Plastics Industry M&A Activity Tracking
33 Global Plastics deals were announced in April, matching prior month activity and marking the twelfth consecutive month of over 30 transactions. Through the first four months of 2025, deal announcements are up by 23 transactions year-over-year, representing a nearly 20% increase. While transaction volumes are elevated when compared to last year, the number of marquee transactions has fallen, and smaller deals are driving higher levels of activity. Based on our discussions, uncertainty in the macroeconomy has influenced the appetite for transformational M&A. Regardless, we view sustained transaction activity as a positive sign amidst macroeconomic turbulence.
- After recording one deal in both January and February, Sheet & Thermoforming M&A activity has stalled. No transactions were announced for the second consecutive month, widening the year-over-year deficit to eight deals through April
- Financial buyers were responsible for 19 of April’s 33 announced transactions, representing ~58% of deal volume. This share of volume greatly exceeded Q1 2025 trends when strategic buyers were responsible for more than half of all deals
- Domestic M&A activity slowed significantly in April, with only 10 deals recorded—a 50% decline from the 20 deals announced in both January and February. In contrast, deals involving a foreign buyer and seller have gained momentum in 2025, with deal volume either growing or holding steady through each of the year’s first four months
- For three consecutive months, 20 or more deals have been announced in the Industrial end market. Meanwhile, activity in the Consumer end market has declined each month in 2025, with just two deals announced in April
- April marked another month of consistent activity in the Medical end market, with at least four deals announced each month in 2025.
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- Novolex Completes $6.7B Acquisition of Pactiv Evergreen (Packaging Dive) https://www.packagingdive.com/news/novolex-closes-acquisition-pactiv-evergreen/744049/
- IPL, Schoeller Allibert Merge to Create $1.4B Packaging Business (Plastics News) https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/ipl-schoeller-allibert-merge-create-14b-packaging-business
- Will Tariffs Spark a US Manufacturing Renaissance? (PlasticsToday) https://www.plasticstoday.com/automotive-mobility/will-tariffs-spark-a-us-manufacturing-renaissance-
- Kennedy Eyes Tougher Packaging Rules, Spotlight on Microplastics (Plastics News) https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/kennedy-tells-industry-expect-big-changes-food-packaging
- U.S. Economy Shrank in First Quarter as Imports Surged Ahead of Tariffs (The Wall Street Journal) https://www.wsj.com/economy/us-gdp-q1-2025-1f82f689
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.
Packaging M&A Update – March 2026
Global Packaging M&A activity improved in March, with 27 deals announced.
Plastics M&A Pulse – 2025 Year In Review
Global Plastics M&A recorded its fourth consecutive year of deal volume growth with 420 transactions, highlighting a steady rebound following the record-setting activity of 2021.
Packaging M&A Pulse – 2025 Year In Review
The Global Packaging M&A market achieved its third consecutive year of growth in 2025 with 344 transactions, up 22 deals from 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.