Chinese chip start-up Yuanjiwei launches 2D semiconductor pilot line, targets 5nm chips by 2029 without EUV

Yuanjiwei, a chip start-up located in Shanghai, has introduced what it asserts is the first-ever 8-inch pilot production line dedicated to two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors. This line facilitates tape-out and encompasses the full manufacturing process, from the preparation of 2D materials to chip integration. According to a company official, Yuanjiwei's goal is to create chips equivalent to 5 nanometers by 2029, without relying on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines. This initiative aligns with China's larger strategy for technological self-reliance in response to US export restrictions on advanced chipmaking technology. Additionally, the global semiconductor sector is investigating alternatives as traditional silicon-based 3D chips near their physical limits.