Apeks Supercritical extraction systems use carbon dioxide (CO2) as a solvent to extract oil from botanical plant material because it yields safer, cleaner and purer oil. Long known for its versatility and high efficiencies, CO2 is commonly used in many types of commercial processing, such as dry cleaning, where it removes dirt without affecting the clothing. CO2 extraction of botanical material works much the same way. The CO2 removes the oil as it passes through the plant, leaving it intact. Remarkably, the plant material will look the same after extraction as before except it no longer contains the oil.