Clean Extraction for a Circular Future
At Amaranthus Biorefinery, we harness supercritical CO₂ extraction — a solvent-free, energy-efficient process that transforms local fruit waste into high-purity, bioactive natural extracts. Our technology is TRL 7-certified, validated in real operating conditions, and built for global scalability.
The Problem
The Food Waste Crisis
- 🚛 3.6 million tons of citrus fruit waste discarded annually in the UK alone.
- 🧺 Over 32,000 tons of produce wasted every year at Mexico City’s Central de Abastos — 45% of it fruits and vegetables.
- 🔬 These discarded materials contain valuable bioactive compounds — often left untapped or extracted using toxic solvents like hexane and heptane.
The Industry Challenge
Traditional extraction methods create:
Health risks for operators and consumers
Environmental pollution and solvent waste
Low bioactivity retention and high energy usage
Our Solution
Amaranthus Biorefinery offers a clean alternative:
We transform local fruit waste into high-value natural extracts using supercritical CO₂ extraction technology — without toxic chemicals.
🔧 Key Advantages of Our Process
🌍 Carbon-negative potential – reducing environmental footprint
✅ 100% solvent-free – no contamination, no hazardous residues
🧪 GRAS-certified – safe for human health and wellness
💧 Closed-loop system – minimal water use, zero wastewater
♻️ Preserves bioactive compounds – maximizing efficacy
⚡ Up to 40% more energy-efficient
Our Value Proposition
We offer high-performance natural extracts with global demand:
🍊 Limonene
- Sourced from: Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon & Bergamot peels
- Market size: US$312.1M
- Applications: nutraceuticals, natural flavorings, eco-cleaners, and pharma
🌱 Diosgenin
Advantage: a sustainable alternative to synthetic synthesis
Sourced from: Mexican Barbasco (Wild Yam)
Market size: US$7.9B (contraceptive industry)
Role: natural precursor for hormone-based pharmaceuticals
What is Supercritical CO₂ Extraction?
Supercritical CO₂ is a state where carbon dioxide behaves like both a gas and a liquid. In this form, it can penetrate biomass and extract natural compounds without using toxic solvents like hexane or heptane.
✅ 100% solvent-free
✅ GRAS-certified (Generally Recognized As Safe)
✅ Preserves temperature-sensitive bioactives
✅ Zero toxic residues
✅ Closed-loop recapture system
✅ Minimal water use, low energy footprint
Why It Matters
Traditional extraction often involves:
- ❌ Toxic solvents
- ❌ Fossil fuel derivatives
- ❌ High water and energy use
Amaranthus offers a climate-positive alternative that is:
💡 Better for next-generation wellness and pharma solutions
🌿 Safer for humans
🌍 Gentler on the planet
How It Works
1
Feedstock: We source citrus waste and native botanicals (e.g., orange peel, barbasco root)
2
Extraction: CO₂ is pressurized into a supercritical state and passed through the biomass
3
Separation: Bioactive compounds (e.g., limonene, diosgenin) are separated and purified
4
Recapture: CO₂ is recovered and reused in a closed-loop system
5
The result? High-yield, clean extracts with low environmental impact.
Engineered in Mexico, Built to Scale
Our refineries are:
Adaptable – Compatible with a variety of plant-based inputs
Modular – Easily deployable in rural regions and industrial zones
Compact – Operational in <3 weeks
Locally manufactured – Built by Mexican engineers and technicians
Customized just for You
Scientifically-Validated Extracts
We specialize in:
- Limonene – from citrus peels (US$312M market)
- Diosgenin – from barbasco root (US$7.9B contraceptives market)
Both are:
Suited for nutraceutical, pharma, cosmetic, and food applications
GRAS-certified
Free from contaminants
Proven. Recognized. Ready.
✅ TRL 7 pilot plant installed
🏆 LIF Global Award recipient
🏅 Merck Food Industry Award
📈 Industry partnerships in food, wellness, and pharma sectors
Ready to build the future of clean extraction?
Join us in transforming waste into wellness — with science, sustainability, and local empowerment.