Content Menu
● What is Supercritical CO2 Extraction?
● Advantages of Supercritical CO2 Extraction
● Leading Supercritical CO2 Extracts Manufacturers in France
>> 1. Florihana
>> 2. Phasex (Part of Robertet Group)
>> 3. Separeco
>> 4. Formulance Group
>> 5. Flavex Naturextrakte
● Innovations and Trends in French Supercritical CO2 Extraction
● Applications of Supercritical CO2 Extracts
● Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance
● Environmental and Economic Impact
● Conclusion
● FAQ
>> 1. What makes supercritical CO2 extraction superior to other extraction methods?
>> 2. Can supercritical CO2 extraction be used for all types of plants?
>> 3. Is the final extract completely free of CO2?
>> 4. What industries benefit most from supercritical CO2 extracts?
>> 5. How scalable is supercritical CO2 extraction technology?
Supercritical CO2 extraction has become a leading technology in the natural extracts industry, prized for its efficiency, purity, and environmentally friendly process. France, with its rich tradition in botanical extraction and natural product innovation, hosts some of the world's foremost manufacturers specializing in supercritical CO2 extracts. This article explores the top supercritical CO2 extracts manufacturers in France, their technologies, applications, and why they stand out in this competitive field.
What is Supercritical CO2 Extraction?
Supercritical CO2 extraction uses carbon dioxide above its critical temperature (31.1°C) and pressure (73.8 bar) to achieve a supercritical state—where CO2 exhibits properties of both a liquid and a gas. In this state, CO2 acts as a powerful solvent that selectively extracts valuable compounds such as essential oils, cannabinoids, flavonoids, and other bioactive substances from plants without the use of harmful solvents.
The process involves pumping pressurized CO2 through plant material in an extraction chamber. The supercritical CO2 dissolves target compounds, which are then separated by reducing pressure, allowing CO2 to revert to gas and leave behind pure extracts. This method preserves the integrity of sensitive compounds by operating at moderate temperatures and in an oxygen-free environment, preventing oxidation and degradation.
Advantages of Supercritical CO2 Extraction
- High Purity: No solvent residues remain, ensuring clean, contaminant-free extracts.
- Environmental Sustainability: CO2 is non-toxic, non-flammable, recyclable, and often sourced as a by-product from other industries.
- Selective Extraction: Pressure and temperature adjustments allow selective targeting of specific compounds.
- Low Thermal Degradation: Moderate temperature operation preserves bioactive molecules.
- Efficient and Scalable: Suitable for R&D to large-scale industrial production.
Leading Supercritical CO2 Extracts Manufacturers in France
1. Florihana
Florihana is a renowned French manufacturer specializing in high-quality CO2 extracts. They utilize proprietary machinery and stringent production standards to craft pure botanical extracts. Their CO2 extraction process is environmentally friendly and precise, ensuring the preservation of delicate natural compounds.
- Key Features:
- Use of high-purity CO2.
- Extraction of essential oils and natural compounds with no solvent residues.
- Focus on sustainable and green extraction methods.
Florihana's extracts are widely used in aromatherapy, cosmetics, and natural health products.
2. Phasex (Part of Robertet Group)
Phasex is a pioneering industrial player in supercritical CO2 extraction based in France, now part of the Robertet Group, a global leader in natural ingredients since 1850. Phasex focuses on natural products, biopharmaceuticals, and polymers, offering innovative and patented supercritical CO2 technologies.
- Highlights:
- R&D to large-scale production capabilities.
- Patented extraction technologies.
- Commitment to sustainable, efficient solutions.
- Strong industrial base and global reach.
Phasex's expertise enables them to meet growing customer demands with innovative natural extracts.
3. Separeco
Separeco offers one of the widest ranges of supercritical CO2 extraction, separation, micronization, and chromatography systems in the market. Their catalog includes over 26 standard models and more than 40 customized solutions tailored to specific raw materials and processes.
- Capabilities:
- Automated process control with recipe-based software.
- Extraction systems adaptable for over 300 raw materials.
- Turnkey solutions for industrial production and research.
- Specialized applications like powder micronization and solvent removal.
Separeco's advanced technology supports diverse industries, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food.
4. Formulance Group
Formulance Group from Lyon, France, specializes in supercritical CO2 botanical extracts with a sustainable and holistic approach. They emphasize precision extraction, preserving bioactive compounds in an inert atmosphere free from oxidation.
- Technological Strengths:
- Adjustable parameters up to 600 bar pressure.
- Selective extraction for fragrances, cosmetics, and natural actives.
- Low carbon footprint and upcycling of botanicals.
- Innovation in filtration, separation, and extraction techniques.
Their extracts are known for purity, potency, and sensory quality.
5. Flavex Naturextrakte
Flavex uses high-purity natural CO2 from volcanic origins with pressures up to 500 bar. Their smart CO2 extraction technology allows modulation of gas density and polarity (with ethanol co-solvent if needed) to achieve selective and gentle extraction of sensitive substances.
- Advantages:
- Extraction in oxygen-free environment.
- Flexible method yielding selective or total extracts.
- Preservation of flavors, fragrances, and bioactive compounds.
- Environmentally responsible and residue-free extracts.
Flavex caters to the cosmetics, fragrance, and food industries with high-quality CO2 extracts.
Innovations and Trends in French Supercritical CO2 Extraction
France's supercritical CO2 extracts manufacturers continue to innovate by integrating automation, artificial intelligence, and process optimization to enhance extraction yields and reproducibility. Many companies invest in research collaborations with academic institutions to explore new botanical sources and bioactive compounds.
An emerging trend is the use of co-solvents such as ethanol in combination with CO2 to widen the polarity range of extracts, enabling the recovery of compounds less soluble in pure CO2. This hybrid approach maintains the green credentials of the process while improving extraction efficiency for complex plant matrices.
Moreover, French manufacturers are increasingly focusing on circular economy principles by utilizing agricultural by-products and waste materials as raw inputs. This not only reduces environmental impact but also creates new value streams from previously discarded biomass.
Applications of Supercritical CO2 Extracts
Supercritical CO2 extracts are used extensively across various sectors:
- Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals: Extraction of cannabinoids, flavonoids, and other bioactives.
- Cosmetics and Personal Care: Pure essential oils and botanical extracts for skincare and fragrance.
- Food and Beverage: Natural flavors, colorants, and health supplements.
- Agriculture: Plant extracts for biopesticides and growth enhancers.
The ability to fine-tune extraction parameters allows manufacturers to customize extracts for specific applications, ensuring maximum efficacy and quality.
Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance
French manufacturers of supercritical CO2 extracts adhere to strict quality assurance protocols to meet international regulatory standards. This includes Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certifications, ISO standards, and rigorous testing for contaminants such as pesticides, heavy metals, and microbial impurities.
Traceability is another critical aspect, with many companies implementing blockchain or digital tracking systems to provide transparency from raw material sourcing to final product delivery. This commitment to quality and safety reassures global customers and supports the premium positioning of French CO2 extracts.
Environmental and Economic Impact
Supercritical CO2 extraction aligns with global sustainability goals by minimizing environmental footprint. The closed-loop systems recycle CO2, reducing emissions, and the absence of toxic solvents lowers hazardous waste generation. Additionally, the energy-efficient nature of modern extraction units contributes to lower operational costs and carbon emissions.
Economically, French manufacturers benefit from strong government support for green technologies and innovation clusters that foster collaboration. The export of high-value CO2 extracts strengthens France's position in the global natural ingredients market, generating jobs and advancing scientific expertise.
Conclusion
France stands as a global leader in supercritical CO2 extraction technology, combining traditional botanical expertise with cutting-edge innovation. Manufacturers like Florihana, Phasex, Separeco, Formulance, and Flavex exemplify excellence by delivering pure, potent, and sustainable natural extracts. Their advanced equipment, patented processes, and commitment to environmental responsibility make them top choices for brands seeking high-quality supercritical CO2 extracts. As demand for clean-label, solvent-free botanical ingredients grows worldwide, French manufacturers continue to push the boundaries of extraction science, ensuring superior products for diverse industries.
FAQ
1. What makes supercritical CO2 extraction superior to other extraction methods?
Supercritical CO2 extraction offers high purity extracts without solvent residues, operates at moderate temperatures preserving sensitive compounds, and is environmentally friendly due to CO2's recyclability and non-toxic nature.
2. Can supercritical CO2 extraction be used for all types of plants?
Yes, with adjustable pressure and temperature settings, supercritical CO2 extraction can be tailored to extract compounds from a wide variety of botanical materials, including herbs, flowers, seeds, and roots.
3. Is the final extract completely free of CO2?
Yes. When pressure is reduced after extraction, CO2 returns to gas form and evaporates completely, leaving behind a 100% pure extract free from solvent residues.
4. What industries benefit most from supercritical CO2 extracts?
Pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, fragrance, and food industries benefit greatly due to the method's ability to produce high-quality, pure, and potent botanical extracts.
5. How scalable is supercritical CO2 extraction technology?
Supercritical CO2 extraction systems range from small laboratory units to large industrial plants with capacities of hundreds of liters, making the technology suitable for R&D as well as mass production.
