Rapidus intends to install 10 EUV machines to make 2nm chips in Japan

The Japanese company Rapidus would like to install a total of 10 EUV machines in its 2mm chip production factories over the coming years. The information comes from the company’s own CEO, Atsuyoshi Koike.

The executive spoke of the matter with the publication Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, but did not offer an official roadmap or really established plans. Thus, the disclosure is still being treated as a rumor, especially talking about such a large number of machines.

Chip manufacturing equipment with EUV lithography is the most advanced there is currently, and is therefore used in the production of 2NM components. At the moment, only the Netherlands ASML is able to provide this equipment, and Rapidus received its first in December 2024.

According to Atsuyoshi Koike, the company intends to order nine more over the next few years. Apparently Rapidus really has plans to rival TSMC and revitalize Japan as a force in the world semiconductor market.

Since plans are not official, however, we do not know which facilities of rapids these machines for EUV will be established, even how long.

While Rapidus aims at 10 EUV machines, at least one the company already has. The machinery is installed at its factory known as IIM-1, where the company intends to do its first line of testing for manufacturing in 2NM.

The company would have plans to start its tests in April 2025, sending the first samples to partners in June this year. Broadcom would be one of the companies to evaluate the quality of 2NM chips produced by its countryman.

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If rapid plans follow without obstacles, the company should start mass production of 2nm chips by 2027 at its IIM-1 factory. Meanwhile, your other IIM-2 installation should start working at some point later, so it is speculated that it will receive some of the new EUV machines that the CEO intends to buy.

Source: Tom’s Hardware