Samsung and TSMC are currently the only names in the semiconductor industry that are pursuing the mass production of wafers on the 2nm technology. However, a third entity is also attempting to close that gap, though it will be a whole year behind its competitors. Japanese firm Rapidus was recently reported to have commenced trial production of 2nm GAA wafers, with the latest information mentioning that the company has established a facility where it has installed 200 units. Thankfully, the company’s progress will not be stalled by U.S. export controls, meaning that Rapidus will probably have access to the most cutting-edge equipment available to mass produce 2nm GAA wafers.
The prototype mass production phase using the 2nm GAA lithography is happening at Rapidus’ new IIM-1 foundry
Being one of the first companies in Japan to install advanced EUV machinery to mass produce wafers of 2nm and below, Rapidus wishes to be at the forefront of semiconductor manufacturing in the region and thanks to employing its full single-wafer front-end processing technology, it can make adjustments to a single unit and apply those properties to the remaining ones, saving millions in costs.
Thanks to this approach, single-wafer front-end processing can capture more data, enabling AI models to be trained and improve production, thereby increasing yields. What is remarkable is that Rapidus has achieved so much in just a few years. It set a foothold in the advanced semiconductor manufacturing space in September 2023, with clean room completion in 2024, and in June 2025, it installed 200 of the world’s most cutting-edge pieces of wafer production technology.
Rapidus is also developing a Process Development Kit compatible with its IIM-1 foundry’s 2nm process, which will be available for customers in the first quarter of 2026. These clients can then start prototyping their own designs almost immediately, with Rapidus expected to begin mass production in 2027. Compared to Samsung and TSMC, the Japanese firm will be a little late to the party, but considering that only three companies are focused on 2nm manufacturing, Rapidus has essentially placed itself in an elite club.
News Source: PRNewswire
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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