Kristof Tirez
R&D
As team leader of the Inorganic Analytical Department at VITO and the Flemish Reference Laboratory for Environmental Monitoring, I lead multidisciplinary research and analytical services that advance environmental monitoring, circular chemistry, and sustainable materials management. My work bridges analytical science, policy, and regulation, supporting Flemish agencies (OVAM, VMM, VLM, and the Department of Environment) in implementing monitoring requirements arising from European environmental directives.
I serve as the scientific convener of Flemish technical working groups on soil, waste, manure, and water analysis of inorganic parameters. I represent Belgium as an expert in European and international standardisation bodies (CEN, ISO) related to environmental monitoring, and coordinate both the Belgian and Luxembourg Soil Laboratory Network (BESOLAN, FAO) and the Belgian Interregional Technical Working Group on Environmental Monitoring (BIREM).
In addition to leading a team of researchers and analysts, I coordinate and oversee R&D and contract research projects for public authorities and industrial partners. My work focuses on method development, validation, and the application of advanced instrumental techniques for the determination of inorganic parameters. In this role, I serve as a science–policy liaison, translating analytical innovations into practical environmental solutions and advancing cutting-edge analytical approaches that provide fully customisable analyses, targeted advice, and inorganic characterisation solutions tailored to specific client needs.
