Calbee Switches to Black and White Packaging Due to Ink Shortage

Calbee Inc. will switch to black-and-white packaging for several of its popular snack products beginning May 25 as the ongoing war in Iran disrupts global supplies of a key ingredient used in colored printing inks. The products inside the packages will remain the same.

The company announced the decision in a statement this week to help maintain a stable supply amid supply instability affecting certain raw materials. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has severely disrupted supplies of petroleum-based products including naphtha, a liquid hydrocarbon mixture derived from petroleum that serves as a solvent in printing inks.

Japan imports more than 60 percent of its naphtha, with a large share historically coming from the Middle East. Naphtha prices in Asia have nearly doubled since the conflict began on Feb. 28.

The packaging shift comes as Japanese companies face competition for limited naphtha supplies, which are also used to produce plastics and fertilizers. Printing ink manufacturers have been particularly affected. The company said the measure was necessary to respond flexibly to changing geopolitical conditions, though it remains unclear how long the black-and-white packaging will remain in place.

Calbee employs more than 5,000 people and was founded in 1949. Its lightly salted “usu shio” chips previously featured bright-orange bags with images of yellow chips and a potato-man mascot. The new packaging uses only monochrome lettering. The firm stated it remains committed to maintaining a stable supply of safe, high-quality products and asked for consumer understanding.

“This measure is intended to help maintain a stable supply of products." — Calbee Inc. Earlier this month the president of one food company said colorful packaging will become difficult. A Japanese beauty company is considering swapping some oil-based materials for plant-derived alternatives due to the shortages.”

Japanese purchases of U.S. naphtha reached an all-time high of 15 million barrels in March. Officials said the country's naphtha needs were being met and that they had not received reports of immediate supply problems. A fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran put in place last month has come under strain.

” Despite the tensions, Japanese officials have sought to stabilize supply imbalances and bottlenecks. The war has affected industries beyond snacks. Some companies have suspended sales or raised prices due to shortages of polystyrene containers, while car makers and airlines have reported higher costs and operational disruptions from elevated fuel and material prices.

Calbee had announced an ambitious growth strategy in March before the packaging change became necessary. The firm said it will continue to respond promptly to changes in its operating environment, including geopolitical risks.