Iran crisis sends plastic shock through Asian supply chains

Asia is facing a sharp squeeze on petrochemical inputs used to make plastic packaging, as the Iran war disrupts oil and chemical supplies across the region. Prices for food and medical packaging are rising, hitting manufacturers and hospitals that depend on affordable plastic materials. The disruption adds to a broader commodity crunch already rattling ASEAN leaders meeting in the Philippines, where rising fuel and living costs have overshadowed the summit's formal agenda.