Air Liquide opens Taiwan factory as helium shortage tightens around chip makers — 200 specialized helium containers stranded near the Strait of Hormuz

French industrial gas supplier Air Liquide has opened a new factory in Taiwan near the port of Taichung to address the worsening helium shortage impacting the semiconductor industry. The shortage was exacerbated by the U.S.-Iran conflict, with a significant portion of global helium production offline. Around 200 specialized helium containers are stranded near the Strait of Hormuz, potentially causing delays in supply. Helium is crucial in chip manufacturing processes, and the shortage could lead to prioritization of high-margin AI silicon over consumer products. Semiconductor companies are expected to outbid other industries for helium supply, further straining availability.