US designates helium as critical material for semiconductors
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 15:33 · Archive
The US has designated helium as a critical material, citing its essential role in semiconductor production and supply chain risks.
The US Department of Energy designated helium as a critical material on Friday. The decision reflects helium's importance for semiconductor production in energy generation and concerns about global supply disruption. The designation makes more federal financing available to helium producers and increases government monitoring of the sector.
Helium is primarily produced as a byproduct of natural gas processing. The United States is the world's largest producer of both natural gas and helium, followed by Qatar and Russia. Qatar's helium exports have been severely curtailed by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz related to its conflict with Israel and the US, while Iranian strikes have also damaged Qatar's infrastructure. Russia imposed temporary export controls on helium in April to protect its domestic supply.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the Trump administration aims to free America from reliance on foreign sources of critical materials while strengthening domestic manufacturing and supporting American jobs. Helium is the 20th critical material identified by the Department of Energy, following metallurgical coal in 2025. It is only the second gas on the critical materials list, after fluorine.
How it is being reported
- US designates helium as a critical material, citing its importance for semiconductorsThe U.S. government has designated helium as a critical material because it’s indispensable for making semiconductors that are essential to energy generation, and the global supply is at risk of disruption.News4Jax · 23 Oct, 15:01
- US designates helium as a critical material, citing its importance for semiconductorsThe U.S. government has designated helium as a critical material because it’s indispensable for making semiconductors that are essential to energy generation, and the global supply is at risk of disruption.Clickorlando · 23 Oct, 15:01
In this story: United States · Qatar · Russia · Iran · Israel · US Department of Energy · Chris Wright
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