Ethanol Resistant Nanofiltration for A Simple and Efficient Cannabis Extraction Method

Legalization and the increasing demand for cannabis products have transformed technology used for extracts from simple to sophisticated in recent years. 

Extract processing typically begins with a solvent wash, followed by winterization and/or filtration to concentrate the active compounds and to remove large impurities such as waxes. A final purification step aims to remove chlorophyll, thus producing the desirable amber concentrate, ready to be further modified into valuable end products. This time and labor consuming process can further be simplified and improved. Removing color while preserving THC and CBD’s still remains a challenge.

Our solution for addressing both needs:

According to Evonik Corporation’s recent presentation, Organic Solvent Nanofiltration (OSN) Duramem^TM Membranes may not only simplify the cannabis extraction process by reducing the multistep processes of Winterization, Filtration, Evaporation, and Color Removal (Figure 1)¹ to a single filtration step, but they also offer a solution for removing color (e.g. chlorophyll) and impurities while still preserving up to 90% concentration of THC and CBDs.

Duramem^TM membranes are stable in organic solvents, such as in ethanol and other alcohols, and their tight pore structures, i.e. 200-900 Daltons, make them an ideal solution for simplifying the extraction process and for removing color.  

To further discuss your cannabis extraction methods, or get assistance using Evonik membrane filters for your extraction processes contact one of our process specialists.

References:
^{[1] Evonik Corporation, 2018, Organic Solvent Nanofiltration (OSN) Membrane Technology in CBD, THC Extraction and Purification.}