Helium Market Size and Forecast 2025 to 2034

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.

Key Takeaways

The North America helium market held a dominant revenue share of 38.11% in 2024.
The gas phase dominated the global market with a revenue share of approximately 73.21% in 2024.
The cryogenics application segment held the largest revenue share of 24.11% in 2024.
The medical & healthcare segment accounted for a revenue share of 41.23% in 2024.

The Power of Helium in Industries and Science

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.

Market Trends

The growing demand from the healthcare sector: The growing expansion of the healthcare sector and increasing prevalence of chronic diseases fuel demand for helium for various applications. Helium is widely used in MRI machines, respiratory treatments, laparoscopic surgeries, and imaging techniques.
The growing space exploration: The increasing global investment in space exploration increases demand for helium. In space exploration, helium is used in leak detection, fuel tank pressurization, and cooling systems in spacecraft & rockets.
The increasing demand for industrial applications: The growing demand for various industrial applications like leak detection, welding, and instrumentation increases demand for helium.

Report Scope

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.

Market Opportunity

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.

India exported $2.07B of semiconductor devices in 2023. (Source: oec.world)

Market Challenge

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.

Regional Insights

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.

The United States exported 13388 shipments of helium. (Source: Volza)
The United States exported 4242 shipments of helium gas. (Source:Volza )
United States exported 5734 shipments of helium liquid.(Source:volza )

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.

India exported 211 shipments of helium leak testing.(Source:volza )
From October 2023 to September 2024, India exported 152 shipments of helium gas with a growth rate of 27% from the past twelve months. (Source:Volza )
CHEMTRON SCIENCE LABORATORIES is the leading supplier of helium gas in India.(Source:Volza )

Segmental Insights

Phase Insights

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.

Application Insights

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.

End Use Insights

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.

Recent Developments

In February 2025, Iran started helium extraction from natural gas. The project will establish a helium production plant and eliminate the need for helium gas imports. According to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, the project with a capacity of 22 tons per year has been completed.(Source: ifpnews )
In August 2024, Renergen powers up commercial liquid helium production in South Africa. The company produces liquid helium using inline storage tanks and vacuum-jacketed pipelines. The project aims to contribute 5% of the world’s total helium supply by 2026, and the separation & extraction of helium is from natural gas.(Source: chemanalyst )
In March 2025, HyTerra launched natural helium and hydrogen exploration at the Nemaha Project in the U.S. The project involves leasing, exploration stage I, and exploration stage II. The aim of the project is to explore natural helium & hydrogen resources near industrial hubs and lower carbon emissions.(Source:fuelcellsworks )
In October 2023, Royal Helium Ltd. launched a helium plant, Steveville, in Alberta. The plant processes 15 million cubic feet per day of raw gas and produces 22 million cubic feet of helium per year. (Source:rigzone )

Top Companies List

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.

Segments Covered

By Phase

Gas
Liquid

By Application

Cryogenics
Breathing Mixes
Pressurizing & Puring
Leak Detection
Controlled Atmosphere
Welding
Other Applications

By End Use

Medical & Healthcare
Aerospace & Defense
Nuclear Power
Electronics & Electrical
Metal Fabrication
Others

By Region

North America
- U.S.
- Canada
Europe
- Germany
- UK
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Sweden
- Denmark
- Norway
Asia Pacific
- China
- Japan
- India
- South Korea
- Thailand
Latin America
- Brazil
- Mexico
- Argentina
Middle East & Africa
- South Africa
- UAE
- Saudi Arabia
- Kuwait

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