I was recently fortunate enough to visit our trusted partner, Cortera, in El Campo, Texas, where I had the opportunity to meet with their President, Rami Rodriguez. Our discussion focused on the impressive work Rami has been doing to deliver a product that is truly engineered for extraction. Rami, in collaboration with Duke Johnson, was able to identify the root cause of the "fast crash" that plagued the industry in 2021.
Cortera has implemented a filtration system that specifically targets methanol, the culprit behind the “Medusa fast crash” that affected the industry in previous years. Benzene is also another impurity that Cortera keeps a close eye on, keeping benzene levels below .1ppm to ensure that levels are non detectable in the end user’s final product. Thanks to Rami’s expertise in analytics, Cortera has developed a product that has proven successful for end users and has positively impacted the bulk supply chain for most suppliers.
To fully understand Cortera’s impact on our industry, it’s essential to understand the supply chain. Domestically, Cortera and Diversified CPC are the only two “producers” of high-purity LPGs. “Suppliers” source their bulk needs from producers and provide bulk and retail products to “distributors.” Distributors, like Solvent Direct, are the final touchpoint before the product reaches the end user. While impurities are removed at the producer level, there is always the potential for contamination to be introduced at both the supply level (trucks and bulk tanks) and the distributor level (cylinders).
To eliminate possible contamination, Cortera ensures that each cylinder filled is analyzed both before and after filling to confirm that the product delivered meets the specified requirements. Cortera’s approach to cleaning cylinders sets them apart from most suppliers.
Each cylinder that arrives at the Cortera facility is rinsed with butane and analyzed to assess both the cleanliness of the cylinder and the quality of the butane previously inside. If the results show lower purity levels or the presence of impurities/contaminants, the cylinder is thoroughly rinsed with clean butane and re-tested multiple times until the results match the specifications of the clean butane. This cleaning process eliminates the need for de-valving cylinders and prevents the introduction of alternative solvents inside the cylinders.
Solvent Direct is a proud distributor of Cortera butane, currently delivering to 19 states using our own company trucks and to the remaining 31 states and Canada through third-party carriers. If you’ve encountered contamination issues in the past, you already understand the product loss and the associated costs that come with such setbacks — and how devastating those can be. I have personally made it a priority to ensure my customers are receiving Cortera butane, as it provides the best product we offer, with proven success for our clients. Feel free to reach out to ask about our “C-Butane”!
About the Author – Kyle Hernandez
Kyle Hernandez is an industry veteran with over a decade of experience in extraction, lab builds, and operational solutions. Having worked extensively with BizzyBee Extractors, Kyle has played a key role in designing and optimizing extraction facilities nationwide. His expertise spans everything from equipment selection to process engineering, ensuring labs operate at peak efficiency.
Now a critical part of the Solvent Direct team, Kyle brings his passion for innovation and commitment to delivering top-tier lab solutions to some of the biggest names in extraction. His focus on cutting-edge solvents, precision solutions, and expert support makes him an invaluable resource for businesses looking to scale, refine, and perfect their extraction operations.
📩 Hit up Kyle and the Solvent Direct Team by clicking the link below to learn how Solvent Direct can take your extraction business to the next level.
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