In the competitive world of medicinal cannabis, efficiency and sustainability are not just buzzwords, they define success. Yet, in current industrial processes up to 50% of the valuable compounds from the plant (the cannabinoids) are discarded as waste. Addressing this issue, Professors Robert Pott, Eugéne van Rensburg, and Neill Goosen at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Chemical Engineering Department, along with their colleague Jan-Hendrik Duminy, developed a process to recover the lost value. With the support of Innovus Technology Transfer Office and the university’s Innovation and Commercialisation Division, this disruptive technology has the potential to make African producers more competitive on the global stage.
The breakthrough extraction and purification technology maximises the recovery of valuable compounds from cannabis plant material by recovering the cannabinoids from the wax waste. The traditional solvent extraction method used industrially is often a “shotgun approach,” which indiscriminately extracts multiple compounds simultaneously, including unwanted waxes. When those waxes are removed, they take with them much of the valuable cannabinoid product. Through their research, the team realised that this wax waste still contained high-value compounds that were just being discarded. The researchers subsequently developed a technique to modify the solvent conditions in order to separate the components and get at the valuable stuff.
Businesses that adopt this method can recover up to 95% of the valuable compounds that would otherwise go to waste. The amounts usually lost in the wax can be as much as 50% of the cannabinoids from the plant material. With a projected internal rate of return (IRR) of 30-40%, this solution is cost-effective and offers substantial financial benefits. Beyond the profits, the process also addresses the strict waste disposal regulatory challenges in the cannabis industry. This is because many of the compounds originally in the waste material are controlled substances. However, the ability to extract these otherwise unattainable components minimises waste volumes and associated regulatory risks.
Although this process was initially developed solely for cannabis extraction, it can be utilised for other plant-based extractions. Additionally, the underlying chemical processes can be adapted for different materials, making it versatile for broader use in the biotechnology sector.
With favourable climate conditions, skilled researchers, and cutting-edge technology, South African businesses who license this technology will have the potential to become a leader in the global cannabis processing industry. The quickest route for industry adoption would likely be through a licensing agreement, but the researchers are also open to forming strategic partnerships to further develop and scale the technology.
Looking ahead, the researchers envision scaling up their process to industrial levels and refining their techniques to target individual cannabinoids with unique medicinal properties. Given the right funding and resources, their research could push the boundaries of cannabis extraction technology even further.
This discovery highlights the crucial role that universities play in translating research into real-world impact. By fostering strong connections between researchers, funders, and industry stakeholders, institutions like Stellenbosch University and Innovus are helping to drive industrial development and technological advancement in Africa and beyond.
For information and queries regarding licenses and partnerships contact ivanzyl@sun.ac.za
About Innovus Technology Transfer Office (TTO)
Innovus TTO is part of the Innovation and Commercialisation Division at Stellenbosch University (SU), supporting SU staff and students to identify, protect, manage and commercialise their inventions and intellectual property for the benefit of society. They work closely with faculty to identify novel intellectual property that can be used in industry or society, then determine the best strategy to protect the intellectual property so that the commercial opportunities can be effectively developed. Innovus TTO enables the commercialisation of SU’s IP which normally takes place through licensing the IP to a commercial entity or creation of a spin-out company in which both the inventors and SU have shareholding (through its wholly-owned company that was established for this purpose).
The Innovus team implements various programmes to encourage a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at SU and to ensure compliance with the Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act (51 of 2008) its Regulations and the SU policies relating to Intellectual Property.