Helium (He) — AirGas Declares Force Majeure, Supply Cut to 50%

AcCording to Bloomberg report on March 25, 2026, AirGas, one of the largest packaged gas distributors in the United States and a subsidiary of Air Liquide SA, officially declared force majeure on March 17, announcing that it expects to reduce monthly helium supplies to some customers to 50% of normal levels, with an additional surcharge of $13.50 per hundred cubic feet .

This development marks a critical turning point in the global helium supply chain crisis. Qatar, which accounts for approximately one-third of global helium supply, has experienced significant production disruptions following attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf region. Since helium is extracted as a byproduct of natural gas liquefaction, the suspension of LNG production has directly impacted helium extraction capabilities .

According to hospital procurement service Vizient's market update report, AirGas has prioritized medical institutions over other industries when allocating limited supplies. Currently, the U.S. medical imaging sector reports that patient care has not yet been substantially affected. However, as supply gaps continue to widen, the semiconductor industry faces potentially deeper impacts .

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and other foundries could face significant capacity constraints if helium supply shortages persist. The semiconductor industry is at a critical juncture meeting massive demand from data center construction, and any systematic contraction in raw material supply will directly amplify existing capacity bottlenecks .

According to data from the China Energy News, if tensions in the region continue, the timeline for Qatar LNG production recovery remains uncertain, and helium supply gaps are expected to widen, potentially constraining global AI chip production capacity .

Sources:

• Bloomberg, March 25, 2026

• Vizient Market Update Report

• China Energy News, March 27, 2026