Calbee to adopt black-and-white packaging for potato chips amid naphtha supply concerns
Calbee black-and-white packaging will be used for some potato chip products as naphtha-related ink supply worries grow; the government says domestic ink stocks are currently secure and will hold hearings.
Japan’s Cabinet Office announced on May 12, 2026, that it will hold hearings with companies after Calbee outlined plans to use black-and-white packaging for certain potato chip lines because of instability in naphtha-derived printing ink supplies. Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Keisuke Sato told reporters the government has not yet received reports of immediate supply shortfalls and believes domestic needs are currently met. The move by Calbee has prompted coordination among ministries to monitor the situation and gather information from affected firms.
Cabinet Office to hold hearings with food manufacturers
Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Keisuke Sato said the hearings were scheduled for the day to improve communication between the government and industry. He described the sessions as part of broader efforts by relevant ministries to grasp the supply situation and to identify any emerging risks in the logistics chain.
Sato emphasized that, at present, there are no confirmed shortages of printing ink or naphtha that would immediately disrupt production, and that authorities and companies will share information to prevent any sudden problems. The hearings are intended to clarify which products and retailers might be affected and to assess contingency options.
Calbee’s packaging plan and affected products
Calbee has signaled it will temporarily switch the color printing on some of its flagship potato chip packages to monochrome as a precaution against constrained ink supplies that use naphtha as a raw material. The measure is described by company sources as targeted and temporary, affecting select product lines rather than the whole portfolio.
Company officials say the change would reduce the need for colored printing inks and help stretch existing stocks while logistics and procurement options are evaluated. Retailers and distributors have been notified in materials circulated to partners, and plans emphasize maintaining product supply to stores without altering recipes or portion sizes.
Naphtha’s role in printing ink and supply risks
Naphtha is a petroleum-derived feedstock used in manufacturing certain solvent-based printing inks, adhesives and other industrial chemicals critical to packaging production. Disruptions to naphtha supply, often linked to global crude flows and regional tensions, can therefore ripple into packaging and construction materials industries.
Industry analysts note that while alternative ink formulations and suppliers exist, switching production lines or qualifying new materials can take time and pose cost implications. Manufacturers often keep strategic inventories, but rapid changes in international markets can expose vulnerabilities in tightly timed supply chains.
Government assessment and industry response
In his briefing, Sato reiterated that ministries are working together to trace supply routes and examine whether stocks held by domestic producers and distributors are sufficient for the near term. He said the government has not ordered restrictions or mandated packaging changes, but is aiming for transparency through direct engagement with affected companies.
Several packaging suppliers and retailers have reported stepped-up communication with clients, conducting internal inventory checks and exploring temporary design adjustments. Trade associations told officials they are compiling data on ink consumption and supplier lead times to present at the scheduled hearings.
Broader implications for manufacturers and consumers
Beyond snack foods, packaging changes driven by ink shortages could affect a range of consumer products that depend on colored labels and printed branding. Suppliers of printed cartons and flexible packaging are assessing production priorities while considering whether monochrome or simplified printing could be scaled if needed.
Retail buyers say an occasional shift to black-and-white packaging would likely be accepted by consumers if it preserves product availability, but sustained changes could complicate marketing and brand recognition. Industry observers also warn that prolonged supply pressure would raise costs and lead to more widespread design adjustments.
The hearings set by the Cabinet Office aim to produce a clearer picture of vulnerabilities and coordinate any necessary responses, including support for alternative supply lines or temporary regulatory flexibility. Officials are expected to report back with findings once consultations with manufacturers, packagers and distributors are completed.
Japan’s authorities and the food industry are keeping a close watch on global developments that affect naphtha flows, while companies such as Calbee prepare short-term packaging measures to ensure that product shelves remain stocked.
