PMCF’s View on the M&A Market
Global Plastics M&A volume recorded 25 transactions in February, a decrease of 14 deals over the same period in 2019 and a slight increase over January 2020 levels. All subsectors were lower or flat compared to last year except for Specialty, which increased by 1 transaction. While the decrease in M&A activity for the month appears sizeable compared to 2019, we are careful not to draw any negative conclusions given last year’s monthly data was uniquely high compared to historical averages (24 transactions were recorded in January 2020). Private equity continues to play a major role in plastics deal activity, increasing in February over last year and tracking at similar levels on a year-to-date basis.
M&A volume for Global Packaging decreased by 2 transactions in February compared to last year but is up slightly for the first two months of the year. Plastic based packaging deals (both flexible and rigid) declined in February and both sub sectors are lower for the first two months compared to last year. Flexible plastic packaging is down considerably while rigid plastic packaging is only down by 2 transactions. Paper Packaging transactions, on the other hand, doubled in February compared to last year and are up over 40% for the year. The large increase in paper packaging so far this year has been due to an influx of corrugated packaging transactions. From a buyer’s standpoint, strategic and private equity platform buyers both increased their share of total transactions, while private equity add-on transaction volume decreased for the month and is lagging last year on a year-to-date basis.
Global stock markets experienced sharp declines in the latter part of February as fear of the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 virus caused a major selloff by investors. PMCF’s Plastics & Packaging stock market indices were all negatively impacted, posting above or close to double-digit losses for the month. The impact of the virus on plastics and packaging M&A activity is not yet determined.
PMCF Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Notable M&A Activity
Major News in Plastics & Packaging
- Plastics News: Plastics medical products manufacturers expect growth in 2020
- Wall Street Journal: Coronavirus Toll on Shipping Reaches $350 Million a Week
- Fastmarkets RISI: US economic activity in manufacturing sector expands in February
- Nasdaq: Coronavirus and the Stock Market: The Power of Panic
Public Entity Performance
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.