US DESIGNATES HELIUM AS A CRITICAL MATERIAL , CITING ITS IMPORTANCE FOR SEMICONDUCTORS

What happened: The U.S. Energy Department designated helium as a critical material, citing its role in semiconductors and energy technologies and the risk of global supply disruption. Key numbers: U.S. produced 81 million cubic meters of helium in 2025, 43% of global supply; 38 million cubic meters exported. Helium is the 20th critical material on the DOE list. Why it matters: The designation makes more federal financing available to helium producers and increases government monitoring. The Semiconductor Industry Association said it looks forward to work on supply chain resilience. Coverage: 3 outlets in 24h

The U.S. Energy Department designated helium as a critical material, citing its role in semiconductors and energy technologies and the risk of global supply disruption.

The designation makes more federal financing available to helium producers and increases government monitoring. The Semiconductor Industry Association said it looks forward to work on supply chain resilience.