German extraction plant can deliver healthy ingredients

08-Apr-2013 - Last updated on 09-Apr-2013 at 11:57 GMT

The plant can extract ingredients such as carotenoids from sources such as vegetables and fruit

Nateco2 has opened what it claims is the world's largest CO2 pressure extraction plant, which it says can extract a wide range of functional ingredients using high pressure CO2 extraction.

The former hop extraction specialist, which is based in Wolnzach, Germany, said it had successfully completed all test runs of the factory, which has just opened.

Traditional CO₂ extraction has been done at a pressure of 300 bar. However, the plant operates at a maximum pressure of 1,000 bar and could extract very sensitive substances such as carotenoids, from sources such as vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids or vitamins, said Nateco₂.

In addition, hardly soluble substances, including long chain waxes for the cosmetics industry or other large molecules, can be extracted with CO₂ gently and without using solvents.

Additional 1,600 litres

The firm's previously developed 1,000 bar pilot plant only had a capacity of 50 litres, but the new facility initially offers production volumes of 800 litres, with an option of an additional 1,600 litres.

Like Nateco₂'s other eight plants, it has two separators and is capable of fractionating, deodorising and decontaminating the substances it processes.

"It is our speciality to accompany and implement the extraction processes of our customers from first lab tests to an industrial scale," said plant manager Dr Andreas Wuzik.

Plants up to 16,000 litre capacity

Nateco₂has been a subcontractor of CO₂ extraction for more than 30 years and operates plants with up to 16,000 litre production capacity.

CO₂extraction is deemed to offer an environmentally friendly, sustainable and gentle extraction method. CO₂ in a high pressure, so-called supercritical state, resolves desired substances from raw materials.

When pressure is decreased, the CO₂again releases the extracts. Process parameters are adjusted depending on the raw material. The biogenic CO₂ used for extraction has US Generally Recognised As Safe (GRAS) status and can be used immediately for conventional and organic food as well as cosmetics. Oils and extracts gained are not contaminated by the process.