GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT) is reportedly using the US $578 million received in prepayment from Apple to expand sapphire production through establishing an additional facility. This new facility will produce roughly 20 million sapphire displays per year on top of the 200 million estimated from earlier reports, said Analyst Matt Margolis via BGR. 

GTAT plans to expand their research and development laboratory located in Salam, Massachusetts by installing around 5,000 furnaces. The 50,000 square foot facility has already been growing sapphire for Apple since the second half of last year. 

Expanding production of sapphire in two plants clearly indicates that Apple has big plans for the material in future device applications. It is unclear when Apple plans to release these new products.