Apple expands additive manufacturing in China

Apple is deepening its investment in additive manufacturing across its global supply chain, with a new engineering position in Shenzhen focused on scaling metal 3D printing processes. The move follows the debut of the iPhone Air and Apple Watch Series 11—both of which feature titanium components produced through additive manufacturing.

The iPhone Air, Apple’s thinnest phone to date, incorporates a 3D printed titanium USB-C port that the company says is both thinner and stronger than parts made using conventional forging. The component reportedly uses 33% less material and contributes to a device made with 35% recycled content, including 80% recycled titanium and 100% recycled cobalt in the battery.

Similarly, the Apple Watch Series 11 features a titanium case manufactured through an additive process that Apple claims consumes half the raw material of previous designs. The device is made with 40% recycled content overall, including 100% recycled metals in the case and battery.

Both devices are part of Apple’s broader Apple 2030 strategy, which aims to make the company carbon neutral across its entire value chain by the end of the decade. According to Apple, additive manufacturing supports this goal by reducing material waste and energy use, while enabling more complex and efficient designs.

The company’s new Shenzhen-based Metal Additive Manufacturing Subject Matter Expert will play a key role in expanding these capabilities. The position involves developing and qualifying 3D printing processes for cosmetic and structural parts, working across Apple’s design and manufacturing teams, and coordinating with global suppliers. Responsibilities also include refining alloy formulations, modeling performance metrics, and supporting the transition from prototyping to full-scale production.

Candidates are expected to have experience with laser powder bed fusion systems, process qualification standards, and secondary operations such as powder recycling and heat treatment. The role requires international travel and signals Apple’s intent to further embed AM technologies across its manufacturing footprint in Asia and beyond.