Helium Market

Helium Market Research, 2032

The global helium market was valued at $3.3 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $4.9 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2023 to 2032.

Report Key Highlighters:

• The helium market study covers 20 countries. The research includes a segment analysis of each country in terms of both value ($million) and volume (million cubic feet) for the projected period 2023-2032.
• The study integrated high-quality data, professional opinions and analysis, and critical independent perspectives. The research approach is intended to provide a balanced view of global markets and to assist stakeholders in making educated decisions in order to achieve their most ambitious growth objectives.
• Over 3,700 product literatures, annual reports, industry statements, and other comparable materials from major industry participants were reviewed to gain a better understanding of the market.
• The helium market is highly fragmented, with several players including Air Liquide S.A., Air Products & Chemicals Inc., ExxonMobil Corporation, Gazprom PJSC, Gulf Cryo S.A.L., IACX Energy, Linde plc, Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc., Praxair, Inc., and Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation. Also tracked key strategies such as acquisitions, product launches, mergers, expansion etc. of the players operating in the helium market.

The medical industry relies heavily on helium for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, which are used for diagnostic imaging. As the healthcare sector continues to advance and more countries improve their medical infrastructure, the demand for helium in MRI machines increases.

Helium is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that belongs to the noble gas group on the periodic table. It is the second lightest element after hydrogen and is the second most abundant element in the universe, although it is relatively rare on Earth. Helium is known for its low density and is lighter than air, which makes it useful for various applications. It has the lowest boiling point of all elements, and it can become a liquid with remarkable properties, such as superfluidity and superconductivity at extremely low temperatures.

The most common use of helium is in its gaseous form for filling balloons and airships, as it provides buoyancy. It is also used in cryogenic applications, such as cooling magnets in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines and in particle accelerators. In addition, helium finds utility in the field of welding, where it serves as a shielding gas to safeguard the weld from atmospheric contamination.

Helium is widely used in the inflation of balloons and airships due to its low density and non-flammable nature. The buoyancy of the gas enables balloons to rise and float in the atmosphere, offering joyous experiences for celebrations, scientific experiments, and aerial surveillance. Helium is considered a safe gas due to its inertness and non-flammability. Its availability is limited, and it is a non-renewable resource. Thus, the conservation and efficient usage of helium is important to ensure its long-term availability for essential applications.

One of the most notable applications of helium lies in its role as a cryogenic agent. Its extremely low boiling point (-268.93°C or -452.07°F) allows it to be used in cryogenic research, superconducting magnets, and cooling systems for superconducting materials. Helium's cooling properties are crucial in the operation of medical Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN, enabling breakthroughs in scientific research and healthcare.

Helium is an essential component in certain welding processes, such as tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding. It provides an inert atmosphere, preventing oxidation and ensuring high-quality welds. In addition, its low viscosity makes it an effective gas for leak detection in various industrial applications. Helium-oxygen mixtures, such as heliox, have proven beneficial in deep-sea diving and medical treatments for respiratory ailments. Helium's low density minimizes the risk of decompression sickness in deep-sea divers, while its low solubility in blood makes it a safe alternative to nitrogen in certain medical procedures.

Advancements in technology with respect to helium drive the growth of the helium market.

Advancements in cryogenics, semiconductors, and nuclear energy have expanded the applications and demand for helium. Cryogenic technologies have led to the use of helium as a cooling agent for superconducting materials and devices such as MRI machines and particle accelerators. In semiconductor manufacturing, helium is used for cooling systems and testing electronic components. Samsung's investment in semiconductor research emphasizes the use of helium in their upcoming facility. Helium is also used as a coolant in certain nuclear reactors, which have improved safety and efficiency. Technological progress in these fields has increased the demand for helium as a crucial resource.

Energy-related applications play a significant role in driving the increasing demand for helium.

In nuclear power plants, helium is used as a coolant in certain reactor designs, ensuring safe and efficient operation. Helium-cooled systems offer advantages such as high heat transfer efficiency and low-pressure losses, making them attractive for next-generation nuclear power plants. The expansion of nuclear energy worldwide and the ongoing development of advanced reactor technologies contribute to the increase in demand for helium in the energy sector. Helium plays a crucial role in energy exploration, particularly in the extraction of natural gas. Helium is often found in underground natural gas reserves, and it can be separated from the gas during the extraction process. Helium is used to pressurize and purge gas lines, preventing impurities from contaminating the natural gas.

The industrial demand for helium continues to grow steadily. Its applications in sectors such as aerospace, healthcare, electronics, and energy contribute to its increasing demand. The rise in the prevalence of advanced technologies and the expansion of the global market drive the need for helium in various manufacturing and research processes.

In the aerospace industry, helium is crucial for filling airships and providing buoyancy for balloons used in scientific research, weather monitoring, and telecommunications. The demand for helium in aerospace is expected to increase with the development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and the exploration of near-space environments.

In the healthcare sector, helium is indispensable for MRI machines, which are widely used for diagnostic imaging. The growing prevalence of MRI scanners globally, coupled with the increasing demand for accurate medical imaging, fuels the need for helium. In addition, helium-oxygen mixtures are utilized in respiratory treatments, providing relief for patients with respiratory ailments and improving overall healthcare outcomes.

The electronics industry relies on helium for various applications. In semiconductor manufacturing, helium is used to cool and purge equipment, ensuring the integrity of electronic components and enhancing production efficiency. Helium's inert properties prevent contamination and minimize the risk of damage during fabrication processes. The demand for helium increases as the demand for advanced electronics, including integrated circuits and microprocessors, continues to rise.

The helium market is segmented into type, application, end-use industry, and regions. On the basis of phase type, the market is bifurcated into liquid and gaseous. On the basis of application, the market is categorized into cryogenics, pressurizing and purging, welding, controlled atmosphere, leak detection, breathing mixture, others. On the basis of the end-use industry, the market is divided into aerospace and defense, medical and healthcare, electricals and electronics, and others. Region-wise, the market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Helium gas serves important roles in different industries, including technology, science, medicine, and manufacturing. In welding processes like TIG and MIG welding, helium acts as a shielding gas, safeguarding the weld area from oxidation and contamination. This ensures high-quality welds. In diving applications, helium-oxygen mixtures like heliox and trimix are used for deep-sea and saturation diving. The low density of helium minimizes the narcotic effects of breathing gases at high pressures, preventing conditions like nitrogen narcosis. One of the most well-known uses of helium gas is filling balloons to make them float. Helium is lighter than air and provides buoyancy, allowing balloons to rise and float in the atmosphere.

Helium plays a crucial role in various scientific applications that require extremely low temperatures. One important use of helium is in the long-term storage of biological samples like eggs, embryos, and tissue. By creating and maintaining cryogenic temperatures, helium enables the preservation of these samples for medical research, assisted reproduction, and the conservation of genetic diversity.

Additionally, helium finds extensive usage in scientific research fields such as low-temperature physics, materials science, and condensed matter physics. Researchers leverage helium to study the behavior of materials at ultra-low temperatures, uncovering unique properties and phenomena that would otherwise remain elusive. To achieve these extremely cold temperatures, helium is essential in cryostats and dilution refrigerators, providing the means to reach and maintain the desired conditions. This capability opens up avenues for exploring the frontiers of science, enabling advancements in various fields through the investigation of materials and the discovery of novel scientific insights.

Helium is commonly used as a coolant in various electronic and electrical systems. Superconducting magnets in devices like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines, particle accelerators, and some scientific research equipment require extremely low temperatures. Helium is employed as a cryogenic coolant to achieve these low temperatures. Helium is used as a tracer gas to detect leaks in electronic and electrical systems. It is an inert gas that can be easily detected using sensitive helium leak detectors. This method is particularly useful in identifying leaks in systems such as air conditioning, refrigeration, and vacuum systems.

The Asia-Pacific region stands at the forefront of research and development in the fields of cryogenics and superconductivity. Helium serves as a crucial cryogenic coolant in a wide range of applications, including superconducting magnets, MRI machines, particle accelerators, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers. These advanced technologies have widespread applications in scientific research, healthcare, and materials science.

Furthermore, the Asia-Pacific region has emerged as a leader in the electronics and semiconductor manufacturing industries, where the presence of helium plays a vital role in ensuring stability and reliability across various processes. Helium is particularly significant in cooling superconducting magnets in MRI machines, manufacturing fiber optics, and purging contaminants from electronic components during assembly.

Competitive intelligence on prominent manufacturers of helium provides key insights on the strategies implemented to gain a significant share in the global helium market. Top market players in global helium are adopting product launch, partnership, and expansion as their key business strategies to sustain in the competitive market. Some of the leading manufacturers profiled in this report include  Air Liquide S.A., Air Products & Chemicals Inc., ExxonMobil Corporation, Gazprom PJSC, Gulf Cryo S.A.L., IACX Energy, Linde plc, Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc., Praxair, Inc., and Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation.

Historical Trends of Helium:

• In 1868 French astronomer Pierre Janssen and English astronomer Norman Lockyer independently observe a yellow line in the solar spectrum during a solar eclipse. They attribute this line to a new element, which they named helium after the Greek word "helios" meaning the sun.
• In 1903 The U.S. becomes the world's leading producer of helium when large reserves are found in natural gas fields in Kansas. Helium extraction begins in earnest, and the U.S. establishes a strategic helium reserve.
• 1908: Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes successfully liquefies helium for the first time. He achieves this by subjecting helium gas to extremely low temperatures, reaching just a few degrees above absolute zero (-273.15 degrees Celsius or -459.67 degrees Fahrenheit). He successfully liquefies helium by cooling it to extremely low temperatures.
• In 1881 Italian physicist Luigi Palmieri detected helium on Earth for the first time through its D3 spectral line, when he analyzed a material that had been sublimated during a recent eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
• The Helium Privatization Act of 1996 mandated the U.S. government to sell a large portion of the National Helium Reserve. However, the law faced criticism as the formula-based sale price was much lower than the market price of helium, leading to concerns and labeling it as a "fiasco." In 2013, the bill was amended to introduce auctions as a method for selling helium.
• In 2020, the sustainability of helium production, supply, and use was assessed using the WORLD7 integrated model. The use of helium is concluded to be unsustainable with respect to long-term supply security, due to the lack of significant recycling.

Key Benefits For Stakeholders

• This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the helium market analysis from 2022 to 2032 to identify the prevailing helium market opportunities.
• The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.
• Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.
• In-depth analysis of the helium market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.
• Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.
• Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.
• The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global helium market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.

 Helium Market Report Highlights