Ask any pharmacist if they have live resin. or “Is it solvent less?” The vape cartridge industry is maturing, and consumers have more knowledge about the contents. Customers are no longer choosing solely based on the THC concentration. The oil’s taste, its texture, its purity and what it means to the consumer are all important.
These preferences, while they may appear to be marketing issues, actually influence the way products are manufactured. The way each type of concentrated reacts to heat, pressure and movement is different. Vape cartridge manufacturers are affected by this, particularly if they’re looking to produce at large quantities.
Here’s a look at the three most popular concentrates — live resin, distillate, and rosin — from both a consumer and manufacturing perspective.
Live Resin
What consumers love about it
The live resin extracted from freshly-frozen plants helps to preserve the terpenes, cannabinoids and other compounds that are lost when drying or curing. The result is that live resin delivers a powerful aroma, a flavorful taste, and what some call a “full spectrum” effect. This is because it offers an experience that’s closer to the plant, and therefore appeals more to experienced consumers.
The challenges that manufacturers face
When cold, live resin can have a gooey or thick consistency. It is difficult to use during production because of its thick consistency. This material can cause problems with standard filling machines and moving parts. The real problem is heat. Heat can damage terpenes, reducing their therapeutic and flavor value.
For manufacturers to handle live resin correctly, they need machines that have tight thermal control, smooth transitions and precise dosing without compromising quality. Detroit Dispensing Solutions’ CFM-1800 filling equipment is built with these needs in mind. It allows operators to control temperatures over multiple zones, maintain a constant flow and avoid clogging or burning off the terpenes.
Distillate
What consumers love about it
Pureness and potency is the key to distillate. Distillation removes almost all ingredients except for THC and CBD. This makes it perfect for those who are looking to get a powerful, predictable high. Manufacturers often reintroduce terpenes — sometimes botanical, sometimes cannabis-derived — to offer a range of flavors. Carts based on distillates are the best choice for many customers who want a balance of strength, price, and consistency.
The challenges that manufacturers face
It is much easier to work with distillate than resin. The lower viscosity of the distillate allows for a more fluid flow, particularly when warmed slightly. This makes it ideal for large-scale production. But just because the process is simpler doesn’t eliminate all error. Even though accuracy is still important, it’s especially crucial when you want to reduce waste or consumer complaints due to leaky or underfilled cartridges.
Equipment that is fast without losing control will be most beneficial to distillate producers. A single operator can fill 1,800 cartridges an hour and cap them. This is a great business benefit. Modular and easily cleaned machines are also helpful when changing flavors or oils types in a single production day.
Rosin
What consumers love about it
Rosin cannot be extracted without heat or pressure. Solvents are not used. That makes it the concentrate of choice for many health-conscious or environmentally-minded consumers. Rosin is similar to the live resin in that it retains many natural plant characteristics. But, for those looking to make a product with fewer chemicals, it’s a better option.
Rosin is a premium product in some markets. In order to reflect the time and care that went into creating it, rosin is often priced higher. Rosin is often chosen by consumers who are willing to spend more on something that they consider boutique or craft.
The challenges that manufacturers face
Rosin may be the hardest to work with. Temperature and air exposure can affect its texture and thickening. This rosin can also be very sensitive to heat. For example, the pressure needed to make distillate pass through a tube could ruin a batch.
Producers who fill rosin cartridges need to be careful about controlling temperature and using equipment which does not introduce excess pressure or turbulence. The equipment must be designed specifically for cannabis and not adapted from other systems such as food or pharmaceuticals. Valve design, heat profile and compatibility of materials all influence how rosin will behave during the filling process.
The ability to adapt quickly and efficiently to changing consumer demands without slowing down
Manufacturers are faced with a constantly shifting target as new products and changing consumer tastes hit the market. Some businesses specialize in only one type of oil. Some companies want to be able to produce all three types of oil. One thing remains constant, however: the aim is to produce consistently and efficiently with minimum downtime.
Automatism tailored to cannabis can be a big help. This is not about speed. It’s about equipment that understands the variables that come with each type of oil — from viscosity and temperature range to terpene retention and batch size. CFM-1800 machines, for instance, were designed to be able to deal with these issues. Working with live resins, distillate or more delicate oils like rosin requires a system which can easily adjust between different oil types. This saves you time and waste while delivering better results.
How This Affects Your Operation
All producers want to remain ahead of the game. If your production line cannot pivot rapidly, chasing the latest trends can be risky. Filling systems that offer real flexibility — not just promises — allow you to move between oil types without major retooling or long changeover times.
The manufacturers must keep up with the consumers’ increasing sophistication. The cartridge is not the only thing that matters. The success of a cartridge is not just about what’s inside.
Detroit Dispensing Solutions can help you find equipment that will not just keep pace but lead it.
