Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extraction

CO₂ extraction uses supercritical carbon dioxide to separate the Hemp Oil from the plant material. “Supercritical” refers to the CO₂ containing properties of both a liquid and a gas state, which is why you’ll sometimes see this method referred to as Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE).

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During CO₂ extraction, a series of pressurized chambers and pumps are used to expose CO₂ to high pressure and very low temperatures, resulting in an extracted oil containing high amounts of CBD.

1. At the start of extraction, one chamber will hold pressurized CO₂, while a second pressurized chamber holds the hemp plant.
2. The CO₂ is then pumped from the first chamber into the second. The presence of supercritical CO₂ breaks down the hemp also in the chamber, causing the oil to separate from the plant material.
3. Finally, the CO₂ and oil are pumped together into a third chamber. The gas evaporates, leaving an extract of pure Hemp Oil behind.

While it requires expensive specialized machinery, CO₂ extraction is the preferred method for making CBD products. It’s extremely safe and efficient at producing high concentrations of CBD in the resulting oil—as much as 92% according to one analysis.

The precise nature of CO₂ extraction also makes it suitable for producing specific concentrations of CBD oil. Manufacturers can simply adjust the solvent and pressure ratios to achieve the desired concentration of CBD.

The CO₂ extraction process is also widely used to create many other products besides CBD oil, such as decaffeinating coffee or tea, or extracting essential oils for use in perfumes.