Packaging Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Packaging M&A finished strong in the first half of 2024, recording its most active month since January in June, and posting 151 deals in total in the half. June activity represented a five deal increase from the prior month and surpassed June 2023 levels by ten deals. The first half of 2024 outpaced the first half of 2023 by 21 deals, driven by increased activity from strategic buyers. Capping off a strong second quarter, June marked the third consecutive month of increasing deal volumes. Overall, activity remained consistent quarter-over-quarter, leading to heightened first half activity when compared to the previous year.
- Strategic buyers accounted for 81 deals, or 54% of the deal volume in the first half of 2024, which denoted the highest percentage of overall mix attributable to strategic buyers since the first half of 2020
- Financial buyers have posted 70 deals to date, exceeding H1 2023 by one deal. June platform acquisitions exceeded May by four deals, but the increase was smaller than the five deal decline in add-on transactions, resulting in a modest month-to-month contraction
- The Industrial end market was the most active in the first half of 2024, representing 45% of volume and logging a 21-deal increase relative to H1 2023. Food & Beverage volume increased by seven deals compared to the first half of 2023, while the Consumer end market observed a decline in the same period
- The proportion of transactions involving a US-based buyer and seller declined by 9% compared to the first half of 2023, accounting for only 35% of volume. Foreign M&A activity continued to drive deal flow, accounting for half of the deal volume in H1 2024
- The Machinery & Distribution subsector posted 17 more deals in H1 than it did in the prior year. Furthermore, the subsector led all others in deal volume, totaling 37 deals in the first half of 2024
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
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https://www.packagingdive.com/news/second-round-fiber-price-increases-taking-hold-box-demand/719648/ - Food-Grade Recycled Polypropylene is Poised for US Intro
https://www.packagingdigest.com/sustainability/food-grade-recycled-polypropylene-is-poised-for-us-intro - Plastics Treaty Could Boost Packaging Firms Offering Alternative Materials
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/strong-plastics-treaty-can-speed-move-new-packaging-models-report-says - PET Bottle Resin Prices Take an Unexpected Early Summer Dip
https://www.plasticsnews.com/resin-pricing/pet-bottle-resin-prices-take-unexpected-summer-dip
Download Packaging M&A Update – June 2024
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.