Rapidus and Fondazione Chips-IT Forge Partnership to Strengthen Japan-Italy Semiconductor Collaboration
MoU supports international cooperation in advanced chip design and manufacturing as Rapidus advances its 2nm production roadmap and expands strategic ties across Europe.
Rapidus Corporation announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Fondazione Chips-IT, an Italian private-law foundation dedicated to semiconductor circuit design.
The Fondazione Chips-IT plays a central role in Italy's semiconductor ecosystem and collaborates with world-leading international research institutions and industry. In January of this year, the prime ministers of Japan and Italy met and confirmed their intention to promote bilateral scientific and technological cooperation in cutting-edge fields such as AI robotics, semiconductors and bio manufacturing. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited Italy on June 15 and met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to advance Japan-Italy technology cooperation. As part of this initiative, an MoU between Rapidus and the Fondazione Chips-IT was signed.
"Japan is a key partner for Italian research, and we are pleased to collaborate with Rapidus, where we'll develop circuits using their advanced technologies in support of our domestic ecosystem. Rapidus is also an example for a young institute like us on how to quickly ramp up activities and reach the top leaders in our field," said Dr Carlo Reita, CEO, Fondazione Chips-IT.
The joint effort with the Fondazione Chips-IT builds on Japan and Europe's semiconductor cooperation. Yesterday, Rapidus signed an MoU with the UK Semiconductor Centre, a national body promoting the semiconductor industry in the UK. Rapidus is currently conducting pilot production with the aim of mass-producing cutting-edge 2nm logic semiconductors in Japan in 2027. With the signing of these agreements, Rapidus and the two organisations will begin information sharing and discussions with a view to strengthening their collaborations in the future.
"Since our foundation, we have prioritised global collaboration and building key alliances with countries to further their semiconductor programs. Our work with the Fondazione Chips-IT is another important step to fulfilling our mission," said Dr Atsuyoshi Koike, representative director and CEO, Rapidus Corporation. "We are honoured that Italy has put their trust in Japan and Rapidus, and we look forward to working with them to establish their next era of semiconductor development."
