Plastics Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Plastics M&A recorded the second straight month lower than last year after a very strong first quarter 2022. We recorded 31 transactions for the month, which is up 5 transactions from April levels. PMCF is monitoring the current macroeconomic environment for any potential impact on Plastics M&A in the short-term. Currently, the M&A market in plastics remains strong, but annual volume is trending to be lower than the elevated levels experienced in 2021.
- Private equity add-on activity dipped in May, however, platform transaction volume rose in the month; platform private equity deals accounted for 9 deals in the month, which is up from 3 in April
- Public strategic buyers accounted for 12 deals in the month; this is the second month in a row that public buyers accounted for 10 or more deals as strategic buyer activity as percent of total volume increased month-over-month
- Sheet & Thermoforming transactions bounced back in May, accounting for 4 deals, or 13% of the deal volume, after only recording 2 deals in April
- 9 Injection Molding deals were recorded in May 2022 which was equal to May 2021 levels and an increase of 5 transactions month-over-month
- Automotive deal activity which has been slow through the year-to-date increased in May, accounting for 10% of the deal volume after accounting for only 4% in April
Global Plastics M&A transaction volume has cooled down relative to the elevated activity of 2021, but continues to outpace pre-pandemic levels. Given recent activity, Plastics M&A volume in the second half of 2022 will likely be lower than 2021. With that being said, if the current levels continue, 2022 should still be a strong year overall. 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
- Some Materials Stocks Outperforming Market
https://www.plasticsnews.com/one-good-resin/some-materials-stocks-outperforming-market - Global Supply Chain Pressure Index: May 2022 Update (Liberty Street Economics)
https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2022/05/global-supply-chain-pressure-index-may-2022-update - Feedstock Costs Prompt Rising Resin Prices in Europe
https://www.plasticsnews.com/resin-pricing/polymer-resin-prices-europe-rise-amid-feedstock-costs - Reshoring Institute Executive: Expect Supply Chain ‘Chaos’ to Prompt Domestic Spending (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/domestic-spending-should-get-boost-supply-chain-chaos-continues - Rapid Pace of U.S. Job Growth Stretched Into April (Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/april-jobs-report-unemployment-rate-2022-11651789328
Download Plastics M&A Update – May 2022
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.
Plastics M&A Update – April 2026
Global Plastics M&A recorded 31 transactions in April, moderating from March levels but bringing year-to-date volume to 152 deals, up 12 transactions from the prior-year period and 29 deals above the trailing three-year average through April.
Plastics M&A Update – March 2026
Global Plastics M&A experienced recorded 38 transactions in March, representing an uptick of seven deals from the prior month and five deals from last March.