Comparable to the Hexane-based solvent extraction, the CO2-based Supercritical Fluid Extraction (S.F.E.) method is another favored approach for obtaining oils from delicate flowers and plants. This method finds application primarily in extracting oils from liquid-form materials, where the oil extraction process is required. Conversely, the Hexane-based extraction is employed when extracting oils from solid-form matrices like oil bundles.

The procedure involves subjecting the raw material to pressurized streams of CO2 gas. Through this process, lipids and similar components are separated from the liquid, resulting in extracts referred to as ‘concretes’. These ‘concretes’ are subsequently subjected to a mechanical washing process using ethyl alcohol. Following the wash, the alcohol is evaporated, yielding a highly aromatic liquid known as an “absolute”.

It’s worth noting that this extraction method can be cost-intensive due to the challenges in maintaining the fragrance of the ‘absolutes’. Achieving this requires a substantial investment in infrastructure.