Helium Gas Market – By Form , By Supply , By Purity , By Application , By End-Use Industry and By Geography - Opportunity Analysis & Industry Forecast, 2024-2030

Helium Gas Market Overview

Helium Gas market size is forecast to reach US$34 billion by 2030, after growing at a CAGR of 4.6% during 2024-2030. The growth of the helium gas market is driven by its critical applications across diverse industries. In the healthcare sector, helium is essential for cooling MRI machines and in respiratory therapies. The electronics and semiconductor industries demand helium for its inert and cooling properties in chip manufacturing and fiber optics. Advancements in space exploration rely on helium for rocket propulsion and cryogenic systems. Its use in industrial applications such as arc welding and leak detection further boosts demand. Helium is also crucial in cryogenics, scientific research, and renewable energy systems, particularly in cooling superconductors and next-generation nuclear reactors. The growing need for helium in lifting applications, food packaging and the burgeoning electronics markets adds to its demand. Additionally, innovations in helium recovery and recycling, alongside strategic stockpiling by nations, emphasize its significance in ensuring supply chain security amidst resource constraints. The growing investments in helium exploration also drives the market by addressing supply challenges, supporting diverse applications, and ensuring long-term stability.

A notable trend in the helium gas market is the growing interest in space exploration. This reflects humanity's pursuit of technological innovation, cosmic discovery and potential new resources. In March 2024, Japan launched a multibillion-dollar Space Strategic Fund aimed at supporting the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The $6.7 billion fund, approved for a decade-long period, will facilitate the development, technology demonstration and commercialization of cutting-edge space technologies, driving significant growth in the country’s space sector. Helium hard drives are HDDs sealed with helium instead of air, leveraging helium's low density to reduce turbulence and friction, allowing for thinner platters, increased capacity (up to 10 platters), improved performance, energy efficiency, cooler operation, reduced noise and enhanced reliability. Helium HDDs are vital in large-scale data centers for efficient storage. 

Helium Gas Market - Report Coverage:

The “Helium Gas Market Report - Forecast (2024-2030)” by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments in the Helium Gas Market.

COVID-19 / Ukraine Crisis - Impact Analysis:  

• Initially, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a decrease in helium demand due to reduced industrial and medical activities during lockdowns. This temporarily alleviated the helium shortage by reducing consumption. However, as industries resumed operations, the demand surged, leading to a tighter supply and rising prices. Challenges in global logistics also disrupted the helium supply chain exacerbating shortages.
• Russia, a major global supplier of helium, faced production and export restrictions due to the war. Facilities like the Amur Gas Processing Plant, critical to Russia’s helium production, experienced operational disruptions. European countries’ shift away from Russian natural gas further complicated helium extraction processes in regions like Algeria, which redirected its natural gas to pipelines instead of liquefying it to extract helium. These disruptions contributed to a major helium shortage in two decades increasing global supply constraints and driving up costs.

Key Takeaways

MRI Scanning is the Largest Segment by Application

Helium, specifically in its liquid state, is a cryogenic substance used to cool the superconducting magnets in MRI systems to extremely low temperatures (around -269°C or 4 Kelvin). These low temperatures are necessary for the magnets to achieve and sustain superconductivity, which is critical for generating the strong and stable magnetic fields required for high-resolution imaging.  According to Collective Minds, the global volume of MRI scans continues to grow annually, with current estimates ranging from 100-150 million scans worldwide. The demand for helium in this sector is substantial, as MRI technology is widely used in medical diagnostics to visualize detailed internal structures of the human body, aiding in the detection and monitoring of diseases. As per the 2024 India Private Equity Report, healthcare investments in India hit a record high of $5.5 billion in 2023, driven by a threefold increase compared to 2022. Additionally, the growth of the healthcare sector, advancements in imaging technology and increasing prevalence of conditions requiring MRI diagnostics further bolster the helium demand. 

Medium Purity Helium is the Largest Segment

Medium Purity Helium (99.0% to 99.99%) is the largest segment in the helium market due to its widespread applications across various industries, driven by both its properties and cost-effectiveness. In the manufacturing sector, it is extensively used in welding for non-ferrous metals like aluminium and copper, where high-quality, stable inert gases are essential for precise, clean welding. The welding industry is growing primarily driven by the construction and automotive industry. According to the American Welding Society, the US will require more than 360,000 welders by 2027. In the cryogenic industry, medium purity helium is a key component in cooling systems for MRI machines, superconducting magnets and particle accelerators. The combination of its versatile properties, availability, and lower cost compared to higher-purity helium makes it a highly attractive option for industries that require a reliable and efficient gas. 

North America Leads the Market

North America continues to dominate the global helium gas market, bolstered by its abundant natural helium reserves and advanced extraction and distribution infrastructure. The United States, in particular, holds significant helium resources in regions such as the LaBarge field in Wyoming and the Texas Panhandle, which are key sources for the global market. Additionally, several companies are now interested in the helium exploration business which contribute to cutting-edge production, liquefaction and distribution technologies. Additionally, the region's strong industrial base and healthcare advancements ensure a steady and robust demand for helium across sectors such as cryogenics, healthcare, aerospace, and manufacturing. In September 2024, North American Helium’s 9th helium purification facility at Antelope Lake, Saskatchewan, became operational. The facility has a production capacity of approximately 50 MMcf/year, increasing the company’s total capacity to 210 MMcf/year. NAH has reached a US $ 0.35 billion investment milestone in Saskatchewan, supported by government incentives such as the Critical Minerals Processing Investment Incentive (CMPII). Since launching its first facility in 2020, NAH, as of September 2024, produces ~7% of North America's helium and aims for 20%.

Limited Helium Reserves and Extraction Dependence to Hamper the Market

Helium is a non-renewable resource primarily extracted as a by-product of natural gas processing. This dependence ties helium's availability directly to natural gas production levels, which are declining in some regions due to the global shift toward renewable energy and stricter fossil fuel regulations. Additionally, geopolitical events, such as the ongoing Ukraine conflict, have disrupted production and exports from key helium suppliers like Russia, further straining the market. Other helium-rich regions, including Algeria and Qatar, have also faced infrastructure and logistical challenges. This limited supply chain has led to recurring global helium shortages, price volatility, and supply insecurity for critical industries such as healthcare, electronics, and aerospace. Addressing this challenge requires investments in recycling technologies, exploring alternative reserves, and diversifying global supply sources.

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Key Market Players

Global Helium Gas top 10 companies include:

1. Air Liquide SA
2. Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
3. Linde Plc
4. QatarEnergy LNG
5. Iwatani corporation
6. Messer Group
7. Nippon Sanso Holdings Corp
8. Matheson Tri-Gas Inc.
9. North American Helium (NAH)
10. Gazprom

Scope of the Report:

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