Ronalds Gonzalez
Bio
Assoc. Prof. Ronalds Gonzalez (Dr. G)
Associate Professor, Global Expert on Sustainable & Alternative Fibers for Consumer Products | Supply Chain, Conversion, Techno-economics & LCA.
Dr. G. is an Associate Professor at North Carolina State University, specializing in conversion and process economics with a focus on the pulp & paper and hygiene tissue industries. As a dedicated consultant and thought leader, he aims to advance sustainable practices in fiber-based consumer goods. He has been a regular lecturer at Universität für Bo den ku ltur Wien (Austria) and invited lecturer and opponent at Alto University (Finland) and Unversidade Beira Interior (Portugal).
Dr. Gonzalez’s work is recognized globally, notably by the Brazilian Association of Pulp & Paper Technologists. His innovative contributions have earned him the NC State University Faculty Scholar distinction and the Chancellor Innovation Award. With over 100 publications in high-impact scientific journals and trade magazines, Dr. Gonzalez is a prolific author and researcher, showcasing his commitment to the bio- and circular economy.
Research Interests
Leading a dynamic research group at NC State University (Conversion Economics & Sustainability – ConEcSus), Dr. Gonzalez works with companies and federal agencies to accelerate the industrial adoption of emerging and sustainable technologies and materials. He co-founded the Sustainable and Alternative Fibers Initiative (SAFI), a consortium supported by 30 companies (go.ncsu.edu/SAFI), dedicated to promoting responsible sourcing and development of sustainable fibers to combat climate change. Dr. Gonzalez’s research portfolio is valued at over $16 million.
Industrial Experience
With over 15 years of industry experience, Dr. Gonzalez has held leadership positions such as Corporate Controller of Manufacturing and Logistics for the Americas at SCA (Essity) and Controller of Fiber and Pulp Divisions at Smurfit Kappa Carton de Venezuela. His extensive consulting experience includes working with the United States International Trade Commission, International Paper, Domtar, Greenwood Resources, Proteak, Essity, Simply Human, and Evolution Resources, Smurfit Kappa among others.
Education
- Business Administration, Accounting: Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela
- Engineering: Universidad de Los Andes, Venezuela
- Master in Marketing Forest Products: NC State University, USA
- Ph.D. in Supply Chain & Conversion Economics: NC State University, USA
- MBA in Corporate Finance: Jenkins Business School, USA
- Certification in 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
- Catalytic conversion of paper sludge carbohydrates to jet fuel range hydrocarbons: Process optimization and techno-economic analysis , CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL (2025)
- Integration of artificial intelligence and sustainable energy management in the pulp and paper industry: A path to decarbonization , RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS (2025)
- Lignin self-assembly phenomena and valorization strategies for pulping, biorefining, and materials development: Part 2. Factors affecting the specificity of lignin self-assembly for industrial applications , ADVANCES IN COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE (2025)
- PFAS regulations and economic impact: A review of U.S. pulp & paper and textiles industries , Chemosphere (2025)
- Reducing subjectivity when performing LCA for recycling systems in the paper industry through a comprehensive evaluation of different allocation methods , Resources, Conservation and Recycling (2024)
- Synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural and furfural in 1,4-dioxane versus acetone: Comparing reaction performance and solvent recyclability parameters , JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING (2025)
- 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 and Biorefining (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)
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.
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.