(Reuters) – The global demand for helium is likely to nearly double by 2035, backed mostly by a rise in demand from the semiconductor industry due to the lack of viable alternatives, according to a report by market research firm IDTechEx.
Global demand could exceed 322 million cubic meters by 2035 for the gas used widely in manufacturing due to its cooling and inert properties, said the report, released in August.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
The global semiconductor market is expected to grow by 13.1% in 2024, according to World Semiconductor Trade Statistics, amid a strong demand from artificial intelligence applications.
Helium is essential for heat management during semiconductor production and it has no viable alternatives currently.
As the gas is a finite resource, the total global reserves could run out at a much faster rate due to rising demand from industries such as AI, quantum computing, telecoms, aerospace and electric vehicles, according to the report.
CONTEXT
Production of helium, the second lightest element after hydrogen, is expected to rise with Qatar and Russia ramping up their output, the report said. However, there was no guarantee of a disruption-free supply due to geopolitical tensions, the report added.
Air Products, Linde and Air Liquide and the privately-held Zephyr Solutions are some of the biggest helium-producing companies in the world.
BY THE NUMBERS
Global helium production averaged about 160 million cubic feet between 2019 to 2023, according to the report.
Demand for the gas is likely to rise five-fold in the semiconductor industry, the report said.
Helium is only produced in a handful of countries, with the U.S. and Qatar among the leading players in the industry.
In 2023, the estimated U.S. sales of grade-a helium and gaseous helium was an estimated 2.8 billion cubic feet valued at about $1.1 billion, according to the U.S. geological survey data.
(Reporting by Sourasis Bose in Bengaluru; Editing by Janane Venkatraman)
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