Naphtha shortages force Japanese manufacturers into monochrome packaging and sales suspensions
Data from Teikoku Databank reveals nearly 47,000 firms are exposed to naphtha volatility, with major brands like Calbee and Mizkan altering product offerings as ink and solvent supplies dwindle.
A conflict in Iran has triggered significant shortages of naphtha, a petroleum-derived raw material essential for producing ink and solvents used in packaging across Japan. The disruption has forced major consumer goods manufacturers to alter packaging designs or suspend product sales, highlighting the deep integration of naphtha into the nation’s industrial supply chain.
Snack manufacturer Calbee announced on May 12 that it would switch 14 of its most popular products to black-and-white packaging, with a rollout beginning on May 25. The company confirmed that photos of potato chips and its iconic mascot, which has been a popular character since 1976, will be removed from packaging temporarily. Calbee stated it remains committed to maintaining a stable supply of safe, high-quality products despite the changing operating environment.
The ripple effects extend beyond snack foods. Mizkan suspended sales of four nattō products on May 1 due to difficulties in procuring containers and packaging. Similarly, Nisshin Seifun Welna began using plain packaging tape for its spaghetti products in April, removing the cooking time instructions that were previously printed on the tape.
Data from Teikoku Databank indicates the breadth of the disruption, identifying 46,741 Japanese manufacturers involved in the naphtha distribution network, representing approximately 30% of the companies surveyed. The chemical, petroleum, and coal products sector is particularly vulnerable, with 67.2% of companies in this category integrated into the supply chain.
Specific vulnerabilities are pronounced in intermediate manufacturing, where 88.4% of cyclic intermediate producers, 87.3% of gelatin and adhesive makers, and 84.0% of surfactant manufacturers are connected to naphtha supplies. The impact also reaches the medical sector, with growing shortages of syringes and rubber gloves, as well as residential insulation and food packaging film.
Despite these widespread operational adjustments, the Japanese government maintains that it has secured the quantities of naphtha required for the nation and asserts there are no current supply issues. However, analysts note that if the conflict in the Middle East continues, the impact on daily life and industrial output is likely to intensify.
