Essential oils have become extremely popular in recent years. People are screaming their benefits for everything from house cleaning to healing infections. However, despite their popularity and widespread use, essential oils often remain confusing and overwhelming. Knowing which type of essential oils to use, at what time, and how to use them can take years of study, but don’t let that scare you away from these powerful, helpful tools!
To make it easier on you, we’ve gathered everything we know about CO2 essential oil extraction — from the oil it creates, to why it is ideal over other methods, and how to process essential oils from the comfort of your home.
At Apeks Supercritical, we’re confident that our CO2 extraction systems are the best oil extraction products above all others. This article outlines how various essential oil concentrates differs from other essential oils, what CO2 extraction entails, why it is a popular method of oil extraction, and how home extraction systems work.
To fully grasp essential oil concentrates, it’s crucial to first understand the definition of essential oils. Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts. Typically made by steam distillation or cold pressing, these extracts provide easy, accessible, and effective methods of experiencing the benefits of different plants, fruits, herbs or seeds. Another method of extraction is CO2, which is gaining in popularity because the extracted oils are considered safer and purer.
In technical terms, we’re discussing superfluid carbon dioxide extraction. Though, it is often shortened to just CO2 extraction.
Basically, when carbon dioxide (CO2) is put under pressure, it becomes a liquid. This liquid is then used as an “inert liquid solvent” and is pushed through the plant. The natural oils of the plant, often containing the aromatic and medicinal properties, are forced out. When the pressure is decreased, the CO2 turns back into a gas and evaporates away from the extracted plant oil, much like a soda when it becomes flat.
The process is so non-invasive that the plant material often looks the same as it did when the CO2 extraction began.
Even though it’s a newcomer to the essential oil processing world, CO2 extraction is becoming a top contender. There are many benefits to choosing these essential oil concentrates over more traditional methods. Just a few reasons include:
Other extraction processes leave behind residues that require more steps to separate the materials used. These materials often include propane, butane, or alcohol — far from ingredients one would expect or want in their essential oils! Carbon dioxide naturally separates itself from the essential oil concentrate when it once again becomes a gas at room temperature. As a result, less processed oils are produced.
In addition, the lower temperature of the CO2 extracted oil better preserve the characteristics of the plant. Unlike other methods that can cook or destroy the therapeutic and beneficial attributes of the plant, these extractions hardly alter the plant or its properties at all. The Apeks Supercritical Cold Separation technology avoids thermal degradation and keeps the extraction cold.
Have you ever noticed that your lavender essential oil smells different than a lavender bush you walk by? That’s a result of the oil making process and how the extraction process changes the essence of the plant. This used to be unavoidable, but not anymore!
Oils that have undergone superfluid carbon dioxide extraction smell more like the plant itself. There is no alcohol or chemical tint to essential oil extractions. It’s the qualities of the herb, flower, or seed and nothing more.
Industrial CO2 does not negatively affect the atmosphere or environment. The CO2 is created as a byproduct of other manufacturing processes. Not only does it do no harm, but it also reuses material that might have gone to waste or become harmful to the planet if disposed of improperly.
As an added bonus, closed loop CO2 oil extraction systems reuse up to 95 percent of their carbon dioxide. Not only is this beneficial to the planet, but it also makes the process more cost-effective — a win for both the earth and your wallet.
While these will fit into a garage at home, customers do have to provide a business license so typically they are housed in a custom built facility, or in an industrial area. This usually complies with regulations and is a good starting point for most customers. Luckily, essential oil extractor setups are becoming more affordable and optimized for small producers. We offer systems ranging from The Bambino®, a small, introductory system that processes 10-14lbs a day, to The Force® that can process up to 200lbs per day. Set up is done by a licensed electrician and then one of our service engineers will come on site to train the operators. Our systems make it easy to perform the best oil extractor methods from day one.
As an added bonus, closed loop CO2 oil extraction systems reuse up to 95 percent of their carbon dioxide. Not only is this beneficial to the planet, but it also makes the process more cost-effective — a win for both the earth and your wallet.
A word of advice: when purchasing your essential oil extractor, check how much of the CO2 is recycled in the system. The more carbon dioxide that’s recovered, the less waste you’ll create, and the lower your cost per extraction. Our systems recycle around 95 percent of the CO2 that is used.
COntact Us
For more information about our Apeks Supercritical systems please fill out the contact form below and we will respond to you shortly.