CO₂ supercritical extraction is a highly advanced, precision-driven method used to extract terpenes, cannabinoids, and other essential compounds from plant material. This process offers unmatched purity, efficiency, and selectivity, making it the preferred choice for industries requiring high-quality, full-spectrum extracts.
At Terpene Tek, we utilize state-of-the-art CO₂ extraction technology to ensure true-to-strain terpene profiles with exceptional consistency. Below, we break down each stage of the CO₂ extraction process, from raw material preparation to final product refinement.
Step 1: Raw Material Selection & Preparation
The first step in the CO₂ extraction process is selecting premium-quality plant material. The quality of the raw input directly influences the purity, potency, and authenticity of the final extract.
✅ Sourcing Fresh, High-Quality Biomass: Whether extracting from cannabis, we carefully select naturally cultivated and carefully sourced plant material for quality and consistency.
✅ Optimized Drying & Curing: To preserve delicate terpenes, the plant material is properly dried and cured. This ensures that no excessive moisture remains, which could negatively impact the yield and quality of the final extract.
✅ Grinding for Surface Area Optimization: The plant material is finely ground to increase surface area, improving CO₂ penetration and maximizing extraction efficiency.
Step 2: Supercritical CO₂ Extraction
Once the raw material is prepped, it is loaded into a high-pressure extraction chamber, where the CO₂ extraction process begins.
✅ CO₂ Pressurization & Temperature Control: Carbon dioxide is compressed and heated until it reaches its supercritical state, meaning it behaves as both a gas and a liquid. This unique property allows CO₂ to efficiently penetrate plant material like a gas while dissolving essential compounds like a liquid.
✅ Selective Extraction of Terpenes & Cannabinoids: By carefully adjusting temperature and pressure, specific compounds can be selectively extracted.
Lower pressure settings preserve volatile terpenes, ensuring authentic flavor and aroma profiles.
Higher pressure settings extract cannabinoids, such as THC, CBD, and minor cannabinoids, while maintaining full-spectrum integrity.
✅ Solvent-Free Purity: Unlike traditional solvent-based methods, no harmful chemicals or residual solvents remain in the extract. CO₂ naturally evaporates after the process, leaving behind a clean, pure, and untainted product.
Step 3: Fractional Separation & Refinement
Once the desired compounds are extracted, the separation and refinement process begins.
✅ Fractional Collection for Precision: The extract is passed through a series of collection chambers, where different compounds are isolated based on their molecular weight and volatility.
Lightweight volatile terpenes are collected first to preserve their delicate structure.
Heavier cannabinoids and waxes are collected separately for further refinement.
✅ Winterization & Filtration (If Needed): If extracting cannabinoids, a winterization process may be used to remove lipids, waxes, and chlorophyll. This step ensures the final product is free from unwanted plant matter, resulting in a cleaner, more potent extract.
✅ Post-Processing for Customized Profiles: Depending on the intended final product, the extract can be further purified, recombined, or blended to create custom terpene formulations tailored to specific effects and applications.
Step 4: Quality Testing & Product Finalization
Every batch of CO₂-extracted terpenes or cannabinoids undergoes rigorous quality control to ensure purity, potency, and consistency.
✅ Comprehensive Expert Testing: Each extract is tested for:
Terpene composition & accuracy (true-to-strain profiling)
Cannabinoid content & potency (if applicable)
Residual solvent analysis (ensuring complete CO₂ removal)
Pesticide, heavy metal, & microbial contamination screening (if applicable)
✅ Final Product Preparation: Once tested and verified, the extract is prepared for various applications, including:
Pure, undiluted terpene formulations
Custom terpene blends for specific effects
Full-spectrum cannabis extracts for consumer and pharmaceutical use
✅ Packaging & Delivery: The final product is securely packaged in air-tight, UV-protected containers to maintain freshness and potency, ensuring a long shelf life and optimal user experience.
Why Terpene Tek Uses CO₂ Extraction
At Terpene Tek, we are committed to delivering the cleanest, most authentic terpene extracts on the market. Our CO₂ extraction process ensures:
✔ 100% Solvent-Free Purity – No residual solvents, toxins, or chemical byproducts.
✔ Precision-Extracted Terpenes – Strain-inspired, true-to-source aroma and effects.
✔ Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Practices – Zero waste, recyclable CO₂, and non-toxic processing.
✔ Custom Formulations & Full-Spectrum Options – Tailored terpene profiles for targeted applications.
✔ Industry-Leading Consistency – Every batch meets the highest quality standards.
By mastering the CO₂ extraction process, we deliver the most potent, flavorful, and true-to-plant terpene profiles available. Whether you’re looking for strain-inspired terpenes, full-spectrum extracts, or a custom formulation tailored to your brand, Terpene Tek provides unparalleled quality and expertise.
