China announced a temporary export ban on helium, effective immediately, as resumption of military conflict in the Middle East threatens to trigger new shortages of the gas critical for chip manufacturing.
Helium is essential for heat management in semiconductor production. The ban is the latest example of Beijing seeking to prevent domestic shortages of critical materials by curbing exports.
Impact on Global Supply
China is heavily dependent on overseas helium despite efforts to expand domestic production. The export ban could squeeze global supply further because Chinese companies have increasingly acted as intermediaries, importing Russian helium and re-exporting some volumes to overseas markets, including Europe.
Analysts estimate China imports around 85% or more of its helium requirements. Qatar accounts for a major share of global helium output and has supplied more than half of China’s imports in recent years.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
