Newly founded chip manufacturer joins imec’s Core Partner Programme

During a Belgian economic delegation to Japan in late 2022, imec and Rapidus had already signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC). This agreement was supported by both the Government of Flanders and Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI), and affirmed the partners’ commitment to strengthening the ties between the semiconductor industries in Flanders and Japan.

“Rapidus is the cornerstone of Japan’s efforts to reclaim a leading position in the worldwide semiconductor ecosystem. Today, we are thrilled to announce that Rapidus has become an official member of imec's Core Partner Programme,” stated Luc Van den hove, President and CEO of imec. “Through this partnership, we will help Rapidus research and develop the key building blocks necessary for the mass production of state-of-the-art 2-nanometer chip technology. Advanced chips like these can be used for 5G communications, quantum computing, data centres, autonomous vehicles, and digital smart cities.”

“This is yet another example of the fact that the chip industry’s strength lies in union, not division. While regions feel the need to strengthen their own strengths, real progress can only be achieved when they open up, connect their strengths, and pursue cross-border collaboration. It is a way of working that imec has held dear for almost forty years,” Van den hove added.

Imec's Core Partner Programm has existed since 2005 and offers an exclusive, close-knit research and development partnership between the world's top foundries, IDMs, fabless and fablite companies, material suppliers, and equipment suppliers working in the field of (5-nanometer and beyond) IC process technologies.

The programme builds upon imec's cutting-edge cleanroom infrastructure, which houses the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing tools. This enables imec's partners to conduct research on technologies that are well ahead of industrial needs. Apart from Rapidus, imec’s Core Partner Programme members include major industry players such as GlobalFoundries, Intel, Micron, Qualcomm, Samsung, SK Hynix, Sony Semiconductor Solutions, KIOXIA Corporation, TSMC, and Western Digital.