As Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East stretches into its fourth week, attention remains firmly on the rising costs of crude oil and LNG.
But a bottleneck in the supply chain of another gas is causing alarm for industries across health, technology and manufacturing - helium.
And it's not party balloons affected.
The gas is critical in the operation of MRI machines, welding and the production of semiconductors - which power everything from your smart phone to electric vehicles and artificial intelligence tools.
And unlike our local gas and oil industries, Australia relies solely on global imports.
- Guest: Phil Kornbluth, global helium consultant
- Producer: Grace Stranger
