Pharmaceutical Cannabis & Hemp Extraction for European Union Export

A pharmaceutical company at the forefront of medical advancements approached Maratek with an exciting project based in South America. The company wanted to produce pharmaceutical grade cannabis and hemp products to export to the European market. They required an extraction operation that could process 1,000 lbs./day of cannabis or hemp in a pharmaceutical environment.

Recognizing the growing demand for pharmaceutical-grade cannabis and hemp products in the European market, they reached out us to develop their facility - to tap into opportunities in the EU. To be successful they needed an engineering partner like Maratek, capable of addressing the complex challenges related to process design, able to meet European Union Good Manufacturing Practice (EU GMP) requirements, and offering extraction method selection, equipment sizing, and processing quality requirements.

Here’s how we helped them achieve their project goals.

Client Challenges and Requirements

Selecting the optimal extraction method for this project was a major step during development. The client considered a variety of different methods including ethanol extraction, CO₂ extraction, and hydrocarbon extraction. For our client, it was important to achieve pharmaceutical grade extracts, which is why our engineers determined that cryogenic ethanol extraction would be the best choice for their needs.

Cryogenic ethanol extraction uses a safe solvent in comparison to other hydrocarbon extraction methods. Ethanol is considered a food safe solvent which allows extracts produced with this method to be used in consumable products for humans. Ethanol is also an easily recoverable solvent that can be reused to lower operating costs and reduce environmental impact.

Another important client requirement was ensuring that the facility had the capability for post-processing. As a pharmaceutical company, the client needed to distill and further isolate the desired components present in the produced oil. After further processing, the distillates and isolates that the client produces will be more refined and can be used in distinct products for their consumers.

Achieving EU GMP certification was another important requirement as the client wished to successfully export their products to the European market. EU GMP certification is a system that ensures that any manufacturer that wishes to create products for the European market follows set requirements that are related to manufacturing standards and public safety.

Maratek’s Solution

When determining the equipment specifications needed to meet the client’s application requirements, factors like regulations, build quality, and efficiency were considered. Our engineering team determined that the EVM, OERS-C-1000, KDT-6, and 5L isolate reactor would be the best choices to meet the client’s needs.

The EVM unit is a batch centrifugal separator that extracts using cryogenic ethanol extraction at –40° C. It is a closed-loop system that is capable of efficient high-purity extraction. This unit also has programmable PLC controls that are easy to use and a level of automation that requires a very limited amount of operator time.

The OERS-C-1000 is a fully automatic and continuous ethanol recovery system that is capable of 99+% ethanol removal, C1D1 certified, and can recover volumes of 1,000 gallons/day. This system is also equipped with the ability to automatically decarboxylate and remove water during processing.

The KDT-6 system is a short-path distillation unit that can handle high quantities of product and produce high-quality distillate.

The 5L benchtop jacketed glass filter reactor uses the crystal crash method. It is a compact unit that can perform subsequent filtration and washing cycles, producing high quality pharmaceutical-grade powdered isolate.

The Decision Process

The client's journey began with extensive research into potential partners. They considered several companies offering various extraction methods and types of units, but there were aspects that set Maratek apart.

We offered a complete automated turnkey solution that provided end-to-end cannabis and hemp processing. Our turnkey solution provided our client with an easy and seamless facility design experience. This paired with our openness with clients, product management capabilities, experience in pharmaceuticals, proficient engineering team, effective equipment performance, and commitment to quality standards all worked together to make Maratek the ideal partner for their ambitious project.

Key Benefits and Successes

• Successful Compliance: The customer achieved full compliance with EU GMP standards and Metlab certifications, ensuring the highest level of product quality and safety.
• Efficient Extraction Process: By selecting the optimal extraction equipment and technology, the client achieved highly efficient extraction and processing, enhancing productivity and profitability.
• Low Cost: The selection of equipment was designed to minimize operational costs through solvent recovery and recycling. This reduces their need to purchase more additional solvent and disposal costs.
• Low Environmental Impact: Through solvent recovery the client will not need to dispose of the solvents used in their process minimizing their environmental impact.
• High-Level Automation: The exceptional level of automation available for each unit reduces required operator time, reducing labor costs.

If you are looking to achieve similar success in the pharmaceutical cannabis and hemp industry, we invite you to contact our sales team. Our expertise and commitment to excellence can help you unlock new opportunities and achieve your goals within the industry.