Addressing Market Volatility in Specialty Gases: Pavel Perlov Shares Insights on Strategic Sourcing and Risk Management

In today’s fast-evolving industrial landscape, specialty gases are critical for the healthcare and semiconductor sectors. However, market volatility has become a growing concern with global supply chains in flux, raw material shortages, and economic unpredictability. Industry expert Pavel Perlov weighs in on how companies can survive and thrive through strategic sourcing and smart risk management.

Understanding the Current Challenges in the Specialty Gases Market

Specialty gases—such as high-purity nitrogen, argon, and helium—aren’t everyday commodities. These are precision-formulated products used in applications where purity and performance can’t be compromised.

However, the unique nature of specialty gases also makes them especially vulnerable to market disruptions.

From geopolitical tensions impacting helium exports to rising costs of energy-intensive production processes, companies in this space deal with a perfect storm. According to a recent report, industries dealing with critical materials must build agility into their supply chains to stay competitive.

Strategic Sourcing: Moving Beyond the Lowest Bidder

For too long, many companies have viewed sourcing purely through the lens of cost. But in a volatile environment, the cheapest option isn’t always the safest—or the most sustainable.

Pavel Perlov emphasizes that strategic sourcing should balance cost-efficiency with reliability and long-term value. Instead of reacting to shortages or price spikes, companies should proactively cultivate diverse supplier relationships, particularly in different geographic regions.

“Think of it like financial investing,” Perlov explains. “You don’t put all your money in one stock—why would you source your most critical gas from only one supplier?”

By working with multiple vetted vendors, businesses can mitigate the risk of disruption from political unrest, logistical delays, or regulatory shifts in any region.

Data-Driven Forecasting: A Must-Have Tool

Another tactic that dramatically reduces exposure to market volatility is using data to forecast demand and identify risks.

Modern supply chain systems allow companies to integrate real-time data from logistics providers, raw material indexes, and global news feeds. The result? A clearer picture of where risk lies—and how to address it before it becomes a problem.

Incorporating AI into this forecasting process can be particularly impactful. According to Harvard Business Review, AI-driven tools help organizations simulate supply disruptions and model outcomes based on current market conditions.

Perlov notes that companies leveraging these technologies are more prepared to shift sourcing strategies quickly, stockpile critical materials, or negotiate flexible contracts when early warning signs appear.

Risk Management: More Than Just Insurance

Risk management is often misunderstood as simply buying insurance. However, it must be far more comprehensive in the specialty gas industry, where product delivery delays can stall million-dollar operations.

Pavel Perlov encourages companies to view risk management as a cultural mindset—one that’s embedded into procurement, production, and even customer service. “Your entire team should understand the potential impacts of supply disruption and be trained to respond quickly,” he says.

Key risk management tactics include:

• Contract flexibility: Build clauses into supplier contracts, allowing substitutions or pricing buffers.
• Inventory planning: Maintain higher safety stock levels for the most critical gases.
• Supplier audits: Regularly evaluate suppliers for financial health, compliance, and resilience planning.

Building Resilience Through Collaboration

One of the lesser-discussed aspects of volatility management is collaboration—internally and externally.

Specialty gas companies that maintain strong relationships with partners across the value chain, from cylinder manufacturers to end users, can better share data, anticipate shifts, and respond jointly to challenges.

For instance, if a supplier knows about a client’s upcoming production surge, they can prepare inventory or prioritize deliveries. Similarly, customers can adjust schedules to avoid major losses if they know of a potential delay.

Perlov stresses that transparency and communication are non-negotiable in today’s supply environment. “The more open and collaborative your network is, the more resilient your operation becomes.”

Flexibility Is the New Standard

In a climate where global events can send shockwaves through supply chains overnight, companies must build agility into every layer of their operations.

This could mean having alternate fill sites, adopting dual-use cylinders that work with multiple gas types, or training staff to handle unexpected logistics issues.

As Perlov says, “You can’t stop volatility, but you can outmaneuver it. Flexibility isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore—it’s a business imperative.”

From Reactive to Proactive: The Future of Specialty Gas Procurement

Looking ahead, the companies that rise above uncertainty will embrace a proactive, not reactive, approach to sourcing and risk mitigation.

That means investing in supplier diversity, digital tools, data intelligence, and stronger industry relationships. It also means regularly reviewing and evolving procurement policies to align with shifting market conditions.

Pavel Perlov’s strategic insights highlight a simple truth: long-term success in the specialty gases industry won’t come from clinging to old models but from boldly and intentionally adapting.

Final Thoughts

As supply chains continue to be tested, strategic sourcing and resilient risk management are no longer optional in the specialty gases sector. Industry leaders like Pavel Perlov remind us that with the right mindset, tools, and partnerships, navigating volatility isn’t just possible—it’s a pathway to growth.