Apple on Tuesday announced a new $500 million commitment to buying American-made rare earth magnets developed at MP Materials’ flagship Independence facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
The two firms will also cooperate build a cutting-edge rare earth recycling line in Mountain Pass, California, while developing novel magnet materials and innovative processing technologies to enhance magnet performance. Apple’s commitment is part of its February pledge to spend more than $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years.
“American innovation drives everything we do at Apple, and we’re proud to deepen our investment in the U.S. economy,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Rare earth materials are essential for making advanced technology, and this partnership will help strengthen the supply of these vital materials here in the United States. We couldn’t be more excited about the future of American manufacturing, and we will continue to invest in the ingenuity, creativity, and innovative spirit of the American people.”
The duo will build out the state-of-the-art Texas factory with a series of neodymium magnet manufacturing lines specifically designed for Apple products. Once built, the American-made magnets will be shipped across the country and all over the world. Apple says the increased production will bring dozens of new jobs in advanced manufacturing and R&D. Workers will receive extensive training, creating a new pool of U.S. talent and expertise in magnet manufacturing.
When complete, the new Mountain Pass, California recycling facility will allow MP Materials to receive recycled rare earth feedstock — including material from used electronics and post-industrial scrap — and reprocess it for use in Apple products.
Apple has long used recycled rare earth elements in its devices, first introducing them in the Taptic Engine in the iPhone 11 in 2019. Today, nearly all magnets across Apple devices are made with 100% recycled rare earth elements.
