Virginia Tech® home

Laszlo Horvath

Associate Professor; Director, Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design; Ph.D. (North Carolina State)
Headshot of Laszlo Horvath
Brooks Forest Products Center (0503)
1650 Research Center Drive
Blacksburg, VA
24061
lhorvat@vt.edu
(540) 231-7673

Dr. Horvath received a Master of Science in Wood Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering Management in 2007 from the University of West Hungary. In 2010, Dr. Horvath received a Ph.D. in Forest Biomaterials from North Carolina State University. Besides being an Associate Professor, he is also the Director of the Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design.

Dr. Horvath is one of the few packaging professionals who received the ISTA CPLP – Professional Level certification. He is the chair of the ASTM D1185 working group, U.S. delegate of TC 51, voting member of ANSI MH1 and MH 10 committees.

His research areas include the following four areas:

Unit load Interactions: Investigation of interactions between the components of unit loads with the overall goal of reducing the cost of the packaging supply chain. Interactions include how pallet top deck stiffness affects the strength of various packages placed on the pallet and how load bridging between package affect the load capacity of pallets. The information generated as part of this research area is being built into The Pallet Design System which is a commercial pallet design software. 

Packaging Sustainability: Development of life cycle inventories and life cycle analysis of pallet production and repair.

Smart and Connected Packaging: Evaluating the feasibility of of the applicability of smart and connected packaging for distribution packaging and warehousing.

Market Studies: Survey of the current status of the wooden pallet and plastic pallet and container sectors.

To learn more about Laszlo, read this article from our series One of Us.

Areas of Expertise

  • Interactions between package, pallet, and material handling systems
  • Computer modeling of the mechanical performance
  • Pallet and Container Design
  • Unit load stability
  • Life Cycle analysis
  • Packaging Dynamics
  • Packaging Distribution Systems

Education

  • Ph.D. - Forest Biomaterials - North Carolina State University, 2010
  • M.S. - Wood Engineering - University of West Hungary, 2007
  • B.S. - Wood Technology - University of West Hungary, 2005

Computer-Aided Design in Packaging
SBIO 2004 Winter 2017
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 9

Computer-Aided Design in Packaging
SBIO 2004 Spring 2017
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 30

Pallet, Container, and Unit Load Design
SBIO 4224 Spring 2017
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 29

Sustainable Packaging Design and Inovation II
SBIO 2984 Spring 2017
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 3

Packaging Design for Global Distribution
SBIO 4024 Fall 2017
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 31

Packaging Distribution Systems
SBIO 3224 Fall 2017
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 39

Sustainable Packaging Design and Innovation
SBIO 2984 Fall 2017
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 5

Computer-Aided Design in Packaging
SBIO 2004 Winter 2016
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 7

SS Adv. Computer-Aided Design 
SBIO 2984 Winter 2016
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 10

Computer-Aided Design in Packaging
SBIO 2004 Spring 2016
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 30

Pallet, Container, and Unit Load Design
SBIO 4224 Spring 2016
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 19

Sustainable Packaging Design and Inovation
SBIO 2984 Spring 2016
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 4

Packaging Design for Global Distribution
SBIO 4024 Fall 2016
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 29

Packaging Distribution Systems
SBIO 3224 Fall 2016
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 30

Sustainable Packaging Design and Inovation
SBIO 2984 Fall 2016
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 4

Computer-Aided Design in Packaging
SBIO 2004 Spring 2015
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 29

Pallet, Container, and Unit Load Design
SBIO 4224 Spring 2015
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 18

Sustainable Packaging Design and Inovation
SBIO 2984 Spring 2015
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 4

Packaging Design for Global Distribution
SBIO 4224 Fall 2015
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 22

Packaging Distribution Systems
SBIO 3224 Fall 2015
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 29

Sustainable Packaging Design and Inovation
SBIO 2984 Fall 2015
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 4

Computer-Aided Design in Packaging
SBIO 2004 Spring 2014
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 29

Pallet, Container, and Unit Load Design
SBIO 4224 Spring 2014
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 14

Sustainable Packaging Design and Inovation
NR 2984 Spring 2014
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 5

Packaging Design for Global Distribution
SBIO 4224 Fall 2014
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 11

Packaging Distribution Systems
SBIO 3224 Fall 2013
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 17

Sustainable Packaging Design and Inovation
NR 2984 Fall 2013
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 5

Computer-Aided Design in Packaging
NR 2984 Spring 2013
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 24

Packaging Design for Global Distribution
SBIO 4024 Fall 2012
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 5

Packaging Distribution Systems
SBIO 3224 Fall 2012
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 14

Computer-Aided Design in Packaging
NR 2984 Fall 2012
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 12

Computer-Aided Design in Packaging
NR 2984 Spring 2012
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 11

Packaging and Material Handling
WOOD 3224 Fall 2011
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 8

Computer-Aided Design for Packaging
NR 4974 Spring 2011
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 1

Packaging Dynamics for Distribution
WOOD 4024 Fall 2011
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 9

Graduate Seminar
5004 Spring 2011
Instructor: Laszlo Horvath
Number of Students: 4

 

Steven Morrissette, 2019, M.S. Investigation into the Load Bridging Effect for Block Class Pallets as a Function of Package Size and Pallet Stiffness.

Gloria Alvarez, 2018, M.S. Evaluation of the Ability of Commercially Available Wood Adhesives to Exchange Pallet Nails for Block Pool Pallets.

Anthony Page Clayton, 2018, M.S. Investigation of the Effect of Corrugated Boxes on the Distribution of Compression Stresses on the Top Surface of Wooden Pallets.

Nathan Samuel Gerber, 2018, M.S. Investigation of New and Recovered Wood Shipping Platforms.

Zachary Philip Shiner, 2018 M.S. An Investigation of Wood and Wood Packaging Waste in the United States.

Samantha Phanthanousy, 2017, M.S.  The Effect of the Stiffness of Unit Load Components on Pallet Deflection and Box Compression Strength 

Eduardo Molina, 2017. M.S. Investigation of Pallet Stacking Pattern on Unit Load Bridging

Matthew Baker.  2016.  Ph.D.  Effect of Pallet Deckboard Stiffness and Unit Load Factors on Corrugated Box Compression Strength.Samantha Phanthanousy, 2017.  M.S.

Jonghun Park.  2015.  Ph.D.  Wood Science.  Investigation of Fundamental Relationships to Improve the Sustainability of Unit Loads.

Matthew Baker.  2013.  M.S.  Wood Science.  Investigation of the Interaction between the stiffness of pallet deck boards and the strength of corrugated boxes.

 

 

  • Horvath, L., Y. T. Kim, B. Min. 2014. “Ch 05. Testing of mechanical properties for plastic packaging materials, Food Packaging Materials: Testing & Quality Assurance”, edited by Preeti Singh, Ali Abas Wani, and H.C. Langowski, CRC, in press
  • Horvath, L. . 2010. Modeling the Mechanical Behavior of transgenic aspen with altered lignin content and composition. Ph.D. Dissertation at North Carolina State University.
  • Horvath, L. . 2007. Structural design of a skating rink using glued laminated timber. M.S. Thesis (Wood Engineering) at University of West Hungary.
  • Horvath, L. . 2007. Improving public relationship within the Hungarian wood industry. M.S. Thesis (Engineering Management) at University of West Hungary.
  • Horvath, L. . 2005. Complex analysis of some important wood species of Hungary with regard to modern utilization: The examination of the color characteristics of the most important wood species using color measurements. Research Proceedings.
  • Horvath, L. . 2005. Analysis of light resistance of Black locust and Aspen species bleached with different chemicals. Research Proceedings.
  • Horvath, L. . 2004. Complex analysis of some important wood species of Hungary with regard to modern utilization: The examination of the color characteristics of the most important wood species using color measurements. Research Competition Paper.

 

 

Industrial Affiliate Research, Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design
Investigator(s): L. Horvath
Sponsor: Members of CPULD
Amount: $121,000
September 1, 2018- September 1, 2019

Industrial Affiliate Research, Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design
Investigator(s): L. Horvath
Sponsor: Members of CPULD
Amount: $130,000
September 1, 2017- September 1, 2018

Support for the Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design
Investigator(s): L. Horvath
Sponsor: Various Industry Sponsor
Amount: $199,151
July 1, 2017 - July 1, 2018

Industrial Affiliate Research, Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design
Investigator(s): L. Horvath
Sponsor: Members of CPULD
Amount: $128,000
September 1, 2016 - September 1, 2017

Support for the Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design
Investigator(s): L. Horvath
Sponsor: Various Industry Sponsor
Amount: $331,717
July 1, 2016 - July 1, 2017

Investigation of the Status of New Wooden Pallet Manufacturing and Pallet Recycling in the United States.

Investigator(s): L. Horvath
Sponsor: Pallet Foundation, National Wooden Pallet and Container Association and USDA Forest Service
Amount: $110,000
August 1, 2016 – May 30, 2018

Investigation of the Effect of Corrugated Boxes on the Distribution of Compression Stresses on the Top Surface of Wooden Pallets

Investigator(s): L. Horvath
Sponsor: Pallet Foundation, National Wooden Pallet and Container Association
Amount: $97,457
January 1, 2016 – May 30, 2018

Industrial Affiliate Research, Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design
Investigator(s): L. Horvath
Sponsor: Members of CPULD
Amount: $113,000
September 1, 2015 - September 1, 2016

Support for the Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design
Investigator(s): L. Horvath
Sponsor: Various Industry Sponsor
Amount: $246,300
July 1, 2015 - July 1, 2016

Industrial Affiliate Research, Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design
Investigator(s): L. Horvath
Sponsor: Members of CPULD
Amount: $70,000
September 1, 2014 - September 1, 2015

Support for the Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design
Investigator(s): L. Horvath
Sponsor: Various Industry Sponsor
Amount: $97,209
July 1, 2014 - July 1, 2015

The Relationship Between Unit Load Design and the Bending Stress on Pallets and the Compression Stress on Packaged Product

Investigator(s): L. Horvath and P. Araman 
Sponsor: USDA Forest Service
Amount: $71,638
2015

Investigation of the Relationship between Unit Load Design and the Packaged Product to Reduce Raw Material Consumption

Investigator(s): L. Horvath and P. Araman 
Sponsor: USDA Forest Service
Amount: $5,000
2015

Nanocellulose Aerogel Foams in Lightweight, Biodegradable Packaging for Sensitive Munitions and Systems
Investigator(s): B. Goodell, L. Horvath, Y. T. Kim, and S. Renneckar
Sponsor: US Army Armament Research Development and Engineering Center
Amount: $62,449
2015

Industrial Affiliate Research, Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design
Investigator(s): L. Horvath
Sponsor: Members of CPULD
Amount: $60,000
September 1, 2013 - September 1, 2014

Support for the Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design
Investigator(s): L. Horvath
Sponsor: Various Industry Sponsor
Amount: $206,244
July 1, 2013 - July 1, 2014

Support for the Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design
Investigator(s): L. Horvath
Sponsor: Members of CPULD
Amount: $257,000
January 1, 2012 - January 1, 2013

 

 

Support for the Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design
Investigator(s): L. Horvath
Sponsor: Members of CPULD
Amount: $210,000
September 1, 2011 - September 1, 2012

 

 

Distribution of Syringyl and Guaiacyl type of lignin within the cell wall of transgenic aspen using Raman imaging microscopy
Investigator(s): L. Horvath
Sponsor: COST FP0802
Amount: 1650 Euro
December 3, 2009 - December 18, 2009

 

  • Clayton, P., L. Horvath, J. Bouldin, and B. Gething. 2018. Effect of Column Stacked Corrugated Boxes on Load Bridging using Partial Four-Way Stringer Class Wooden Pallets. Journal of Packaging Science and Technology. Accepted. Impact Factor: 1.32
  • Park, J., L. Horvath, M. S. White. P. Araman, and R. Bush. 2018. The influence of stretch wrap containment force on load bridging in unit loads. Journal of Packaging Science and Technology. 2018;1-8. DOI: 10.10002/pts.2385 Impact Factor: 1.32
  • Molina, E., L. Horvath, M. S. White. 2018. Investigation of pallet stacking pattern on unit load bridging. Journal of Packaging Science and Technology. 2018;31;653-663. DOI: 10.10002/pts.2406 Impact Factor: 1.32
  • Park, J. M., J. S. Kim, J. H. Park, L. Horvath, and G. S. Kim. 2017. Numerical analysis of clamping pressure during the carton clamp handling of heavyweight corrugated packages. International Journal of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. under publication. - Impact Factor: 1.007
  • Park, J., L. Horvath, and R. J. Bush. 2017. Life cycle inventory analysis of the wood pallet repair process in the United States. Journal of Industrial Ecology – Under Publication - Impact Factor: 3.227
  • Baker, M., L. Horvath, M.S. White, and M. Scott.  2017. Application of Beam on Elastic Foundation to the Interaction between a Corrugated Box and Pallet Deckboard. Journal of Packaging Science and Technology. DOI: 10.10002/pts.2201 - Under Publication - Impact Factor: 1.32
  • Birkett, G. C., S. Sicoli, L. Horvath, J. Foster, Y. T. Kim, S. Renneckar, and B. Goodell. 2017. Investigation of nanofibrillated cellulose for hydrophobic packaging material: Examining alternatives to solvent exchange and lyophilization. Bioresources 12(2), 4314-4326. DOI: 10.15376/biores.12.2.4314-4326. – Impact Factor 1.321
  • Park, J., L. Horvath, M. S. White, S. Phanthanousy, P. Araman, and R. J. Bush. 2016. The influence of size and flute type of corrugated paperboard boxes on load-bridging in unit loads. Journal of Packaging Technology and Science, 30: 33-43. DOI: 10.1002\pts.2279 - Impact Factor: 1.32
  • Park, J., L. Horvath, R. J. Bush. 2016. Process methods and levels of automation of wood pallet repair in the United States. Bioresources 11(3), 6822-6835 – Impact Factor 1.425
  • Baker, M., L. Horvath, M. S. White. 2016. Predicting the effect of gaps between pallet deckboards on the compression strength of corrugated boxes. Journal of Applied Packaging Research 8(3) 30-42 DOI: 10.14448/japr.08.0017 – Impact Factor 0.105
  • Baker M. and L. Horvath. 2016. Effect of pallet deckboard stiffness on corrugated box compression strength. Journal of Packaging Science and Technology, (29):4-5, 263-274 - Impact Factor: 1.706
  • Horvath, L., P. Peralta, I. Peszlen, L. Csoka, B. Horvath, and J. Jakes. 2012. Modeling hygroelastic properties of genetically modified aspen. Wood and Fiber Science 44(1):1-14.
  • Horvath, L., I. Peszlen, N. Gierlinger, P. Peralta, S. Kelley, L. Csoka. 2012. Distribution of wood polymers within the cell wall of transgenic aspen imaged by Raman microscopy. Holzforschung 66(4):.
  • Horvath, L., I. Peszlen, P. Peralta, S. Kelley. 2011. Use of Transmittance Near Infrared Spectroscopy to Predict the Mechanical Properties of One- and Two-Year-Old Transgenic Aspen. Wood Science and Technology 45(2):303-314.
  • Li, Q., D. Min, J. Wang, I. Peszlen, L. Horvath, B. Horvath, N. Yufuko, H. Jameel, H-M Chang, V. Chiang. 2011. Down-regulation of glycosyltransferase 8D genes in Populus trichocarpa caused reduced mechanical strength and xylan content in wood. Tree Physiology 31(2):226-236.
  • Horvath, B., I. Peszlen, P. Peralta, L. Horvath, L. Kasal, L. Li. 2010. Elastic Modulus Determination of Transgenic Aspen using Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer in Static Bending Mode. Forest Product Journal 60(3):296-300.
  • Horvath, L., I. Peszlen, P. Peralta, L. Li, B. Kasal. 2010. The effect of Lignin Content and Composition on the Mechanical Properties of Transgenic Aspen. Wood and Fiber Science 42(3):310-317.