Packaging Industry M&A Activity Tracking
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. Volume remained three deals above the prior 12-month average, driven primarily by strong activity in the Paper and Rigid Packaging subsectors. Add-on activity was also a key highlight, accounting for 12 deals. While trailing the highs of the previous January, the month represents a steady start for the sector as it looks toward another year of deal volume growth and continued momentum from financial buyers.
- The Paper subsector posted the largest month-over-month increase with nine transactions in January, which was two deals above the 12-month average. Conversely, Flexible Plastic accounted for only four deals in the month, after recording its most active month of 2025 in December with eight deals
- Strategic buyers tallied 11 transactions in January, recording eight fewer deals than in December 2025 and three deals under the 12-month average
- Financial buyers recorded 19 deals for the month, almost doubling the 10 transactions recorded in December 2025. Add-on acquisitions drove this activity with 12 deals, the highest volume since February of last year
- Foreign deal flow continued to drive overall deal volume in January, mirroring trends seen throughout 2025. Domestic activity remained steady with 11 deals, outpacing its 12-month average for total deal volume contribution by one transaction
- The Industrial end market recorded heightened activity in the month with 19 transactions announced, or 63% of volume. This marks the largest share for the Industrial end market since August 2020. Meanwhile, Food & Beverage lagged with six deals, the slowest month for the end market since May 2025
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- New Study Assesses Potential for Health Care Plastic Packaging Recycling (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/processors/recycling/pn-healthcare-packaging-plastics-recycling/ - EU Proposes New Packaging Labels Under PPWR (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/sp-ppwr-labels-sorting-plastic-packaging/ - California Withdraws Plastics EPR Proposal to Revise Food Packaging Rules (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/pn-calrecycle-withdraws-plastics-epr-regs/ - EPR for Packaging Laws: Dates to Know (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/extended-producer-responsibility-packaging-laws-regulations-calendar/727548/ - The 2025 Inflation Numbers Are Finally In. Here’s the Good and Bad News. (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/consumers/inflation-price-changes-2025-charts-a8deee40?mod=consumers_more_article_pos6 - U.S. Trade Deficit Unexpectedly Falls to Lowest Level Since 2009 (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/u-s-trade-deficit-shrank-to-multidecade-low-in-october-9e9a2ab2
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.