Manufacturing methods

The oil refining process removes free fatty acids and other undesirable elements naturally present in the raw material. Unlike the cold pressed process, refining successfully removes odour and colour and delivers a far more stable oil which gives our client much more flexibility to fragrance and colour their formulation accordingly.The refining process can vary depending on the nature of the oil. Most commonly our oils are processed in three stages: winterisation, bleaching and deodorisation.
  • Step 1

    Crude Oil

    Crude Oil is passed through the filter before it enters the first stage of the refining process.
  • Step 2

    Winterisation

    The winterisation process crystallises and removes waxes within the oil in a filtration process. Most oils are known to turn cloudy or freeze in low temperatures, winterisation is carried out to deliver a clear, transparent, non-cloudy oil, even in low temperatures.
  • Step 3

    Bleaching

    The bleaching process removes contaminants that have not yet been removed before it goes into deodorisation. The bleaching stage controls & determines the final colour of the oil.
  • Step 4

    Deodorisation

    The deodorisation process uses heat (approx. 180-210°C) to remove any undesired aromas from the oil. We also offer products where we carry out deodorisation independently (as opposed to fully refining).
  • Step 5

    Oil Filtration

    A final filtration process to remove any excess waxes, delivering us a vibrant, clear oil.
  • Step 6

    Packaged & Quality Control

    The oils journey finally comes to an end as it is packed off into O&3 drums and quality controlled accordingly. Next stop, our clients facility!

Cold Pressed Process

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The most natural oil extraction process. This process is 100% natural avoiding the use of heat or chemical additives to extract the oil. A screw press mechanism is used to generate pressure to grind and crush the oil out of the seed/nut/pulp. The only heat generated is from the friction of the screw press however this is temperature controlled so that it does not damage the finished oil.
  • Step 1

    Raw Material Filtration

    The process starts with the filtration and cleaning of the raw material. The raw material is fed through a tight filter with an air propulsion system. This process removes any chaff or impurities.
  • Step 2

    Oil Pressing

    The raw material is ground into oil and paste using a heavy steel screw press. This stage is a delicate process as we keep heat & light exposure to a minimum (oils two most feared enemies). This process also produces oil meal which is passed down a separate outlet to be further processed.
  • Step 3

    Meal Pressing

    The meal is processed further through another screw press applying further pressure to force the oil out. The meal is then caught, bagged and sent straight to animal feed producers or turned into one of our magical scrubs.
  • Step 4

    Oil Filtration

    The oil from both processes is combined and pushed through a final filtration process to remove any excess waxes, delivering us a vibrant, clear oil.
  • Step 5

    Packaged & Quality Control

    The pure oils journey finally comes to an end as it is packed off into O&3 drums and quality controlled accordingly. Next stop, our clients facility!

Steam Distillation Process

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The ancient process of steam distillation has been perfected over centuries to deliver top notch essential oil aromas and flavours. Oil is extracted from the botanical material via steam, and controlled temperatures, resulting in a wonderful flavoursome, and aromatic, oil.
  • Step 1

    Steam Source

    Steam is produced in order to start the distillation process.
  • Step 2

    Addition of botanical material

    The still is filled with botanical material. Steam and vapour is then passed over the material.
  • Step 3

    Heat Exchanger

    The heat exchanger transfers heat between the botanical producing distillate hydrosol water and essential oil.
  • Step 4

    Separation

    The essential oil and hydrosol's naturally separate due to the difference in their specific gravity. The separation allows hydrosol's to flow through one tube and the essential oils to flow through another.
  • Step 5

    Essential Oil

    The aromatic oils journey finally comes to an end as it is packed off into O&3 drums and quality controlled accordingly. Next stop, our clients facility!
The infusion process takes any botanical and infuses it in a carrier oil of your choice. Investment in time, stirring, and close monitoring delivers a beautiful aromatic oil. Our range of infused oils are produced ever so delicately to deliver you a low cost aromatic ingredient. The botanical or carrier oil can be selected according to what aroma profile or colour the client is looking to achieve.
  • Step 1

    Harvested Botanical

    The botanical is harvested and prepped in preparation for the infusion.
  • Step 2

    Infusion

    The botanical & carrier oil is combined in the infusion vessel. It is stirred and infused for 10 days.
  • Step 3

    Oil Filtration

    A final filtration process to remove any excess botanical material, delivering us a vibrant, clear oil.
  • Step 4

    Packaged & Quality Control

    The oils journey finally comes to an end as it is packed off into O&3 drums and quality controlled accordingly. Next stop, our clients facility!

Hydrogenation Process

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The hydrogenation process adds hydrogen to a liquid oil to turn the oil into a butter or solid format. By altering the rate of saturation of the original oil, hydrogenation changes some important physical properties of the oil, such as the melting point.

Irradiation Process

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Irradiation only applies to our exfoliant and scrub range. The process exposes these products to controlled levels of ionized radiation to sterilize the natural ingredient. The process is necessary in order to kill bacteria levels so that the exfoliant or scrub is suitable to sit within a formulation without generating bacteria growth.