Multipurpose CO2 extraction plants are designed to handle a wide variety of raw materials and are therefore designed in a flexible way. These plants utilize typically supercritical CO2, a state of carbon dioxide where it exhibits properties of both a liquid and a gas, making it an excellent solvent for extracting valuable compounds from those diverse materials. It can also work at the liquid stage where the extraction can be more selective for some components.

The key advantage of these plants is their flexibility. They can be easily adjusted to optimize the extraction process for different types of raw materials by varying the temperature and pressure conditions but also making sure that the extract is not blocking the evaporators or separators. This adaptability ensures that the specific compounds desired from each material, such as essential oils, flavors, and active ingredients, are efficiently extracted while maintaining their integrity and potency.

The process begins with the preparation of the raw material, which is typically dried and ground to increase the surface area for better interaction with the supercritical CO2. The material is then loaded into the extraction vessel, where CO2 is introduced under high pressure and temperature to reach its supercritical state. The supercritical CO2 penetrates the plant material, dissolving the desired compounds. After extraction, the CO2 and dissolved compounds are transferred to a separation area. Here, the pressure is reduced, causing the CO2 to revert to its gaseous state and leaving behind the extracted compounds, which are collected for further processing or use. The CO2 can be recycled and reused, making the process environmentally friendly.

Overall, multipurpose CO2 extraction plants offer a highly efficient, versatile, and sustainable method for extracting high-quality compounds from a wide range of raw materials, catering to various industries such as food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Depending on their size, they can be prefabricated in house and delivered on skids, or they are shipped in parts and installed directly in a building at their place of installation. Natex is not just helping during the installation of the equipment but also prior, to define suitable materials and tests them to make sure that they fit the expectations of the end users. Furthermore, our extensive experience in CO2 extraction of different raw materials helps us in supporting the production with inputs on how to prepare the raw materials and refine extracts if required.