The conflict in the Middle East has not only driven up the prices of oil and natural gas but also exacerbated the global shortage of industrial helium. Since helium is an indispensable raw material for semiconductor manufacturing, prolonged disruption of transportation through the Strait of Hormuz could jeopardize the development of the global semiconductor industry.
Qatar is the world’s second-largest producer of helium, accounting for about one-third of global production. The disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has prevented helium produced in Qatar from being shipped out.
Liquid helium tank containers stranded in the Persian Gulf affect global supply chains
In addition, due to the sudden outbreak of the conflict in Iran, many tank containers used for storing and transporting cryogenic liquid helium have been stranded in the Persian Gulf region, leading to a severe shortage of available liquid helium tank containers worldwide.
The temperature of liquid helium is close to minus 269 degrees Celsius, imposing extremely high requirements on the material strength and thermal insulation performance of its storage and transport carriers. This also results in extremely strict production standards for liquid helium tank containers, long production cycles, and high costs.
Industry insiders say that because it is uncertain how long the impact of the Middle East conflict will last, many related companies are reluctant to invest additional resources in production. Therefore, the shortage of liquid helium tank containers is unlikely to change in the short term.
Helium is indispensable; supply disruption may lead to semiconductor production cuts
Helium is an indispensable raw material for semiconductor manufacturing, running through the entire semiconductor production process, and there is currently no alternative. Furthermore, since liquid helium generally evaporates naturally in about 45 days and cannot be stored long-term, most semiconductor factories maintain only about one week’s worth of inventory.
Industry insiders say that if the helium supply shortage continues, it will not only further drive up helium prices and increase production costs but also lead to a decline in semiconductor yield rates and even a reduction in production capacity.
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