Monticiano, Cradle of the Bioeconomy – The GINEXTRA® Project

Funded by European Union – Next Generation EU

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Project Overview

In August 2024, ARTES has launched a pilot project in Monticiano (Tuscany), funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU, as part of the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) – Measure 2 “Regeneration of small cultural sites, cultural, religious, and rural heritage”. The project involves the installation and upgrading of a small-scale modular biorefinery plant based on the GINEXTRA® technology.
GINEXTRA® is a modular, integrated, and multifunctional small-scale biorefinery technology. It enables the extraction of natural fibres from the stems of Spartium junceum (Spanish broom), a plant species belonging to the Genista genus, using a proprietary enzymatic cocktail combined with a specially patented mechanical process.
In addition to producing textile-grade fibres, the process also yields high-value biocompounds such as cellulose pulp, hemicellulose, and lignin—precious biochemicals with applications across multiple key industrial sectors that are a hallmark of the Tuscan economy, including textiles, shipbuilding, paper and packaging, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals.

Area of Implementation

The project is being carried out in Monticiano, in the heart of the Val di Merse (province of Siena), an area rich in forests and natural resources, characterized by low population density and high environmental value.
The territory includes protected nature reserves, thermal springs (such as the thermal bath of Petriolo), and sites of significant historical and cultural value, including the Abbey of San Galgano.
Its strategic location between Siena, Florence, and the Tyrrhenian coast makes it ideal for innovative models of sustainable development.

Objectives

  • Install and activate a GINEXTRA® pilot plant for the production of natural fibers from local biomass.
  • Establish an experimental hub for circular bioeconomy integrated into the local context.
  • Develop a synergic model that combines green production, education, research, and sustainable tourism.
  • Activate a low-impact production ecosystem, based on local resources and short supply chains.

Potential Beneficiaries and Users

  • Researchers and students in bioeconomy, environmental sciences, and sustainable innovation.
  • Artisans and SMEs in the textile, packaging, and cosmetics sectors.
  • Farmers and forest managers, through new opportunities for valorizing vegetal residues.
  • Public administrations and institutions, as part of territorial regeneration efforts.
  • Tourists and citizens, through cultural initiatives and experiential tourism paths linked to sustainable innovation.

Expected Results

  • Activation of the pilot bio-refinery, producing high-quality biofibers.
  • Development of design and prototyping labs, in collaboration with local artisans and industries.
  • Strengthening of international research partnerships (EU, World Bank, etc.).
  • Attraction of public and private investments for the creation of a local bioeconomy cluster.
  • Building of a new territorial identity based on the balance between environmental preservation and technological innovation.