Japanese Snack Packaging Turns Monochrome

Japanese snack manufacturer Calbee announced on May 14, 2026, that it will temporarily switch 14 of its product lines, including Calbee Potato Chips, to black-and-white packaging due to a shortage of colored printing ink. This decision stems from global supply chain disruptions, particularly affecting naphtha, a key component for ink production, following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz since late February 2026 amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane for one-fifth of global oil, has been effectively blocked, impacting Japan, which imports 40 percent of its naphtha from the Middle East. This disruption has led to price increases from major ink and chemical producers like Sun Chemical and Hubergroup, citing rising raw material, logistics, and energy costs. Additionally, increased demand for nitrocellulose, another ink ingredient also used in military propellants, has intensified due to heightened NATO spending and the conflict in Ukraine, further constraining supply for civilian industries.

While a Japanese government spokesperson indicated that Japan has secured necessary quantities of printing ink and naphtha, and imports from non-Middle Eastern countries have tripled, Calbee's move highlights the broader impact of geopolitical tensions on manufacturing supply chains. The company stated its measure is intended to maintain a stable supply of products, with the new packaging rolling out on May 25.