National and International Funded Projects
SienabioACTIVE actively participates in national and international funded projects, leveraging its expertise in circular bioeconomy, sustainable innovation, and biotechnology. These projects align with European and global sustainability policies, contributing to the Green Transition and the UN SDGs.
Some key projects include:
- VACASTO+ OPEN RICCIO PSR Toscana M16.2 – Focused on transforming chestnut burr waste into high-value-added bioactive compounds for biocosmetics, nutraceuticals, and eco-friendly packaging.
- “CHEBAPACK” “CHESTNUT SHELL BIO BASED PACKAGING BIO PACKAGING CON RICCI DI CASTAGNO”, GAL FAR Maremma S.c.a.r.l.. e Programma di Sviluppo Rurale 2014-2020 della Regione Toscana”. Utilization of IGP Chestnut Burr for Sustainable Packaging, Plywood, and Bioplastics
- “PRIN: progetti di ricerca di rilevante interesse nazionale – bando 2022-” prot. 2022lw54kc, “Bio-waste products as a source of nutraceuticals to target the common trait of inflammation in cancer and neurodegeneration”.
- PON Green RTDA, New approaches of circular bioeconomy to the design and preparation of sustainable bio-products from agroforestal and marine waste raw materials, 2022.
- PON Green PhD Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Docente: Annalisa Santucci; Titolo: Circular Bioeconomy Approaches Using Agricultural Waste
- Intercept Project No. 2020-1-0033 – 2023, NEETs & Green Jobs, Educational Training on Circular Bioeconomy and biobased production
- Agenzia per la Coesione Territoriale. Progetti di promozione della ricerca, del trasferimento tecnologico e della formazione universitaria da finanziare nelle regioni Lazio, Abruzzo, Umbria e Marche interessate dagli eventi sismici del 2016. ERICA: Technology Transfer Ecosystem for Integrated Natural Resources with Circular Economy and Agriculture. The project focuses on the creation of an integrated ecosystem for innovation, training, and technology transfer in the bioeconomy, aimed at enhancing local natural resources within the Biodistetto – Terra Viva diAmatrice. This is achieved through the recovery and valorization of agricultural and forestry by-products.
- UE—FSE REACT-EU, PON Ricerca e Innovazione 2014–2020
- Intercept Project No. 2020-1-0033 – Educational Training on Circular Bioeconomy and biobased production
- Italian Ministry for Civil Protection and Marine Policies – Call for Co-Funding of Research Projects. This call aims to co-finance research projects focused on the development of technologies for the prevention, recovery, recycling, and treatment of waste that does not fall under categories already managed by supply chain consortia. The initiative also supports eco-design of products and the proper management of related waste. – Edizione 2021-DD EC n.86 del 7 settembre 2023 –- Circular Bioeconomy of Beached Posidonia oceanica – Pilot Project for the Development of a Multi-Product Prototype Platform Eco-Designed with a One Health Approach.
- Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forests – 2024 – BON.TA’: Best Practices for the Development of Productivity, Sustainability, and Profitability in the Organic Supply Chain – La Cesenate – Alce Nero
Patent
Brevetto italiano 102020000018592, 2020: Estratto idroalcolico da riccio di castagno per uso come antibatterico.
Inpart (https://www.inpart.io) identified the patent as one of the Top 25 Innovations for 2025
https://app.in-part.com/login-preview?returnTo=/opportunities/0f26733b-5f3d-4b8b-a1ee-0d381a4115d7
https://research.unisi.it/2025/01/14/university-of-siena-featured-in-top-25-innovations-for-2025
BIOCASTANEA
Biocastanea Cosmetics for a better life s a registered trademark of SienabioACTIVE Srl.
Biocastanea: A Unique Line of Eco-Sustainable Dermofunctional Bio-Cosmetics
Biocastanea is an original line of eco-sustainable dermofunctional bio-cosmetics created by SienabioACTIVE, an innovative start-up and spin-off of the University of Siena. As a benefit company, SienabioACTIVE combines profit objectives with equity, environmental sustainability, inclusion, and gender equality. The company, led predominantly by women, is based in the heart of Monte Amiata and holds international organic certification.
The natural fate of chestnut burrs is combustion, which leads to CO₂ emissions, a major cause of climate change that negatively impacts seasonal chestnut production. To counter this, we have transformed this waste into a valuable resource, creating a circular and sustainable solution for the chestnut industry.
We use only Castanea sativa Mill. IGP-certified chestnut burrs from Monte Amiata, as the chestnuts in our region are entirely organic.
Biocastanea Dermofunctional Biocosmeceuticals: Eco-Friendly, Safe, and Sustainable
Biocastanea dermofunctional biocosmeceuticals are eco-friendly, safe, and sustainable, formulated with chestnut burr extract, whose beneficial effects on human skin cells have been scientifically proven. These include anti-aging and anti-pollutant properties by counteracting oxidative stress, promoting collagen production, and preventing UV-induced DNA damage.
So far, Biocastanea biocosmeceuticals have been artisanal crafted for facial, body, and hair care, along with a genderless organic fragrance, a rare and innovative product in the market.
Web & e-commerce