US designates helium as critical material amid supply concerns

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 20:20 · Archive

The US Energy Department has designated helium a critical material, citing its essential role in semiconductors and concerns over global supply disruptions.

The US Energy Department designated helium a critical material on Friday, the 20th such material identified by the department. The designation makes additional federal funding available to US helium producers and brings the gas under closer government monitoring.

Helium is essential for semiconductor manufacturing and energy production, including wind, solar and nuclear power generation, space exploration and medical imaging. It is the only gas other than fluorine on the department's critical materials list. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the Trump administration is seeking to reduce dependence on foreign sources of critical materials, boost domestic manufacturing and support American jobs.

The designation reflects growing concerns over global supply disruptions. The US is the world's largest helium producer, with Qatar and Russia also among leading producers. However, Euronews reports that helium exports from Qatar have been severely disrupted by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz amid war with Israel and the US, while Russia introduced temporary export restrictions in April. China imposed a temporary export ban on helium in July, further affecting supplies reaching Europe through what had been a transit route.

How it is being reported

• U.S. designates helium a critical material, days after 60 Minutes reportThe designation makes more federal financing available for helium producers.CBS News · 23 Oct, 20:59
• US designates helium as critical material as Europe faces supply squeezeThe US has declared helium a critical material as war in the Middle East and export curbs by Russia and China squeeze global supplies of a gas vital to chipmaking, leaving Europe scrambling to secure its share.Euronews · 23 Oct, 20:02
• Helium named a critical material by Trump administration amid worries over global supplyHelium is the 20th critical material identified by DOEIndependent World · 23 Oct, 15:30

In this story: United States · Energy Department · Chris Wright · Qatar · Russia · China · Europe · Iran

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem