The raw material crisis caused by the war in the Middle East has hit the supply of naphtha, a key component of plastic production, in Japan. Businesses, supermarkets, and bakeries in the country are struggling to find plastic bags, food containers, and service gloves.
elchi reports that in Japan, which accounts for about one-third of the country’s annual plastic consumption and exceeds 8 million tons, price increases and supply problems are having a profound impact on the sector.
As a country that meets a large part of its crude oil needs from the Middle East, naphtha is used as a key source not only in plastic production but also in the production of printing inks, adhesives, and medical supplies.
According to data from the Japan Petrochemical Industry Association (JPCA), the production of polyethylene used in shopping and trash bags decreased by 62 percent in March compared to the same period last year. Similar declines have been recorded in other types of plastics. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government is under pressure due to this crisis, which is also affecting other sectors. Although government officials claim that the situation is a temporary logistical obstacle rather than a crisis, industry leaders and experts predict that the situation will worsen throughout June. Public opinion polls also show that this raw material shortage is one of the public’s biggest concerns.
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