Apolaire — extraction CO₂ supercritique

Industry · Perfumery

Supercritical CO₂ extracts for perfumery

Alternatives to absolutes, unique compositions, preservation of heat-sensitive notes. An eco-extraction at the service of composers and demanding houses.

Supercritical CO₂ extraction has become a pillar of premium natural perfumery. Where steam distillation degrades certain heat-sensitive molecules and where hexane leaves residues that are now restricted or suspect, supercritical CO₂ extracts at low temperature (from 31.1 °C), without chemical solvent, faithfully restoring the olfactory profile of the source material.

Apolaire formulates custom extraction recipes for composers, fragrance houses and absolute suppliers looking for more faithful, more stable and industrializable signatures. Each protocol is documented for direct transfer to contract production or an industrial partner.

Parlons de votre projet Voir le service complet

Étude de cas

Damascena rose petals (Morocco)

Perfumery

Damascena rose petals (Morocco)

  • CO₂ extract
  • High yield
  • Heat-sensitive preserved
  • 5 days

Résultat obtenu

CO₂ alternative to absolute — unique signature

Gentle extraction preserving heat-sensitive compounds. Comparison with alcohol extraction provided. The resulting profile is more faithful to the starting material and easier to formulate.

What apolaire brings to perfumery

  • 01

    CO₂ alternatives to absolutes

    A gentle process that restores the full olfactory signature of a flower, resin or wood without alcoholic solvent. The profiles obtained are often more faithful to the starting material than those of traditional absolutes.

  • 02

    Heat-sensitive preservation

    Low-temperature extraction (typically 35–60 °C) preserves fragile molecules degraded by steam. Ideal for roses, fine spices and volatile top notes.

  • 03

    Tunable selectivity

    Pressure and temperature are adjusted to target precise olfactory families (terpenes, sesquiterpenes, waxes, oleoresins). Allows multiple fractions from a single material.

  • 04

    Unique compositions

    Profiles impossible to obtain with other processes. Ideal for creative briefs seeking a signature effect or local-material valorisation.

FAQ — Perfumery

The questions composers and product managers ask before a first project.

01 What is the difference between a CO₂ extract and an absolute for perfumery?
An absolute uses an alcoholic solvent to extract the concrete, which can alter the most fragile molecules and leave residual traces. A supercritical CO₂ extract works at low temperature with no chemical solvent: CO₂ evaporates naturally after extraction. The resulting profile is generally closer to the source material and the product is more stable for formulation.
02 Can you work with flowers or unusual materials?
Yes. apolaire works with flowers, resins, woods, spices, mosses, barks and agricultural co-products. The scoping phase determines whether the material is compatible with supercritical CO₂ and shapes the protocol.
03 What are the timelines for a first pilot extract?
Allow under 3 months between the scoping meeting and a first usable pilot extract, alongside an analytical report (GC-MS chromatogram, sensory profile). Industrial optimization can follow depending on target volumes.
Discovery Meeting

Let's Talk About Your Project

Book a 30-minute video call — or leave us your details and we will get back to you within 48 hours.

30 min

Book Your Discovery Call

Let's discuss your project and raw materials directly.

Technical Feasibility

Analysis of your raw material and extraction parameters

Apolaire Presentation

Our expertise, equipment, and associated deliverables

48h Proposal

Personalized protocol and quote sent after the call

Choose My Slot