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

• Biodegradability of cellulose fibers, films, and particles: A Review , BioResources (2025)
• Energy efficient alternatives to decarbonize the pulp and paper industry - the case of linerboard production , BIOFUELS BIOPRODUCTS & BIOREFINING-BIOFPR (2025)
• Fractionation by classification as a prerequisite to the purification of old corrugated container material for preparing dissolving grade pulp , CELLULOSE (2025)
• Impact of multiple paper recycle loops on the yield and properties of wood fibers and of non-wood wheat straw fibers for packaging , JOURNAL OF MATERIAL CYCLES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT (2025)
• Pistachio Shell Powder as an Additive in Molded Pulp Products , BIORESOURCES (2025)
• Synergistic cell-free enzyme cocktails for enhanced fiber matrix development: improving dewatering, strength, and decarbonization in the paper industry , BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS (2025)
• Upcycling textile derived microplastics waste collected from washer and dryers to carbonaceous products using hydrothermal carbonization , WASTE MANAGEMENT (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)
• A modeling framework to identify environmentally greener and lower-cost pathways of nanomaterials , Green Chemistry (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)