Iran War丨Ink Supply Shortage, Calbee Potato Chip Packaging Turns Black and White

NHK reports that Japanese snack manufacturer Calbee has notified its suppliers that due to the Middle East situation causing instability in the supply of packaging inks and other materials, the company will change the packaging of some main products such as potato chips from color to black and white two-tone; the new measure is scheduled to be implemented from the end of this month.

Calbee stated that this simplification of packaging design is to prioritize ensuring stable product supply and avoid production stoppages or supply interruptions caused by shortages of packaging materials. The quality, taste, and specifications of the products themselves will remain unchanged; only the packaging appearance will change from color to black and white two-tone. Given that future changes in the Middle East situation may still bring new supply challenges, the company will continue to closely monitor market dynamics and strive to improve the supply of packaging materials.

The solvents, resins, and other key raw materials required for ink production all come from naphtha, a chemical raw material obtained through processing. As the Iran conflict escalates, leading to disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Japan’s crude oil imports have sharply decreased, tightening naphtha supply and directly triggering a chain reaction in the packaging material industry chain.