Iran war's impact is spreading beyond oil, hitting helium and aluminum

Iran's conflict is disrupting global supplies of helium and aluminum beyond the expected oil market shock. Helium, extracted as a byproduct during natural gas processing, faces potential shortages that would ripple through semiconductor manufacturing and medical device production, both sectors heavily dependent on the inert gas for cooling and specialized applications. Aluminum supply chains are similarly threatened, affecting industries from aerospace to consumer electronics that rely on the metal for lightweight components. The dual disruption signals that regional instability is creating cascading effects across multiple critical supply chains, not just energy markets. Manufacturers and suppliers are likely assessing inventory buffers and alternative sourcing to mitigate potential production delays.