Packaging Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Packaging M&A activity slowed after a strong second quarter and beginning of the third quarter, with 23 deals recorded in August—eight fewer than in July and the lowest since April. Despite the slowdown in August, year-to-date deal volume remains strong compared to 2023, with 206 deals so far, up 26 from the same period last year. In August, financial buyers drove the majority of deals, while strategic buyers had their least active month of the year. The overall decline in August contrasts with the strong activity in June and July, a trend PMCF will continue to monitor as we continue through the second half of the year.
- Rigid Packaging and Protective Packaging deal activity was strong relative to August 2023, with both subsectors tallying three more deals in the month compared to prior year levels. Machinery & Distribution and Protective Packaging continued driving increased deal activity in the year-to-date period, each posting double-digit increases from 2023 levels in 2024
- Financial buyers accounted for 11 deals, or 61% of deal flow. This represented the largest share of volume for this buyer type in over a year. Furthermore, volume surpassed 2024 averages and outpaced July levels by three transactions
- Strategic buyer activity came in six deals below the running average for 2024. Nine transactions were recorded in the month, falling from prior month levels by more than 10 deals
- Deals involving two U.S. parties led all other geography types for the second month in 2024, accounting for 48% of deal flow. Meanwhile, deals with a foreign buyer and seller represented nine deals, down 13 from July levels
- The Industrial end market was the most active in August, posting 13 deals in the month. The Medical end market recovered in August with two deals after recording no transactions the prior month
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- Stable U.S. Inflation Keeps Door Open for Moderate Fed Cuts (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/stable-u-s-inflation-keeps-door-open-for-moderate-fed-cuts-fe652d36?mod=economy_feat1_central-banking_pos1 - US Plastics Pact Updates ‘Problematic’ Packaging List, Adds Materials for Evaluation (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/us-plastics-pact-updates-problematic-packaging-adds-materials-evaluation - Wood and Aluminum Outpace Plastic and Glass Packaging, Report Finds (Packaging Insights)
https://www.packaginginsights.com/news/wood-and-aluminum-outpace-plastic-and-glass-packaging-report-finds.html - EPA Finalizes Recycled Content Levels for Packaging Bearing Safer Choice Label (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/epa-finalizes-safer-choice-updates-packaging-recycled-content/723803/ - Progress in Packaging Sustainability: Slow but Steady (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/progress-packaging-sustainability-slow-steady
Download Packaging M&A Update – August 2024
Packaging M&A Update – February 2026
Global Packaging M&A tapered in February as 20 deals were announced in the sector, down more than 30% from prior month and prior year levels.
Plastics M&A Update – February 2026
Global Plastics M&A cooled off in February following a record-setting January with 31 transactions – down 21 from the prior month and seven from last February.
Packaging M&A Update – January 2026
Global packaging M&A maintained steady volume to open 2026 with 30 deals in January, which was in-line with historical levels for January but below the record 45 transactions announced in January 2025.
Plastics M&A Update – January 2026
52 global plastics M&A transactions were recorded in January 2026, which represented one of the most active months for plastics M&A since PMCF began tracking the sector.
Plastics M&A Update – December 2025
Global Plastics M&A posted 34 transactions in December, one deal fewer than both November and the 2025 monthly average.