Apple is betting big on American manufacturing again. This time, it’s dropping $500 million into the domestic rare earth supply chain. The company just announced a multiyear deal with MP Materials, the only fully integrated rare earth producer in the United States.
Together, Apple and MP Materials will build a new neodymium magnet factory in Fort Worth, Texas. These magnets are used in Apple products like speakers, cameras, and Taptic Engines. Once production is up and running, the American-made magnets will be shipped not just across the country, but around the world.
I have to say, I’m very proud of Apple for investing in America like this. As a patriot who truly loves this country, I appreciate when major tech companies put their money back into the U.S. economy. This isn’t just about magnets. It’s about jobs, innovation, and national resilience.
The deal also includes a new rare earth recycling facility in Mountain Pass, California. Apple and MP Materials have been quietly working on this technology for years. The goal is to take in recycled material from used electronics and industrial scrap, then process it into high-quality rare earth elements for use in new Apple devices.
Apple started using recycled rare earths back in 2019, with the iPhone 11. Now, nearly every Apple device uses magnets made from 100 percent recycled rare earths. This new partnership could make that process more sustainable and more American.
What makes this deal unique is that it’s not just about supply. Apple and MP Materials plan to co-develop new magnet materials and improve processing technologies. That means better performance and cleaner production. They’ll also train a new workforce in advanced manufacturing, creating good jobs and real skills.
Tim Cook said, “American innovation drives everything we do at Apple.” Whether you like Apple or not, you have to admit the company is putting its money where its mouth is. Apple says it will invest over $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. This rare earth deal is just one part of that massive commitment.
There’s also a bigger picture here. Most of the world’s rare earth supply comes from China. By building up its own domestic supply, Apple is protecting itself from global instability. It’s also helping the U.S. regain a foothold in a vital industry that we’ve been too reliant on other countries for.
I know some folks will roll their eyes and call this a PR stunt. But half a billion dollars is real money. Factories and recycling facilities are real things. This isn’t just press release fluff. It’s a smart move that will make Apple’s supply chain stronger and greener.
The exact products that will include these new American-made magnets haven’t been announced yet. But you can bet they’ll be showing up in iPhones, Macs, and other gear in the near future.
As someone who writes about tech for a living, I see a lot of companies talking about sustainability. Apple is actually doing something about it. And this time, it’s helping American workers and manufacturers in the process.
