Japanese Snack Maker Calbee Switches to Black-and-White Packaging Amid Ink Shortage

1-Minute Brief

The disruption of petrochemical supplies due to the Strait of Hormuz closure is affecting global packaging and manufacturing industries.

Key Facts

• Calbee, Japan’s largest snack maker, is switching 14 of its products to monochrome packaging by the end of May.
• The ink shortage is attributed to the ongoing Middle East conflict and its impact on raw material availability.
• The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted global supplies of energy and petrochemicals.
• Calbee announced the packaging change on Tuesday.
• The affected products are some of Calbee's flagship snack brands.

What Happened

Calbee will use black-and-white packaging for several products due to an ink ingredient shortage linked to supply disruptions caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure.

Why It Matters

This development highlights how geopolitical conflicts and supply chain disruptions in key regions can have far-reaching effects on everyday consumer goods and global manufacturing.

What's Next

Observers are monitoring whether similar shortages will impact other manufacturers and industries dependent on petrochemical-derived materials.