Packaging Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Packaging M&A pulled back in February, recording 25 deals, which was a five-deal decrease compared to January but equal to last year’s volume. The decreased volume was attributable to lower levels of participation from strategic buyers. Although January activity levels were encouraging, Global Packaging M&A has recorded 25 or fewer deals in two of the last three months, which is correlated with less strategic buyer activity and a sign that volume may continue at the lower levels. The prospect of a rebound in Global Packaging M&A in 2024 is currently uncertain.
- Strategic buyers accounted for 12 deals, representing a decline of five deals from January levels. Strategic buyers have recorded ten or less deals in two of the last three months. In the second half of 2023, strategic buyers recorded fewer than ten deals in only two of the six months
- Financial buyers recorded 13 deals in February, matching volume from the prior month. Both add-on and platform acquisitions remain nearly in line with 2023 average monthly deal volumes
- The Flexible Plastic subsector has experienced a strong start to the year. The subsector met or exceeded the 2023 average monthly deal volume of four deals in both January and February
- The Paper subsector has had a slow start to the year when compared to 2023. Deals attributable to this subsector are down eight transactions from the prior year-to-date period, which is partly attributable to lower strategic buyer activity
- The Consumer end market recorded five deals in February and accounted for 20% of total deal activity. Notably, the Consumer end market has only accounted for 20% or more of the monthly deal mix in six of the last 12 months
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- What Does the EU MDR Extension Mean for Packaging? (Packaging Digest)
https://www.packagingdigest.com/medical-packaging/what-does-the-eu-mdr-extension-mean-for-packaging- - EPA Sets PFAS Test for HDPE Containers, Faces New Suit in Inhance Case (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/epa-sets-pfas-test-hdpe-containers-faces-new-suit-inhance-case - Europe’s New Packaging Waste Regulation: Are Special Rules for Plastic Illegal? (Packaging Insights)
https://www.packaginginsights.com/news/europes-new-packaging-waste-regulation-are-special-rules-for-plastic-illegal.html - Jobs Growth of 353,000 Blasts Past Expectations as Labor Market Stays Hot (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/jobs-report-january-today-unemployment-economy-4f3a772e?mod=jobs_more_article_pos6 - Fed Minutes Show Unease Over Premature Cuts (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/federal-reserve-minutes-jan-2024-rate-cuts-25f72187
Download Packaging M&A Update – February 2024
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.