Packaging Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Packaging M&A dipped slightly from a transaction volume standpoint in January 2022 relative to months in 2021. Total deals in the month amounted to 25 transactions while average monthly deal volume in 2021 was 30 transactions. Of the 25 transactions, 14 were attributed to private equity firms which is unique as historically strategic buyers have been more active in the space. Overall, Global Packaging M&A activity remains strong after a record year in 2021.
- Private equity add-on transactions accounted for 13 deals, or 52% of deal volume, the highest monthly mark for add-on transactions from a volume mix standpoint in the last 3 years
- Strategic volume was down 1 transaction in the month relative to January 2021; it is typical for strategics to be relatively passive to start the year. January 2021 was the second lowest mark for strategics in 2021
- Paper Packaging transactions led all Packaging subsectors, accounting for 13 deals in the month which was up from 8 in January 2021
- Rigid Plastic transactions accounted for 7 deals in the month which was an activity level in line with the subsector’s monthly average of 6 in 2021
- Food & Beverage and Consumer end markets accounted for 14 deals in the month and together led all subsectors, however, this is a decrease from the 24 combined deals totaled from the two subsectors in January 2021
Overall, Global Packaging M&A transaction activity has been a little slower out of the gate when compared to last year’s M&A levels. Importantly, the current level of deal volumes is in line with historic levels excluding 2021 and could grow in future months if strategic buyers become more active as the year progresses. If you are a packaging company considering a merger, acquisition, sale or recapitalization in the short or longer term, please consider leveraging PMCF’s transaction planning and execution expertise to best position your company in a transaction.
Packaging M&A By Subsector
Total Packaging M&A By End Market
Packaging Transactions By Buyer Type
Notable M&A Activity
Public Entity Performance
Major News
- Big Deals, Big Money in 2021 M&A Final Numbers (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/big-deals-big-money-2021-ma-final-numbers - Inflation, Supply Chain, Omicron Expected to Take a Bigger Toll on Global Growth (Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/inflation-supply-chain-omicron-expected-to-take-a-bigger-toll-on-global-growth-11643119381 - US Plastics Pact, Backed By Big Firms, Pushes Cuts in ‘Problematic’ Packaging (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/us-plastics-pact-lists-11-plastics-materials-products-phase-out-packaging - 6 Sustainability Principles Help Inform Decisions (Packaging Digest)
https://www.packagingdigest.com/sustainability/6-sustainability-principles-help-inform-decisions
Packaging M&A Update – June 2026
Global Packaging M&A held steady in June with 27 transactions, in line with May and three deals above June 2025.
Plastics M&A Update – June 2026
Global Plastics M&A accelerated in June, with 46 transactions announced, an increase of 10 from May and eight from June 2025.
Packaging M&A Update – May 2026
Global Packaging M&A activity slowed slightly in May, with 27 deals announced. While this reflected only a one-deal decrease compared to April, activity rebounded meaningfully from May 2025, with ten more transactions announced.
Plastics M&A Update – May 2026
Global Plastics M&A recorded 36 transactions in May, increasing by five deals from April and seven from May 2025, bringing year-to-date volume to 188 transactions.
Packaging M&A Update – April 2026
Global Packaging M&A activity remained stable in April, with 28 deals announced, one fewer than April 2025 and slightly above March levels. Through the first four months of 2026, 105 deals have been announced, a 27-deal decrease from the prior-year period.