GoKawiilJapan Data
The leading Japanese snack-food manufacturer Calbee has made headlines through its announced switch to black-and-white packaging for some of its products due to naphtha shortages, which are having a growing impact on a wide range of industries.
A Clear Impact
The Iran war is leading to increased shortages of naphtha, a petroleum-derived raw material used in a wide range of products.
On May 12, major snack maker Calbee, known for its potato chips, announced that it would use black-and-white packaging for 14 of its most popular products.
The naphtha shortage has affected the supply of ink and solvents needed for printing on packaging. The firm stated, “Calbee will continue to respond flexibly and promptly to changes in its operating environment, including geopolitical risks, and remains committed to maintaining a stable supply of safe, high‑quality products.”
Photos of potato chips and the potato mascot that has been a popular character since its 1976 debut will also disappear from packaging for the time being. Calbee will gradually roll out monochrome packs for potato chips and granola from May 25.
A Wide Range of Industries Affected
Teikoku Databank has identified 52 Japanese companies using naphtha to make basic chemical products like ethylene, synthetic rubber, and PVC resin. These are then distributed to manufacturers via direct transactions, through trading companies or wholesalers, or through purchases of parts and components from first-tier manufacturers who process the basic chemicals.
A total of 46,741 Japanese manufacturers are involved in this distribution network, or around 30% of the 150,000 manufacturing companies included in the survey.
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