Everyday products that use CO2 extraction
You may have heard before that decaf coffee is actually worse for you than regular coffee. The reason for that is the method many companies use for removing the caffeine from the coffee beans, using a specific cocktail of chemicals that leave residue and toxic remnants in the final product. However, decaf coffees that are processed with CO2 extraction are able to produce a much safer, cleaner, and higher quality end product. This is just one example of how CO2 extraction is making a positive impact in processing products for consumers.
In fact, there are actually a plethora of products on the market today that already utilize CO2 extraction, and are leveraging the benefits of it’s high efficiency and versatility; For example, in the dry cleaning industry, CO2 extraction removes dirt from clothing without harming the fibers.
Some other everyday products you might not realize use CO2 extraction include:
- Essential oils
- Hemp oils
- Beer hops
- Flavoring extracts
- Botanicals
- Vitamin oils
- Natural pesticides
- Perfumes
Some desirable benefits of using carbon dioxide as a supercritical fluid are that it is inexpensive, non-flammable, non-reactive, has low toxicity, and has an expansive range of solvent properties at various pressures and temperatures. When we consider CO2 extraction in regards to hemp, an added bonus is the elimination of microbial bacteria, mildew, mold or insect mites that might be camping out in your product after harvest.
Whether it's used to decaffeinate beans for a cup o’ joe, or extract essential oils from botanicals, the CO2 method truly results in the purest, cleanest, and safest end product. After making the investment in your crop and putting the time in to farm and harvest it, make sure you choose the best processing method to ensure the highest quality product for your business.
