Two Cousins – a Former Music Industry Executive and a Chemist – Join Forces to Create Solvent-Free Hemp Extraction Systems that are Innovative, Efficient, and Eco-friendly
By Heather Collins, Contributing Writer
You never know where life will take you. One minute you’re a music executive representing famous rock bands like Sublime and Blink 182 in California, and the next, you’re co-creating a hemp extraction equipment company in Colorado. That’s how Rick Bonde ended up becoming the CEO and Co-founder of Boulder Creek Technologies, a leading hemp technology company that creates full-spectrum, solvent-free extraction solutions.
“My cousin called me last year and said, ‘I’ve got a great idea on how we can help the hemp industry be more eco-conscious and efficient,’” recalls Rick. “Right away, I asked, ‘When can we start?’ I’ve been involved in the cannabis industry and have been using CBD products for some time. That’s when I transferred my company over and left the music industry for the hemp and CBD community.”
Together, the two cousins, Rick Bonde and Steve Bonde, formed Boulder Creek Technologies and located its hemp extraction and R&D facility in Arvada, Colorado. As a trained chemist, inventor, and notable hemp consultant, Steve developed and patented two unique processes in the industry.
“Through my science background, I was able to apply the same principles from a chemical standpoint and parlay that into the hemp extraction process. We realized that 90% of the hemp industry is not creating solvent-free products. We saw that as an opportunity to help ween companies from relying on solvents altogether,” explains Steve Bonde, CTO, and Co-Founder, Boulder Creek Technologies. “We take solvent-free methods beyond a marketing term and apply it to everything we do. We create synergistic, streamlined systems that take the plant to full-spectrum product, in an end-to-end solvent-free process.”
Boulder Creek Technologies has the capabilities to produce and support organic hemp products in an efficient and environmentally savvy manner. The company created an innovative biomass extraction method known as the ‘IS-10 Natural Infusion System.’ Instead of flammable solvents, the IS-10 uses edible oils like MCT, coconut, or olive, and is free of flammable materials such as ethanol, which means the company is not emitting harmful pollutants into the air we breathe.
Protecting the environment is not the only aspect of the company’s mission. Rick believes in innovation and growing businesses in an economic way. That’s why he’s encouraging hemp entrepreneurs to take a hard look at their business operating expenses.
“The cost of using solvents is ridiculous. Our solvent-free approach is a much better option for the consumer, the business owner, and extraction employees. We help companies reduce energy and solvent costs, which ultimately helps them feel better about the products they are creating,” says Rick. “Our goal is to make the hemp industry more friendly to the planet.”
According to Rick and Steve, the IS-10 provides a flow-through process that can create full-spectrum tinctures with a CBD content of up to 100 milligrams per millimeter. But they don’t plan to stop there. In the first quarter of 2021, Boulder Creek Technologies plans to unveil new equipment built to process 100,000 pounds of biomass per month. This new technology utilizes hot air to vaporize the hemp oil then will condense the vapor with no solvents in any part of the system.
“As awareness builds about the importance of creating solvent-free products, we know more and more companies will do the right thing by going solvent-free and Boulder Creek Technologies will be there to help,” says Steve. “I am forever grateful to get to work with my cousin and build a family business, but more importantly, I want to be a steward of positive change to the evolving hemp industry.”
For more information about Boulder Creek Technologies, visit www.bouldercreektechnologies.com.
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Heather Collins is an Account Manager for Compass Natural Marketing and has been working in communications and marketing in the natural products industry for the past twenty years. Compass Natural serves in PR and programming for NoCo Hemp Expo and Southern Hemp Expo. Collins serves as a Contributing Writer of the weekly Let’s Talk Hemp Newsletter, published by We are for Better Alternatives. Contact heather@compassnaturalmarketing.com.
