Helium Gas Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Liquid Helium, Gaseous Helium), By Application (Cryogenics, Aerostatics, Semiconductor & Fiber Optics, Leak Detection & Gas Chromatography, Welding), and Regional Forecast to 2033

HELIUM GAS MARKET OVERVIEW

Helium Gas Market was valued at USD 2.02 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 2.13 billion in 2025, growing to USD 3.30 billion by 2033, with a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period.

The helium gas market is an important sub-sector of the industrial gases industry, which encompasses various uses across healthcare, electronics, aerospace, and more for cryogenics. As the second lightest element, helium is crucial also in MRI machines, manufacturing semiconductors, and as a light gas in space stations. The market is therefore governed by aspects like scarcity of raw material, the increase in demand, and other problems in the supply chain. Currently the United States, Qatar, and Russia are dominant in the production of helium; however, other resources are in the pipeline. More growth is expected in the future due to the development of industries and the need to find more sustainable means of helium extraction.

COVID-19 IMPACT

"Helium Gas Industry Had a Positive Effect Due to Medical demand during COVID-19 Pandemic"

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing Higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to the market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the helium gas consumption has surged, especially in medical applications such as MRI and other equipment like the ventilator. An increase in the medical sector usage offset the corrosion in the industrial domain and steadied the market. Furthermore, disruption of the supply chain meant that there was an accumulation of inventories and also investment in helium sources by relevant companies. The demand for helium also increased due to the boom of the semiconductor industry during the remote work and the digital transformation period. It explained the need to diversify the long-term global helium supply due to its importance to priority industries.

LATEST TREND

"Market growth is driven by rising semiconductor and AI demand"

Due to the increased demand in industries worldwide, helium gas is expected to have exponential growth, which will be approximately $7.47 billion in 2034. A significant development is the fact that the semiconductor industry has rather recently become the largest consumer of helium, using almost a quarter of the total volume of the gas, which is used for such traditional purposes as medical imaging. This shift underlines the biological nature of helium, especially in the manufacturing process of semiconductors, where it is used to cool and provide an environment free from most chemical reactions. With the growth of semiconductor production especially as applied in the level of artificial intelligence and quantum computing, the use of helium is likely to increase even further pointing to the need for making the supply more sustainable.

HELIUM GAS MARKET SEGMENTATION

BY TYPE

Based on Type, the global market can be categorized into Liquid Helium, Gaseous Helium

• Liquid Helium: However, it is most primarily used in cryogenic cooling, as it has a unique quality of boiling at a temperature of -269°C. Cryogenics is also utilized in MRI machines, superconducting magnets, and such other applications. Liquid helium’s uses also include rocket pressurization and cooling satellites in the aerospace industries. Despite having finite resource, other limitations that affect the supply chain of liquid helium are; As is known, liquid helium leads to its prices fluctuating. This means that efficiency and storage technologies are being invented to increase its utility and decrease waste.
• Gaseous Helium: Helium gas is mostly employed in welding, leak detection, and the semiconductor industries. Hence, it is useful where there is a need for shielding in arc welding and other areas where contamination is undesirable. The electronics sector today uses the gaseous helium in chip production and also in manufacturing optical fibers. It is also used in lifting loads associated with applications like airships and balloons. As the use of helium gas in industries rises day by day, its usage has become a common requirement in the international market.

BY APPLICATION

Based on Application, the global market can be categorized into Cryogenics, Aerostatics, Semiconductor & Fiber Optics, Leak Detection & Gas Chromatography, Welding

• Cryogenics: The extremely cold boiling point of helium establishes it as the dominant refrigerant coolant for superconducting magnets. This element serves diverse applications within MRI machines together with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as well as particle accelerators. Kelvin temperature control systems in spacecraft instruments function with the assistance of helium under the supervision of space agencies. Helium recycling within cryogenic systems has become essential because of rising market demand along with a shortage of supply. The rising medical field and scientific research activities are responsible for increasing helium consumption in cryogenic applications.
• Aerostatics: When used in aerostatics applications, helium finds its primary role in weather balloons as well as airships and high-altitude research balloons. Instead of hazardous hydrogen gases for lifting operations, you can select the non-flammable properties of helium. Helium balloons serve military purposes for surveillance together with scientific investigations of the atmosphere. Helium serves as an important element for creating decorative items such as balloons in addition to promotional displays in the entertainment sector. The elevated need for aerial surveillance and investigative research activities stimulates helium consumption for aerostatic systems.
• Semiconductor & Fiber Optics: Semiconductor production needs helium to establish controlled environments essential for making microchips. The material provides contamination protection and enables better heat removal while delivering precise results for microelectronics production processes. The manufacturing of fiber optic cables requires helium for cooling down the operations. The current rise of AI technology as well as 5G and quantum computing systems increases helium demand in semiconductor applications rapidly. High-performance electronics production consumes more helium because of rapidly increasing market demand.
• Leak Detection & Gas Chromatography: Helium performs leak detection with excellence thanks to its atomic dimension together with inert characteristics. The detection methods that incorporate helium enable healthcare institutions, aerospace businesses, and automotive facilities to confirm system reliability. The application of helium in gas chromatography includes carrier gas functions that produce high separation performance and stability. The accurate analysis performed by pharmaceutical and environmental sectors relies on helium as their foundational material. Helium plays an essential role in precision testing applications despite increasing demand for high-precision testing.
• Welding: Helium is used as a shielding gas in welding processes, especially gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and gas metal arc welding (GMAW). It creates an inert atmosphere that helps prevent oxidation and promote weld penetration. In industries like aerospace, automotive, and shipbuilding, helium is used to weld high-strength materials. These applications also often use helium-argon mixtures to enhance weld quality and efficiency. Thus, growing demand for advanced manufacturing processes is increasing helium consumption in welding.

MARKET DYNAMICS

Market dynamics include driving and restraining factors, opportunities and challenges stating the market conditions.

DRIVING FACTOR

"Market growth is driven by medical imaging and healthcare expansion"

Helium is used especially in MRI machines that utilise liquid helium for the superconducting magnets. The growth in cases of chronical diseases and enhanced utilization in medical diagnose by application of technology in medical imaging are the main contributors to the helium demand. Apart from that, it is also utilized in the treatment of breathing disorders and in storage of biological specimens at low temperature. This is because it increases the consumption of products mainly in developing countries after enhancing the growth and expansion of health care facilities. Thus, with the increasing development in the medical field, its utilization is still essential, especially the use of helium.

"Market growth is fueled by AI, 5G, and semiconductor demand"

In particular, the further development of the field of artificial intelligence, the evolution of the fifth generation of communication systems, as well as advance in quantum computing, in turn implies growth in the demand for helium. In this case, helium is applied in processes of manufacturing chips in a controlled and inert state in a bid to enhance production. Technology development and the request for higher production of semiconductors around the world makes demand on helium grows. The countries investing in the domestic manufacturing of this semiconductor which include the United States, China and South Korea are helping to drive Helium Gas Market Growth. From the advancement in electronics, helium stays as one of the vital commodities in precision services.

RESTRAINING FACTOR

"Market growth faces challenges due to scarcity, supply risks, and geopolitics"

Helium is one of the scarce resources that is produces mainly as a result of production of natural gases and it is fast being depleted. Known to be in scarce supply, fluctuations in the supply and prices of helium pose a major problem to industries as they cannot guarantee its supply for use. There are geopolitical concerns due to the fact that huge proportions of the global market is controlled by a few sources, which is the U.S. and Qatar mainly. In the same way, the slow advancement in other extraction techniques as well as the recycling technologies hammers the market progression. Even as use increases, there is growing concern about the availability of helium since it is scarce.

OPPORTUNITY

"Market growth is driven by rising space exploration and tourism demand"

Growth opportunities that helium serves are engendered by the development of the space industry since helium is a vital element in rocket propulsion, pressurization, and cooling of spacecraft. This translates into demand for helium for activities conducted by NASA or private space institutions like SpaceX and Blue Origin. Consumption will also shoot up because of more launches being planned for satellites, deep-space missions, and lunar exploration. The development of space tourism would also add to this demand for helium. In short, the entire field of space exploration offers a wide array of growth opportunities for the helium sector.

CHALLENGE

"Market growth is hindered by supply chain disruptions and geopolitics"

The helium gas market faces serious challenges arising from supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions in areas regarded as major production domains, namely the U.S., Qatar, and Russia. Restrictions on exports, trade conflicts, and instability in geopolitics can lead to sudden shortages and price scenarios. The market is very reliant on a few key suppliers that are jeopardized on every instance of disruption to production and transportation activities. Specific delays in the development of either newer helium sources or extraction techniques also tend to add to the supply hindrance. A stable and diversified supply of helium continues to be a major challenge for the industry.

HELIUM GAS MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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• NORTH AMERICA

North America is undoubtedly the dominator of the helium gas market globally mainly because of its great natural helium reserves, extraction technologies that are very hyped, and an industrial requirement that goes almost along with it. Well-established infrastructure and major production hubs, regions like the U.S. and Canada, enjoy such advantages. A United States Helium Gas Market comes into play here since the U.S. is home to one of the largest helium production levels, both domestically and internationally. Also making the strength to boost even the already great stability of the market is the strategic US government reserve by private investments. With ongoing helium exploration projects, it continues to uphold and expand North America's dominance in the business.

• EUROPE

Europe holds remarkable helium gas market share as continent serves as one of the salient consumers of helium gas owing to the technologically advanced healthcare, semiconductor, and aerospace sectors. The continent largely imports helium especially from the U.S. and Qatar, to meet this ever-demanding market. Germany, France, and the U.K. are leading markets, on the medical application for imaging, research, and high-tech manufacturing, and other uses. Europe is also investing in helium recycling technologies in a bid to limit external suppliers. Therefore, Europe continues to be a vital position in the world's helium market with growing innovation and industrial expansion.

• ASIA

Helium is a rapidly emerging market in Asia. The growing usage of semiconductors, electronics, and healthcare contributes to the use of helium in major countries, such as China, Japan, and South Korea, where it is used for semiconductor and MRI machines and in scientific research. China is boosting direct investment in domestic helium production to minimize imports. Asia is also quite important in the evolution of helium recycling and storage for long-term supply security. With rising technology development, Asia continues to be a power house in packaging for the world demand.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

"Market growth is driven by key players' innovation and expansion"

Some of the dominant market players that control the helium gas industry, such as Air Liquide, Linde, and Messer, are successfully influencing the industry through investment, innovation, and supply chain network strategy. These firms are exploring deposits, improving techniques for generation, as well as purchasing storage tropics as well as recycling technologies to counter helium deficits. Furthermore, using semiconductors, and especially the healthcare segment, remains the primary channel for driving demand. By expanding global distribution networks and securing long-term supply contracts, key players play a crucial role in stabilizing and advancing the helium gas market.

LIST OF TOP HELIUM GAS COMPANIES

• Rasgas (Qatar)
• Exxon (U.S)
• Linde (Germany)
• Air Product (U.S)
• Praxair (U.S)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

In February 2025, the implementation of the above-ledge projects in Iran is, Iran began the pilot projects of ‘Helium Extraction and Purification from Natural Gas.’ This plan seeks to utilize Iran’s large natural gas resources to generate helium to ease the supply shortage. Records show that the helium market has continuously been supplied by a few players, and Iran may bring about the diversification of the market. This development thus highlights a growing trend of attempts to secure and perhaps grow helium production as the demand rises across the globe.

REPORT COVERAGE

The study encompasses a comprehensive SWOT analysis and provides insights into future developments within the market. It examines various factors that contribute to the growth of the market, exploring a wide range of market categories and potential Applications that may impact its trajectory in the coming years. The analysis takes into account both current trends and historical turning points, providing a holistic understanding of the market's components and identifying potential areas for growth.

This research report examines the segmentation of the market by using both quantitative and qualitative methods to provide a thorough analysis that also evaluates the influence of strategic and financial perspectives on the market. Additionally, the report's regional assessments consider the dominant supply and demand forces that impact market growth. The competitive landscape is detailed meticulously, including shares of significant market competitors. The report incorporates unconventional research techniques, methodologies and key strategies tailored for the anticipated frame of time. Overall, it offers valuable and comprehensive insights into the market dynamics professionally and understandably.