Today, Apple announced a $500 million commitment with MP Materials, the only fully integrated rare earth producer in the United States. This multiyear deal involves Apple purchasing American-made rare earth magnets developed at MP Materials’ Independence facility in Fort Worth, Texas. The companies will also establish a rare earth recycling line in Mountain Pass, California, and develop new magnet materials and processing technologies.
This commitment is part of Apple's pledge to spend over $500 billion in the U.S. over four years. Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, stated, “American innovation drives everything we do at Apple, and we’re proud to deepen our investment in the U.S. economy.” He emphasized the importance of rare earth materials for advanced technology and expressed excitement about the future of American manufacturing.
Apple and MP Materials plan to build neodymium magnet manufacturing lines specifically for Apple products at the Texas factory. This expansion will boost production and support new jobs in advanced manufacturing and R&D. The companies will provide training to develop a skilled workforce in magnet manufacturing.
The new recycling facility in California will enable MP Materials to process recycled rare earth feedstock for use in Apple products. For nearly five years, both companies have piloted recycling technology that processes recycled magnets into material meeting Apple's standards. They aim to improve magnet production and end-of-life recovery.
Apple pioneered using recycled rare earth elements in consumer electronics with the iPhone 11's Taptic Engine in 2019. Today, nearly all magnets across Apple devices are made with 100 percent recycled elements. The collaboration with MP Materials aims to secure domestic supply of this critical material and advance environmental progress through innovative recycling methods.