Wholesale CBD Wax

Let's begin by discussing the extraction process itself.

Industrial hemp plants rich in CBD are the source material for CBD wax. High-quality hemp ensures a cleaner and more potent CBD wax product. It's essential for the plant material to be as dry as possible before extraction as excess water can influence the quality of the final product.

The most common extraction techniques are supercritical CO2 extraction and solvent-based extraction.

Supercritical CO2 Extraction

This process involves the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a supercritical state, where it exhibits both liquid and gas properties. This allows the CO2 to penetrate the hemp plant and dissolve the cannabinoids and terpenes without damaging them or leaving residual solvents in the final product.

A closed-loop extractor is used, where CO2 is pressurised and cooled to achieve a supercritical state. The supercritical CO2 is then passed through the hemp plant material, effectively pulling out the cannabinoids and terpenes. This solution is then transferred to a separator, where the pressure is reduced, causing the CO2 to revert to its gaseous state and leave behind a concentrated extract.

The primary advantage of this process is its cleanliness and safety. It leaves no residual solvents, making the final product pure and safe for consumption. However, this method requires expensive and complex machinery and a high degree of technical knowledge, which makes it less accessible for small-scale manufacturers.

Solvent-based Extraction

Another commonly used method is hydrocarbon or solvent-based extraction, using solvents like butane or propane. Here, the solvent is passed through the hemp plant material, pulling out the desirable compounds, including CBD. Once the extraction is complete, the solution is purged to evaporate the solvent, leaving behind a concentrated extract.

Although this method is less expensive and requires less complex machinery than CO2 extraction, it poses some challenges. The primary concern is the potential for residual solvents to be left in the final product, which can be harmful if ingested. Hence, proper purging and testing are crucial to ensure product safety.

Purging and Curing Techniques

After extraction, the CBD concentrate undergoes a purging process to remove any residual solvents. In the case of hydrocarbon extraction, this step is crucial to ensure the final product is safe for consumption. However, even in CO2 extraction, purging is required to remove any unwanted compounds, like chlorophyll, fats, and waxes, that may have been co-extracted.

Purging typically involves applying heat and vacuum pressure to the extract, causing the residual solvents to evaporate. Precise control over temperature is essential to prevent damaging the cannabinoids and terpenes. This process may take several hours to days to ensure all solvent residues are removed.

Once the purging process is complete, we're left with a concentrated CBD-rich extract. Depending on the extraction and purging techniques used, the consistency of this extract can range from a sticky, wax-like substance to a brittle, glass-like 'shatter.'

Curing, or ageing the extract, is the final step in creating CBD wax. Curing can significantly affect the texture, flavour, and potency of the wax. This involves storing the wax in controlled conditions (specific temperature and humidity levels) for several days to weeks. Curing allows for the development of a richer terpene profile and enhanced potency, as it gives time for the cannabinoids to fully decarboxylate, converting them into their active forms.