Supercritical fluid extraction

Responsible ingredient innovation? It’s in our nature.

At dsm-firmenich, we’ve been pioneers in superfluid critical extraction (SFE) technology for over three decades. This technology transforms carbon dioxide into a supercritical fluid – a substance above its critical point with no distinct liquid and gas phases – and diffuses it through natural materials to capture the richest palette of ingredients in our industry. In turn, it enables cleaner, more efficient extraction for everything from flower petals to tea leaves.

SFE: A sustainable process for exquisite extracts

Zero water

CO2-based SFE uses no water, during either processing or clean-up. Plus, since there’s no leftover water in the final product, not only is disposal cleaner, easier, and less energy intensive than in other processes, but the products themselves are also easy to store, protect from microbe contamination, and upcycle.

Zero solvents

The solvent-free SFE process saves energy by removing the need to concentrate and evaporate solvents. Post-extraction, exhausted raw materials can be disposed of as non-solvent leftovers, saving further resources and energy. And without any solvent residues in the final product, leftovers are clean and better for the environment.

The recipe for sustainable ingredients

SFE technology creates exceptional extracts with incredible aroma profiles that are true to their botanical origins – and we harness the power of this process to continuously develop our palette of ingredients. From flowers and fruits to spices, nuts, woods, and more, our SFE portfolio is packed with the very finest fragrance and flavor ingredients: 100% natural and responsibly produced.

Browse our SFE catalog

From legacy tech to state-of-the-art innovation

Rewind to the 1980s – when our legacy company dsm-firmenich was pioneering the first industrial applications of SFE. Since then, we’ve used and improved this technology to keep developing game-changing ingredients: natural, sustainable, and inspiring.