Packaging Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Packaging M&A posted 21 deals in September, down two transactions from August levels and nine from activity recorded in September 2023. Financial buyers remained steady in activity, tallying 12 deals, while strategic buyer activity was below 2024 averages. To date, 227 deals have been posted, which is 17 more than the 210 posted in 2023 through the same period. The Rigid Packaging, Paper, and Machinery & Distribution subsectors accounted for the most deals during the month, with each posting at least six deals. Despite lower deal volumes in September, 2024 is still on track to be a strong year for Global Packaging M&A
- Rigid Packaging led all packaging subsectors in deal volume during September, posting seven deals during the month. This represented a two deal decrease from September 2023. Machinery & Distribution was the only subsector to see increased deal flow when compared to the same period in 2023
- On the year, Machinery & Distribution and Protective Packaging are the only two subsectors with more deal activity in 2024 than 2023. Together, these subsectors have recorded 25 additional deals this year
- Financial buyer activity remained steady during the month with 12 deals. Strategic buyer activity waned in September, posting nine transactions, five fewer than September 2023 and the 2024 average
- Deals across geographies remained in line with prior 2024 results. Foreign transactions led all other types with nine deals, or just over 40% of all activity. Domestic transactions followed closely behind with eight transactions in September
- M&A activity was varied by end market with no single market accounting for more than 33% of all deals. Medical had its strongest month of the year, posting 25% of its total 2024 volume in the month
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- Sonoco Puts Thermoforming, Flexible Packaging Business in Play (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/sonocos-flexible-packaging-thermoforming-business-potentially-sale - Industry Backs Proposed Federal Plastics Recycling Bill (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/federal-plastics-proposal-echoes-industry-priorities-recycling - Packaging Updates Anticipated in Biden Administration’s Waning Months (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/biden-regulatory-agenda-green-guides-plastic-pollution-strategy/726171/ - Fed Cuts Rates by Half Percentage Point (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/fed-cuts-rates-by-half-percentage-point-03566d82?mod=central-banking_more_article_pos57 - ExxonMobil Sued by California over Recycling Claims (Packaging World)
https://www.packworld.com/sustainable-packaging/article/22921457/exxonmobil-sued-by-california-over-recycling-claims - S. Hiring Accelerated in September, Blowing Past Expectations (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/jobs-report-september-unemployment-economy-dfa7c99f?mod=jobs_news_article_pos2
Download Packaging M&A Update – September 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.