The vast majority of CBD oils found on store shelves today are created through what is known as CO2 extraction, which takes place at super-critical temperatures. This is an efficient, high quality and relatively affordable technology, so it's not so surprising that almost every single CBD brand uses it. Almost because there are a few exceptions that care about innovation. Some manufacturers are trying to gain a competitive advantage through NANO treatment of CBD, while others are experimenting with extraction alone. That is why today we have the ambitious tetrafluoroethane (TFE) extraction, which does not use CO2 as a solvent, but a gas called tetrafluoroethane.
Tetra (TFE) extraction has a number of advantages
So-called tetra (or also tetrafluoroethane / TFE) extraction is very efficient, can maintain a high quality standard and its operating costs are not a disaster, on the contrary, it is very considerate of both the wallet and nature itself. Why, then, are more manufacturers or brands not using it? Tetra extraction requires highly skilled professionals (chemists) who have done it before, so it cannot be done by just anyone. In Slovakia, for example, Tetra Extraction Technology is dedicated to this activity.
" We come to the market with the concept of high-efficiency extraction, which is superior to other extraction methods (butane, CO2, ethanol, water...) in terms of quality and efficiency, as confirmed by comparative analyses from accredited laboratories."
Tetra Extraction Technology
One of the main advantages of tetra (TFE) extraction is that it is able to preserve a much broader spectrum of nutrients from the cannabis plant in the CBD oil than if it were produced through conventional CO2 extraction. It is efficient, which the user will feel both in a more noticeable effect and in a great hemp taste that is very close to nature. Tetrafluoroethane (TFE) extraction can be said to combine the benefits of CO2 extraction and the advantages of alcohol extraction into one production process, resulting in very high quality CBD drops. We know this because of our experience, as we have had the unique opportunity to test CBD oil that has been produced through advanced tetra extraction.
The main advantages 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane as a solvent include the property that it does not react with the material to be solubilised, and fresh cannabis plant can be used as a feedstock. In addition, 1,1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane is both a non-flammable and non-hazardous gas that does not harm our fragile ozone layer.
