USA adds helium to critical raw materials list, Europe running short

The United States has officially declared helium a critical raw material. The decision comes amid a global context of supply restrictions, exacerbated by the war in the Middle East and export limitations imposed by Russia and China.

This move by the U.S. further pressures Europe, which is already facing shortages of the gas. Helium is indeed an essential component in semiconductor (chip) production, a strategic sector for the digital economy. The European Union must now take action to secure an adequate share of this resource.

Helium is a light, inert noble gas that is rarely found in nature. It has become crucial in the technological era because it is used in high-precision industrial processes, such as the production of computer chips and electronic devices. Without helium, many semiconductor factories would not be able to operate.

The helium shortage is not a new problem. Global reserves have always been limited and concentrated in a few countries. The situation has drastically worsened in recent years due to two main factors: the war in the Middle East, which has disrupted some trade routes and destabilized the region, and the export restriction policies adopted by Russia and China, two key players in the commodities market. These nations have reduced foreign sales to prioritize their domestic industries.

As a result, the global supply has contracted, driving up prices and creating tensions among consumer countries. The United States, possessing its own reserves and a strong technology industry, has now decided to classify helium as "critical," a step that often precedes measures to protect national stockpiles or incentivize domestic production. This leaves Europe, which heavily depends on imports, in a vulnerable position, forcing it to seek new agreements or alternative sources for a material without which its technology industry risks coming to a halt.