Jakarta \u2013 A global helium crisis is beginning to disrupt supply\nchains in the technology and medical industries. This disruption is\ntriggered by conflicts in the Middle East that limit the production and\ndistribution of the gas, particularly from the Gulf region.<\/p>\n
Helium itself is a crucial component in the semiconductor industry.\nThe gas is used in cooling processes, leak detection, and precision\nmanufacturing in chip production.<\/p>\n
Several industry players state that the increasingly tight supply has\nbegun to affect production. \u201cThe helium shortage is a very serious\nconcern,\u201d said senior partner at supply chain consultancy Tidal Wave\nSolutions, Cameron Johnson, as quoted from Reuters on Wednesday, 6 May\n2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there is a shortage, companies may start to slow down production\nor even halt it, including chip manufacturing,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Johnson warned that the impact could extend to various sectors, from\nelectronics and automotive to smartphones.<\/p>\n
This supply disruption is related to the high global dependence on\nhelium from the Middle East. Qatar contributes nearly a third of the\nworld\u2019s helium production, around 63 million cubic metres in 2025.<\/p>\n
However, the Iran conflict has disrupted about a third of the global\nsupply, particularly due to distribution barriers in the Strait of\nHormuz.<\/p>\n
Additionally, helium is a by-product of liquefied natural gas (LNG)\nproduction. Disruptions to energy facilities in Qatar are also\npressuring LNG production and directly impacting helium supply.<\/p>\n
Citing Al Jazeera, QatarEnergy estimates that liquid helium exports\nwill drop by around 14 percent each year. The crisis\u2019s impact has even\nbeen felt by technology companies.<\/p>\n
Jerry Zhang, head of sales for China at semiconductor company VAT,\nsaid the conflict has tightened supplies and affected production. He\nalso mentioned that transportation delays are exacerbating the\nsituation, leading companies to seek alternative supplies from the\nUnited States.<\/p>\n
Disruptions are also occurring in the supply chain for other raw\nmaterials. Zhou Limin from Mycronic\u2019s MRSI unit said that some materials\nfrom Israel are experiencing delivery delays. \u201cThere is definitely a\nshort-term impact, and it has already affected us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Industrial gas companies are also beginning to anticipate this\nsituation. An executive from Air Liquide warned of potential short-term\nhelium shortages.<\/p>\n
In addition to the technology sector, the medical industry is also\naffected. This is because helium is used in MRI machines to cool\nsuperconducting magnets. Supply disruptions could hinder the operation\nof these devices.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/helium-crisis-looms-technology-and-medical-industries-begin-to-be-disrupted-1778183843", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }