How Is CBD Solventless Terpene Extraction Done

How Is CBD Solventless Terpene Extraction Done

By Joe Kryszak Published on 12/21/2022

Have you ever heard of the term solventless terpene extraction? How about ethanol extraction? Because most of the time, extraction methods are not the main concern of many consumers. The same goes when buying CBD products. We rarely think about how they are made.

The focus usually is on the product description, the packaging, and its benefits. In 2018 research, it’s revealed that a whopping 52.5% do not even read the ingredients in a product.

The effectiveness of any product depends on how it’s made – especially in the CBD industry. Extracting the essential cannabinoid compounds from the hemp plant is critical to make an effective product.

As a CBD consumer, you must be aware of these extraction methods. Because these affect, not only the end product but also the health benefits of you are getting. 

Understanding Terpenes

Terpenes are organic compounds naturally found in plants, including hemp, that are responsible for their distinct aromas, flavors, and even therapeutic properties. In CBD products, terpenes not only enhance the sensory experience but also contribute to the entourage effect, working alongside cannabinoids to amplify their benefits. The extraction process plays a crucial role in preserving these delicate compounds, as traditional solvent-based methods (e.g., ethanol or butane) can degrade or contaminate them due to heat and chemical exposure. Stirling’s innovative Solventless Cavitation method uses cold water and cavitation technology to extract terpenes and cannabinoids safely without the need for harmful solvents. This method not only maintains the purity of terpenes but also ensures a cleaner, more environmentally friendly extraction process. As a result, high-quality CBD products retain their natural properties while maximizing therapeutic potential.

Common CBD Extraction Methods

Common CBD Extraction Methods

There are two main types of extraction available for CBD producers today, minus Stirling’s own Solventless Terpene Extraction. 

These two methods are divided according to the techniques used in the production process. They also play a big part in what products are readily available in the market. 

Currently, all other CBD companies use solvents to extract cannabinoids from the plant – and these extraction methods have many problems. Understanding these problems was critical to Stirling’s development of a revolutionary new process. It’s necessary to get some background information first on what extraction methods are available in the industry.

Solvent-Based Extraction

Solvent Based Extraction

Solvent-based is the most common extraction used by large companies. The process requires using chemical solvents to help separate the trichomes from the biomass. Examples of these chemicals include ethanol, carbon dioxide, and butane.

Different Types of Solvent Based Extraction

  • Ethanol Extraction
    • Cold Ethanol Extraction
    • Warm Ethanol Extraction
  • C02 Extraction (Supercritical CO2 Extraction)
  • Butane Hash Oil Extraction

Pros of Solvent-Based Extraction:

  • High Efficiency: Solvent-based methods are well-suited for extracting a high volume of cannabinoids and terpenes from hemp biomass quickly.
  • Scalable for Mass Production: These methods are ideal for large-scale industrial production due to their capability to process significant amounts of plant material.
  • Customizable: Techniques like CO2 extraction allow precise control over temperature and pressure, making targeted compound extraction (like terpenes or specific cannabinoids) possible.
  • Cost-Effective for Large Scale: When scaled appropriately, these methods offer a reasonable cost-to-output ratio for high-capacity facilities.

Cons of Solvent-Based Extraction:

  • Risk of Contamination: Residual solvents or impurities (like chemicals or heavy metals) in the final product can pose health risks if not thoroughly purified.
  • Compromised Purity: Exposure to chemicals and heat can degrade terpenes and cannabinoids, reducing the overall quality and potency of the extract.
  • Expensive Infrastructure: Equipment for CO2 or butane extractions requires expensive machinery and, for butane in particular, compliance with stricter safety standards due to its high flammability.
  • Environmental Concerns: The use of chemicals and large energy inputs make solvent-based methods less eco-friendly compared to solventless options.

Non-Solvent Based Extraction (Stirling’s Process)

Non Solvent Based Extraction (Stirling’s Process)

For this type of extraction, no chemicals are used. Typically machines and other tools are used to separate the trichomes from the plant.

Below are examples of non-solvent-based extraction:

  • Cold Pressed Extraction
    • Hash
    • Rosin

Pros of Non-Solvent Based Extraction:

  • Chemical-Free and Safe: Eliminates the use of potentially harmful solvents, ensuring clean and pure extracts.
  • Higher Purity and Retention: The absence of chemicals and heat preserves the natural structure and potency of cannabinoids and terpenes, resulting in a superior quality product.
  • Environmentally Friendly: Non-solvent methods, like Stirling’s Solventless Cavitation, produce minimal waste and have a reduced environmental impact.
  • Lower Risk of Contamination: Without exposure to solvents, contamination risks are significantly lower.
  • Consumer-Friendly Products: These processes yield clean, organic products appealing to health-conscious consumers.

Cons of Non-Solvent Based Extraction:

  • Lower Yield: Non-solvent methods often extract a lower volume of cannabinoids when compared to solvent-based processes, which may be less efficient for large-scale production.
  • Higher Operational Costs: While simpler in concept, non-solvent methods like specialized cavitation equipment may have higher up-front costs and require more precise handling compared to solvent-based processes.
  • Limited Scalability (in some cases): Some non-solvent methods, such as rosin or cold pressing, are difficult to scale to industrial production without specialized machinery.

By comparing these two methods, it’s clear each has unique trade-offs. However, Stirling’s Solventless Cavitation Method has redefined non-solvent-based extraction by significantly improving efficiency and scalability while maintaining environmental and consumer-friendly advantages.

Solventless Cavitation Method

All the stumbling blocks of conventional cannabinoid extraction methods led to the development of a new way to extract CBD. Stirling partnered with Cavicann to integrate their unique extraction machine into the company’s operations.

What is Solventless Extraction?

What is Solventless Extraction

From the name itself, the process does not involve using solvents or any other chemical to separate the cannabis compounds. It is an innovative process that uses traditional Hash and Rosin processing and efficient machinery to extract cannabinoid compounds.

The machine causes a process called cavitation to start. This unique process allows the trichomes to separate from the plant matter without needing solvents.

How is it Done?

1. Biomass Preparation

The first step in the extraction process is getting high-quality plant material. Stirling uses hemp leaves and flowers from local authorized cannabis farms in North Carolina. 

The biomass is washed and chopped into fine pieces. The chopped biomass is then placed in a stainless steel sealed container.

2. Ice Water Submersion

Ice-cold water fills the stainless steel container until it submerges the biomass completely. The freezing temperature solidifies the trichomes, separating them from the plant matter easier.

Trichomes are the small outgrowths of the hemp plant. It contains a considerable percentage of the plant’s essential compounds.

3. Cavitation Blast

A powerful specialized machine attached to the stainless steel container then blasts the biomass. The billions of air bubbles and the sheer kinetic force separate the trichomes from the other biomass.

Stirling and Cavicann developed this specialized one-of-a-kind machine. Only Stirling uses this machine to mass produce CBD and other Cannabinoid products.

The targeted process allows cleaner, more distinct separation of cannabinoid compounds and common plant material.

4. Filtering

The ice water containing the biomass and separated trichomes pass through a 40-micron filter. The extremely fine filter allows proper separation of the CBD and other cannabinoid extracts from unwanted plant material. 

Other processes, like those of ethanol or butane, use additional chemicals to extract the plant matter. But, despite the chemical use, certain compounds remain.

Stirling’s process allows for a more organic and thorough way of removing other compounds like chlorophyll from cannabinoids. The result is a large concentration of pure cannabinoid extract.

5. Final Processing

Finally, the last stage of the processing is splitting up one Cannabinoid compound type from another. The organic process results in a variety of compounds extracted from the biomass. Additionally, Pure extracts like CBD, CBGA, CBN, CBDA and full spectrum ones with all the compounds are present.

The purity level achieved by the Solventless Cavitation process is challenging for conventional extraction methods to replicate. 

What CBD and Other Cannabinoid Products Can Be Produced?

What CBD and Other Cannabinoid Products Can Be Produced

The final extracts from Solventless Cavitation Process produce a wide array of products. The products range from CBD gummies and lotions to water-soluble CBGA/CBDA liquid mixes.

Using its unique extraction method, there is no cap on what products Stirling can make for customers like you. Just recently, Stirling has released two new CBD gummies – energy gummies and immunity ones. Moreover, it has added new roll-ons to its potent CBD cream and lotion line.

Bottomline

Stirling’s very own process allows it to steer clear of the pitfalls of common extraction methods. The unique Solventless Cavitation system allows for a more efficient, scalable, affordable, and environmentally friendly process of harvesting CBD and cannabinoids. 

As the consumer, having knowledge and even being familiar with the different extraction methods will lead to you making more informed and calculated buying decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Author

A leader in the Hemp Industry since 2014, Joe has been at the forefront of the Hemp Industry's innovation and growth. He is passionate about creating an atmosphere of collaboration and education in the Hemp Industry through the growth of Stirling Oils. Prior to this, Joe led strategic growth teams and initiatives at HP, Lenovo, and Amazon. With a degree from SDSU and an MBA from Pepperdine, Joe guided numerous businesses beyond the $1B threshold.