For those not involved in one of the industries in which helium is an input, the term may conjure images of party balloons. But, helium is used in a variety of industrial applications. In the United States its end users break down in the following categories: 32% for cryogenic applications; 18% for pressurizing and purging applications; 13% is used for welding; 18% for controlled atmospheres; 4% for leak detection; 2% for breathing mixtures and the remaining 13% for other applications, like party balloons.
Today’s market size is the estimated value of domestically extracted grade-A helium in 2010. The graphic shows production and apparent consumption figures for a period of 30 years, from 1980 to 2010. Apparent consumption is a calculated figure based on production, plus imports, less exports plus or minus change in stock.
Geographic reference: United States
Year: 2010
Market size: $730 million
Source: “Helium Statistics and Information,” part of a series of reports on different minerals and commodities produced by the U.S. Geological Survey and available online here.
Original source: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Helium was the very first subject on which I did research and wrote in my now seemingly endless career — and it please me to see it here, like an old friend. Still going strong, I see. The importance of Helium in our economy? Is that turn down in consumption a sign of a weak economy? I wonder…
It is interesting that helium production and consumption have been falling in the United States throughout the 2000s, suggesting a shift that goes beyond the recent recession. I’ll bet if we looked into it we’d find that helium extraction is up in China…
Of course, helium also reminds me of A Hostage for Hinterland.
Monique
[One of the editors]
helium is one of our most precious natural resources.It will not combine chemically at any temperature with any other element.