Monthly Review of Rare Gases: Domestic helium prices rise, krypton-xenon market pressure remains (April 2025)
1. Market Analysis
In April, the market price of bottled helium decreased. According to statistics, as of April 30, the average monthly price of high-purity helium in bulk bottles (40L, 13.5± 0.5Mpa) decreased by -0.4% month-on-month and -18.1% year-on-year. Under the pressure of high-priced shipments in the bottled helium market in April, prices in some regions showed a downward trend. At present, the center of gravity of bulk bottled helium transactions has shifted downward, and the export demand for spherical helium has recovered, coupled with the maintenance of major domestic production enterprises to support the market. The performance of the southwest region is relatively flat.
According to statistics, the overall market price of bundled high-purity helium fell in April, but the price of helium in Inner Mongolia rose. As of April 30, the average monthly price of bundled high-purity helium was -1.1% month-on-month and -7.2% year-on-year. With sufficient imported supply, import companies are under pressure to distribute and ship goods, and the center of gravity of transactions has shifted downward. In April, some major domestic helium factories were under maintenance, which supported the upward trend of domestic helium prices, and the bidding price of domestic high-purity helium gradually increased slightly. At present, domestic helium companies have a strong mentality of maintaining stability, and imported helium companies are also mainly maintaining stability under the pressure of cost lines.
In April, the average monthly price of xenon gasmarket was mainly stable, with the monthly average price remaining the same as the previous month and down 29.4% year-on-year. Currently, with limited support from downstream demand for Xenon Gas, the price is in a downward trend.
The krypton gas market price remained stable in April. As of April 30, the average monthly ex-factory price of mainstream krypton gas from Longzhong Information was flat month-on-month and down 36.7% year-on-year. The market trading atmosphere in April was poor, the main enterprises still had pressure to ship, and the transaction center of gravity shifted downward.
The neon market price remained stable in April. As of April 30, the monthly average price of neon was flat month-on-month and down 17.9% year- on-year. In April, the market terminal purchases were relatively small, and enterprises mainly shipped at low prices.
2. Outlook for the future
The overall price of helium in China's market is expected to decline in May 2025. It is estimated that the average monthly price of bulk middlemen for China's controlled helium will drop slightly in May . In terms of supply, with the end of Qatar's maintenance in May, global supply has gradually recovered, and the market is under pressure as a whole due to the abundant supply of imported goods. In terms of demand, demand from downstream semiconductors, cryogenic applications and other industries has provided support. The editor believes that the tight supply of helium in China's market is expected to ease in May, and the overall price is expected to decline slightly as there is no obvious support for demand.
The Xenon market price is expected to drop in May. It is predicted that the monthly average price of mainstream xenon market enterprises in China will be adjusted in May. The imbalance between supply and demand is unlikely to improve in the short term, and the high-priced supply is expected to have room for price reduction.
The price of krypton gas in China is expected to continue to decline in May. It is predicted that the average monthly price of krypton gas in China will decline in May. In the short term, under the pressure of shipments from major enterprises, there is still room for price reduction.
The neon market price is expected to remain stable in May. It is predicted that the average price of neon in China will remain stable in May . In the short term, demand growth is limited, and the market price is supported by the cost line, and the market price is expected to be mainly bottomed out.
Source: Longzhong Information