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# Calbee limits packs to black and white ink due to Strait of Hormuz crisis
- URL: https://packaging-europe.ghost.io/calbee-limits-packs-to-black-and-white-ink-due-to-strait-of-hormuz-crisis/
- Published: 2026-05-12T06:49:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-05-12T06:49:03.000Z
- Author: Packaging Europe staff writers
- Tags: Business, Design, Food, #layout-s, #type-article, #packaging-europe, #Import 2026-09-08 15:54

**As the Strait of Hormuz crisis limits access to raw materials,** [**Calbee**](https://www.calbee.co.jp/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) **is temporarily limiting its on-pack print for multiple potato chip, breakfast cereal, and snack products to black and white ink.**

Changes will apply to a total of fourteen products, including various flavours in its Potato Chips lineup (Lightly Salted Taste, Consomme Punch, Consomme Double Punch, and Seaweed Salt Taste); the Lightly Salted Taste and Black Pepper variants of its Kataage Potato product; and the Kappa Ebisen snacks and Frugra cereal brands.

Calbee attributes its decision to ‘ongoing tensions in the Middle East’ and the resultant effect on ‘certain raw materials’. According to [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io), [around 40%](https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/snacks-giant-calbee-crunched-by-iran-related-ink-shortage-switches-monotone-2026-05-12/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) of Japanese naphtha consumption is reliant on imports from the Middle East.

Products are set to transition into the new packaging in phases, with the transition expected to maintain a consistent product supply without impacting overall quality.

“Calbee will continue to respond flexibly and promptly to changes in its operating environment, including geopolitical risks, and remains committed to maintaining a stable supply of safe, high-quality products,” the company states in a [press release](https://www.calbee.co.jp/en/news/pdf/174-29160.pdf?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io). “We ask for your understanding and continued support.”

Last month, we heard from markets reporter Sam Lovatt, senior analyst Helen McGeough and the [ICIS](https://www.icis.com/explore/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) Analytics team about the correlation between the Strait of Hormuz blockade and [the price of plastics](https://packagingeurope.com/features/why-is-the-strait-of-hormuz-crisis-pushing-up-plastic-prices/14155.article?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io), including an emerging premium for secure energy and chemical supply.

Mia McLachlan, Carolina Perujo Holland, and Egor Dementev from ICIS also told us how the geopolitical instability is [impacting the plastics recycling industry](https://packagingeurope.com/features/how-is-the-strait-of-hormuz-crisis-impacting-european-plastics-recycling/14213.article?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io), with high crude oil prices passing down supply chains, logistic issues driving freight costs higher, and availability constraints already emerging.

In other news, [McDonald’s Japan](https://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io)previously announced a [series of revisions](https://packagingeurope.com/news/mcdonalds-japan-ditches-paper-straws-for-strawless-rpet-lids-and-more/13564.article?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io) to its packaging lineup, including ‘strawless’ rPET lids to replace paper straws, 95% biomass plastic for takeaway food packaging, and [FSC](https://fsc.org/en?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io)\-certified paper bags for its Happy Meal toys. Altogether, the company sets its sights on eliminating 6,600 tons of virgin plastic every year.

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[***Strategic learnings from the Sustainable Packaging Summit***](https://packagingeurope.com/features/strategic-learnings-from-the-2025-sustainable-packaging-summit/13750.article?ref=packaging-europe.ghost.io)