Air Products may have closed a helium plant in the western United States. Recent reports indicate that Air Products has shut down its Doe Canyon helium plant located in Colorado, USA. The plant's recent output had fallen to a fraction of its designed capacity. Industry analysts suggest this decision may be a cost-optimization measure undertaken by Air Products amid sufficient capacity within its own network and across other regions of the industry. The Doe Canyon plant holds a unique position, having been officially commissioned by Air Products in southwestern Colorado in 2016 as the world's first facility to extract helium from carbon dioxide gas streams originating from the natural gas industry. This production method differs significantly from the conventional source of helium, which typically comes from natural gas (methane) fields with sufficiently high helium concentrations. Although relatively small in scale, the plant had a notable designed capacity, capable of producing up to 230,000 cubic feet of helium per day, with an annual capacity of approximately 84 million cubic feet, representing about 1.4% of global annual helium demand (around 6 billion cubic feet).
This capacity adjustment reflects the ongoing optimization within the global helium industry to achieve a dynamic supply-demand balance. As a significant supplier of storage and transportation equipment to the global gas industry, NETC Aluminum Alloy Gas Cylinders continues to provide reliable solutions for the safe storage and efficient transportation of helium and other high-purity gases, supporting the stable operation of global gas supply chains.
Helium, as a critical strategic resource, plays an irreplaceable role in high-end fields such as medical MRI imaging, semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, and scientific research. NETC's aluminum alloy gas cylinders, specially designed for high-purity gas storage, are manufactured from high-quality AA6061 aluminum alloy, offering excellent corrosion resistance and material stability. The inner surface of the cylinders undergoes special treatment to form a clean, inert protective layer, effectively maintaining the purity level of inert gases like helium and preventing contamination during storage and transportation.
NETC aluminum alloy gas cylinders strictly adhere to international certification standards such as DOT 3AL, ISO 7866, and GB11460, with a working pressure of up to 200Bar. The product line covers a complete range of capacities from 1L to 50L. Featuring a lightweight design, the cylinders ensure structural strength while significantly reducing transportation costs, providing an efficient and economical storage and transportation option for global gas distribution networks. Mature packaging technology supports various logistics methods including sea, air, and land freight, ensuring products reach destinations worldwide safely.
As a reliable partner in the global gas industry, NETC consistently monitors industry developments and enhances product performance through continuous technological innovation. In response to structural adjustments in global helium production capacity, NETC remains committed to its promise of "Unwavering Quality," providing gas companies with safe, reliable, and high-performance aluminum alloy gas cylinder products. We are dedicated to supporting the optimization and stability of the global helium supply chain and jointly promoting the sustainable development of high-tech industries and healthcare.
