AUG. 8–WILMINGTON, MA–BOC Edwards, a supplier of helium to semiconductor manufacturers, announced that it will increase cylinder helium prices by 15 percent, effective September 1.

According to the company, the price increase is necessary to offset rising costs of purchasing crude helium feedstock for BOC’s production facility in Otis, Kansas, as well as the higher cost of refined liquid helium purchased from third parties. BOC Edwards faces a growing reliance on high cost crude helium purchased from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s stockpile, while crude helium production from private sources continues to decline.

The BOC Group operates one of the world’s largest helium production facilities in Otis and also has access to helium produced by sources in Wyoming, Utah and overseas. From these facilities, BOC transports the liquid helium in ISO-certified bulk containers to a worldwide network of local distribution facilities serving their industrial and semiconductor customers.