Packaging Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Packaging M&A activity notched a very strong month, with 43 deals announced. October levels represented a 22-deal increase compared to September and a 9-deal increase from October 2023. While deal volume has been up in 2024, much of this has been related to foreign activity with transactions involving two foreign parties accounting for 52% of the transaction activity. Strategic buyers drove activity in the month, which reflected pent up demand that carried over after a weaker Q3. Generally, October marked a strong start to Q4 and represents positive momentum heading into the end of the year.
- Rigid Packaging and Flexible packaging led deal volume in October posting 12 and 10 deals, respectively. These were substantial increases from September activity and October 2023 volume. Protective Packaging and Machinery & Distribution both posted modest increases from October 2023 while Paper and Printing & Labels saw minor declines in volume, but remained in line with 2024 monthly averages
- Both strategic and financial buyers were highly active in October, contributing to a strong month from a deal volume standpoint. Strategic buyers led the way in October, accounting for 58% of the total volume, which was above year-to-date levels
- Foreign transactions had a strong October and have accounted for more than half of all activity in the year-to-date. While October was a strong month, deals involving two domestic parties have been below levels seen in the past few years
- The Food & Beverage end market tallied only its second month of the year with double-digit volumes. Meanwhile, the Medical end market has recorded 10 deals in the last three months, consistently ramping its volume
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- Biden-Harris Administration Opens Tariff Exclusion Process for Some Manufacturers (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/biden-harris-china-tariffs-exclusion-process-solar-equipment/730795/ - Is the Fiber Packaging M&A Surge Done? Probably Not. (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/fiber-packaging-consolidation-mergers-acquisitions-capacity/731110/ - Insights From the 2024 Packaging Recycling Summit (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/packaging-recycling-summit-2024/728280/ - As Plastics Treaty Debates Production Caps, a Look at Potential Impact and Implementation (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/plastics-treaty-and-production-caps-look-implementation-and-impact - U.S. Added 12,000 Jobs in October as Storms Sidelined Workers (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/jobs-report-october-unemployment-economy-f771b682?mod=jobs_news_article_pos2
Download Packaging M&A Update – October 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.