KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Reuters) – Semiconductor firms in Malaysia are monitoring risks from disruptions to helium supplies due to the conflict in the Middle East, though the situation has not caused any operational interruptions so far, an industry executive told Reuters.
Helium prices have risen sharply due to the disruption of natural gas processing in Qatar by the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. Helium – critical for industries such as semiconductors and medical imaging – is a byproduct of LNG processing, and any slowdown in output is expected to affect global supplies.
(Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by David Stanway)
