[News] China Curbs Helium Exports Amid Global Supply Risks; Critical…

China has introduced immediate export restrictions on helium, a critical coolant for EUV lithography systems used in advanced chipmaking, citing domestic supply security amid global disruptions. Though China produces only 1.6% of global helium, the move signals tightening of an already fragile semiconductor supply chain as AI chip demand surges. If you make EUV tools or advanced chips, your cooling supply just became a geopolitical chokepoint. China has locked down its helium; Qatar and Russia are already disrupted; you have weeks to either secure alternative suppliers or pre-buy stock before prices spike again.