Africa-Press – Mauritius. Apple and miner firm MP Materials announced Tuesday they will invest $500 million in a rare earth magnets recycling facility that will bolster the tech company’s US base.
Apple will purchase rare earth magnets made at its Fort Worth, Texas, factory as part of the deal, according to a statement from MP Materials.
In Mountain Pass, California, the two firms will work on a new rare earth recycling line. MP Materials said it intends to begin shipping the magnets in 2027.
“For nearly five years, Apple and MP Materials have been piloting advanced recycling technology that enables recycled rare earth magnets to be processed into material that meets Apple’s exacting standards for performance and design,” MP Materials said in a statement.
The company will create a dedicated, commercial-scale recycling line at Mountain Pass to expand on the technological partnership. It will allow for the processing of various inputs, such as magnet waste and components recovered from end-of-life goods.
“In addition, to fulfill this agreement with Apple—and in line with its public-private partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense—MP Materials will significantly expand the capacity of its Fort Worth magnetics facility. Magnet shipments are expected to begin in 2027 and ramp up to support hundreds of millions of Apple devices. MP Materials and Apple will also innovate together to accelerate technological advancements in magnet production, as well as end-of-life recovery,” it noted.
Apple said the agreement will create dozens of new manufacturing and research and development roles.
“American innovation drives everything we do at Apple, and we’re proud to deepen our investment in the US economy,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook.
“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,” he added.
Rare earth magnets are essential parts of tech devices from computers and mobile phones to automobiles and renewable energy sources.
The US has been trying for years to reduce its dependency on China, which controls the world’s supply chain for rare earth metals. The sole rare earth mine in the US is run by MP Materials.
Apple said earlier this year it would invest more than $500 billion to strengthen US manufacturing capabilities. A new artificial intelligence server plant in Texas was part of the plan.
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