A helium shortage is testing the limits of Taiwan’s semiconductor supply chain
1 May 20265 min read
Summary
- The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted helium supplies from Qatar’s Ras Laffan facility, stranding approximately 200 specialised containers and forcing chip manufacturers to manage inventory and recycling.
- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) — the world’s leading chipmaker — holds three to six months of helium inventory and operates active recycling systems, but South Korean chip manufacturers that sourced approximately two-thirds of their helium from Qatar are more exposed.
- Air Liquide opened a new helium production facility in Taiwan in April 2026, and analysts warn that if the shortage persists beyond six months, production delays across global electronics supply chains could follow.