Apple announces $500m partnership for US rare earth magnets
Apple has committed $500 million to a groundbreaking partnership with MP Materials, America's only fully integrated rare earth producer, to establish domestic manufacturing of recycled rare earth magnets for its devices.
The multi-year agreement will see Apple purchase American-made rare earth magnets developed at MP Materials' Independence facility in Fort Worth, Texas, whilst the companies collaborate to build a cutting-edge recycling facility in Mountain Pass, California.
"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."
The deal marks a significant milestone in Apple's broader pledge to spend over $500 billion in the US over the next four years, building on the company's investment in American manufacturing and recycling technologies.
Under the agreement, MP Materials will construct a state-of-the-art Texas factory featuring neodymium magnet manufacturing lines specifically designed for Apple products. The facility will significantly boost overall production capacity, supporting dozens of new jobs in advanced manufacturing and research and development.
The new California recycling facility will enable MP Materials to process recycled rare earth feedstock, including material from used electronics and post-industrial scrap, for use in Apple products. The companies have been piloting advanced recycling technology for nearly five years to ensure recycled materials meet Apple's exacting performance standards.
"We are proud to partner with Apple to launch MP's recycling platform and scale up our magnetics business," said James Litinsky, Founder, Chairman and CEO of MP Materials. "This collaboration deepens our vertical integration, strengthens supply chain resilience, and reinforces America's industrial capacity at a pivotal moment."
Apple pioneered the use of recycled rare earth elements in consumer electronics with the iPhone 11's Taptic Engine in 2019. Today, nearly all magnets across Apple devices contain 100 per cent recycled rare earth elements. Magnet shipments are expected to begin in 2027.
