Much like Forbes have to say, read any report on the topic of the growth of the CBD industry and it will become apparent that the business is booming. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic (or perhaps because of it) market growth continued, with Forbes reporting almost a 50% increase of demand from 2018 to 2019.

This means that the number of consumers is growing; consumers are spending more and there are more products entering the market as businesses take advantage of the surge in popularity. It’s a fact we know well with the in-house production and Science facility to run.

This of course leads to the development of new products as the market matures and consumers begin looking for new ways to consume CBD. One development that we at Breathe Life Sciences are excited to see is the move from isolate-based products to those formulated from a distillate base. CBD isolate will always be a crucial part of the market as it is a high purity single compound, but there are advantages to using distillates that explain why there is an industry shift towards their usage as a raw material.

WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?

The first main advantage of using a distillate over an isolate raw material is the inclusion of secondary and tertiary compounds such as terpenes, flavonoids and minor cannabinoids.

Flavonoids often contribute to the taste of certain plant products (blueberries and cocoa powder are both high in flavonoids, for example) and terpenes are responsible for the distinctive smell of a variety of plant species, including pine trees, lavender and cannabis. CBD isolate lacks these compounds and therefore needs additional ingredients added to any formulations that wish to have any kind of flavour or scent.

Another benefit of using distillate as a raw material lies in being able to take advantage of the entourage effect. Put simply, the entourage effect is the concept that ‘the whole is greater than the sum of its parts’, where including multiple cannabinoids in a single formulation increases their effectiveness in comparison to taking only a single cannabinoid. Distillate naturally contains a range of cannabinoids, so it’s more likely that the entourage effect will apply when compared to an isolate that only consists of a single compound.

What might be the main advantage to using a distillate over an isolate is the potential for customisation. The process through which a distillate is created involves several distinct stages such as winterisation, decarboxylation and purification. The degree to which each step is performed will affect the final product, allowing for the production of distillates with customised end content. It is through complete control of the production process that Breathe Life Sciences have developed their range of Tailor-Made Cannabinoid Distillate products, each with varying concentrations of cannabinoids such as CBD, CBN, CBG and CBC.

In addition to altering cannabinoid levels, there is also the possibility to amend terpene content. By adding specific terpene blends to the distillate at key stages of the production process, it is possible to create distillates with specific flavours and aromas. For example, by adding a very specific volume of linalool during production it is possible to have an extract that smells of lavender.

This ability to create custom-flavoured raw materials is perfect for clients who wish to formulate their own finished products, but don’t have the supply chain, equipment or expertise to handle every step. Instead, they can purchase a fully customised, tailor-made distillate that meets every requirement in terms of cannabinoid content, aroma and flavour. All of Breathe Life Sciences’ products are tested in-house to ensure they meet our strict quality requirements as well as our clients’ specifications so that they can be assured they are only getting the best raw materials available with the highest levels of traceability. Our strict adherence to these standards helps you to choose a product that’s safe, effective, and of the best quality.

Testing every product that gets formulated is only one point in Breathe Life Sciences’ quality control process. Products are randomly sent for full-suite analyses to ensure they continue to meet our standards and we are in the process of obtaining GMP certification. Products are formulated in an ISO approved cleanroom by our expert science and formulation team who have years of experience in the creation of bespoke cannabinoid products. This dedication to quality, combined with the experience and knowledge of our formulation team, is what led to the development of the range of tailor-made distillates.

This further highlights Breathe Life Sciences’ continual commitment to driving the industry forward and championing the legitimising and acceptance of CBD products worldwide. By offering a range of properly analysed, high-quality distillates at set cannabinoid content, we are first movers in a period when the CBD market is beginning to mature and expand. This will allow us to set a standard for quality that all consumers should expect, generating confidence and strengthening the market as a whole.

Every market must grow to thrive, not only economically but creatively. The development of new products, ingredients and ideas is critical to continued success. This process is never fast, instead starting with small changes that spread organically within the industry. Currently, the CBD industry is undergoing a shift away from isolate products to products with more variety in their formulation. This reflects the maturation of tastes and expanding requirements of consumers, and mirrors the concept that people begin looking for new experiences once their basic requirements are met. By offering an increased range of raw materials to create these finished products, our range of Tailor-Made Cannabinoid Distillates are the perfect stepping-stone for manufacturers to begin taking advantage of the new interest of the end-consumer.