CO₂ extraction: the extract without solvent residues.
Quality & science
Renova obtains its hemp extract through supercritical CO₂ extraction. Not a magic word, just physics: this page explains what the method does and where you can check the outcome.
What is CO₂ extraction?
CO₂ extraction uses carbon dioxide under high pressure to draw the desired compounds out of the hemp plant. The gas acts as a solvent, but then evaporates completely, so no solvent residues are left in the extract.
What does supercritical mean?
Above a certain pressure and temperature, CO₂ behaves like a gas and a liquid at the same time; that state is called supercritical. In that state, the CO₂ penetrates deep into the plant material and dissolves plant compounds selectively. So supercritical describes the state of the gas, not the quality of the brand.
Which steps does the extraction go through?
- The dried plant material goes into a pressure vessel.
- Supercritical CO₂ flows through it and takes up cannabinoids, terpenes and other compounds.
- In a separation vessel the pressure drops, and the extract settles out.
- The CO₂ evaporates and is reused; the crude extract moves on to purification.
Where this step sits in the whole is shown in the production process, steps three and four.
Which compounds are kept?
Besides CBD, the method can also carry over other cannabinoids, terpenes and fatty acids; that is what makes the full-spectrum character of the extract possible. What is really in a batch is not a promise but a measurement: you'll find it for each batch in the quality reports.
How does this differ from other methods?
Extraction can also be done with ethanol or other solvents. Those methods can work well, but they need an extra step to remove solvent residues, and those residues then have to be tested for too. The practical advantage of CO₂ is that this residue step doesn't exist. A test for contaminants still belongs in a complete batch report; that our current reports don't include one yet is stated plainly in the reading guide.
Which checks follow after extraction?
After extraction come purification (including the THC step), formulation with carrier oils and the external batch test. The complete framework is in the quality overview.
From technique to evidence?
The outcome of the extraction is measured for each batch. Open the batch finder or walk through the full production process.