Russia starts helium supplies to Asia via Port Vostochny
Port Yuznhy began handling liquid helium exported from Russia to the Asian market, reports the press-service of Nakhodka City District Administration. On January 25, the first container laden with helium cargo arrived at Nakhodka station from Orenburg.
"Until recently, all the containers with helium had been transported from the U.S. ports to Europe. The cargo has not been shipped so far across Russia, from the Urals to the Pacific Ocean. Cryor company became the first,” said Vadim Udut, Cryor LLC General Director, a Russian company engaged in production of liquid helium.
The next shipment of helium to Nakhodka is scheduled for the next month. Overall, there will be 10-12 shipments of the cargo this year. A helium plant in Nakhodka is expected to be commissioned by 2012. The facility is intended for reception and handling of containers with liquefied gas. According to Mr. Udut, in future helium exports might grow to 1,200 -1,500 containers a year. Under favorable circumstances, Russia could be able to conquer 50-60% of the Asia-Pacific liquid helium market, or about 40% of the world’s market, said the head of LLC Cryor.
Helium is a raw material for high-tech industries, in particular, LCD screens, computer tomography in medicine, mobile communications, etc.
Cryor LLC founded in 1992 specializes in purification, liquefaction and sale of liquid helium on the Russian and European markets. Cryor is the first Russian company that organized large-scale commercial production of liquid helium. Cryor’s Orenburg cryogenic plant is the largest production of liquid helium in Europe.