Calbee will change the packaging of 14 potato-chip products to black-and-white starting May 25, 2026 [1], [2].
The shift highlights how geopolitical instability in West Asia is directly impacting consumer goods and manufacturing costs in East Asia. By removing color from its packaging, the Tokyo-based company is attempting to maintain production levels despite a critical shortage of raw materials.
The company said the change is necessary because of a shortage of naphtha [2]. Naphtha is a crude-oil derivative used as a key ingredient in the production of ink [2]. Without a stable supply of this chemical, the manufacturer cannot produce the standard colorful bags associated with its brands.
This supply chain disruption is a fallout of the ongoing war in West Asia, specifically involving Iran [2]. The conflict has disrupted the flow of crude-oil-derived supplies, creating a ripple effect that has reached Japanese production facilities in Tokyo [1], [2].
Calbee will implement the no-color design for 14 of its products [1]. The transition to these monochromatic bags begins on May 25, 2026 [1]. The company has not specified if this is a temporary measure or a long-term strategy to combat the volatility of the ink market.
The move reflects a broader trend of industries seeking ways to reduce reliance on specialized chemicals that are vulnerable to regional conflicts. As naphtha supplies remain unstable, other manufacturers may be forced to adopt similar austerity measures for their branding, and packaging.
“Calbee will change the packaging of 14 potato-chip products to black-and-white”
This situation demonstrates the fragility of 'just-in-time' supply chains when faced with geopolitical conflict. Because naphtha is a fundamental building block for various petrochemicals and dyes, its scarcity forces companies to choose between altering their brand identity or halting production entirely. The move by Calbee serves as a tangible indicator of how distant military conflicts can manifest as visible changes in everyday consumer products.
