South Korean semiconductor giants Samsung and SK Hynix are facing a shortage of high-purity carbon dioxide, a critical gas used in chip fabrication. The supply crunch stems from reduced petrochemical plant output in South Korea, linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Samsung uses around 1,800 to 2,000 tonnes of high-purity CO2 per month, while SK Hynix uses 600 to 700 tonnes. Industry stockpiles have fallen below the alert threshold, prompting both companies to ramp up procurement efforts. The shortage is not limited to CO2. Helium supplies are also tight, and tungsten hexafluoride prices have surged. Japanese suppliers have warned of potential disruptions, with some planning to cut production by half starting July 2026. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for about 74% of the global semiconductor gas market, so any prolonged disruption could ripple through global chip supply chains. This story matters for anyone tracking industrial gas dependencies and the fragility of high-purity supply chains tied to energy and petrochemical markets.
