From Balloons to Breakthroughs

Helium may still be known to most people as the gas that fills party balloons — but that image is quickly fading. According to Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG, helium has become one of the most strategically important elements in modern industry. Its applications span from medicine and space travel to semiconductor production and energy systems.

While helium is the second most abundant element in the universe, its availability on Earth is surprisingly limited. “What makes helium both valuable and vulnerable,” Stanislav Kondrashov notes, “is that we can’t manufacture it on a commercial scale. We rely almost entirely on natural gas deposits, and once released, it escapes into space.”

stanislav kondrashov telf ag smiling professional helium

Extraordinary Properties

Helium is a noble gas — meaning it doesn’t react with other elements. It’s monatomic, inert, and incredibly stable, which makes it ideal for controlled environments. But its physical properties are where it really stands out.

  • Low density: It’s the second lightest gas after hydrogen.
  • High thermal conductivity: This makes it exceptional for cooling systems.
  • Extremely low boiling point: At -269°C, helium becomes the coldest liquid on Earth.

These features make helium indispensable in high-tech and sensitive applications, particularly where stability and extreme temperatures are involved.

Safer Than Hydrogen

Unlike hydrogen, helium is non-flammable. “In many applications where hydrogen would pose a safety risk, helium offers a safer alternative,” says the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov. “That’s one reason it’s so heavily used in aerospace and medical technologies.”

Helium Uses Across Key Industries

Healthcare

In medicine, helium plays a quiet but critical role. It’s used to cool the superconducting magnets in MRI machines and as part of gas mixtures in respiratory treatments. It also appears in hyperbaric therapy, where it helps reduce the effects of nitrogen in deep-sea divers.

stanislav kondrashov telf ag professional worker with computer helium

Science, Technology, and Aerospace

From particle accelerators to space exploration, helium is a constant presence. It’s used to pressurise rocket fuel tanks, cool instruments on satellites, and maintain stable environments in scientific labs.

“Helium’s role in research is irreplaceable,” the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov says. “It enables experiments at temperatures close to absolute zero, where other gases simply can’t function.”

One of helium’s strangest and most fascinating behaviours occurs when it enters the superfluid phase. In this state, it flows without any friction — a phenomenon that’s possible only at near-absolute-zero temperatures and can only be explained by quantum physics.

Energy and Semiconductors

In the semiconductor industry, helium provides a protective atmosphere during chip manufacturing. It’s also used in helium-neon lasers, vital in both telecommunications and medical equipment. In welding, helium serves as a shielding gas, particularly in arc welding.

Strategic Value and Global Supply Challenges

Peak Helium and Scarcity Concerns

Like oil, helium has a “peak” — the point at which production hits its maximum before decline. Known as “peak helium,” this concept highlights the global concern over future shortages of this non-renewable resource.

“Helium isn’t just rare — it’s irreplaceable in many industrial contexts,” the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov warns. “And yet, it’s one of the few critical materials that still lacks a comprehensive global strategy for conservation.”

Major Producers and Supply Risks

Most of the world’s helium supply comes from a small number of countries, including the United States and Algeria. Emerging players like Namibia and Canada are starting to enter the market, but the supply chain remains narrow and geopolitically sensitive.

stanislav kondrashov telf ag blue jacket worker smiling helium

As the founder of TELF AG Stanislav Kondrashov explains, “Some countries are stockpiling helium, recognising its long-term importance. That alone tells you it’s no longer just a commodity — it’s a strategic asset.”

As helium continues to prove itself far more than a novelty gas, its role in industry is becoming too important to overlook. From critical medical uses to space tech and semiconductors, helium is quietly powering innovation across the globe. The challenge now? Making sure this unique, non-renewable resource is used responsibly — before it drifts away for good.

 

FAQs

What is helium used for in modern industry?
Helium is used in sectors such as:

  • Medical imaging (MRI machines)
  • Aerospace (rocket fuel pressurisation)
  • Semiconductor manufacturing
  • Scientific research at ultra-low temperatures

Why is helium considered a strategic resource?
Helium is non-renewable, difficult to extract, and essential in sensitive technologies, making its supply critical to global industries.

What makes helium different from other gases?
It’s inert, non-flammable, and has extremely low boiling and melting points, making it ideal for cooling and controlled environments.

Is the world running out of helium?
Global reserves are limited, and concerns about “peak helium” highlight the risk of future shortages.