalle Rennes | École des métiers de l'environnement since 2012, PhD in Process and Product Engineering from the Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine (INPL) and Research Master in Process and Product Engineering from the University of Paris 13.
In 2010, he defended his PhD thesis in Process and Product Engineering at the Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés- ENSIC Nancy (UMR 7274) on the study and design of a micro-structured distillation process allowing to intensify the heat and material transfers. This thesis has shown that the process intensification approach can allow a more rational use of energy and that it is closely related to equipment costs.
He was also a temporary attaché for higher education and research at the INP Lorraine and at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes. As a post-doctoral fellow at ENSCR (from 2011 to 2012), he worked on the PAMPAC Program: VOC Adsorption Process Modulated by Heat Pump, financed by ADEME and ENSCR in partnership with CNAM-CIAT and Prosim. He was an associate researcher of the Chemistry and Process Engineering team of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Rennes between 2012 and 2018.
Research topics: Process intensification (via heat and mass transfer), process sizing, design and optimization, adsorption processes - Gas/Liquid contactors, adsorption on activated carbon - Modeling of adsorption processes, treatment of micropollution, advanced oxidation processes (Photocatalysis (UV/TiO2), ozonation...)
Email : abdoulaye.kane@unilasalle.fr
View Abdoulaye Kane's profile on Google Scholar
Applied Sustainable Development Objectives
- Water treatment
- Innovation and transfer
- Process intensification
- Process design, sizing and optimization
Romain LIGNY, Lecturer and researcher in chemistry for the environment since 2021
Romain LIGNY, PhD in Molecular and Macromolecular Chemistry (ISCR, UMR 6228), defended his thesis in 2018 on the synthesis of new sequence-controlled (co)polyesters by stereoselective polymerization catalysis. After a year as a temporary education (IUT Le Mans) and research attaché (IMMM, UMR 6283).
Teaching: Chemistry in general (organic, organometallic, atomistic, mineral, polymers), analytical sciences (spectrometry).
Research topics: Synthesis of target molecules in organic and organometallic chemistry, polymerization catalyst design, spectro(photo)metric characterization processes, polymer chemistry.
Email : romain.ligny@unilasalle.fr
Applied Sustainable Development Objectives
Angélique MAHIEU: Teacher-researcher at UniLaSalle since 2016, Engineer in fine chemistry from INSA and PhD in material sciences from the University of Rouen.
Angélique Mahieu did her PhD thesis on the implementation of biodegradable and active starch-based materials for food packaging, followed by several post-doctoral projects on the development of bio-based insulating materials based on agricultural co-products for the building industry.
Teaching: chemistry in all its forms, analytical sciences, material transformation processes.
Research topics: bio-based materials, materials for water treatment, valorization of natural resources
Email : angelique.mahieu@unilasalle.fr
Applied Sustainable Development Objectives
Mathilde MERCIER, Senior Research Teacher in Energy. Ms. Mercier joined UniLaSalle Rennes in May 2021.
An engineer from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Sciences du Génie Chimique and a Doctor of Process Engineering from the Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine, Mathilde Mercier did her thesis in reactive extrusion on the optimization of polymer blend compatibilization.
She then held various positions and worked on different topics in the private sector as an R&D engineer, project manager, trainer and consultant. Her favorite topics are Process Engineering and Energy Transition.
First of all, she spent 9 years in the Research and Development Center at Rhodia in the Lyon region, where, as a process R&D engineer, she contributed to the development of new pharmaceutical processes for industrialization.
Then, as a polymer synthesis engineer, she managed projects for the synthesis of new polymers and the improvement of existing processes (pilots, technical assistance).
Finally, for 4 years, she developed a specific competence in Energy Efficiency for the group with the definition of a methodology applied to new processes & existing plants, the realization of energy savings and the active participation in governance committees of the energy management system. These projects were the subject of patents, publications and collaborations with engineering schools and consulting firms (EPFL, ENSIACET...).
Then, for 9 years, she was a consultant and trainer within IFPTraining with an expertise in Process Engineering and Energy Transition and was able to intervene with many industrialists in France and abroad.
Her intervention themes were: Chemical Engineering, Operational, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energies, Energy Transition, Refining Processes. She has supervised work-study groups and participated in the accreditation of training centers.
She has been a volunteer for several years at the Cité de l'Environnement, and has participated in the setting up of an exhibition on the circular economy.
For the past 10 years, she has been active and passionate about the energy transition.
Teaching: process engineering and energy.
Research topics: process engineering, methodology for optimizing the energy efficiency of processes in order to limit the environmental impact, circular economy.
Email : mathilde.mercier@unilasalle.fr
Applied Sustainable Development Objectives
Messika REVEL, Professor-researcher at UniLaSalle since January 2021, PhD in Biology.
Messika REVEL completed her doctoral thesis (Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique and NRC in Montreal) on the ecotoxicity of carbon nanotubes in aquatic invertebrates and the impact of abiotic factors (organic matter and cadmium), using standardized tests and biomarkers.
She was then a lecturer at the Université Catholique de l'Ouest (UCO) in Angers and did two years of postdoctoral work in the laboratory "Mer, Molécules, Santé" of UCO working on two projects on the accumulation and ecotoxicity of microplastics in estuarine invertebrates (MiPlAqua regional project and GIP Seine-Aval Plastic-Seine) She was also the pedagogical manager of the M2 "Environmental Management and Sustainable Development" option of the Master Ecology and Sustainable Development of the UCO in 2019-2020.
Research topics: ecotoxicology, ecology, biomarkers, immunotoxicity, genotoxicity, emerging contaminants, bioassays, nanomaterials, microplastics.
Email: messika.revel@unilasalle.fr
See Messika Revel's profile on Research Gate
Applied Sustainable Development Objectives
- Ecotoxicology
- Microplastics
- Pollutants
- Stress
- Aquatic environment
- Ecosystems
- Immunotoxicity
- Genotoxicity
Delphine LE MÉEC: Engineer in Transitions (University of Technology of Compiègne) and Manager of Social and Solidarity Enterprises, Ms. Le Méec facilitated the climate and energy strategies of the territory of Rennes for 5 years. After a Master's degree on the Management of social action associations in Askoria in 2015, she worked as a manager of a training organization on gender equality, and then ensured the operation of social services during the containment and the epidemic. Her favorite themes are social ecology, just transition and the accompaniment of territorial actors and companies in this direction. She joined the Cyclann team in the framework of the European Blueprint project.
Research topics: Circular Economy, Low Carbon Strategies, Just Transitions.
Email : delphine.lemeec@unilasalle.fr
Applied Sustainable Development Objectives
Hicham ZEGHIOUD, is in charge of research within the INTERREG NWE ThreeC project. He is involved in the LABS component, which focuses on the quality and performance evaluation of biochar. He joined UniLaSalle Rennes | École des métiers de l'environnement in July 2021.
Engineer from the University of Annaba, Magistère (bac+7) from the École Militaire Polytechnique d'Alger and PhD in chemical engineering (University of Annaba, Algeria), Mr. Zeghioud defended his thesis in 2018 on the degradation of dyes present in textile effluents by photocatalysis/bio-degradation coupling.
After a specialization training with the French Institute of Petroleum (IFP), he started working in Sonatrach company as a refining and petrochemical engineer since 2014 where he participated in the development of some industrial projects. He also worked as part of a post-doc at Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse (LGC-ENSIACET) on the development of an innovative process of decontamination of beeswax (2020-2021).
Research topics: advanced oxidation processes, photocatalysis, adsorption, water treatment, optimization, biochar, conducting polymers.
Email: hicham.zeghioud@unilasalle.fr
View Hicham Zeghioud's profile on Google Scholar, Publons or Research Gate
Applied Sustainable Development Objectives
Based on their expertise and previous professional experience, the resource teachers work in support of the students' projects.
Dany HULOT: After studying electronics and industrial computing in Brest, Mr. Hulot worked for 12 years in the telecom industry and then in digital video as a software engineer. His environmental and social awareness led him to a professional reconversion in energy-building: he became a student at the École des métiers de l'environnement in a work-study program for one year.
He then created his own consulting and energy auditing company, and became an occasional lecturer at the school for courses and project supervision.
In 2016, he joined the school full time, with a view to passing on his experience in the areas of human responsibility and management. He has a particular desire to help each student develop his or her skills and find his or her professional path, which leads him to focus on apprenticeships.
He teaches labor law and workplace safety, as well as his original professional areas of expertise: computer programming, energy-building and energy issues, in the Engineering, Bachelor's, Specialized Master's and Master of Science programs.
Email : dany.hulot@unilasalle.fr
Reynald LHERBIER, a general engineer from Arts et Métiers (formerly ENSAM: Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Métiers) on the Cluny campus (Burgundy), specialized in the eco-design of goods and services in his final year at the Arts et Métiers Institute in Chambéry.
His first and second years in a DUT in mechanical engineering and production engineering in Amiens were completed by an internship in a shipyard as a workshop preparer.
His end-of-studies engineering internship in 2021 took place at Orange Innovation in Cesson-Sévigné on the theme of low-tech applied to information and communication technologies (ICT). His missions during this internship :
- Participate in a collaborative research project of the EcoSD association in connection with other universities and companies
- Meet many low-tech actors in France
- Realize a bibliographic study on low-tech in general and more specifically on the digital world
- Research on the application of low-tech to digital products (low-tech Livebox, low-tech website...)
- Comparison of the notion with other approaches (eco-design, frugal innovation...)
- Characterization of low-tech (development of indicators)
In addition, he participated in the organization of the CAMTE (Convention Arts et Métiers pour la Transition Ecologique) which took place on March 25, 2022 (as logistics and conference manager).
Specialities: engineering, low-tech, life cycle assessment and eco-design
Email : reynald.lherbier@unilasalle.fr
Thibaud NIEL : His studies brought him to Rennes where he joined EME after two years of CPGE Maths SUP- Maths SPE in Saint Maur des fossés (94). He completed his training with a research master in environment validated at Mines de Saint-Etienne.
His first job was to manage a new hydraulic works department in a subsidiary of VINCI Energie. As a project manager, he supervised field teams and organized with his teams the implementation of public drinking water supply equipment.
After this experience in Orleans, the call of Brittany was stronger. He therefore joined a food processing group COOPERL to work on the management of the group's water. He had a role of technical advice and coordination within the company to integrate water management in the industrial production policy. Water being a major element of the files of Installation Classified for the Protection of the Environment in Brittany, he had a role of formalization and communication with various public actors (ministries, services of prefecture...).
The guiding thread of his student and professional career is water management, especially recycling (REUSE).
He likes to remind the law of PARETO: 20% of the causes cause 80% of the consequences. According to him, the work of the engineer/coordinator is above all a work of analysis and research of the causes to be solved by the simplest possible actions.
He is now a teacher in water management and accompanies students in their professional project within the school through the UniLaSalle Career Center.
Email : thibaud.niel@unilasalle.fr
Margaux LHUISSIER (CIFRE grant from CHIMIREC, Co-supervision : A. KANE, UniLaSalle Rennes - A. AMRANE Université Rennes1- J-L. AUDIC, Université Rennes1, PhD supervisor: A COUVERT, ENSCR) - ECOV project (2016-2019)
This project proposes the reuse of oils collected by a company collecting and recycling used oils. The objective is to capture the VOCs emitted on their site, while providing for their concomitant recovery.
The goal is to transform what was previously considered a waste product into a resource that can be recovered on site at a lower cost. The ECOV project is part of the fight against atmospheric pollution and in particular the limitation of VOC and odorous molecule emissions.
In addition to environmental issues, the project presents economic issues related to a lower investment in the process and a reduction in operating costs thanks to the regeneration of the absorbent, thus meeting the major concerns of sustainable development.
Alaa SALMA (Direction H. Djelal, co-supervision A. Amrane UR1, Florence Fourcade UR1, in partnership with ENSCR) - Bioproduction of platform molecules by fermentation and electrofermentation (2017-2020)
The valorization of secondary raw materials by fermentation is accompanied by many metabolites that can be valorized into energy (ethanol, H2, CH4) but also into material (glycerol, succinic acid ...). The fermentation process from biomass allows the production of organic compounds that will be involved in other industrial processes. These "platform" molecules are often bioactive molecules for therapeutic, cosmetic or food use.
It is in this context that a teacher-researcher (H. Djelal, 30%) participates in the Call for Projects: Incentive Action "Emerging Scientific Challenges 2018" on the "Production of bioethanol and platform molecules by fermentative route-separation and recovery of the product of interest" (2018-2019). The project leader is the UMR CNRS 6226 - ISCRennes. This project consists in valorizing co-products of the agro-food industry into ethanol and platform molecules by fermentative route. In order to separate and recover the molecules of interest, a separation step is necessary. Different membrane separation processes are considered alone or in cascades such as microfiltration or membrane distillation.
Research Projects
Assessment of biological risks and optimization of indoor air treatment processes in air conditioning systems in the food industry.
Objective
To test/develop a process coupling photocatalysis/cold plasma for the treatment of indoor air pollution in the agro-food industry, to evaluate the health risks, and to acquire knowledge on degradation modes.
Partners
ISCR (CIP-ENSCR), IRSET (LERES), Crystal cluster
UniLaSalle contact: aude-valerie.jung@unilasalle.fr
Valorization of biomass boiler ashes for the elaboration of composite materials for civil engineering.
Objective
To promote the development of the circular economy in the building sector, through the implementation of a Workshop dedicated to the development of criteria and indicators to serve as scientific bases for its characterization. The research will focus more specifically on the integration in construction projects of materials or products from short supply chains or from a logic of lengthening the material cycle.
Partners
Project sponsor: LGCgE - IUT Béthune, Partner: UniLaSalle-EME, UMONS - Materials Sciences, Biallais Industries, Dalkia Nord Ouest - Bois Energie, CERIB, B2E, Cd2e.
UniLaSalle-EME: coordinator of a batch, Hayet Djelal (72%), Karine Dufossé (14%), Thierry Henrion (7%) Vincent Augiseau (7%)
UniLaSalle contact: hayet.djelal@unilasalle.fr
This project aims at the development and introduction of economically viable value chains based on the use of biochar from biomass waste in the regions of North-Western Europe.
Initiator: University of Kassel, Germany
Partners: Cyclann UniLaSalle: Abdoulaye KANE and AGHYLE UniLaSalle: David HOUBEN
15 other European partners from Germany, Belgium, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, France and Ireland.
13 other partners from 5 European countries.
Valorization of the ashes of BIOmass as GRAnulats and FIller in Construction blocks.
Objective: the valorization of biomass boiler ashes for the elaboration of composite materials for civil engineering.
Partners: LGCgE-IUT Béthune,DALKIA-Bois Energie France,CERIB,Biallais Industries,University of Mons (Belgium).
Contact: Hayet DJELAL
BLUEPRINT to a Circular Economy.
Objective:
Analysis of the management of household and similar waste within communities by providing elements of quantitative diagnosis on the flows and by formulating recommendations on the optimization of management with regard to territorial circular economy strategies.
The BLUEPRINT project has a budget of €5.6 million over 3 years, co-financed by €3.9 million from the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund).
Partners :
Essex County Council (project leader), Kent County Council, EcoWise, Anglia Ruskin University, Peterborough Environmental City Trust, Université de Picardie Jules Verne, ESITC Caen, UniLaSalle, Morlaix Communauté and Neoma Business School.
Contact: Abdoulaye KANE
Actualités

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