Extracts easily and quickly

The extraction of plant extracts is both a science and an art, allowing you to obtain the best from plants – from valuable terpenes to active compounds – while removing unwanted components such as waxes, fats and plant material. Whether you choose methods that use solvents or take the safer solventless route, the key is selecting the right process. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of extraction, where traditional methods meet the latest technologies, and discover how each of them can affect the final product.

The aim of extraction is to separate the active components (terpenes, active compounds) from unwanted ones such as fats, waxes or plant material. The various techniques used to achieve this are divided into two basic categories according to whether solvents are required during extraction or not.

Extraction using solvents: These extraction methods use organic solvents (butane, alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, dimethyl ether, CO₂) that separate trichomes (resin) from the organic material. This is followed by a separation process, during which the resulting extract is heated, mixed or otherwise treated to create a concentrated product.

Solventless extraction: Solventless extraction methods include a wide range of techniques, from traditional ones such as sieving to modern water separation or pressing. In these techniques, trichomes are separated from the plant material mechanically, using agitation, pressure, heat or cold.

Each of the extraction methods mentioned above has its advantages and disadvantages. The main differences between the individual techniques are yield and the quality of the final product. The types of extracts obtained differ in appearance, structure, consistency, active compound content and purity, depending on the quality of the raw materials and the extraction processes used.

Solventless extraction methods

The main advantages of solventless extraction are safety and a relatively low purchase price for the equipment. These techniques give growers the assurance that the final product will be non-toxic. In addition, there is no risk of poisoning or injury during production, as is the case when using flammable solvents.

Sieving

Sieving (dry sift) is one of the oldest methods of resin extraction, used by growers around the world for centuries. In this technique, dry plant material (flowers, leaves, trim) is processed and sifted through fine screens with tiny openings through which only trichomes pass. The resin is released from the dried material thanks to mechanical movement and takes the form of a sticky powder that can then be pressed, cleaned or otherwise processed.

• Hand-held dry sift screens are suitable for home growers and for those who want maximum control over the extraction process. Thanks to several screen grades, you can capture different trichome sizes, giving you the option to decide on the quality of the final product.
• Automatic pollinators work on the same principle as hand-held screens, but are equipped with a motor that sifts the material, speeding up the work.

Water extraction

Ice water extraction is based on sieving and consists of immersing the plant material in a mixture of ice and water, followed by stirring and straining through bags with a mesh bottom. Cold water makes it easier to release the trichomes, making it possible to obtain a cleaner product than with dry sieving.

• Extraction bags for pollen separation with screens of different grades are an essential tool for water extraction. To begin with, you will need a basic set of three bags (220,73,25 microns), with the screen with the largest openings (220 µm) catching impurities and plant material, the middle screen (73 µm) catching the heads of the largest trichomes, and the bottom screen (25 µm) catching the remaining resin.
• Pollen separation washers make mixing and the subsequent draining of water through the screens easier. Thanks to gentle yet thorough mixing, it is possible to achieve a higher yield and a cleaner final product than with manual processing.

Hot pressing

Pressing is one of the modern extraction methods, in which plant material or resin obtained by sieving or water separation is pressed and heated so that excess waxes and oils are separated from the product. The result is a very clean product with a high content of terpenes and active compounds. The advantage of hot pressing is the high quality of the extract obtained and the absence of solvents. This method requires a special hydraulic press with heating plates.

• Manual presses are suitable for home growers and those who want to try this method in practice for the first time.
• Automatic resin extraction presses are slightly more expensive than manual ones, but they can achieve better results.

Extraction using solvents

The main advantages of extraction methods using solvents are yield and low cost, especially in industrial processing. However, in home conditions it is always necessary to bear in mind that most of these substances are highly flammable or may be toxic. The following lines serve only as a general introduction to some extraction methods. If you decide to use these techniques, first familiarise yourself thoroughly with the procedure and the risks, and observe all safety precautions.

Extraction with ethanol/isopropyl alcohol

Ethanol or isopropyl alcohol are the most common solvents used in resin extraction with solvents. The extraction process with these substances can be carried out in various ways, but the basic procedure always consists of soaking the plant material in the solvent and then evaporating it. The disadvantage is that polar solvents (ethanol) easily bind water-soluble compounds such as waxes or fats, which is undesirable and reduces product quality. These impurities can be removed from the product by chilling (winterisation), pressing or other methods.

Hydrocarbon extraction

One of the most popular and at the same time most effective solvent-based extraction methods is hydrocarbon extraction. These techniques use light hydrocarbons such as butane or dimethyl ether, which, thanks to their low boiling point, allow extraction and separation at low temperatures. The result is a very clean product with a high content of terpenes and active compounds. Hydrocarbon extraction allows significantly higher yields than other methods.

• Addipure extractors for extraction with dimethyl ether and N-butane are made from high-quality materials and facilitate safe hydrocarbon extraction.

Carbon dioxide extraction (CO₂)

Extraction using CO₂ is considered one of the cleanest and most environmentally friendly ways of obtaining plant extracts. In this method, carbon dioxide is heated and compressed into a supercritical state, where it behaves as both a gas and a liquid at