June 2025
The global helium market size reached USD 4.25 billion in 2024 and is projected to hit around USD 8.17 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 6.75% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2034. The growing demand from various industries like healthcare, electronics, semiconductors, and the aerospace sector drives the market growth.
Helium is a chemical element that is a nontoxic, tasteless, odourless, and colorless gas. It is lighter than air and possesses very low chemical reactivity. The atomic number of helium is two, and its atomic weight is 4.002602. These properties of helium play a pivotal role in national defense, the medical industry, space exploration, and high technology manufacturing. Helium is liquid at a temperature near absolute zero. It is widely used to fill party and parade balloons. Neon lasers made up of helium are used in eye surgery, and helium is also used in rare document preservation. It is used as an inert gas for welding metals like aluminium. The growing demand for applications like welding, leak detection, and cryogenics increases the demand for helium. The growing demand for semiconductor manufacturing helps in the market growth. Factors like advancements in electronics, growing demand from healthcare, rising adoption of renewable energy sources, and growing investment in the aerospace & defense sector contribute to the overall growth of the helium market.
The Growing Demand From the Aerospace Sector Drives Market Growth
The growing demand for air travel and strong investment in space exploration help in the growth of the aerospace sector. The growing expansion aerospace sector increases demand for helium for various applications. Helium plays a major role in the advancements of the aerospace sector. The growing rocket launches increases demand for helium to ensure the smooth flow of engines and pressurizing fuel tanks. The rising demand for spacecraft cooling systems is fueling demand for helium to avoid chemical reactions. The growing manufacturing of aerospace increases demand for helium for shielding gas in precision welding, purging the hydrogen system, and leak detection of components. Helium plays a crucial role in fuel pressurizing rockets and as a cryogenic cooling system in satellites & spacecraft. Helium is widely used to ensure efficiency and safety in space missions. The rapid growth in private aerospace companies increases demand for helium. The growing expansion of space and commercial aviation increases demand for helium for different applications like rocket systems, airships, and weather balloons. The growing demand from the aerospace sector is a key driver for the growth of the helium market.
Report Attributes | Details |
Market Size in 2025 | USD 4.54 Billion |
Market Size by 2034 | USD 8.17 Billion |
Growth Rate from 2025 to 2034 | CAGR 6.75% |
Base Year of Estimation | 2024 |
Forecast Period | 2025 - 2034 |
High Impact Region | North America |
Segment Covered | By Phase, By Application, By End Use, By Region |
Key Companies Profiled | Linde Plc, Messer Group, MESA Specialty Gases & Equipment, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Air Liquide, Taiyo Nippon Sanso India, Matheson Tri-Gas Inc., Gazprom PJSC, IACX Energy, Iwatani corporation, Gulf Cryo S.A.L. |
The Growing Expansion of the Semiconductor Industry
The growing expansion of the semiconductor industry increases the demand for helium. The growing demand for semiconductor manufacturing fuels the demand for helium to ensure optimal performance and prevent overheating. The growing advancements in the semiconductor industry, like quantum computing, AI, and others, increase demand for helium. Helium controls temperature during wafer production. The growing demand for cooling agents for semiconductor production increases the adoption of helium to maintain optimal temperature. It prevents oxidation during the manufacturing of semiconductors.
The growing demand for cooling components in advanced technologies like quantum computing increases the demand for helium cryogenic processes. Helium creates protective atmospheres during semiconductor manufacturing processes. The growing expansion of the semiconductor industry creates the opportunity for the growth of the helium market.
Complex Extraction & Processing Limits Expansion of the Helium Market
Despite several benefits of helium across various industries, complex extraction & processing restricts market growth. The cost of the process of extracting and processing helium is high. Helium is extracted from natural gas byproducts. The extraction of helium involves various processes like pre-treatment of natural gas, cryogenic distillation, purification, and additional methods like adsorption & membrane separation, which are complex. Helium extraction is completely dependent on the production of natural gas. The complex extraction processes require a number of facilities. Pre-treatment of the natural gas process includes initial purification and heavy hydrocarbon removal. Cryogenic distillation involves cooling, liquefication, and separation. Purification includes impurity removal & extraction of grade A helium. The complex extraction and processing hamper the growth of the market.
Why Did North America Dominate the Helium Market?
North America dominated the helium market in 2024. The presence of large reserves of helium-rich natural gas in the region helps in the market growth. The presence of a well-established healthcare sector and industrial sector increases demand for helium. The advanced infrastructure for helium distribution, extraction, and processing drives the market growth. The strong presence of research institutions and technology companies increases demand for helium. The growing consumption and production of helium in the region help the market growth. Additionally, growing demand from the electronics, aerospace, and semiconductor manufacturing industries drives the overall growth of the market.
The United States' Contribution to the Helium Market
The United States is a major contributor to the market. The presence of large helium resources in regions like the LaBarge field helps in the market growth. The well-established healthcare and industrial sectors help in the market growth. The growing demand from various areas like medical imaging, cryogenics, manufacturing, and aerospace increases the demand for helium. The strong infrastructure for the extraction of helium and the presence of advanced technologies help in the market. The growing demand from various applications like defense, scientific research, and medical technology drives the overall growth of the market.
How is Asia Pacific Growing in the Helium Market?
Asia Pacific is experiencing the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period. The rising demand from various manufacturing processes, like semiconductor production, increases demand for helium. The rapid growth in the healthcare sector, growing adoption of advanced diagnostics tools & MRI machines help in the market growth. The rapid urbanization and growing demand for various goods & services fuel the adoption of helium. The growing investment in the electronics & semiconductor industry increases demand for helium. The increasing manufacturing activities across various industries like construction, automotive, and aerospace are fueling demand for helium. Additionally, growing electronics manufacturing in various countries like South Korea, China, and Taiwan drives the growth of the market.
China Helium Market Trends
China is a major contributor to the market. The growing demand from various sectors like healthcare, electronics, and the semiconductor sectors fuels demand for helium. The growing consumption of helium in the nation helps in the market growth. The growing technological advancements in medical imaging equipment and semiconductor manufacturing increase increases demand for helium. Furthermore, the growing domestic helium production and building LNG-BOG helium extraction facilities support the overall growth of the market.
China exported 10563 shipments of helium. (Source: volza)
China exported 1473 shipments of helium gas. (Source:Volza )
Why is India Growing in the Helium Market?
India is significantly growing in the helium market. The growing use of MRI machines and the rapid growth in the healthcare sector increase demand for helium. The growing semiconductor industry and foreign investment in the semiconductor sector help in the market growth. The growing use of cryogenic technologies and technological advancements in helium utilization drives market growth. The growing semiconductor industry is fueling demand for helium for inert atmospheres, cooling, and various other processes. The growing development of the aerospace sector and space exploration drives the overall growth of the market.
How Gas Phase Segment Dominated the Helium Market in 2024?
The gas phase segment dominate the helium market in 2024. The growing production of modern electronic devices and semiconductors increases demand for helium gas. The growing demand from a wide range of industries, like leak detection and welding, helps in the market growth. The growing need to create controlled environments during the manufacturing of semiconductors and electronics fuels demand for helium. The growing demand for purging and pressurizing tanks in the aerospace industry increases demand for helium, helping in the market growth. The growing utilization of medical imaging equipment, like lung ventilators and MRI, drives the growth of the overall market.
The liquid phase segment is the fastest growing in the market during the forecast period. The growing demand for MRI diagnostics and the increasing demand for cooling superconducting magnets fuel demand for liquid gas. The growing demand for maintaining extremely low temperatures in scientific research applications like space exploration, quantum computing, and particle accelerators helps in the market growth. The growing demand for MRI machines in various regions increases the demand for helium. The growing demand from various industrial applications like crystal growth, rocket fuel tanks, and many other applications increases the demand for helium. The growing expansion of the healthcare industry, especially in countries like India and China, increases demand for helium, driving the overall growth of the market.
Why Cryogenics Segment Dominate the Helium Market?
The cryogenics segment dominate the helium market in 2024. The growing demand for biological sample preservation, such as tissue samples, eggs, and embryos, increases demand for cryogenics. The increasing demand from medical applications like blood preservation, cryosurgery, cryotherapy, and tissue preservation helps in the market growth. The growing demand for electronic devices fuels the adoption of cryogenic cooling to enhance the performance of devices. The growing automotive industry and rising demand for various food & beverages increase demand for cryogenics for cooling certain components and preservation of food. The wide range of applications, like facilitating scientific experiments, regenerative medicine, cooling materials & equipment, and advancement in biotechnology, drives market growth. Additionally, the growing demand from space exploration for various purposes like spacecraft & cooling infrared detectors on telescopes supports the overall growth of the market.
The leak detection segment experiences the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period. The stricter environmental regulations increase demand for leak detection. The growing demand from the automotive industry for testing of components like air conditioning systems, fuel lines, and engine components helps in the market growth. The rising technological advancements, like AI & automation integrations, are developing more advanced helium leak detectors. These detectors detect extremely low leak rates and identify the smallest defect in systems & components. Additionally, growing demand across various industries like medical devices, aerospace, construction, and electronics drives the overall growth of the market.
Why Did Medical & Healthcare Dominate the Helium Market in 2024?
The medical & healthcare segment dominated the helium market in 2024. The growing demand for MRI examinations and the increasing installation of MRI units in various healthcare settings help in the market growth. The growing various respiratory conditions like COPD & Asthma increases demand for breathing mixtures made from helium. The growing demand from various medical applications and the increasing demand for preserving biological samples fuel demand for helium cryogenics. The ongoing research in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy increases demand for helium. Additionally, the growing expansion of healthcare infrastructure and the rising requirement for advanced imaging facilities support the overall growth of the market.
The electronics & electrical segment is the fastest growing in the market during the forecast period. The rising demand for LED screens fuels demand for helium for inert atmosphere and cooling, helping in the market growth. The growing demand for minimizing defects, cooling electronic components, and enhancing quality increases demand for helium. The growing adoption of high-performance functionality electronic devices fuels demand for helium. The increasing demand for leak detection in electrical parts helps in the market growth. Additionally, growing consumer electronics production, miniaturization of devices, and technological advancements support the market growth.
By Phase
By Application
By End Use
By Region
June 2025
June 2025
June 2025
June 2025