External Energy Supply Disruption Intensifies, Domestic Helium Alternative Enterprises Gain Attention

Why did the halt in helium production severely impact the semiconductor supply chain?

According to Sina Finance, Qatar Energy has stopped producing liquefied natural gas, and the helium gas closely related to the semiconductor industry has also ceased production. The shutdown has led to a roughly 30% reduction in global helium supply, directly affecting semiconductor manufacturing costs.

Geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East have raised security concerns for energy facilities. Since helium is a byproduct of liquefied natural gas production and cannot be produced independently, its production has also stopped simultaneously.

Looking at the competitive landscape, global helium supply is highly concentrated, with a CR4 capacity of 89%. Qatar, the U.S., and Russia dominate the supply, with Qatar accounting for 30%-35% of global output and being China’s largest helium import source, accounting for over 54% (by 2025).

On the demand side, helium’s irreplaceability makes it a critical need for high-end manufacturing. The semiconductor industry is its core consumer, accounting for 20% of global demand. Advanced processes below 7nm, 3D NAND storage, and other segments require extremely high purity helium, with no economically feasible substitutes. The explosive growth in global AI computing power has driven a 120% year-on-year increase in high-end storage demand, further intensifying supply-demand tensions.

For China, the country’s helium dependence on imports is as high as 83%-85%. In the short term, there will be pressure from import shortages, but this also accelerates the domestic replacement process. Leading companies like Yangtze Memory Technologies and Changxin Storage have already started certifying domestic helium suppliers.

Looking ahead, even if geopolitical conflicts ease, it will take weeks to months for Qatar to resume helium production. In the short term, global helium shortages are expected to persist, and prices may rise further. In the medium term, breakthroughs in domestic technologies such as LNG-BOG helium extraction are expected to gradually increase domestic capacity, reducing external dependence.

Specifically, in the A-share market, this event has somewhat boosted related sectors such as helium production, purification, and recovery, as well as companies involved in helium transportation and storage. Leading firms with technological barriers are likely to attract investor attention. (Everbright Securities Micro News)