United States designates helium as a critical material

The United States Department of Energy designated helium as a critical material on Friday, October 23, 2026, Euronews reported. The decision comes as conflict in the Middle East alongside export restrictions from Russia and China reduce global supplies. Helium is vital for semiconductor manufacturing and energy production, leaving European countries struggling to secure sufficient access. [1]

According to Euronews, the official designation will unlock additional federal funding for helium producers in the United States. It will also place the material under closer government supervision. Most helium is extracted as a byproduct during natural gas processing, and the United States remains the largest producer in the world. [1]

Governments designate critical raw materials based on their importance to national economies and national security, particularly when supply chains are vulnerable. Such materials often play key roles in science, new technologies, and energy transitions. As FTMQ News reported earlier, the United States previously moved to bolster its domestic critical mineral supply chain by offering deep-sea mining leases near American Samoa. [2][5]