Calbee's Packaging Shift to Black-and-White Due to Iran War-Induced Oil Shortage
Calbee, Japan's largest snack manufacturer, has announced a shift to black-and-white packaging for 14 of its flagship products. This change is a direct response to a shortage of naphtha, an ink ingredient derived from petroleum, which has been disrupted due to the ongoing conflict in Iran. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has significantly impacted the supply of naphtha, which is crucial for producing the vibrant packaging Calbee is known for. Despite the challenges, the Japanese government has assured that domestic naphtha refining continues using stockpiled crude oil, and imports from outside the Middle East have increased. Calbee, founded in Hiroshima in 1949, has grown into a global snack giant, with products sold across Asia, Europe, and the U.S. The company's shares saw a slight dip following the announcement, although the Nikkei 225 Index remained stable. 
