Packaging Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Packaging M&A activity increased in April with 29 deals announced, representing a three-deal rise over March 2025 and a six-deal increase compared to April 2024. Financial buyer interest remained strong, while deals involving a strategic buyer declined for the fourth consecutive month. Overall, Global Packaging M&A activity has exceeded prior-year levels in each of the first four months of 2025; however, this growth has been driven primarily by smaller transactions, as larger deals have been subdued. While macroeconomic uncertainty has impacted the M&A appetite of some buyers and sellers, deal volumes remain strong, and transactions continue to close.
- The Paper packaging subsector announced 11 deals in April, more than doubling April 2024 volume and posting its most active month of 2025
- Financial buyers accounted for 17 transactions, with add-on activity rebounding from subdued levels in March and platform deal flow remaining consistent with year-to-date trends
- Strategic buyer activity declined by three deals month-over-month, totaling 12 transactions in April. This group represented just 41% of overall deal volume—the lowest monthly share recorded this year
- 18 deals involving a foreign buyer and seller were announced in April, representing 62% of all volume in the month. In contrast, domestic activity witnessed its weakest month of the year, recording only eight transactions
- The Food & Beverage end market led all others with 13 announced transactions, its highest monthly total since late 2021. Meanwhile, the Consumer end market saw a meaningful slowdown in April, falling below its year-to-date average of 12 transactions following a strong first quarter
Major News
- Packaging Manufacturers Post Q1 Results (Packaging Dive) https://www.packagingdive.com/news/packaging-q1-2025-earnings-results/746624/
- Novolex Completes $6.7B Acquisition of Pactiv Evergreen (Packaging Dive) https://www.packagingdive.com/news/novolex-closes-acquisition-pactiv-evergreen/744049/
- 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
- 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
- Maryland, Washington Pass Packaging EPR Laws (Plastics News) https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/maryland-washington-join-states-passing-packaging-epr
- U.S. Jobless Claims Rise Slightly (The Wall Street Journal) https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/u-s-jobless-claims-rise-slightly-a8f73cad
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.