The US Department of Energy has designated helium a critical material, opening up extra federal funding for producers and closer monitoring of supply, as Europe struggles to secure enough of the gas, Euronews reports.
Helium, a by-product of natural gas processing, is essential for semiconductor manufacturing and some energy uses. Supplies from Qatar, a leading producer, have been badly disrupted by Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz and by attacks on Qatari facilities. Russia imposed temporary export limits in April.
Europe's position has been made harder by China's temporary export ban in July. Although China produces little helium itself, it had acted as a route for Russian supplies into Europe after the EU banned direct imports of Russian helium in 2024. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the designation was part of efforts to cut reliance on foreign sources of key materials.
Source: Euronews
