Japanese foundry Rapidus is preparing to provide 2nm chip samples to US semiconductor giant Broadcom, after it began trial production, which is scheduled for April 2025 and mass production expected by 2027, Nikkei Asia reports. To stabilize its operations and achieve profitability, Rapidus is actively trying to secure substantial and reliable customers.
The AI boom drove Broadcom to become the fifth-largest player in the global semiconductor industry, with its market value surpassing US$1 trillion in December 2024.
Collaborating with Broadcom could allow Rapidus to expand its reach and supply chips to Broadcom's clients such as Google and Meta This would mark a significant breakthrough for Rapidus, as its current collaborations have primarily been with smaller startups.
Atsuyoshi Koike, president of Rapidus, highlighted that a growing number of customers are seeking to broaden their outsourcing options for advanced chip manufacturing beyond TSMC, a shift that plays to Rapidus' advantage.
Japanese Companies partner to build AI Infrastructure
In addition, Rapidus has officially announced a basic agreement with Japan's AI unicorn startup, Preferred Networks (PFN), and AI service provider Sakura Internet, aimed at providing domestically produced AI infrastructure. The cutting-edge AI processors in PFN's new "MN-Core" series will be manufactured by Rapidus and deployed within Sakura's data centers.
Sakura Internet will integrate the AI chips produced by Rapidus into its AI servers, with data centers powered by renewable energy to minimize CO2 emissions. Additionally, the company will reduce power consumption by utilizing outside air for cooling the servers.
Still, whether Rapidus can succeed in mass-producing 2nm chips remains uncertain. The company is actively working to persuade potential customers. Currently, Rapidus has established a business presence in Silicon Valley and is in negotiations with approximately 30 to 40 companies for manufacturing contracts.