The market for helium detectors, including the domestic market in Japan and sales overseas, is expected to have recorded a slight increase in 2013 and achieved a value of around ¥2.1bn.
This is, says The Gas Review (TGR), due to both advance purchases of detectors ahead of a 3% increase in sales tax due to go into effect in April, and an eagerness among some users to engage in capital investment.
According to statistics from the Japan Vacuum Industry Association, the market contracted around 7.5% in 2012 (amounting to ¥1.9bn) but is expected to have recovered to 2011 levels in 2013 (¥2.1bn).
There was believed to be some impact as a result of the helium shortages too; it is thought that, for a time, helium detector producers experienced a flood of inquiries on the part of users.
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