Packaging M&A Update – August 2026

Packaging Industry M&A Activity Tracking

Global Packaging M&A activity softened in August, totaling 16 transactions, down 11 deals compared to July, and the lowest monthly volume recorded since March 2023. August was a particularly weak month, and overall activity continues to lag 2025 levels. Strategic buyer activity was down in August with only five transactions completed, seven below the year-to-date average of 12 deals per month. M&A volumes remain pressured by geopolitical uncertainty and a challenging U.S. macroeconomic environment. Strategic buyers are being selective in today’s market, focusing on organic growth and portfolio rebalancing efforts rather than M&A.

• Paper led packaging M&A activity in August with eight transactions, accounting for half of the total monthly volume and an increase of four deals compared to August 2025. Printing/Labels recorded just one transaction during the month and continues to show the largest year-to-date decline, with 15 transactions compared to 31 through the same period in 2025
• Financial buyers accounted for 11 of August’s 16 transactions, consisting of six add-on acquisitions and five platform investments. Strategic buyers completed five transactions, representing 31% of monthly deal volume and trailing year-to-date 2025 strategic activity by 25 transactions
• Foreign buyers and sellers remained active in August accounting for eight deals, or 50% of total volume, and contributing one more deal than Domestic transactions. Domestic activity improved in August after posting only five deals in July
• The Food & Beverage and Industrial end markets tied for the most activity with five transactions each. Industrial remained the largest end market year-to-date, accounting for 87 transactions, or 43% of the total volume

Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF

Major News​

• Thermoforming Industry Embraces Lightweighting, AI to Combat Rising Costs (Packaging Digest)
• Packaging Industry Braces for Impacts from U.S.-Canada Trade War (Packaging Dive)
• Fed Minutes Reveal Broader Support for Rate Increases (The Wall Street Journal)
• Flexible Packaging Group Warns California EPR Law Could Lead to Bans (Plastics News)
• HHS Seeks Public Disclosure of Food Packaging Chemicals in MAHA-Backed Move (Plastics News)
• Fed’s Preferred Inflation Gauge Remains Above Target Range (The Wall Street Journal)