What is Retrofraction
At The ESG Institute, we believe that advancing sustainability starts with understanding the language that shapes it. Our "ESG Terms" series breaks down complex, often overlooked concepts in sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting—so you can stay informed, inspired, and one step ahead in your journey toward responsible business.
What is Retrofraction?
🔺 Retrofraction is an advanced material recovery process that breaks down multi-material waste to extract individual high-value components for reuse. Unlike traditional recycling, which often results in downcycled materials, retrofraction ensures that each material maintains its original quality and function.
🔺 Why It Matters: Many products today are made from complex composite materials (e.g., electronics, textiles, multi-layer packaging), making them difficult to recycle effectively. Retrofraction allows for the selective separation of valuable materials, preventing them from becoming low-grade waste or landfill-bound.
🔺 Example: In electronics recycling, retrofraction can separate gold, copper, rare earth metals, and plastics from circuit boards, making the recovery process more efficient and less wasteful. Similarly, in the automotive industry, this technique helps extract high-strength alloys and polymers for reuse.
🔺 Did You Know?: According to Accenture, transitioning to a circular economy could unlock $4.5 trillion in economic growth by 2030, as businesses recover lost materials, optimize resource efficiency, and shift to regenerative production models. Advanced material recovery techniques like retrofraction play a crucial role in maximizing the value of discarded materials and reducing reliance on virgin resources.
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