Gunze Co., Ltd. announced a price increase for its plastic films used in food packaging and beverage labels on June 6 [1, 2].
The move reflects the volatility of raw material costs in the global supply chain. Because these plastics rely on naphtha derived from crude oil, instability in the Middle East directly impacts the production costs of essential consumer packaging [1, 2].
This is the second time the Japanese textile and plastics manufacturer has raised prices in 2026 [1]. The company said the worsening situation in the Middle East was the primary driver for the rising cost of naphtha [1, 2].
Reporting on the price adjustments varies by product line. For shrink films used in labels, the increase ranges from two% to five% [1]. Food-packaging films will see a price increase between four% and eight% [1].
Other reports indicate a more significant impact on specific products. For three types of vegetable-packaging film, the price increased by 1,200 yen per 500 square meters [2]. Some reports describe the overall magnitude of these increases as approximately 30% [2].
Gunze operates extensively in Japan's domestic market, providing critical materials for the beverage and food industries. The company has not provided further details on whether these costs will be absorbed by the manufacturer or passed entirely to the end consumer [1, 2].
“This is the second time the Japanese textile and plastics manufacturer has raised prices in 2026”
The price hikes at Gunze illustrate how geopolitical instability in oil-producing regions creates a ripple effect through the manufacturing sector. As naphtha costs rise, companies producing plastic films must either accept lower margins or increase prices, which often leads to higher retail costs for packaged food and beverages. The fact that this is the second increase this year suggests that raw material volatility is becoming a persistent challenge for Japanese industrial operations.
