Air Liquide warned on Wednesday of a short-term shortage of helium tied to recent events in the Middle East, and said it plans to shift helium volumes from other regions to cover customer needs.
Armelle Levieux, the group's vice president, said the shortage was driven by the situation in the Middle East and the attacks last week on a natural gas field. Levieux noted that QatarEnergy, a major natural gas producer, had declared force majeure to its customers. She added that helium is produced as a byproduct of natural gas production.
Levieux said the company is maintaining close contact with its customers and is in the process of allocating helium sourced from other places around the world to mitigate the current shortfall.
The remarks were delivered at the opening of Air Liquide's first large-scale advanced materials factory in Taichung, Taiwan. The company plays a significant role in supplying gases to Taiwan's semiconductor sector, including work for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
Air Liquide operates more than 60 facilities in Taiwan, of which 54 serve the semiconductor industry. Taiwan's Economy Ministry on Tuesday reported that helium supplies remained stable and noted that imports are now available from the U.S.
Context and company actions
According to Levieux, the declaration of force majeure by QatarEnergy has contributed to emerging tightness in helium availability because helium is recovered during natural gas production. Air Liquide's response has been to reallocate volume from other global sources while keeping customers informed of developments.
Market relevance
- Air Liquide's supply decisions are pertinent to semiconductor manufacturers in Taiwan, a core market for the company.
- The company underscored active engagement with customers to manage distribution as the situation evolves.