Topic analysis

Helium Is Hard to Replace

The war in Iran and subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted global helium supplies—Qatar, which produces one-third of the world’s helium, previously shipped it through the strait—leading to price spikes and force majeure declarations by suppliers. Helium’s unique properties, including having the lowest boiling point of any element, make it largely irreplaceable in critical applications such as MRI machine operation, semiconductor manufacturing, fiber optic production, deep-sea diving, and scientific research, though some sectors have reduced consumption via recycling.