Helium-3 (He3) is a light, stable isotope of helium with two protons and one neutron, which has the potential to be used as a fuel in future nuclear fusion power plants. Helium-3 has significant use in homeland security, national security, medicine, industry, and science. The demand for helium-3 has been rising, since the rise in the number of terrorist attacks across the world. After September 11, 2001, the Federal government of the United States started stationing neutron detectors at the U.S. border to help secure the country against smuggled nuclear and radiological material. The continuous deployment of detecting equipment has created a heavy demand for the helium-3 market.
Helium-3 is popularly used in medical imaging techniques and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in clinical respiratory implications, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders, cystic fibrosis, radiation-induced lung damage, and various transplantation. This has resulted in the shrinking of the helium-3 stockpile and hence, there is a need for large quantities of helium-3, which is outstripping the current supply. Due to the severe need for He3, many governments have consequently indicated their plan to go to the Moon to deposit helium-3 as a fuel supply. Such plans are expected to be fruitful during the forecast period. These factors are expected to drive the helium-3 market during the forecast period.
Almost 80% of helium-3 is presently being used for security purposes worldwide. Other applications include cryogenics, quantum computing, neutron scattering facilities, oil & gas exploration, and other medical purposes. The increasing use of He3 has led to a shortage and hence, the financial, technical, and political potential of returning to the Moon for helium-3 is estimating to meet the global demand for energy and sensibly competitive options for meeting that demand. Currently, helium-3 is generated as a byproduct of the continuance of nuclear weapons, which obtain a supply of around 15 kg in a year. Naturally, helium-3 is emitted by the Sun within its solar winds. As our atmosphere prevents helium-3 from arriving on the Earth, researchers are now planning to explore space to fulfill the ongoing demand for the gas. However, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the research and development due to limited work resources and stringent government regulations to stay at home.
The rapid progression in medical science and growing use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging (NMR) has made helium-3 a highly desirable tool for various medical purposes. Moreover, He3 used in balloons can decrease temperatures to almost absolute zero which produces non-radioactive medical lung imaging and identify neutrons radiating from hidden nuclear devices. Moreover, helium-3 is a part of a clean energy source that is non-toxic and non-corrosive gas, which can be easily administered and provides high-resolution imaging of the human body interior, particularly lungs.
The current supply of helium-3 is mostly derived from the U.S. and Russia. Other sources of helium-3 may present diverse terms of technical and policy challenges. Governments can expand the supply of helium-3, either from traditional sources or by promoting the development of new sources. In other terms, creating helium-3 from these sources may be ineffective on cost grounds. Until previous years, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) has created tritium for use in nuclear warheads. The tritium decays into helium-3 and that is replaced to maintain warhead effectiveness. Helium-3 was extracted as a byproduct of sustaining the purity of the tritium supply.
The rising applications of helium-3 in the medical, defense, and oil industries, and logging projects to investigate the permeability of reservoirs are anticipated to drive the global helium-3 market during the forecast period. Moreover, helium-3 is proven to be an important isotope in neutron detection instruments. It has a huge absorption cross-section for thermal neutron beams and utilized as a converter gas in neutron detectors. Moreover, helium-3 can be used as a fuel in nuclear fusion power plants. Another vital benefit of using helium-3 fuels is that the reaction results can be managed by electric and magnetic fields and consequently be utilized for direct energy reformation, which is far more efficient than thermal conversion.
In 2020, the global helium-3 market was dominated by the Asia Pacific, owing to the improvement in the defense industry and the rise in the manufacturing and practice of neutron detectors in various countries of the region. In addition, the helium-3 market in North America is expected to expand in the near future due to the presence of major manufacturers in the U.S., and the growing demand for helium-3 in military applications. Moreover, in Europe, nations have established various government programs to extract helium-3 from the Moon. The usage of helium-3 is increased making a scarcity of supply. Thus, the global helium-3 market is anticipated to reach ~US$ 800 Mn by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of ~9% during the forecast period.
Analysts’ Overview
Helium-3, being one of the rarest isotopes, is making a remarkable and diverse spectrum of challenges, whether on the Moon, Mars, or some other distant outpost to fulfill the future demand across the globe. Until 2001, helium-3 production by the defenses program outstripped demand, and the program collected a stockpile. However, due to its growing applications in various industries, the helium-3 market is witnessing a scarcity across the world. In order to meet the demand for helium-3, researchers from various countries have developed the idea of a programmed mobile lunar machine that would dig the regolith to a depth of three meters and separate particles 50 micrometers in size electrostatically. As these particles contain the highest helium content, the objective to fulfill the rising demand of the helium-3 market can be accomplished.
Helium-3 Market: Overview
Rise in Usage of Helium-3 in Nuclear Detectors: Key Driver
Rise in Applications of Helium-3 in Defense Industry
Helium-3 Market: Competition Landscape
Helium-3 Market: Key Developments
Helium-3 Market – Segmentation
TMR’s research study assesses the global helium-3 market in terms of application and region. This report presents extensive market dynamics and trends associated with different segments of the market and how they are influencing growth prospects for the global helium-3 market.
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Helium-3 Market is expected to reach US$ 800 Mn By 2031
Helium-3 Market is estimated to rise at a CAGR of 9% during forecast period
Increase in the demand for neutron detectors in military applications to prevent the smuggling of nuclear and radiological materials at borders is expected to augment the global helium-3 market
Key players operating in the global helium-3 market Savannah River Site, National Nuclear Security Administration, The Mayak Production Association, and Space Industries.
Oil & Gas, Defense, Power Plant, Medical are the application segments in the Helium-3 Market
1. Executive Summary
1.1. Helium-3 Market Snapshot
1.2. Key Market Trends
1.3. Current Market and Future Potential
1.4. TMR’s Growth Opportunity Wheel
2. Market Overview
2.1. Market Segmentation
2.2. Market Indicators
2.3. Market Definitions
2.4. Market Dynamics
2.4.1. Drivers
2.4.2. Restraints
2.4.3. Opportunities
2.5. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
2.6. Value Chain Analysis
2.6.1. List of Potential Customers
3. COVID-19 Impact Analysis
4. Helium-3 Market Production Outlook, 2020
5. Helium-3 Price Trend Analysis, 2020–2031
5.1. By Application
5.2. By Region
6. Global Helium-3 Market Analysis and Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
6.1. Introduction and Definitions
6.2. Global Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
6.2.1. Oil & Gas
6.2.2. Defense
6.2.3. Power Plant
6.2.4. Medical
6.2.5. Others
6.3. Global Helium-3 Market Attractiveness, by Application
7. Global Helium-3 Market Analysis and Forecast, by Region, 2020–2031
7.1. Key Findings
7.2. Global Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Region, 2020–2031
7.2.1. North America
7.2.2. Europe
7.2.3. Asia Pacific
7.2.4. Latin America
7.2.5. Middle East & Africa
7.3. Global Helium-3 Market Attractiveness, by Region
8. North America Helium-3 Market Analysis and Forecast, 2020–2031
8.1. Key Findings
8.2. North America Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
8.3. North America Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Country, 2020–2031
8.3.1. U.S. Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
8.3.2. Canada Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
8.4. North America Helium-3 Market Attractiveness Analysis
9. Europe Helium-3 Market Analysis and Forecast, 2020–2031
9.1. Key Findings
9.2. Europe Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
9.3. Europe Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Country and Sub-region, 2020–2031
9.3.1. Germany Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
9.3.2. France Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
9.3.3. U.K. Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
9.3.4. Italy Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
9.3.5. Spain Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
9.3.6. Russia & CIS Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
9.3.7. Rest of Europe Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
9.4. Europe Helium-3 Market Attractiveness Analysis
10. Asia Pacific Helium-3 Market Analysis and Forecast, 2020–2031
10.1. Key Findings
10.2. Asia Pacific Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
10.3. Asia Pacific Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Country and Sub-region, 2020–2031
10.3.1. China Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
10.3.2. Japan Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
10.3.3. India Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
10.3.4. ASEAN Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
10.3.5. Rest of Asia Pacific Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
10.4. Asia Pacific Helium-3 Market Attractiveness Analysis
11. Latin America Helium-3 Market Analysis and Forecast, 2020–2031
11.1. Key Findings
11.2. Latin America Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
11.3. Latin America Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Country and Sub-region, 2020–2031
11.3.1. Brazil Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
11.3.2. Mexico Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
11.3.3. Rest of Latin America Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
11.4. Latin America Helium-3 Market Attractiveness Analysis
12. Middle East & Africa Helium-3 Market Analysis and Forecast, 2020–2031
12.1. Key Findings
12.2. Middle East & Africa Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
12.3. Middle East & Africa Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Country and Sub-region, 2020–2031
12.3.1. GCC Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
12.3.2. South Africa Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
12.3.3. Rest of Middle East & Africa Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) and Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
12.4. Middle East & Africa Helium-3 Market Attractiveness Analysis
13. Competition Landscape
13.1. Global Helium-3 Company Market Share Analysis, 2020
13.2. Company Profiles (Details – Overview, Financials, Recent Developments, and Strategy)
13.2.1. Savannah River Site, National Nuclear Security Administration
13.2.1.1. Company Description
13.2.1.2. Business Overview
13.2.2. The Mayak Production Association
13.2.2.1. Company Description
13.2.2.2. Business Overview
13.2.3. Space Industries
13.2.3.1. Company Description
13.2.3.2. Business Overview
13.3. Distributor/Supplier Profiles (Details – Overview, Financials, Recent Developments, and Strategy)
13.3.1. Isoflex
13.3.1.1. Company Description
13.3.1.2. Business Overview
13.3.2. Chemgas
13.3.2.1. Company Description
13.3.2.2. Business Overview
13.3.3. Raims Ltd
13.3.3.1. Company Description
13.3.3.2. Business Overview
13.3.4. LND, Inc.
13.3.4.1. Company Description
13.3.4.2. Business Overview
14. Primary Research: Key Insights
15. Appendix
List of Tables
Table 1: Global Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 2: Global Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 3: Global Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Region, 2020–2031
Table 4: Global Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Region, 2020–2031
Table 5: North America Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 6: North America Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 7: North America Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Country, 2020–2031
Table 8: North America Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Country, 2020–2031
Table 9: U.S. Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 10: U.S. Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 11: Canada Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 12: Canada Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 13: Europe Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 14: Europe Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 15: Europe Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Country and Sub-region, 2020–2031
Table 16: Europe Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Country and Sub-region, 2020–2031
Table 17: Germany Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 18: Germany Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 19: U.K. Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 20: U.K. Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 21: France Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 22: France Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 23: Italy Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 24: Italy Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 25: Spain Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 26: Spain Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 27: Russia & CIS Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 28: Russia & CIS Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 29: Rest of Europe Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 30: Rest of Europe Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 31: Asia Pacific Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 32: Asia Pacific Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 33: Asia Pacific Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Country and Sub-region, 2020–2031
Table 34: Asia Pacific Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Country and Sub-region, 2020–2031
Table 35: China Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 36: China Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 37: Japan Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 38: Japan Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 39: India Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 40: India Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 41: ASEAN Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 42: ASEAN Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 43: Rest of Asia Pacific Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 44: Rest of Asia Pacific Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 45: Latin America Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 46: Latin America Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 47: Latin America Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Country and Sub-region, 2020–2031
Table 48: Latin America Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Country and Sub-region, 2020–2031
Table 49: Brazil Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 50: Brazil Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 51: Mexico Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 52: Mexico Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 53: Rest of Latin America Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 54: Rest of Latin America Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 55: Middle East & Africa Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 56: Middle East & Africa Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 57: Middle East & Africa Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Country and Sub-region, 2020–2031
Table 58: Middle East & Africa Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Country and Sub-region, 2020–2031
Table 59: GCC Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 60: GCC Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 61: South Africa Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 62: South Africa Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 63: Rest of Middle East & Africa Helium-3 Market Volume (Liter) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
Table 64: Rest of Middle East & Africa Helium-3 Market Value (US$ Mn) Forecast, by Application, 2020–2031
List of Figures
Figure 1: Global Helium-3 Price Trend, by Application, 2020–2031 (US$/Liter)
Figure 2: Global Helium-3 Price Trend, by Region, 2020–2031 (US$/Liter)
Figure 3: Global Helium-3 Market Volume Share, by Application, 2020, 2025, and 2031
Figure 4: Global Helium-3 Market Attractiveness, by Application
Figure 5: Global Helium-3 Market Volume Share, by Region, 2020, 2025, and 2031
Figure 6: Global Helium-3 Market Attractiveness, by Region
Figure 7: North America Helium-3 Market Volume Share, by Application, 2020, 2025, and 2031
Figure 8: North America Helium-3 Market Attractiveness, by Application
Figure 9: North America Helium-3 Market Volume Share, by Country, 2020, 2025, and 2031
Figure 10: North America Helium-3 Market Attractiveness, by Country
Figure 11: Europe Helium-3 Market Volume Share, by Application, 2020, 2025, and 2031
Figure 12: Europe Helium-3 Market Attractiveness, by Application
Figure 13: Europe Helium-3 Market Volume Share, by Country and Sub-region, 2020, 2025, and 2031
Figure 14: Europe Helium-3 Market Attractiveness, by Country and Sub-region
Figure 15: Asia Pacific Helium-3 Market Volume Share, by Application, 2020, 2025, and 2031
Figure 16: Asia Pacific Helium-3 Market Attractiveness, by Application
Figure 17: Asia Pacific Helium-3 Market Volume Share, by Country and Sub-region, 2020, 2025, and 2031
Figure 18: Asia Pacific Helium-3 Market Attractiveness, by Country and Sub-region
Figure 19: Latin America Helium-3 Market Volume Share, by Application, 2020, 2025, and 2031
Figure 20: Latin America Helium-3 Market Attractiveness, by Application
Figure 21: Latin America Helium-3 Market Volume Share, by Country and Sub-region, 2020, 2025, and 2031
Figure 22: Latin America Helium-3 Market Attractiveness, by Country and Sub-region
Figure 23: Middle East & Africa Helium-3 Market Volume Share, by Application, 2020, 2025, and 2031
Figure 24: Middle East & Africa Helium-3 Market Attractiveness, by Application
Figure 25: Middle East & Africa Helium-3 Market Volume Share, by Country and Sub-region, 2020, 2025, and 2031
Figure 26: Middle East & Africa Helium-3 Market Attractiveness, by Country and Sub-region
Figure 27: Global Helium-3 Market Share Analysis, by Company, 2020