---
title: Top 5 Benefits of CO2 Extraction Services for Hemp & Botanicals
description: Five reasons why supercritical and subcritical carbon dioxide extraction is the method of choice for CBD, hemp extract, and other herbs and botanicals.
---

[Blog | Custom Processing Services ](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/blog)

# [Top 5 Benefits of CO2 Extraction Services for Hemp & Botanicals](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/blog/co2-extraction-services-benefits-hemp-and-botanicals)

 Written by [Justin Klinger](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/blog/author/justin-klinger) | Jul 8, 2021 3:03:00 PM

The market for **CBD-rich industrial hemp** is less established in the U.S. than it is for other agricultural crops. Many hemp farmers find themselves in search of simplified options for processing and commercializing their hemp biomass into their own branded hemp extract, **THC-free CBD oil**, and blended cannabis products.

Hemp and CBD extracts are enjoying **growing consumer demand** as ingredients within personal care, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, pet care, and other formulations.

By partnering with a toll processor for [CO2 extraction services](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/services/extraction), hemp producers can take their hemp from **freshly harvested biomass** all the way to branded, shelf-ready, blended **CBD extracts, distillates, and hemp oil products**.

But before contracting with a toll manufacturer for CO2 [hemp extraction services](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/blog/hemp-extraction-services-details), hemp product manufacturers should be sure their tolling partner has the right hemp toll processing capabilities to meet all their needs, including:

- [**Milling **capabilities](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/services/milling#coarse-crushing-pulverizing) for **size reduction** of hemp plant material
- [**Drying **technologies](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/services/drying#flash-drying) compatible with hemp
- CO2 extraction systems
- **Decarboxylation** capabilities
- **Emerald Test **certified [testing and analysis](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/services/specialty#analytical), including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC)
- **R&D formulation** expertise
- **Blending** capabilities
- [**Bottling**](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/services/liquid-bottling), labeling, and final packaging
- **FDA-registered**, [GMP-certified](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/facilities#certifications) facilities
- Logistical services
- And more

## How Does Supercritical CO2 Extraction Work?

CO2 hemp extraction methods use **carbon dioxide** in a supercritical or subcritical state as a solvent for the extraction process.

First, the hemp biomass is harvested, cleaned, and tested to **verify its botanical identity **as the cannabis plant. It’s also tested to ensure THC levels below the federally required threshold of 0.3%, and to exclude biomass that contains high levels of chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides. 

Next, the plant material is processed to a specified **particle size** and **moisture content** and placed in an **extraction vessel**. Carbon dioxide is subjected to **high pressure** and **specific temperatures**. The pressure and temperature variations put the CO2 into a supercritical or subcritical state. It then flows through the biomass in the extraction chamber.

Supercritical CO2 pulls more compounds faster from the hemp biomass. But **subcritical ****CO**2** extraction** is often used because it **protects delicate essential oils** and other sensitive, high-value plant compounds. As **consumer preference** increases for **full-spectrum CBD products** and cannabis concentrates, subcritical extractions are on the rise. 

Certain food grade, **GMP-compliant solvents**’ affinities with important compounds in hemp can also be used as a modifier to help the CO2 extraction process deliver a full spectrum hemp extract. The end result, after **solvent recovery** and **evaporation** of carbon dioxide, is a **rich hemp crude**. 

This extract is ready for **decarboxylation**, post-processing, and blending into final hemp extract products.

## What Are the Top 5 Benefits of CO2 Extraction Services?

### 1. Carbon dioxide extraction delivers a pure hemp extract.

In the health, **nutraceutical**, and **personal care** markets, consumers value **product purity**. CO2 extraction methods create hemp extracts and CBD products that deliver on purity promises by eliminating harmful **solvent residues **and reducing **unwanted compounds** in the finished product.

### 2. CO2 is a highly “tunable” solvent, enabling extraction experts to target specific, desirable botanical compounds.

Unlike hydrocarbon solvents, subcritical and supercritical CO2 can be **fine-tuned** by adjusting temperature and pressure to achieve **variable density**, **viscosity**, and **surface tension**. This makes processing quicker and more efficient while also targeting *only* the desirable compounds in the hemp biomass.

### 3. The high-quality CBD extract that comes from CO2 processing commands a premium.

As hemp growers make investments in **high-quality seed** and **labor-intensive** agricultural practices to produce the most CBD-rich botanicals possible, carbon dioxide processing’s CBD isolation capability just makes sense to capture the fullest potential from top quality hemp biomass. After all, consumers purchase CBD products for their **cannabidiol**, other **cannabinoids**, and **associated terpenes**. A method that optimizes their extraction is good for the bottom line.

### 4. Carbon dioxide is recoverable and nontoxic, making it environmentally friendlier than other solvents, and a safer, nontoxic choice.

You may be wondering: Is CO2 extraction safe? The carbon dioxide used for hemp extraction is **recovered**, **collected**, and **recycled**, and it leaves behind **no chemical solvent residue**. This is not only an important consideration from an operational and **environmental** standpoint; it can also support specific “green” brand attributes that are often associated with hemp products.

### 5. The efficiency of CO2 extraction can eliminate some post-processing steps.

**Speed to shelf** can be a make-or-break factor in the success of branded hemp extract product lines. Carbon dioxide-based methods not only extract more botanical compounds faster, but they also **eliminate** the need for some **post-processing steps**. This gets your CBD extract into blends and final products — and on its way to the shelf — faster than other extraction methods, too.

And when your toll processing partner can provide **testing and analysis**, formulation, and blending, as well as [bottling, packaging](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/services/liquid-bottling), and [logistics](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/services/specialty#logistical), your high-value CBD products can quickly make their way to your consumers.

## What Else You Should Know About CO2 Extraction Services?

Subcritical and supercritical CO2 extraction services can also be used to target and extract valuable **essential oils**, **aromatics**, and **bioactive compounds** in other **botanical** and **herbal** products such as lavender, vanilla, and many other florals, wood-based products, etc.

You can learn more about the important role a trusted tolling partner can play in processing and extracting valuable compounds from botanical and herbal biomass when you download our ebook, ***Processing of Herbal Raw Materials: An Essential Guide to Botanical & Herbal Extraction Processes***. Click the link below to get your copy.

[View full post](https://www.customprocessingservices.com/blog/co2-extraction-services-benefits-hemp-and-botanicals)

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