Extraction machines hold a very important place in the hemp industry. They’re what takes the plant biomass and converts it into lucrative oils and distillates. This is what consumers want to buy. There are a few different options when it comes to the medium you use for extraction. Each has its own set of pros and cons that focus on areas like safety and the cost of necessary equipment. Even the purity of your extracted materials factors into which method you select for extraction.

Another decision to make is whether to buy machinery so you can handle extraction yourself. If you don’t do this, you have to work with an outside vendor. For many, it’s an easy decision to outsource this service, and here’s why.

Extraction machinery costs

Costs vary dramatically based on what medium you decide to use for extraction. The most expensive is carbon dioxide. This extraction method uses CO2 that’s heated up until the gas goes supercritical. The gas transforms into a liquid, which then acts as a solvent on the hemp. Machinery can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

Extraction machines that use alcohol cost much less, but can still net you close to $20,000. That, and you’ll have to further treat your product to remove any unwanted extracts mixed in with your initial run. The machines cost less, but you’ll have more work to do.

Even after the cost of the extraction machine itself, you’ll incur other costs doing this yourself. An evaporator and centrifuge will net at least another $20,000. Refining your extracted materials to create a full-spectrum oil can add another $7,000. The bill keeps rising for someone who wants to have on-site extraction capabilities. Working with an outside vendor can save you the cost of all this equipment.

Extraction machinery specs

Different extraction machines get built to handle different amounts of hemp. Industrialized hemp produces a high volume with each harvest. To accomodate, more and more machines are leaning toward large-scale production. This makes it easy for extraction services to help many farmers within a single season. But, it makes it harder for an independent farmer to find a machine that works for their harvest alone. There are extractors out there that handle small batches of hemp, but that can often mean multiple runs to finish extraction for a single crop.

Operational knowledge

Another challenge with managing the hemp extraction process yourself is staying educated. Some of these extraction machines are complex. Many of the solvents used are dangerous if not handled right. All the operational logistics of extraction are another thing to worry about. They can make the decision to use outside hemp extraction services that much easier.

Ethanol, for example, is an affordable extraction method for a single farmer. But, you’re working with a flammable chemical. It’s also a very particular medium. Any temperature changes during extraction can drastically alter the product you get in the end. You have to know what the sweet spot is for temperature, as well as what to do if an emergency occurs.

Butane is another hazardous chemical used in hemp extraction. It becomes extremely flammable when heated into a gas. This makes temperature control very important. Letting butane heat up too much can lead to a gas explosion. You have to know all of this to ensure the safety of the team managing extraction.

Sanitation standards

When you own your own extraction machine, you also have to worry about cleanliness. CBD and CBG oil falls within the category of food, beverages and pharmaceutical products. This means it’s governed by specific sanitation standards when it’s created. Most of the responsibility is on the manufacturers of the extraction machines. But, it also means you, as the operator, are responsible for a clean operation. Working with external hemp extraction services shifts the responsibility over to them. You need to do your due diligence to ensure you’ve found a good extraction partner, but then can let them worry about following guidelines.

The best hemp extraction services in Alabama

Arbor Vita8 offers hemp extraction services that are both cost-effective and efficient. Our advanced facilities manage high-volume extractions with ease. We produce the highest quality CBD and CBG oil and distillates. Let us transform your hemp into the ideal products manufacturers are looking to buy. Contact us today to learn more about our extraction technology and our other seed-to-sale services.