Plastics Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Plastics continued to post strong M&A activity down in February 2022 after a record start to the year in January. 31 deals were recorded in the month, which was lower than 47 transactions in January, but higher than February 2021. Deals in the month were driven by active strategic participation while private equity buyer activity slowed compared to high levels in January 2022. February transaction volume represented an increase of 3 deals year-over-year and a continuation of elevated M&A activity experienced throughout 2021.
- Strategic buyers were highly acquisitive in the month, accounting for 20 transactions or 65% of the total deal volume in the month
- Much of the decline in transaction levels month-over-month can be attributed to private equity transactions which decreased from 30 deals in January to 11 deals in February
- Film and Injection Molding transactions accounted for 45% of the deal volume in the month; both subsectors have had a strong start to the year contributing 32 of the 78 year-to-date transactions
- Specialty transactions have accounted for 36% of the year-to-date deal volume, which is up from 20% through this same time last year
- Food & Beverage transactions increased by 3 deals month-over-month, totaling 7 deals in February and 11 deals through the beginning of the year
The Global Plastics M&A market has started off the year strong, building on an unprecedented environment experienced in 2021. If February is any indication, transaction volumes seem to be continuing at elevated levels, however, it is early in the year and 2021 would be tough to replicate given unique circumstances. If you are a plastics 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.
Plastics M&A By Subsector
Total Plastics M&A By End Market
Plastics Transactions By Buyer Type
Notable M&A Activity
Public Entity Performance
Major News
- Economy Gained Momentum in February Despite Inflation Worries (Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/economy-gained-momentum-in-february-despite-inflation-worries-11645551346 - Supplies Recovered For Some Materials to Start 2022 Others Remain Turbulent (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/supplies-recovered-some-materials-start-2022-others-remain-turbulent - Fed Seeks Sweet Spot Between Slowing Inflation, Aiding Growth (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/fed-seeks-sweet-spot-between-slowing-inflation-aiding-growth - Ukraine Crisis Could Mean Higher Resin Prices (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/ukraine-invasion-could-mean-higher-resin-prices - U.S. Job Openings, Quits Remained Elevated at End of Last Year (Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/job-openings-us-growth-labor-market-turnover-02-01-2022-11643670099
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.