Richard Venditti

Bio

Richard Venditti is the Elis-Signe Olsson Professor in Pulp and Paper Science and Engineering in the Forest Biomaterials Department at NCSU. He has 28 years of experience in research in the areas of renewable materials from plants, the bioeconomy, paper recycling, and environmental LCA. His research and teaching is involved in developing effective systems to transform renewable plant based resources into sustainable products. Venditti uses environmental life cycle analysis to guide and analyze research in bioproducts. He is currently heading a multi-organization research project to understand the fate of microparticles from laundering in the environment. He also is heading a $2.75 million dollar project on diversifying the bioeconomy workplace. Venditti received a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Princeton University, was named a TAPPI Fellow in 2012, and was named a Fulbright Senior Specialist in Environmental Science in 2009. He has over 190 peer reviewed publications and three patents.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF INTERESTS:

Our research group has investigated microfiber generation through laundering for a variety of fabric types including different fabric finishes. We utilize a lab scale simulated laundering device and household laundering devices. We have a FQA that can do automated evaluations of microfibers and also a SEM with EDS for characterization of fibers. We have also evaluated the biodegradability in lake, sea, and wastewater treatment plants of microfibers, plastics and other materials. We have determined the impact of microfibers on the microbiome of lake and sea water. We have developed educational activities for citizen science experiments for K-12 students.

go.ncsu.edu/venditti

Publications

• Environmental sustainability perception toward obvious recovered waste content in paper-based packaging: An online and in-person survey best-worst scaling experiment , RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING (2023)
• Carbohydrate-based nanostructured catalysts: applications in organic transformations , MATERIALS TODAY CHEMISTRY (2022)
• Carbon Footprint of Bleached Softwood Fluff Pulp: Detailed Process Simulation and Environmental Life Cycle Assessment to Understand Carbon Emissions , ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering (2022)
• Developing Alternative, High-Absorbency Brown Fibers: Tissue Paper from Upcycled Corrugated Packaging Waste to Meet New Consumer Trends , ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING (2022)
• Effect of ash in paper sludge on enzymatic hydrolysis , Biomass and Bioenergy (2022)
• High-performance sustainable tissue paper from agricultural residue: a case study on fique fibers from Colombia , CELLULOSE (2022)
• Investigating the Experiences, Beliefs, and Career Intentions of Historically Underrepresented Science and Engineering Undergraduates Engaged in an Academic and Internship Program , Sustainability (2022)
• Materials challenges and opportunities to address growing micro/ nanoplastics pollution: a review of thermochemical upcycling , MATERIALS TODAY SUSTAINABILITY (2022)
• Microfiber shedding from nonwoven materials including wipes and meltblown nonwovens in air and water environments , ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH (2022)
• Nanoparticles and essential oils with antiviral activity on packaging and surfaces: An overview of their selection and application , JOURNAL OF SURFACTANTS AND DETERGENTS (2022)