Pope Scientific

A Saukville, Wisconsin-based chemical processing equipment manufacturer specializing in wiped-film short-path distillation systems for pharmaceutical, chemical, and cannabis processing applications since 1963.

Pope Scientific Inc. is a chemical processing equipment manufacturer headquartered in Saukville, Wisconsin. Founded in 1963 in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, the company designs and manufactures separation, purification, and processing systems used across pharmaceutical, specialty chemical, botanical extraction, and cannabis industries. Its core expertise centers on high-vacuum distillation, evaporation, filtration, and reaction technologies for both laboratory research and commercial scale production.

Pope introduced its wiped-film molecular distillation technology in 1975, establishing a foundation in high-vacuum separation and evaporation systems. The company entered the cannabis and hemp processing sector in 2002 with its first cannabinoid application for CBD recovery from hemp seed oil byproduct. Beginning in 2015 during the THC distillate expansion, the company increased its presence in the sector and reported selling more than 100 cannabis distillation systems in 2016.

The company’s product portfolio includes wiped-film short-path molecular stills, fractional distillation systems, falling film evaporators, Nutsche filter dryers, pressure vessels and reactors, sanitary mixers, and turnkey custom processing systems. Pope’s cannabis purification systems are designed to increase cannabinoid concentration and purity, with multi-pass distillation capable of increasing typical extraction levels from approximately 60–70 percent to ranges of 80–95 percent, depending on feedstock and process parameters.

Operating from a 64,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, Pope Scientific employs chemical engineers, mechanical engineers, control engineers, chemists, glassblowers, and technical support staff. In addition to equipment manufacturing, the company provides toll distillation services, laboratory testing, process development, and glass equipment repair. Pope serves global markets including pharmaceuticals, botanical extracts, foods and flavors, polymers and coatings, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, specialty chemicals, and regulated cannabis processing.