Extraction Industry Blog

Industrial Hemp Extraction

The hemp industry in the United States is constantly growing. According to a report made by Leafly and Whitney Economics, in 2019, more than 211,000 people in the United States were working in the industry.

With many promising health benefits, it’s emerging as one of the fastest-growing industries in the US. The growing approval has stimulated this in the States by the legislation allowing industrial use to produce cosmetic, functional foods, and nutraceutical commercial products.

A Business of Great Opportunities

The extraction of CBD as an industry is relatively new, which indicates a significant growth potential for the next few years, becoming a potential investment attraction with high returns. Cannabis sales exceeded $15 billion at the end of December 2021 and reported an increase of 40%.

The big business of the cannabis industry expects to have an economic impact of between $45 billion to $67 billion in the United States in 2022 and exceed $100 billion in economic benefits by 2024. This trend is similar globally—high market demand for cannabis and hemp-based products for mass and medicinal consumption.

What is a Large Scale Hemp Extract?

CBD oil is extracted only from the hemp plant’s leaves, flowers, stems, and stalks. This oil contains vitamins, cannabinoids, terpenes, essential nutrients, and other plant components that can refine to obtain specific concentrated plant compounds.

Full Spectrum CBD comprises several naturally occurring cannabis plant extracts such as terpenes and other cannabinoids while containing up to 0.3% THC. Broad Spectrum CBD and THC-Free CBD contain many similar cannabis plant compounds but have little to no trace of THC.

CBD isolate is another common form of CBD, a pure and chemical component derived from the cannabis plant.

How is hemp oil extracted on a large scale?

There are several methods to extract CBD-rich hemp oil, and the key is to start with CBD-rich plant material. All extraction methods have advantages and disadvantages, some being more efficient and safe than others.

Cannabis oil obtained with non-organic or neurotoxic solvents such as butane or hexane can leave dangerous residues that will affect the quality of the product.

CO2 extraction

This supercritical CO2 extraction method uses carbon dioxide at high pressure and cold temperatures to isolate, preserve and maintain the oil’s purity. This process requires special extraction equipment that, in most cases, is expensive and difficult to operate.

An amateur chemist should not attempt CO2 extraction. Proper and safe operation requires professional training and specific knowledge. This process can be a bit slower, lower input capability, and potentially cause damage to terpenes and cannabinoids in-process versus ethanol extraction.

Extraction with Ethanol

Ethanol is alcohol also used to extract high-quality cannabis oil with the reduced need for dewaxing or winterization, with higher throughput capabilities. When extracting via ethanol at cryo-temperatures, the chlorophyll fats and lipids can be frozen directly in the biomass. Equipment costs analyzed to throughput comparison veer toward ethanol extraction being less expensive.

How is industrial hemp processing evaluated?

Evaluating the extraction technology should warrant efficiency, processes, and end products to process hemp at an industrial and quality level. Reduced production costs obtain optimal results that increase profits and return on investment.

Efficient Extraction Systems, with the best Technology

ENTEXS brings together a first-class team with many years of experience. Experts in industrial engineering and technology focused on the extraction industry with a straightforward approach: to design and build the best extraction equipment for the hemp or cannabis industry with next-generation technology that achieves maximum efficiency and low operating costs with high-quality extractions.

Their team of professional advisors will help you make the best purchase decision based on your company’s needs. The post-sales service team will provide you with the necessary support and guarantee your high-value investment to obtain the best returns or profit.

Review our catalog of extraction and remediation equipment built according to your company’s needs.