Helium Shortage Threatens Global Semiconductor Industry Amidst Middle East Conflict

• Global tech supply chains face a new slowdown due to tightened helium supply, not energy scarcity.
• Middle East conflict and Iranian strikes on Qatari natural gas plants are impacting helium exports.
• Qatar produces nearly one-third of the world's helium, a byproduct of natural gas processing.
• Helium is crucial for chipmaking processes like cooling, leak detection, and precision manufacturing.
• Prolonged shortages could force production cuts, impacting electronics and automobile industries.