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South Korea sees helium buffer despite chip supply risks
South Korea has enough helium stock to last until at least June after conflict involving Iran disrupted gas processing in Qatar and raised concerns for semiconductor production.
Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan said that helium supply disruptions were unlikely in the first half of the year, without giving details.
A government official said chipmakers are paying premiums to secure helium, mainly from the US, while a supplier source said Samsung Electronics and SK hynix have four to six months of inventory and that the supplier sources helium from both the US and Qatar.
Qatar, which accounts for nearly a third of global helium supply, has seen gas facilities hit.
🔗 Source: Reuters
🧠 Food for thought
Implications, context, and why it matters.
South Korea leans on Qatar, which leaves a weak spot
- South Korea bought 64.7% of its helium from Qatar in 2025, which leaves the country exposed to disruptions there 1.
- Chipmakers hold inventory, yet prices can jump fast. Spot helium climbed as much as 40% in a week, and analysts said it could reach $2,000 per 1,000 cubic feet (MCF) if supply stays tight 1.
- Taiwan spreads purchases more widely, with about 30% from Qatar and another 30% from the U.S. That gives firms like TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world’s largest contract chipmaker) more room to adjust 1.
A helium squeeze pushes new chipmaking practices
- The supply hit is pushing semiconductor fabrication plants (fabs) to change operations and cut consumption 1.
- Samsung has used its in-house Helium Reuse System (HeRS) on select production lines since April last year. A report cited by TrendForce (a Taiwan-based market research firm) said a full rollout could lower Samsung’s total helium use by about 18.6% per year 1.
- QatarEnergy (Qatar’s state-owned energy company) said attacks damaged 17% of its LNG (liquefied natural gas) export capacity, and a full recovery could take three to five years. That timeline makes resource-saving systems a strategic need 1.
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