US Department of Energy names helium to critical materials list
Global demand for helium is growing faster than production, increasing supply risks for American manufacturers, DOE said.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has designated helium as a critical material under the Energy Act of 2020, advancing the Trump Administration's commitment to reducing reliance on foreign sources of critical materials. This designation is due to helium's essential role in American manufacturing, particularly in semiconductor production, where it has no viable substitutes.
The U.S. produces helium as a byproduct of natural gas processing in several states, with Kansas leading production. However, growing global demand for helium, coupled with limited refining capacity and lengthy permitting timelines, continues to strain U.S. production and increase supply risks for American manufacturers.
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