Apple secures US titanium for iPhone Duo in new manufacturing deal
The tech giant will source up to $100m worth of metal from Pennsylvania producer Perryman for its upcoming foldable device.
Key points
- Apple will purchase up to $100m of titanium from Perryman over three years.
- At least 80% of the metal used will be recycled material.
- The deal supports Apple’s broader American Manufacturing Program commitments.
Apple has announced a three-year agreement to purchase up to $100m of titanium from Perryman, a family-owned producer based in Pennsylvania. According to The Next Web, the metal will be used in several Apple products, including the casing of the iPhone Duo, Apple’s first foldable smartphone. This procurement strategy aligns with the company’s broader push to increase domestic sourcing for its hardware components ahead of the device’s launch.
Root cause
The decision to source materials domestically is part of Apple’s American Manufacturing Program, which the company launched in August 2025. This initiative is a component of a $600bn, four-year commitment to spend on manufacturing and research within the United States. By securing a dedicated supply chain for high-grade materials like titanium, Apple is executing its stated goal to source more parts in the US.
Attack path
Perryman will process the titanium at its facility in Houston, Pennsylvania, a small town south of Pittsburgh. The company will melt, forge and roll the metal locally before shipping it to Apple. Perryman primarily supplies the aerospace and medical implant industries, bringing industrial-grade processing capabilities to consumer electronics manufacturing. The iPhone Duo specifically uses grade 5 titanium, a strong alloy also common in aircraft parts.
Affected versions
The titanium supply agreement directly impacts the iPhone Duo, which is scheduled to go on sale on 23 October. It also supports the broader iPhone 18 Pro lineup, which includes expanded work with Delaware-based Qnity Electronics for camera aperture films. Nearly 100 parts across these devices now originate from US companies in more than a dozen states, reflecting a significant shift in component sourcing geography.
Mitigation
No software mitigation is required as this is a hardware supply chain announcement. Apple has confirmed that TSMC’s Arizona factory will produce more than 100 million chips for the company in 2026. Additionally, Corning’s Kentucky plant will manufacture all iPhone and Apple Watch cover glass sold worldwide by the end of this year, further consolidating production within the US supply chain.
What it means for organisations
Teams usually assess how supply chain shifts impact product timelines and component availability. Check whether your organisation relies on similar hardware suppliers for critical infrastructure or devices. Identify who inside the organisation needs to be told about potential changes in vendor contracts or delivery schedules. Evaluate if localised manufacturing strategies align with your own procurement policies and risk management frameworks.
Background: Supply chain attacks
Supply chain attacks in cyber security exploit the trust you place in third-party software components. Attackers inject malicious code into legitimate updates or build pipelines. You receive the payload as if it were benign. Defending requires verifying code origins, isolating build environments and treating all external inputs as hostile.
Read the full guide: Supply chain attacks in cyber security: how they work and how to stop them
What to do and how to stay safe: Apple
- Review current hardware procurement contracts for clauses related to material sourcing and geographic origin.
- Monitor supplier announcements for changes in production locations that might affect lead times.
- Verify that internal asset management systems reflect the specific materials and components in deployed devices.
- Assess whether changes in supplier relationships require updates to your vendor risk assessment protocols.
General security guidance from the TechSec Observer newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
How much will Apple spend on titanium from Perryman?
Apple will purchase up to $100m of titanium from Perryman over the next three years.
When will the iPhone Duo be available for purchase?
The iPhone Duo is scheduled to go on sale on 23 October.
What percentage of the titanium will be recycled?
At least 80% of the metal used will be recycled material.
