CO2 vs Steam Distillation Environmental Sustainability

Environmental sustainability is a major concern in **essential oil, herbal extract, and cannabis industries**. This article compares **supercritical CO2 extraction** and **steam distillation** in terms of **energy efficiency, waste management, and eco-friendliness**.

1. Energy Consumption

• Supercritical CO2 Extraction: Uses **recyclable CO2**, reducing energy costs.
• Steam Distillation: Requires **high-energy steam boilers**, leading to **higher carbon footprint**.

2. Waste Reduction

• CO2 Extraction: Produces **zero chemical waste**, making it eco-friendly.
• Steam Distillation: Generates **wastewater and biomass waste** that needs proper disposal.

3. Carbon Footprint and Emissions

• CO2 Extraction: Uses **CO2 recycling technology**, minimizing emissions.
• Steam Distillation: Produces **CO2 and water vapor emissions**, requiring more resources.

4. Case Study: CO2 Extraction in Sustainable Essential Oils

A sustainable essential oil brand reduced **energy use by 40%** after adopting CO2 extraction.

5. Conclusion

For **eco-friendly and energy-efficient extraction**, **supercritical CO2 extraction** is the best method. Companies like **SHANGHAI NORTH BROOKS** provide **CO2 SUPERCRITICAL EXTRACTION MACHINE** solutions for **sustainable processing**.

READ MORE：

• CO2 vs Steam Distillation for Food-Grade Extracts
• Supercritical CO2 vs Steam Distillation Temperature Control
• CO2 vs Steam Distillation for Fragrance Industry
• CO2 vs Steam Distillation for Heat-Sensitive Compounds
• Supercritical CO2 vs Steam Distillation for Peppermint Oil
• CO2 vs Steam Distillation for Lavender Oil Extraction
• Supercritical CO2 vs Steam Distillation Process Efficiency
• CO2 vs Steam Distillation for Terpene Retention
• Supercritical CO2 vs Steam Distillation Purity Level