Worldwide helium shortage affects many industries
Posted June 22, 2022 11:07 pm.
Last Updated June 22, 2022 11:59 pm.
We don’t mean to burst your bubble or balloon, but global helium supplies are running low – the fourth shortage since 2006. Experts say it affects more than just your balloon orders.
“We’re having only 55 per cent of the helium that we normally have,” said Pascale Robitaille, director of Montreal’s Vézina Party Centre.
Pumping joy into the community for 53 years, the family business is now affected by a global helium shortage, again.
“Normally (customers) get angry,” explained Robitaille. “Then we try and explain the problem, and they usually understand.”
“People are very supportive of us,” she added.
Worldwide helium shortage. (Photo Credit: Pamela Pagano, CityNews)
But balloons aren’t the only thing in need of the rare gas.
MRI machines, shielding gas in welding, making smartphones, semiconductors, and diving gas for scuba divers – all use helium.
“In general, it’s been about decline, a decline of existing sources,” said Phil Kornbluth, president of Kornbluth Helium Consulting. “The replacements haven’t come about quickly enough.”
Helium prices have inflated and four of the world’s five major helium distributors are currently declared force majeure, including Vézina Party Centre’s supplier.
“Our girls are very creative with finding different solutions,” said Robitaille, smiling. “They offer many alternatives, you know, to their regular helium balloons.”
“We do small arrangements for the table or for the floor,” said Katherine Modicamore, an employee of Vézina Party Centre.
“The world isn’t running out of helium,” said Kornbluth. “There’s a lot of it still in the ground, and there are a lot of companies right now who are exploring for helium.”
Canada isn’t a party pooper when it comes to the shortage.
“There are a number of Canadian companies who are exploring for helium and starting to produce helium in Saskatchewan and Alberta,” explained Kornbluth.
Though things may be up in the air at the moment – the Vézina Party Centre’s goal is to not make people feel deflated.
“We’re trying and make a little bit of everybody happy,” said Robitaille. “It’s difficult but we manage.”
