According to Taiwanese media, the Japanese corporation Rapidus completed approximately 50% of the construction of a pilot line for the production of 2nm chips back in September. Other production facilities began to be built in October. The company will begin receiving equipment for EUV lithography in December of this year. Rapidus should begin mass production of chips using 2nm technology by 2027, and pilot production will begin next year.
Image source: Rapidus
According to the Nikkei Asian Review, the construction of this facility on the island of Hokkaido will generate an economic impact of $120 billion for the local market, with some of its effects already beginning to be felt. Firstly, about 4,000 workers are involved in the construction site. Secondly, new residential complexes and restaurants are already appearing in the vicinity of the future enterprise. Thirdly, the development of the Rapidus factory will imply the emergence of related enterprises, research and educational centers on the island.
The implementation of the project does not face a lack of funding. The total budget is estimated at $33–35 billion. Currently, Rapidus is trying to take out a loan from commercial banks for a total of $670 million; subsidies from the Japanese authorities in the amount of $6.2 billion will provide serious support, but several tens of billions of dollars must be found somewhere else. The Japanese government is also considering the possibility of transferring ownership of equipment and buildings that were purchased and built through subsidies to Rapidus in exchange for an equity stake in the corporation, which will remain government property. Lawmakers are also trying to lift restrictions on the amount of subsidies that can be used to support private companies like Rapidus. Existing shareholders can also allocate additional funds for the development of the company.