Robertet Signs CBD JV with Klersun

Robertet and Klersun formed an exclusive joint venture to formulate consumer products with broad-spectrum hemp extracts (BSHE), which are derived from industrial hemp and contain cannabidiol or CBD.

According to Robertet, it is the first flavor and fragrance house to announce a joint venture with the leading producer of high-quality industrial hemp extracts in North America, Klersun LLC, a vertically managed, sustainable hemp supply chain company with a focus on gold standard hemp ingredients. Klersun’s supply chain is committed to scaling organically grown hemp for the purpose of producing cannabinoid rich extracts, with an emphasis on non-detectable THC broad spectrum hemp extract.

This collaboration enables Klersun to leverage Robertet’s expertise in natural raw materials and their application in various types of consumer products. The expansion of Robertet’s business and integrating hemp extracts adds Klersun’s agricultural network and extraction technology in Oregon to Robertet’s global sourcing portfolio. The strategic joint venture aligns with Robertet’s 170-year history of sourcing and vertically integrating key, natural botanicals for the flavor and fragrance market, according to the company.

Together, Robertet and Klersun are working to develop and supply innovative products for companies that want to add BSHE to their flavored or fragranced products. The joint venture has taken a leadership role in product safety and efficacy by completing its safety assessment and self-affirmation that its broad-spectrum hemp extract is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). The self-affirmed GRAS status applies to the intended use in products for the general population age two years and older excluding pregnant and lactating women. Robertet’s hemp extract is produced in accordance with the 2018 US Farm Bill and is available in two qualities, NDT (Non-Detectable THC) and <0.3% THC. Both qualities are produced through proprietary supercritical CO2 extraction methods. The NDT contains a CBD concentration of ≥ 80% and a THC concentration that is non-detectable using standard industry analysis at ppm levels.

Robertet and Klersun executives say they are committed to helping customers navigate a constantly changing regulatory and consumer environment with CBD-containing products in the consumer-packaged goods market. For the present time, the hemp extract is only available in the US. Robertet is monitoring the regulatory environment in the EU and will expand into those markets once local regulations are clear.