Engineers Develop Green Extraction Technology for Essential Oils — A Breakthrough for Sustainable Industry

Engineers Develop Green Extraction Technology for Essential Oils — A Breakthrough for Sustainable Industry

Reported By Sele Media Africa|Ihuoma Amarachi

GLOBAL / NIGERIA — An international team of chemical engineers has unveiled a new high-efficiency green extraction technology for essential oils, a development that could revolutionize the global essential‑oil industry and deepen demand for more sustainable manufacturing practices. [1]

What’s New — Cleaner, Faster, Greener – The newly developed method replaces traditional steam‑distillation and solvent‑based extraction with a solvent‑free process that uses microwave‑assisted hydrodistillation, significantly reducing environmental impact. [1] – Compared to conventional extraction — often slow, energy-intensive, and wasteful — the green technology produces nearly three times more oil(in a fraction of the time), while cutting energy consumption and carbon emissions by more than 80%. [1] – The technique does not generate hazardous chemical waste or wastewater — making it aligned with circular‑economy principles and global climate‑action goals. [1]

Why It Matters for Industry & Sustainability-

Essential oils, widely used in cosmetics, perfumes, pharmaceuticals and wellness products, traditionally rely on either steam distillation or solvent extraction — methods that often degrade heat‑sensitive compounds or leave behind solvent residues. [2] – This green extraction method helps preserve the purity and quality of bioactive compounds — a major benefit for industries emphasizing “natural,” “clean” and “eco‑friendly” products. [3] – By reducing energy usage and eliminating harmful solvents, the technology slashes production costs in the long‑run and lessens environmental footprint — a compelling advantage amid rising consumer demand for sustainable goods globally. [4]

How It Works:

Science Meets Sustainability – The method combines microwave‑assisted extraction (MAE) with advanced computational optimization (machine learning‑driven parameter tuning) to identify ideal extraction conditions — boosting yield while minimizing energy use. [1] – In laboratory trials, the process achieved one of the highest extraction yields on record — especially for oils like patchouli — in a fraction of the time usually required by traditional methods. [1]- No chemical solvents are used, and the method avoids wastewater generation, making the process much safer for both workers and the environment. [5]

Implications & What to Watch –

If scaled for industrial use, particularly in agrarian countries, this technology could spur a new wave of sustainable essential‑oil production, creating jobs and export potentials — especially in regions that cultivate aromatic plants. – Cosmetic, pharmaceutical and wellness industries may increasingly favour oils extracted via “green” methods — improving product appeal for environmentally conscious consumers. – Continued research and pilot‑scale demonstrations are needed to ensure that the technology remains efficient, cost‑effective, and adaptable to various plants and scales of production.

Citations:

1. Punch Newspapers: punchng.com/engineers-develop-green-extraction-technology-for-essential-oils/?utm_source=chatgpt.com2. multidisciplinaryfrontiers.com: www.multidisciplinaryfrontiers.com/uploads/archives/20250311154246_FMR-2025-1-011.1.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com3. Cactus Botanics: www.cactusbotanics.com/faq/936.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com4. PMC: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11720256/?utm_source=chatgpt.com5. BIOENGINEER.ORG: bioengineer.org/eco-friendly-methods-for-extracting-essential-oils/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

About The Author

Ihuoma Amarachi Grace

author

Ihuoma Amarachi Grace is a journalist with Sele Media Africa, committed to telling authentic African stories with depth and creativity. A Christian and a student of English and Literary Studies, she blends her love for writing with the art of spoken word to inspire and inform. Her voice adds a thoughtful and artistic dimension to Sele Media’s mission of amplifying unheard voices across the continent.

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