Naphtha Shortages in Japan

日本石脑油短缺问题

Japan Data: Naphtha Shortages Having a Growing Impact on Japan’s Economy and Lifestyle 日本数据：石脑油短缺对日本经济与生活的影响日益加剧

May 15, 2026 — The leading Japanese snack-food manufacturer Calbee has made headlines through its announced switch to black-and-white packaging for some of its products due to naphtha shortages, which are having a growing impact on a wide range of industries. 2026年5月15日——日本领先的零食制造商卡乐比（Calbee）宣布，由于石脑油短缺，其部分产品将改用黑白包装。这一消息引发了广泛关注，石脑油短缺正对各行各业产生日益严重的影响。

A Clear Impact 显著的影响

The Iran war is leading to increased shortages of naphtha, a petroleum-derived raw material used in a wide range of products. On May 12, major snack maker Calbee, known for its potato chips, announced that it would use black-and-white packaging for 14 of its most popular products. The naphtha shortage has affected the supply of ink and solvents needed for printing on packaging. 伊朗战争导致石脑油供应日益短缺，这是一种广泛应用于各类产品的石油衍生原材料。5月12日，以薯片闻名的零食巨头卡乐比宣布，其14款最畅销产品将改用黑白包装。石脑油的短缺影响了包装印刷所需的油墨和溶剂供应。

The firm stated, “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.” 该公司表示：“卡乐比将继续灵活、迅速地应对包括地缘政治风险在内的经营环境变化，并致力于保持安全、高质量产品的稳定供应。”

Photos of potato chips and the potato mascot that has been a popular character since its 1976 debut will also disappear from packaging for the time being. Calbee will gradually roll out monochrome packs for potato chips and granola from May 25. 薯片照片以及自1976年问世以来一直深受喜爱的土豆吉祥物，也将暂时从包装上消失。卡乐比将从5月25日起，逐步推出薯片和格兰诺拉麦片的黑白包装。

A Wide Range of Industries Affected 受影响的行业范围广泛

Teikoku Databank has identified 52 Japanese companies using naphtha to make basic chemical products like ethylene, synthetic rubber, and PVC resin. These are then distributed to manufacturers via direct transactions, through trading companies or wholesalers, or through purchases of parts and components from first-tier manufacturers who process the basic chemicals. 帝国数据银行（Teikoku Databank）调查发现，有52家日本公司使用石脑油生产乙烯、合成橡胶和PVC树脂等基础化工产品。这些产品随后通过直接交易、贸易公司或批发商，或者通过向加工这些基础化学品的一级制造商采购零部件的方式，分销给各制造企业。

A total of 46,741 Japanese manufacturers are involved in this distribution network, or around 30% of the 150,000 manufacturing companies included in the survey. The chemicals, petroleum, and coal products manufacturing sector is most vulnerable to naphtha price rises and shortages; of the 4,700 companies in this sector, 67.2% are integrated into the naphtha supply chain. 共有46,741家日本制造商参与了这一分销网络，约占调查中15万家制造企业的30%。化学、石油和煤炭产品制造业对石脑油价格上涨和短缺最为敏感；在该行业的4,700家公司中，67.2%的企业被纳入了石脑油供应链。

Within the sector, 88.4% of companies producing cyclic intermediates—raw materials for plastics, synthetic fibers, dyes, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agrochemicals—are integrated into the naphtha supply chain. The same is true for 87.3% of companies making gelatin and adhesives, including synthetic adhesives, and 84.0% of those manufacturing surfactants, which are widely used in automotive paints and household detergents. 在该行业内，88.4%生产环状中间体（塑料、合成纤维、染料、医药、化妆品和农药的原材料）的公司处于石脑油供应链中。生产明胶和粘合剂（包括合成粘合剂）的公司中，这一比例为87.3%；而制造表面活性剂（广泛用于汽车漆和家用洗涤剂）的公司中，这一比例为84.0%。

In the pulp, paper, and paper products manufacturing sector, 80.1% of companies making coated paper, used for things like fast-food packaging and paper cups, are integrated into the supply chain. Even sectors that seem to be unrelated—such as food, livestock feed, and beverages—can be affected by problems such as difficulties with obtaining packaging. 在纸浆、造纸和纸制品制造业中，80.1%生产涂布纸（用于快餐包装和纸杯等）的公司被纳入了供应链。即使是看似无关的行业，如食品、饲料和饮料，也可能因难以获得包装材料等问题而受到影响。

While the government says that Japan has secured the quantities it needs, and there are no supply issues, Calbee is not the only company to take measures. Mizkan suspended sales of four of its nattō products on May 1, citing potential problems procuring containers and packaging. In April, Nisshin Seifun Welna started using plain packaging tape for spaghetti, where previously the tape had the cooking time printed on it. 尽管政府表示日本已确保了所需数量，不存在供应问题，但卡乐比并非唯一采取应对措施的公司。味滋康（Mizkan）于5月1日暂停了四款纳豆产品的销售，理由是采购容器和包装可能存在困难。4月，日清制粉Welna（Nisshin Seifun Welna）开始在意大利面包装上使用普通封口胶带，而此前胶带上印有烹饪时间。

In the medical and nursing care sectors, there are growing shortages of products including syringes and rubber gloves. Price hikes and restrictions on sales are also affecting residential insulation and packaging film for food. If the conflict in the Middle East continues, the impact is likely to become more serious among all aspects of daily life. 在医疗和护理领域，注射器和橡胶手套等产品的短缺情况日益严重。价格上涨和销售限制也影响到了住宅隔热材料和食品包装膜。如果中东冲突持续，这种影响可能会在日常生活的各个方面变得更加严重。