Ronalds Gonzalez
Bio
Dr. Ronalds Gonzalez is an Associate Professor, consultant & thought leader in sustainable fiber-based consumer goods. He teaches conversion and process economics at North Carolina State University, focusing on the pulp & paper and hygiene tissue industry. Dr. Gonzalez is dedicated to developing tools and knowledge that create value in both the bio- and circular economy. His work has been widely recognized, including by the Brazilian Association of Pulp & Paper Technologists. He has also received the NC State University Faculty Scholar distinction and the Chancellor Innovation Award for his innovative contributions to the industry and academia. With over 100 publications in high-impact scientific journals and recognized trade magazines, Dr. Gonzalez is a prolific author and researcher. His work highlights his deep understanding of sustainable practices and his commitment to creating a more sustainable future.
Research Interest
Dr. Gonzalez leads a dynamic research group (go.ncsu.edu/ConEcSus) that collaborates closely with both companies and federal agencies to accelerate the industrial adoption of emerging and disruptive sustainable technologies and materials. As part of his commitment to promoting sustainable practices, Dr. Gonzalez recently founded the Sustainable and Alternative Fibers Initiative (SAFI), a university-industry research consortium supported by over 20 companies (go.ncsu.edu/SAFI). SAFI aims to advance responsible sourcing, development, and use of sustainable fibers to combat climate change. Dr. Gonzalez’s research portfolio is impressive, with a total value of over 10 million dollars.
Industrial Experience
With over 15 years of industry experience, Dr. Gonzalez brings a wealth of knowledge to his role at NC State University. Prior to joining the NC State University, he held leadership positions such as Corporate Controller of Manufacturing and Logistics for North, Central, and South America at SCA (Essity, the largest global hygiene tissue producer), and Controller of Fiber and Pulp Divisions at Smurfit Kappa Carton de Venezuela. In addition to his industry expertise, Dr. Gonzalez has also provided consultation services for various entities around the world, including the United States International Trade Commission, International Paper, Domtar, Greenwood Resources, Proteak, Essity, Simply Human, and Evolution Resources, among others.
Education
Business Administration, Accounting. Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela
Engineering. Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela
Master, Marketing Forest Products, NC State University, USA
Ph.D., Supply Chain & Conversion Economics, NC State University, USA
MBA, Corporate Finance, Jenkins Business School, USA
Certification, Value Creation Forest Products & Consumer Goods, Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden
Area(s) of Expertise
Conversion economics, supply chain, sustainability, bioeconomy, hygiene tissue industry
Publications
- A Multi-Criteria Approach for Quantifying the Impact of Global Megatrends on the Pulp and Paper Industry: Insights into Digitalization, Social Behavior Change, and Sustainability , LOGISTICS-BASEL (2024)
- An economic analysis of bamboo plantations and feedstock delivered cost in the Southern US for the manufacturing of fiber-based bioproducts , BIOFUELS BIOPRODUCTS & BIOREFINING-BIOFPR (2024)
- Are starch-based materials more eco-friendly than fossil-based? A critical assessment , CLEANER ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS (2024)
- Assessing and predicting the softness of hygiene tissue containing alternative fibers , CELLULOSE (2024)
- Beyond cotton and polyester: An evaluation of emerging feedstocks and conversion methods for the future of fashion industry , JOURNAL OF BIORESOURCES AND BIOPRODUCTS (2024)
- Colombian natural fibers: Potential applications in sustainable natural fiber reinforced composites materials , Polymer Composites (2024)
- Evaluating biomass sustainability: Why below-ground carbon sequestration matters , JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION (2024)
- Evaluating chemi-mechanical pulping processes of agricultural residues: High-yield pulps from wheat straw for fiber-based bioproducts , INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS (2024)
- From waste to advanced resource: Techno-economic and life cycle assessment behind the integration of polyester recycling and glucose production to valorize fast fashion garments , CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL (2024)
- Life focycle assessment of Brazilian bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp: Integrating bleaching processes and biogenic carbon impacts , CLEANER ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS (2024)
Grants
Our proposal will address all three ICPF priority areas. We will ensure that students learn and perform structural design, prototyping, and techno-economic analysis to understand how design, material types/additives, and processes (analog vs. digital) affects product performances, economics, and sustainability aspect. We will also encourage students to take elective courses in sales and marketing.
The purpose of the Consortium on Sustainable and Alternative Fibers Initiative (SAFI) is to develop fundamental and applied research on the use of alternative and sustainable fibers for the manufacturing of market pulp, hygiene products and nonwovens. The idea for SAFI has grown out of societal needs for alternative yet sustainable materials. SAFI will study the potential of alternative fibers based on technical (performance), sustainable and economic principles.
Abstract: With the inevitable coming of the Green Economy, biomass valorization, use of renewable and bio-based materials and development of high-performance, recyclable, biodegradable and biocompatible products are nowadays������������������ challenges and opportunities to welcome a more sustainable society. Yet, to hasten its arrival, we must answer the daunting question of how we transform these challenges to opportunities? By educating new generations of students to the multiplicity of opportunities or ����������������multiverse��������������� of biomass, from a scientific and engineering perspective to an entrepreneurial vision. The Department of Forest Biomaterials has decades of expertise in conversion and valorization of biomass into new fuels/energies and high-performance biomaterials that offer solutions to greenhouse gas emissions, environmental and aquatic pollution and waste accumulation.We propose to leverage our graduate curriculum by adding an entrepreneurial and business competency to its strong scientific and engineering core. Our envisioned integrated program aims at educating Master and PhD students from NC State University, and others (via an online version) by training them in the principles, practices and methodologies of biomass valorization, conversion, and usage.
The purpose of the Consortium on Sustainable and Alternative Fibers Initiative (SAFI) is to develop fundamental and applied research on the use of alternative and sustainable fibers for the manufacturing of market pulp, hygiene products and nonwovens. The idea for SAFI has grown out of societal needs for alternative yet sustainable materials. SAFI will study the potential of alternative fibers based on technical (performance), sustainable and economic principles.
The purpose of the Consortium on Sustainable and Alternative Fibers Initiative (SAFI) is to develop fundamental and applied research on the use of alternative and sustainable fibers for the manufacturing of market pulp, hygiene products and nonwovens. The idea for SAFI has grown out of societal needs for alternative yet sustainable materials. SAFI will study the potential of alternative fibers based on technical (performance), sustainable and economic principles.
The purpose of the Consortium on Sustainable and Alternative Fibers Initiative (SAFI) is to develop fundamental and applied research on the use of alternative and sustainable fibers for the manufacturing of market pulp, hygiene products and nonwovens. The idea for SAFI has grown out of societal needs for alternative yet sustainable materials. SAFI will study the potential of alternative fibers based on technical (performance), sustainable and economic principles. This enhancement project aligns with the goals and mission of SAFI and aims to harbor novel genome editing technologies to advance the development of new fiber feedstocks with unique properties to improve pulp production.
The purpose of the Consortium on Sustainable and Alternative Fibers Initiative (SAFI) is to develop fundamental and applied research on the use of alternative and sustainable fibers for the manufacturing of market pulp, hygiene products and nonwovens. The idea for SAFI has grown out of societal needs for alternative yet sustainable materials. SAFI will study the potential of alternative fibers based on technical (performance), sustainable and economic principles.
The purpose of the Consortium on Sustainable and Alternative Fibers Initiative (SAFI) is to develop fundamental and applied research on the use of alternative and sustainable fibers for the manufacturing of market pulp, hygiene products and nonwovens. The idea for SAFI has grown out of societal needs for alternative yet sustainable materials. SAFI will study the potential of alternative fibers based on technical (performance), sustainable and economic principles.
The purpose of the Consortium on Sustainable and Alternative Fibers Initiative (SAFI) is to develop fundamental and applied research on the use of alternative and sustainable fibers for the manufacturing of market pulp, hygiene products and nonwovens. The idea for SAFI has grown out of societal needs for alternative yet sustainable materials. SAFI will study the potential of alternative fibers based on technical (performance), sustainable and economic principles.
The purpose of the Consortium on Sustainable and Alternative Fibers Initiative (SAFI) is to develop fundamental and applied research on the use of alternative and sustainable fibers for the manufacturing of market pulp, hygiene products and nonwovens. The idea for SAFI has grown out of societal needs for alternative yet sustainable materials. SAFI will study the potential of alternative fibers based on technical (performance), sustainable and economic principles.