1. | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY |
1.1. | Helium Consumption by End-Use: 2016-2023 |
1.2. | Global Helium Resources by Region |
1.3. | Typical supply chain and separation processes for helium production |
1.4. | Lack of supply diversification manifests in chronic supply challenges |
1.5. | Supply deficits and increasing market prices stimulating new helium exploration |
1.6. | Membrane and PSA methods are more economical than cryogenic separation |
1.7. | Russia and Qatar are leading the charge in growing production capacity |
1.8. | Several manufacturing processes rely on a stable supply of helium |
1.9. | Helium is critical to the growing semiconductor manufacturing industry |
1.10. | Helium Demand Forecast for Semiconductor and Fiber Optic Manufacturing (2023-2025) |
1.11. | Helium is used in trace gas leak testing to detect extremely low leak rates |
1.12. | Technology Readiness of Helium Reclamation in Key Markets |
1.13. | Technological advances are lowering helium requirements for superconductors |
1.14. | Developments in reducing helium consumption for MRI applications |
1.15. | Emerging low-field systems in the market are not reliant on helium for cooling |
1.16. | Recapture and recycling systems critical for helium conservation in NMR |
1.17. | Growing demand for the very rare He-3 for quantum computing (2024-2035) |
1.18. | Several other industries are reliant on helium with some finding substitutes |
1.19. | Variety of substitutes and reclamation can be considered for helium management |
1.20. | Adoption of reclamation for leak testing and cryogenic applications (2024-2035) |
1.21. | Total Yearly Global Helium Demand Segmented by Application (2023-2035) |
1.22. | Comparison of Helium Production Capacity and Demand Forecast (2024-2035) |
1.23. | Access More With an IDTechEx Subscription |
2. | INTRODUCTION |
2.1. | Overview |
2.1.1. | Helium is a finite resource with a wide range of industrial applications |
2.2. | Global Resources and Production |
2.2.1. | Global helium resources are estimated to be around 40 billion cubic meters |
2.2.2. | Major global helium production sites |
2.2.3. | Global helium production is dominated by the US, Qatar, Algeria, and Russia |
2.3. | Applications |
2.3.1. | Semiconductor manufacturing is set to overtake MRI applications in the US |
2.3.2. | Helium is a major cryogen for medical, chemical, and quantum computing |
2.3.3. | Helium is widely used in aerospace applications |
2.3.4. | Helium plays a significant role in semiconductor and fiber optic manufacturing |
2.3.5. | Helium or helium mixed with argon is used for welding applications |
2.3.6. | Helium enables deep-sea diving by minimizing the narcotic effects of nitrogen |
2.3.7. | Helium is widely used in leak detection and testing applications |
2.3.8. | Lifting applications using helium |
2.4. | Supply challenges |
2.4.1. | Geopolitical strains and supply challenges contribute to high market volatility |
2.4.2. | Helium is recognized as a critical raw material by the EU and Canada |
2.5. | Outlook |
2.5.1. | IDTechEx outlook for helium as a raw material |
3. | HELIUM PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY |
3.1. | Overview |
3.1.1. | Helium production and separation processes |
3.1.2. | Helium is produced through radioactive decay of uranium and thorium |
3.1.3. | Typical helium supply chain and separation processes |
3.1.4. | Helium-3 is a rare gas sourced as a by-product from nuclear energy |
3.2. | Global Production and Price Volatility |
3.2.1. | Global helium production capacity (2005-2022) |
3.2.2. | Lack of supply diversification manifests in chronic supply challenges |
3.2.3. | US helium production (2000-2023) |
3.2.4. | Main active helium extraction and processing facilities in the US |
3.2.5. | Qatar, Canada, and Russia are emerging helium producers |
3.2.6. | Downtime in existing helium liquefaction facilities often disrupts supply |
3.3. | Exploration and Development |
3.3.1. | Examples of helium exploration and sourcing from natural gas fields |
3.3.2. | Canada is a hotspot for primary helium exploration by independent companies |
3.3.3. | North American Helium is expanding its primary helium production |
3.3.4. | Total Helium has partnered with Linde to develop primary helium production |
3.3.5. | Royal Helium is expanding its primary helium exploration in Canada |
3.4. | Helium separation technologies |
3.4.1. | Three industrial helium separation technologies: cryogenic, PSA and membranes |
3.4.2. | Hollow fiber membranes are a popular choice for helium separation |
3.4.3. | Different types of hollow fiber membranes are available for helium separation |
3.4.4. | Generon's membranes + PSA technology can recover helium to >99.5% purity |
3.4.5. | Grasys develops and provides membrane technology for helium separation |
3.4.6. | IACX has a growing number of helium processing operations in North America |
3.4.7. | Air Liquide's advanced separation technology uses membranes and PSA |
3.4.8. | Linde offers cryogenic, membrane, and PSA-based separation technologies |
3.4.9. | UGS offers fully skidded membrane-based helium separation systems |
3.4.10. | Membrane and PSA methods are more economical than cryogenic separation |
3.5. | Players |
3.5.1. | Helium production and supply company landscape |
3.6. | Outlook and Forecast |
3.6.1. | Supply deficits and increasing market prices stimulating new helium exploration |
3.6.2. | Forecast for Yearly Global Helium Production Capacity (2020-2035) |
3.6.3. | Forecast for Share of Yearly Global Helium Production Capacity (2020-2035) |
4. | HELIUM IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY |
4.1. | Overview |
4.1.1. | Key manufacturing processes rely on a stable supply of helium |
4.2. | Semiconductor Industry |
4.2.1. | Government initiatives boosting regional growth of the semiconductor industry |
4.2.2. | Industrial movement to boost semiconductor manufacturing |
4.2.3. | Helium is critical to the growing semiconductor manufacturing industry |
4.2.4. | Helium has exceptional thermal conductivity for expedient cooling of chips |
4.2.5. | Lack of helium alternatives provides a strong case for reclamation |
4.2.6. | Emerging adoption of reclamation technologies for other rare gases |
4.3. | Fiber Optic Industry |
4.3.1. | Fiber optic cables are a critical component of the telecoms infrastructure |
4.3.2. | Fiber optic production uses helium during the fiber drawing process |
4.3.3. | Helium reclamation and helium alternatives for fiber optic manufacturers |
4.3.4. | Nextrom's system reclaims ~90% of the helium used in optical fiber cooling |
4.4. | Leak Testing |
4.4.1. | Helium is used in trace gas leak testing to detect extremely low leak rates |
4.4.2. | Sniffer and accumulation tests have detection limits of ~10-5scc/s |
4.4.3. | Helium is critical for testing leak rates beyond 10-6scc/s to limits of 10-12scc/s |
4.4.4. | Growing interest in helium recycling systems for leak testing applications |
4.4.5. | Cincinnati Test Systems (CTS) offers leak testing and helium recycling systems |
4.4.6. | Telstar offers helium leak testing and reclamation systems for manufacturers |
4.4.7. | VES's PURE systems reclaim and recycle helium consumption |
4.4.8. | SWOT analysis of helium recycling systems for leak testing applications |
4.4.9. | Helium is the leading choice for tests that require high sensitivity and throughput |
4.5. | Industrial Insights |
4.5.1. | Helium is used in automotive manufacturing processes and components |
4.5.2. | Emerging HVAC systems have more stringent leak-testing requirements |
4.5.3. | Leak testing is essential for fuel cells and battery thermal management systems |
4.6. | Players |
4.6.1. | IDTechEx subdivided the players segmented by the manufacturing industry |
4.7. | Outlook and Forecasts |
4.7.1. | Technology Readiness of Helium Reclamation in Key Markets |
4.7.2. | Helium Demand Forecast for Semiconductor and Fiber Optic Manufacturing (2023-2035) |
4.7.3. | Helium Demand Forecast for Leak Testing in Manufacturing (2023-2035) |
5. | CRYOGENIC AND THERMAL MANAGEMENT APPLICATIONS |
5.1. | Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) |
5.1.1. | Helium is an essential commodity for MRI scanners in the medical sector |
5.1.2. | Challenges in minimizing helium losses during MRI scanner lifecycle |
5.1.3. | TRL of MRI systems: newer scanners are significantly less dependent on helium |
5.1.4. | Developments in reducing helium consumption in LTS MRI systems |
5.1.5. | Fully-sealed superconducting magnet systems using 'dry' LTS magnets |
5.1.6. | Growing sales for sealed-for-life MRI magnets with no helium refilling needed |
5.1.7. | Emerging preclinical high-field MRI magnets eliminating need for helium refills |
5.1.8. | Low-field MRI are more versatile and flexible than high-field MRI machines |
5.1.9. | Emerging low-field systems in the market are not reliant on helium for cooling |
5.1.10. | Developments in MgB2 and other high-temperature superconductors for MRI |
5.1.11. | Rare-earths for some MRI magnets have supply chain concerns and price volatility |
5.1.12. | Metamaterials can be coupled with low-field systems to improve image quality |
5.1.13. | MRI enhancement through flexible metamaterials |
5.1.14. | Commercial status of metamaterials in MRI |
5.2. | Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy |
5.2.1. | Helium supply disruptions can cause permanent damage to NMR instruments |
5.2.2. | Recapture and recycling systems critical for helium conservation in NMR |
5.2.3. | Helium supply and price volatility are driving investment in recycling systems |
5.2.4. | Examples of recapture installations funded by grants |
5.2.5. | Strategies to reduce the helium dependence of NMR instruments |
5.2.6. | Bruker's HelioSmart technology is optimized for NMR spectrometers |
5.2.7. | Quantum Technology offers helium recycling systems for NMR instruments |
5.2.8. | JEOL offers cryogen reclamation systems for its NMR instruments |
5.2.9. | Bluefors offers zero-boil off helium reliquefaction technology for NMR |
5.2.10. | Helium recycling systems: SWOT |
5.2.11. | Chasing high-field strengths is leading the development of HTS magnets |
5.3. | Thermal Management for Quantum Computing |
5.3.1. | Quantum computing has the potential to disrupt the existing computing eco-system |
5.3.2. | He-3 and He-4 are needed for cooling to milli-Kelvin temperatures |
5.3.3. | Introduction to cryostats for quantum computing |
5.3.4. | Specialized cryogenic systems to support some quantum computing modalities |
5.3.5. | Helium-3 isotope supply could prove decisive in quantum ecosystems thriving |
5.4. | Liquefying Hydrogen for Storage and Transportation |
5.4.1. | Hydrogen liquefaction for storage and transportation |
5.4.2. | Types of hydrogen liquefaction cycles & refrigerants |
5.4.3. | Hydrogen liquefaction - helium Brayton cycle |
5.4.4. | Spherical LH2 storage vessels using helium as a refrigerant |
5.5. | Other Cryogenic Applications |
5.5.1. | Power transmission with superconducting cables with low resistive losses |
5.5.2. | Large Hadron Collider is the largest cryogenic system using liquid helium |
5.6. | Company Landscape |
5.6.1. | Landscape of key players of technologies using helium as a cryogen |
5.7. | Outlook and Forecast |
5.7.1. | Magnet designs and material development are lowering helium requirements |
5.7.2. | Helium Demand Forecast for MRI Applications (2023-2035) |
5.7.3. | Helium (He-4) Demand Forecast for Quantum Computing (2024-2035) |
5.7.4. | Helium (He-3) Demand Forecast for Quantum Computing (2024-2035) |
6. | OTHER APPLICATIONS OF HELIUM |
6.1. | Overview |
6.1.1. | Several other industries are reliant on helium with some finding substitutes |
6.2. | Lifting Applications Using Helium |
6.2.1. | Scientific balloons are used by NASA for experiments and technology tests |
6.2.2. | Helium-based lighter-than-air aircraft technologies to decarbonize aviation |
6.2.3. | Lighter-than-air promises decarbonization but may struggle to gain market share |
6.3. | Chemical Analysis using Gas Chromatography |
6.3.1. | Alternatives to helium are increasingly being adopted for GC applications |
6.3.2. | Hydrogen is often a preferred alternative to helium as a GC carrier gas |
6.3.3. | Conservation modules are available to conserve helium in GC instruments |
6.4. | Aerospace Applications of Helium |
6.4.1. | Helium is used widely in the aerospace sector with no viable alternatives |
6.5. | Cooling Nuclear Reactors using Helium |
6.5.1. | Helium is used as a coolant for some nuclear reactors |
6.6. | Forecasts |
6.6.1. | Helium Demand Forecast for Lifting Gas Applications (2023-2035) |
6.6.2. | Helium Demand Forecast for Diving, Welding and Pressurization & Purging (2023-2035) |
7. | HELIUM SUBSTITUTES AND RECLAMATION |
7.1. | Overview |
7.1.1. | IDTechEx evaluated viability of helium substitutes and reclamation technologies |
7.1.2. | Variety of substitutes and reclamation can be considered for helium management |
7.1.3. | A range of helium reclamation systems for cryogenic applications are available |
7.1.4. | Varied adoption of helium recycling technologies within manufacturing industry |
7.1.5. | Helium conservation and reclamation technologies by supplier |
7.2. | Outlook and Forecast |
7.2.1. | Growing adoption of reclamation for leak testing and cryogenic applications |
8. | FORECASTS |
8.1. | Forecast Methodology |
8.2. | Helium Demand Forecast for Semiconductor and Fiber Optic Manufacturing (2023-2035) |
8.3. | Helium Demand Forecast for Leak Testing in Manufacturing Processes (2023-2035) |
8.4. | Helium Demand Forecast for MRI Applications (2023-2035) |
8.5. | Helium Demand Forecast for Lifting Gas Applications (2023-2035) |
8.6. | Helium Demand Forecast for Analytical, R&D, and Specialty Gases (2023-2035) |
8.7. | Helium (He-4) Demand Forecast for Quantum Computing (2024-2035) |
8.8. | Helium (He-3) Demand Forecast for Quantum Computing (2024-2035) |
8.9. | Helium Demand Forecast for Diving, Welding and Pressurization & Purging (2023-2035) |
8.10. | Total Yearly Global Helium Demand Segmented by Application (2023-2035) |
8.11. | Share of Total Yearly Helium Demand by Application |
8.12. | Forecast for Yearly Helium Production Capacity (2020-2035) |
8.13. | Comparison of Helium Production Capacity and Demand Forecast (2024-2035) |
9. | COMPANY PROFILES |
9.1. | Air Liquide |
9.2. | BlueFors (Helium) |
9.3. | Bruker |
9.4. | Cincinnati Test Systems |
9.5. | Evonik |
9.6. | Generon (Helium) |
9.7. | Hybrid Air Vehicles |
9.8. | IACX Energy |
9.9. | North American Helium |
9.10. | Philips (BlueSeal) |
9.11. | Rosendahl Nextrom (Optical Fiber) |
9.12. | Siemens Healthineers |
9.13. | Telstar (Helium) |
9.14. | Unconventional Gas Solutions (UGS) |
9.15. | Uniper (Helium) |
9.16. | VES |