Apple to build data centre out of failed sapphire plant

Apple plans to invest US$2 billion (A$2.6 billion) to convert a failed sapphire glass plant in Arizona into a data command centre.

Apple partnered with GT Advanced Technologies to set up the plant in Mesa in 2013 to manufacture scratch-resistant sapphire screens.

But GT Advanced filed for bankruptcy last October and closed the plant, after the company's sapphire glass was left out of Apple's new iPhones.

"This multi-billion dollar project is one of the largest investments we've ever made," Apple spokeswoman Rachel Wolf said in a statement.

The investment is expected to create 600 engineering and construction jobs at the data centre, Apple said, adding that the plant would be powered mostly by solar energy.