Japanese snack producer simplifies packaging

Tokyo (ANTARA) - Leading Japanese snack producer Calbee will change part of its product packaging to a simpler black-and-white design due to increasingly limited supplies of naphtha derived from crude oil, triggered by conflicts in the Middle East, local media reported. The temporary two-colour packaging is scheduled to be used starting this month and will cover several of the company’s major products, including its popular potato crisps, Kyodo News reported on Monday (11/5). Naphtha is an important raw material for the chemical industry, and its shortage in Japan has impacted downstream stages, squeezing supplies of solvents and resins used in printing inks. Calbee’s regular packaging usually features bright images with colourful backgrounds such as orange or yellow. However, unstable procurement of printing inks and other materials has forced the company to adopt a simpler design. Although Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi previously stated that the country is on track to maintain sufficient supplies of naphtha-based chemical products to last until the end of the year, following efforts to diversify imports away from the Middle East amid ongoing regional conflicts, the actual conditions in the market and across industries appear to tell a different story. According to public broadcaster NHK, several industry groups representing confectionery producers have received many inquiries regarding difficulties in obtaining printing inks for packaging. A survey released at the end of April by an association representing industry and consumer groups, as cited by Kyodo News, found that more than 70 percent of around 100 surveyed companies are likely to pass on cost increases to consumers if concerns over naphtha supplies continue.