Rare earths company Metallium says the newly announced $500-million partnership between technology giant Apple and rare earths miner MP Materials to recycle rare earth magnets in the US underscores growing momentum toward a circular domestic supply chain.

The rare earths recovery company, formerly known as MTM Critical Metals, sees the Apple-MP initiative as “a strong signal that major players are serious about building a local, circular rare earth supply chain", says Metallium CEO Michael Walshe.

The deal is the latest sign of US policy support for domestic rare earth production, Walshe said, pointing to the US Department of Defence’s (DoD's) backing of MP Materials. “The US DoD's actions provide long-term floor pricing for rare earths, and demonstrate the policy direction is clear,” he said. “This improves the investment case for all domestic producers of rare earths, as well as those who participate in the industry, such as Metallium.”

Metallium is focused on extracting high-value elements from industrial waste streams using its patented Flash Joule Heating technology, developed at Rice University and exclusively licensed to its US subsidiary Flash Metals USA.

“Apple's move confirms that high-grade waste like e-waste, magnet swarf and industrial residues are becoming strategic feedstocks,” said Walshe.

“Metallium is recovering neodymium-praseodymium; dysprosium and terbium; gallium; germanium; indium and gold and more from these sources.”

Rather than competing with existing miners, Metallium says its technology complements their efforts. “We work with rare earth developers and producers to treat a wide range of feedstocks including mixed rare earth carbonate; monazite-rich tailings; flotation concentrates; magnet scrap and swarf and other high-value industrial residues,” Walshe said.

The process helps remove deleterious elements like lanthanum, calcium, iron, and aluminium before final separation, improving both recovery rates and economics.

As Apple ramps up efforts to secure more sustainable critical minerals, Metallium believes the spotlight on rare earth recycling will only intensify. “The MP-Apple deal highlights just how much demand exists for secure, ESG-aligned supply chains,” Walshe said.