The helium market size is valued at US$ 4.62 billion in 2023 to US$ 7.25 billion by 2031; it is estimated to register a CAGR of 5.8% from 2023 to 2031.
Helium is an odorless and colorless non-renewable natural resource that is usually recovered from the deposits of natural gas. Helium finds application in various end-use industries, including aerospace, automotive, electronics and semiconductors, healthcare, power, welding and metal fabrication, recreation/events, and others. For instance, in aerospace, helium is used to purge hydrogen systems as a cryogenic cooling agent and pressurizing agent for flight and ground fluid systems. The global helium market is segmented into type, application, and end-use industry. The application segment is further bifurcated into breathing mixes, cryogenics, leak detection, pressurizing and purging, welding, controlled atmosphere, semiconductor, MRI, and others.
The healthcare sector is one of the primary end users of helium. Helium plays an important role in medical imaging, particularly in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners. It acts as a cooling agent for superconducting magnets that are essential for the machine's function. Helium also finds significant applications in cryogenics in healthcare, wherein its extremely low temperature is utilized to preserve biological samples. The element is also employed in medical equipment such as lung ventilators, where a mix of oxygen and helium aids patients suffering from respiratory issues by reducing the density of the gas mixture. Increasing population, rising technological advancements, and evolving patient needs are driving the growth of various healthcare industries across the world. Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam, among others, are key enablers of the healthcare market growth in Asia Pacific. The notable market growth in these countries is attributed to a significant population base and the rising number of pharmaceutical companies. Asia Pacific accounts for more than 60% of the global population, which serves as an immense commercial opportunity for biopharmaceutical, medical device, and healthcare companies. The region has also emerged as one of the most prominent healthcare technology investment destinations in the world. Moreover, the population in several Asia Pacific countries is rapidly aging, ?boosting the need for hospitals, home healthcare, and hospice care.
Based on type, the helium market is bifurcated into liquid and gas. The gas segment held a larger share of the market in 2023. Gaseous helium is used as an inert shielding gas in metal arc and laser welding. It is used as a coolant to transfer heat effectively in fiber optics and electronics industries due to its high thermal conductivity. Gaseous helium serves as a carrier gas in gas chromatography procedures in analytical laboratories and as a leak detection gas in various industries. Helium gas has extremely low density, making it lighter than air. Being lighter than air and non-flammable, this gas is used to inflate balloons and airships.
A few players operating in the helium market include L’Air Liquide SA, Linde Plc, Weil Group Resources LLC, Air Products and Chemicals Inc, Messer SE & Co KGaA, Avanti Helium Corp, nexAir LLC, Renergen Ltd, American Gas Products Inc, Praxair Technology Inc, Nippon Sanso Holdings Corp, Exxon Mobil Corp, PGNiG SA, Gulf Cryo LLC, and Advanced Specialty Gases, among others. Players operating in the helium market focus on providing innovative and healthy products at affordable prices to fulfill customer demand.
The overall helium market size has been derived using both primary and secondary sources. To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market. Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants to validate the data and gain more analytical insights into the topic. The participants of this process include industry experts such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers—along with external consultants such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders—specializing in the helium market.