The global helium market size was valued at USD 4.12 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 4.31 billion in 2026 to USD 6.12 billion by 2034, registering a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2034. North America dominated the helium market with a market share of 30.53% in 2025.
Helium is an inert industrial gas primarily applicable in cryogenics as a coolant. It is utilized in gaseous form as well as liquid form across multiple industries. One of the predominantly growing industries is the aerospace industry, where helium is widely applicable as a leak detection aid to test leaks in critical systems, ensuring safety. The aerospace industry is experiencing robust growth, and companies are strictly focusing on safety, where helium plays a crucial role.
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Helium is a precious element from an industrial point of view, and the resources of helium are non-renewable. So, companies are developing recovery solutions for helium for the purpose of reutilizing helium. Bluefors launched a helium recovery solution for single-unit NMR systems. The helium reliquefiers conserve valuable helium. Development of such helium reliquefiers promotes the reutilization of helium, thereby promoting a solution to supply chain challenges.
Helium manufacturing creates CO2 byproducts that need to be captured during the manufacturing process. So, companies have developed such technologies that capture as well as liquefy CO2 byproducts. In March 2025, Honeywell announced that Blue Spruce Operating, LLC, is going to utilize Honeywell’s carbon capture and sequestration technologies to increase domestic production of helium. Utilization of such technologies impacts the production rate of helium, thus propelling market growth.
The food and beverages industry is growing consistently with the inclusion of innovative products. Helium plays a key role in food preservation, thereby preventing microbial growth and prolonging the shelf life. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, China's food processing industry grew by 2.2%, and the food service industry grew by 5.3%. This strong growth shown by the Chinese food industry highlights the demand for helium as a key component in food preservation, thereby driving the market growth.
Helium is widely applicable in medical imaging, integrated in products such as magnetic resonance imaging as a coolant. However, the manufacturing companies are approaching for development of helium-free MRI machines. Siemens Healthineers received FDA clearance for its first helium-free magnetic resonance scanner. Similarly, Philips unveiled a next-generation helium-free MRI system integrated with AI-enabled smart reading. These developments underscore limitations on demand for helium in the medical imaging sector, thereby restraining market growth.
Semiconductors have become an integral part of key industries such as healthcare, transportation, communication, defense, and space. To support domestic production of semiconductors, the government is taking initiatives by providing funding. Being a crucial part of semiconductor manufacturing as a coolant, helium demand is anticipated to surge. For instance, the government of India announced a production-linked incentive scheme of USD 8.61 billion and inaugurated SEMICON India. This huge investment by the government presents opportunities for domestic semiconductor production growth, and hence for the helium market.
According to Straits Research, the helium gas segment dominated the market with a revenue share of more than 60% in 2025. This growth is driven by its lightweight and inert properties, preferential application in the medical sector for special breathing purposes in patients with lung conditions, welding purposes, and for analytical purposes in gas chromatography.
Liquid emerged as the fastest-growing segment with a CAGR of 5.7% from 2026-2034, as it is irreplaceable for cooling superconducting materials. Liquid helium supports precision cooling in advanced nodes and is critical for attaining milli-Kelvin temperatures in cryostats. Surging research & development investments in quantum tech are the primary reason to contribute to liquid helium demand.
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The cryogenics segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 32.7% in 2025. This growth is attributed to a wide range of applications of helium in cryogenics. Helium is utilized for multiple purposes in cryogenics, as a coolant, and a lifting aid in airships. Additionally, cryogenic technology is utilized in industries such as medical, energy, food processing, electronics, and aerospace.
The lifting segment is projected to register the fastest CAGR growth of 6.45% during the forecast period. The helium for lifting application, encompassing airships, weather balloons, and scientific research balloons, represents a small but fastest-growing segment of helium demand. Despite its modest volume contribution, this market is poised for expansion due to advancements in sustainable aviation and increased aerospace investments.
The helium with healthcare segment dominated the market with a revenue share of 28.79% in 2025. This growth is driven by diverse applications of helium in the healthcare industry for various purposes. Helium is mainly utilized in imaging systems such as MRI and for breathing purposes in patients with lung conditions.
The electronics emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments for the forecast period of 2026-2034. Its key application lies in semiconductor manufacturing, flat panel production, fiber optic manufacturing, superconducting electronics, and thermal management in electronics assembly.
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According to Straits Research, North America dominated the market in 2025, accounting for 30.53% market share. This dominance is attributed to dominance in research and development of new products in the healthcare and aerospace industries. These are the industries where the demand for helium is high, and companies invest in the development of new and innovative products. New product launches and the export of the manufactured products drive the market growth in North America.
The helium market in the U.S. is driven by innovative developments in medical imaging systems, propelling the demand for helium as a coolant. For instance, in June 2025, Hyperfine announced FDA approval for its portable and AI-driven MRI system. These MRI systems strongly require helium as a coolant.
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Asia Pacific is emerging as the fastest-growing region with a CAGR of 6.87% from 2026-2034, owing to growing industries such as electronics and electricals, the food industry, and the semiconductor industry. In addition to this, the government’s strategic initiatives to promote the domestic growth of these industries will eventually propel the demand for helium, with industry-specific roles to play.
China holds the major share of electronic products, where the requirement of helium is a must as a coolant. China is expanding its market reach across the globe. Recently, China started manufacturing electronics in Mexico and exported them to the U.S. as per the tariff requirements for Mexico. This strategic planning of China in the electronics sector marks the demand for helium and hence up-scales the market growth.
The European helium market is driven by a consistently growing aerospace industry with government budget allocations and investments by major manufacturing companies. As helium is utilized as an effective leakage testing aid, the growing aerospace industry propels the demand for helium.
France is experiencing a growing demand for the aerospace industry, where domestic companies are strategically investing to enhance their production capacities. For example, in June 2025, NTN Europe, a France-based company, invested USD 35.20 million to develop its Argonay production site in France dedicated to the aerospace industry.
The MEA market for helium is propelled by the growing pharmaceutical industry. The increasing prevalence of diseases, the rise of new diseases, and dependence on other countries for medicines are the factors that are influencing manufacturers to invest in domestic pharmaceutical growth. Helium is utilized as an analytical aid in analytical techniques such as NMR and chromatography.
A high percentage of imports of medicines and rising demand for medical intervention are influencing the development of the local pharmaceutical industry. Aspen, a South Africa-based company, received a loan package of USD 535.7 million from DEG for the expansion of local production capacities. Growing investments in the pharmaceutical sector are significantly contributing to the helium demand in the African region.
The Latin American market for helium is driven by digital transformation with a rising focus on semiconductors. As helium is predominantly utilized as a coolant in semiconductors, the demand for helium surges accordingly.
Brazil is dominantly growing with digital transformation through strategic investments. Brazil invested USD 33.25 billion in digital transformation, strengthening the nation’s production chain in key areas such as semiconductors. As per the Brazilian Association of Electrical and Electronic Industry (ABIEE), the electronics industry is boosting demand for pure grade helium owing to its cryogenic properties, high thermal conductivity, and inertness.
The global helium market is consolidated, with well-established major manufacturing companies having strong global presence, barriers for new manufacturers to enter the market, and dominant helium supply sources.
The major players in the market include Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Linde PLC, Air Liquide, Messer, MESA Specialty Gases & Equipment, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Gulf Cryo, and others. These industry players compete with each other to gain a strong market reach across multiple industries with a continuous supply of quality products.
Desert Mountain Energy is an emerging U.S.-based company actively engaged in exploration, development, and production of helium and other gases. The company has drilled eight wells and discovered 4 high-grade helium fields.
With quality products and a proactive approach for business expansion, Desert Mountain Energy emerges as one of the leading producers of helium.
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Author's Details
Research Head
Ismail Sutaria is a market intelligence and strategy professional with over 12 years of experience advising organizations across the chemicals, packaging, industrial machinery, and energy & power sectors. He specializes in delivering data-driven market assessments, commercial due diligence, industry benchmarking, demand forecasting, competitive strategy, and growth advisory that enable businesses to make confident investment and expansion decisions in complex industrial markets.
His expertise spans specialty and commodity chemicals, advanced and sustainable packaging solutions, industrial automation, manufacturing equipment, process engineering, renewable energy, conventional power generation, electrical infrastructure, and industrial technologies. Ismail has developed deep domain knowledge in evaluating market ecosystems, technology evolution, regulatory frameworks, supply-demand dynamics, pricing trends, value chain structures, and competitive landscapes across global and regional markets.
Over the course of his career, Ismail has advised manufacturers, technology providers, industrial suppliers, investment firms, and multinational corporations on market attractiveness, revenue opportunity assessments, product portfolio optimization, customer segmentation, sourcing strategies, and geographic expansion initiatives. His work enables clients to identify emerging opportunities, evaluate market risks, benchmark competitive positioning, and develop sustainable growth strategies aligned with evolving industry dynamics.
Recognized for his structured analytical approach and commercial perspective, Ismail excels at translating complex market developments into practical business intelligence. By integrating industry trends, technological innovation, policy developments, and evolving customer requirements, he helps organizations anticipate market transitions, strengthen strategic planning, and capitalize on long-term growth opportunities. His ability to bridge technical industry knowledge with commercial strategy has established him as a trusted advisor for businesses operating across the global chemicals, packaging, machinery, and energy value chains.
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