Our Process

Discovery Phase

The discovery phase is the first step of identification of high value compounds present in cannabis waste stream. In this phase we give a lot of focus to reviewing scientific literatures, articles, and other relevant resources at the same time gathering real time information from LPs, and buyers in the market for cannabis products.

This is carried out to minimize laboratory costs and avoid any duplication or infringement for potential IP. This identification potential added value revenue. CSS has engaged with a number of LPs for a secured source of cannabis biomass. Feedstock from the LPs will be used for lab and pilot scale extraction of several different cannabinoids. Both the quantification and recovery efficiency will be derived from these extractions and will be imputed into the CSS revenue model.

Cannabinoids and High Value Chemical Extraction from Leaf Material

Cannabis concentrates, commonly referred to as cannabis extracts, are significantly more potent than the standard cannabis flowers, due to the increase percentage of active ingredients. Their application in different areas such as medicinal, recreational, edibles or topicals have proven to be effective due to an increased concentration by weight.

Cannabis extraction has grown to be a field of great importance within the modern cannabis industry. Extraction techniques are used to separate the components of cannabis and remove them from the plant matrix. Various methods can divide cannabis plant material into parts, or extracts, that contain different chemicals. Cannabis plants are reported to contain at least 113 cannabinoids including cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the former becoming a major driver of the medical and recreational cannabis markets.
The development and maturation of the cannabis market has led to the incorporation of cannabinoids and terpenes into cannabis extracts, vape oils and edibles. To date, more than 550 different compounds including terpenes, flavonoids and sterols have been identified in cannabis.
CSS has developed a novel chemical extractions system, which will be the cornerstone of our IP portfolio.

Cannabinoids and High Value Chemical Extraction from Waste Material:

1. Extraction of mature material using current technology
2. Identification of high value compounds
3. Quantification of high value compounds, and
4. Development and confirmation of revenue model

More than ever, improving extraction efficiencies has been a large driver behind the development and implementation of novel and facile extraction techniques within the cannabis industry. In addition, green extraction methods that emphasize the purity, consistency of high-yield aromatic compounds which promote bioavailability are also starting to appeal to segments of the cannabis extraction market.

IP development (CSS Novel Extraction Method)

CSS proprietary method aims at extracting a greater variety of cannabinoids with orders of magnitude higher than any existing methods while retaining as much of the plant’s original chemical profile as possible. This solvent-based method employs a novel solvent mixture. Extractions are performed at atmospheric pressure and the temperature is carefully controlled, especially during novel solvent evaporation. This process is also time efficient.

One of the biggest benefits of this form of extraction is that there is no risk of leaving toxic residual chemicals in the final cannabis extract and, it enables the co-extraction of all compounds of interest, chiefly cannabinoids and terpenoids.

The efficacy of this method to extract specific compounds by changing the operating conditions make it a more desirable path, especially for medicinal products. In addition, for products such as vape oils or oral tinctures, where the cannabis extract is unlikely to be masked by other flavors, preserving these terpenes helps to give the extract flavor and aroma.

The objective of this task was to establish proof of concept for extracting cannabinoids more efficiently. CSS’ aim is the development of a novel cost-effective method for the extraction of cannabinoids and other secondary metabolites from cannabis.

Demonstration Facility

• Design and engineer continuous flow extraction system
• Evaluation and fine tuning of parameters for CF system
• Refine extraction cost model for operations

CSS Novel Extraction Method

CSS proprietary method extracts a greater variety of cannabinoids with than any existing methods while retaining as much of the plant’s original chemical profile as possible. It is performed at atmospheric pressure and temperature is carefully controlled, especially during solvent evaporation. This process is also time efficient. One of the biggest benefits of this form of extraction is that there is no risk of leaving toxic residual chemicals in the final cannabis extract and, it enables the co-extraction of all compounds of interest, chiefly cannabinoids and terpenoids.

The efficacy of this method to extract specific compounds by changing the operating conditions make it more desirable choice, especially for medicinal products. In addition, for products such as vape oils or oral tinctures, where the cannabis extract is unlikely to be masked by other flavors, preserving these terpenes helps to give the extract flavor and aroma. The equipment cost for this method is far less than alcohol, CO₂, and hydrocarbon extraction, and it produces higher yields and less valuable material is lost.

• CSS Solvent extraction technique is the most cost-efficient extraction method available
• With an average extraction cycle of less than one-hour, novel solvent commercial extraction method
• Novel solvent extraction is safe and poses no safety risk or risk to the environment
• Can resolve some ethanol extraction disadvantages, including the limitation in the products can be produced and high post-processing labor-intensive, involving the use of several different methods of refinement and filtration
• Novel solvent can be recycled therefore decreasing OPEX costs
• Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) compliant