Rapidus Plans to Mass-Produce 1.4 nm Chips by 2029

Key Takeaways

1. Rapidus aims to compete with TSMC and Intel in the sub-2 nm technology field, planning to mass-produce 1.4 nm chips by 2029.
2. The project will require several trillion yen in investments, primarily funded by the Japanese government and private investors.
3. Full-scale research and development for the 1.4 nm chips will start in 2026, in partnership with IBM.
4. Rapidus has completed the design for its 2 nm chip but has not announced mass production capabilities or secured clients yet.
5. If successful, Rapidus’s 1.4 nm technology will still be behind TSMC’s and Intel’s production timelines, potentially increasing competition in the semiconductor market.

Rapidus, an unexpected newcomer in Japan’s semiconductor sector, is aiming to compete with TSMC and Intel in the sub-2 nm technology field. According to a report by Nikkei Asia, the company plans to begin mass production of 1.4 nm chips by 2029, just two years after it launches its first 2 nm chips into the market.

Major Investments Ahead

This ambitious project is expected to cost Rapidus several trillion yen, with most of the financing coming from the Japanese government and private investors. The full-scale research and development for the 1.4 nm chips is set to begin in 2026, in collaboration with IBM.

Current Status of Production

While Rapidus has successfully completed the design for its 2 nm chip, details regarding its mass production capabilities have not been disclosed. The company intends to utilize ten ASML EUV scanners, likely reserving five for the 2 nm chips and the others for future nodes. As of now, Rapidus has not secured any clients, but such information is rarely shared, especially for new entrants in the industry.

If Rapidus manages to launch its 1.4 nm technology by 2029, it will still lag behind TSMC’s A14 node, which is projected to begin production in 2028. Additionally, Intel’s 14A node is anticipated to debut a year prior, coinciding with Samsung Foundry’s SF1.4. If everything unfolds as planned, OEMs could benefit from three more foundries, which would help to lessen their dependence on TSMC.

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