War in the Middle East Disrupts Helium Supplies, Threatening MRI Services in Spain

A conflict in the Middle East is disrupting supply chains for medical and industrial inputs, with El Mundo warning that the instability after more than 40 days of war is putting at risk products whose main component is plastic, including guantes, bolsas de orina, cánulas y jeringas, and also helio, imprescindible para las resonancias magnéticas.

“Charles-Henry Monchau, Banque Syz 5-minute read The world's most advanced technology depends on one of the universe's simplest elements: a noble gas so abundant in the universe that it ranks as the second most abundant element, helium”

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El Mundo says the Federation Española de Empresas de Tecnología Sanitaria (Fenin) warns that “hay empresas que nos trasladan que de seguir esta situación es posible que no puedan garantizar el acceso en España a productos sanitarios que son esenciales para el sistema sanitario.”

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The same article reports that the Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (Aemps) says “hasta la fecha, no se han notificado desabastecimientos críticos,” while also collecting company notifications about disruptions tied to “interrupciones en el transporte aéreo y en las rutas marítimas” and higher costs.

El Mundo also links helium risk to MRI operations, explaining that “la resonancia necesita el helio para su funcionamiento,” and adding that José Carmelo Albillos of the Seram says older equipment can require refills of up to 1.500 litros while some newer systems can run with less than 10 litros.

In parallel, La Libre.be frames helium as a trigger for price spikes, noting that the Strait of Hormuz is locked to navigation by Iran and that “a third of global helium comes from Qatar,” making the market vulnerable to stoppages.

Euronews reports that Iranian strikes at the Ras Laffan gas hub have disrupted Qatar’s helium production and raised concerns about tightening global supply, with Qatar accounting for about a third of global helium production.

Euronews quotes TechInsights vice president G. Dan Hutcheson saying, “Helium is absolutely crucial. Without it, it is impossible to manufacture advanced chips.”

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Euronews also quotes MRI safety consultant Tobias Gilk warning, “Without enough helium, the scanner cannot operate and effectively becomes a very expensive paperweight,” and adds that “There will be MRIs that fail.”

The same Euronews piece says the immediate impact depends on the duration of the situation and how quickly supply chains adjust, while also stating that “Helium is indispensable to semiconductor fabrication and has no viable substitute.”

In a separate account, franceinfo ties the helium shortage to semiconductor production delays and consumer impacts, stating that prices are soaring with increases of at least 40% and warning that if the crisis lasts it will probably cause production delays for smartphones, computers, gaming consoles, and cars.

In Spain, Gaceta de salud says Fenin warns that gloves, syringes, urine bags, and cannulas depend directly on plastic-derived raw materials and that “la situación es especialmente crítica” because the medical technology industry is facing “aumentos de costes” that tighten the supply chain.

“- Industria farmacéutica Los riesgos de la cadena de suministros farmacéuticos: "La logística ya está tensionada y el coste del transporte aéreo ha aumentado entre 30% y 100%" Como en otros ámbitos, el conflicto bélicoen Oriente Medio está dejando huella también en el sanitario”

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Gaceta de salud reports Fenin’s call for coordinated action, emphasizing the need to adapt public contracts to the new economic reality by restoring mechanisms to index public contracts to the CPI, arguing that this would help guarantee the economic-financial balance and ensure professionals and patients access to high-quality healthcare technologies.

The article also highlights helium as another concern, stating that about 30% of the world’s annual helium supply comes from the Ras Laffan LNG plant in Qatar and that it halted production on March 2 after being damaged by Iranian attacks.

El Mundo adds that Fenin works with the Ministerio de Sanidad, the Aemps and the CCAA to maintain an inventory of needs and apply containment measures, while also noting that the Aemps says it is contacting major providers and distributors in Spain to assess stock levels.

Looking beyond Spain, Epoch Times describes how helium prices have been rising as buyers scramble for the gas, citing Reuters figures that the spot price of helium “has even doubled since February 28,” and linking the pressure to QatarEnergy’s LNG stoppage after Iranian attacks on Ras Laffan and Mesaieed.