Analysis: Why helium’s structural constraints are exposed by geopolitical shocks

gasworld Intelligence’s Jamie Siequien reflects on one of the most dynamic six weeks in the helium industry in recent memory and explores the interplay between geopolitics, supply and demand

A small market with disproportionate risk

Helium occupies a unique position within the industrial gas sector. By value, it remains marginal. According to the European Industrial Gases Association (EIGA), helium accounts for approximately 2% of the European industrial gas market, while the US Geological Survey (USGS) values the global helium market at around $2.5bn. Yet its importance outweighs its size.