Air Liquide expects Qatar restart to ease helium supply pressures

Industrial gas major Air Liquide says the partial restart of helium production in Qatar is likely to reduce the impact of helium shortages on its business during the second half of 2026.

Speaking during the company’s first-half earnings call, CEO François Jackow said Air Liquide expects the restarted production to help limit the effect of the shortage over the coming months.

QatarEnergy has at its Helium 2 plant. While the company has not disclosed production volumes, industry experts believe output remains below 30% of normal capacity.

“Our expectation is that this will continue and will limit the impact of helium on our sales for the second part of the year,” he said.