Agarwood Oil
Agarwood has a very long history of medicinal use, as a valuable component of incense, and for its sensual and animalic presence in perfumes. Agarwood oil perfume has gradually become an expensive shopping pleasure. Its rich scent and exotic associations have made it synonymous with oriental fragrances for centuries. In addition to being used as a perfume, agarwood oil is also used as drink and to enjoy the taste of scent with coffee and tea.
Agarwood oil also known as Dehn al Oud, and many other names depending on location, is an extremely rare and precious natural oil obtained from several species of Agarwood (Aquilaria tree). Their origins span North-eastern India, Sirilanka and parts of Southeast Asia specially Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Philippine, Malaysia, Brunei, Burma, Indonesia. Various methods of distillation are used to produce agarwood oil. Below listed are the three types of distillation processes to obtain pure oil from agarwood chips.
Hydro Distillation
Hydro-distillation is a time-tested and widely employed method for extracting essential oil from agarwood chips or powder. It is a traditional and highly effective process that utilizes water as the solvent.
The hydro-distillation process begins by carefully combining the agarwood raw material with water in a specialized distillation apparatus. The mixture is then subjected to controlled heating, which generates steam within the system. As the temperature rises, the steam begins to evaporate.
The next crucial step involves condensing the steam to recover the essential oil. The steam, containing the extracted compounds, is cooled down and converted back into its liquid state. This condensation process occurs in a separate collection vessel, where the steam is rapidly cooled, causing it to revert to its liquid form. As the steam condenses, the essential oil, being insoluble in water, separates and collects at the top, while the water, now enriched with some water-soluble compounds, forms the lower layer.
The quality and composition of the essential oil obtained through hydro-distillation can vary depending on several factors. The primary factors include the quality and maturity of the agarwood used, the nature and quality of the water employed, the duration of the distillation process, and the temperature control during distillation. Hydro-distillation remains a popular choice for extracting agarwood essential oil due to its simplicity and effectiveness. This method allows for the preservation of the natural aroma and therapeutic properties of the agarwood.
Steam Distillation
Steam distillation is a widely utilized method for extracting oud oil from dry agarwood materials, including post-distillation agarwood powder from Tarat, Parachin, and pre-distillation Meroki agarwood chips which have very dry nature.
The process commences by loading agarwood chips and water into a specialized still. Heat is applied along with pressure from 80 to 120 psi, causing the water to boil and generate steam. As the steam passes through the agarwood chips, it permeates the wood, releasing the essential oils. The steam, carrying the aromatic compounds, rises through the still.
The steam, now enriched with essential oils, enters a condenser, where it rapidly cools and returns to a liquid state. The condensed liquid, a mixture of water and essential oils, is collected separately. The collected liquid forms two layers, a top layer of insoluble essential oils and a lower layer of water enriched with water-soluble compounds.
The resulting agarwood oil obtained through steam distillation showcases a distinctive aroma profile with smoky undertones. Its captivating scent makes it highly prized in the perfume industry, often used as a base oil for creating luxurious fragrances.
Carbon Dioxide Distillation
Carbon dioxide (CO2) distillation is indeed another widely employed method for extracting oud oil from agarwood chips, especially on an industrial scale where maximizing the quantity of produced oil is a priority.
In CO2 distillation, the process begins by loading the agarwood chips into an extraction vessel. Carbon dioxide is then pumped into the vessel at high pressure. The CO2 acts as a solvent, penetrating the agarwood chips and selectively extracting the essential oil compounds.
The high-pressure CO2 effectively dissolves the essential oil from the agarwood matrix, carrying it along as a CO2-oil mixture. This mixture is then transferred to a separate chamber.
To separate the essential oil from the CO2, the pressure in the chamber is gradually reduced, a process known as depressurization. As the pressure decreases, the CO2 evaporates, leaving behind the precious agarwood essential oil.
One notable advantage of CO2 distillation is its efficiency in extracting a significant quantity of oud oil from the agarwood chips. This method allows for a higher yield compared to other traditional distillation methods.
Furthermore, CO2 distillation is considered environmentally friendly, as the CO2 used in the process is recycled and reused. This reduces the environmental impact associated with traditional solvents and ensures a more sustainable approach to essential oil extraction.
Types Of Agarwood Oil
Abd Majid Oud has agarwood oil production facilities in every major region where the Aquilaria tree grows. We specialise in using sustainable approaches to forestry management and the most careful production processes to produce oud oil of the very highest quality.
Listed below are our various national facilities, their products, and their individual properties.
Thailand
Tarat (Trat)
Trees in Trat are plantation-grown and belong to the Aquilaria Crassna agarwood family. We used hydro-distillation process to extract Tarat oud oil.
Parachin (Prachin)
Trees in Prachin are plantation-grown and belong to the Aquilaria Crassna agarwood family. We used hydro-distillation process to extract Parachin oud oil.
Steam
Our facilities at Trat and Prachin have post-distillation agarwood powder. Those agarwood powder are upcycled and Oud oil is extracted from those powder using steam distillation method.
Indonesia
Merauke
Trees from Merauke are from wild forests and belong to the Aquilaria Filaria agarwood family. Merauke Agarwood sets roots in sea water and has a very dry nature. We used steam distillation process to extract Merauke oud oil due to the very dry nature of the agarwood.
Malinau (Kalimantan)
Trees from Kalimantan are from the wild forests and belong to the Aquilaria Malaccnesis agarwood family. We used hydro-distillation process to extract Malinau oil.
Vietnam
Vietnam Oil
Trees in Vietnam are plantation-grown and belong to the Aquilaria Crassna agarwood family. We used hydro-distillation process to extract Vietnam Agarwood Oil.
Vietnam Boya
Vietnam Boya is also produced in Vietnam from the same subspecies but requires slightly different techniques to those used for our Vietnam Oil. A key difference is that the wood must be green and freshly cut. Trees in Vietnam are plantation-grown and belong to the Aquilaria Crassna agarwood family. We used hydro-distillation process to extract Vietnam Boya.
Laos Boya
Laos, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, has a tropical monsoon climate with high humidity and abundant rainfall, creating an ideal environment for agarwood tree growth. The trees are plantation-grown and belong to the Aquilaria Crassna species. We use the hydro-distillation process to extract Laos boya from freshly harvested agarwood trees.
Laos Agarwood Oil
Laos, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, has a tropical monsoon climate with high humidity and abundant rainfall, creating an ideal environment for agarwood tree growth. The trees are plantation-grown and belong to the Aquilaria Crassna species. We use the hydro-distillation process to extract Laos Agarwood Oil.
Puchang
Trees in northern vietnam are plantation-grown and belong to the Aquilaria Crassna agarwood family. We used the hydro-distillation process to extract Puchang Agarwood Oil.
Super Kalakasi
Super Kalakasi oil is a perfect combination of two Aquilaria species with co-distillation from Vietnam. Agarwood powders are mixed in specific quantities, and they are then distilled together to produce a beautifully mixed and bonded Agarwood oil. We used the hydro-distillation process to extract Super Kalakasi Oil.
INDIA
Indian Oil
Trees in Assam, India are plantation-grown and belong to the Aquilaria Malaccnesis agarwood family. We used hydro-distillation process to extract Hindi Oil.
Indian Boya
Trees in India Assam are plantation-grown and belong to the Aquilaria Malaccnesis agarwood family. We used hydro-distillation process to extract Indian boya.
Hindi Kalakasi
Hindi Kalaksi is a perfect combination of Hindi Agarwood Oil and Malaysian Agarwood Oil. Agarwood powders are mixed in specific quantities, and they are then distilled together to produce a beautifully mixed and bonded Agarwood oil. Agarwood trees from Assam belong to the Aquilaria Malaccnesis family. Malaysian Agarwood trees belong to the Aquilaria Sinensis agarwood family. We used hydro-distillation process to extract Hindi Kalakasi.
Cambodia
Kokhon (Koh Kong)
Trees in Koh Kong are plantation-grown and belong to the Aquilaria Crassna agarwood family. A hydro-distillation process is used to extract Kokhon oud oil.
Malaysia
Sabah Malaysia
Trees from Sabah Malaysia are plantation-grown and belong to the Aquilaria Sinensis agarwood family. We used hydro-distillation process to extract Sabah oil.