Packaging Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Packaging M&A had a strong start to 2025, setting a new high-water mark for the sector since PMCF began tracking the space, with 45 deals recorded in January. Activity levels outpaced the 2024 average monthly volume by 18 transactions, but much of this activity can likely be attributed to carryover transactions from 2024. Broad market participation from both strategic and financial buyers, across domestic and foreign geographies, as well as within the printing and labels subsector, contributed to the historic deal activity. The elevated activity was a positive sign for Global Packaging M&A following below-average deal flow in November and December of 2024.
- Strategic buyers tallied 21 transactions in January, recording eight more deals than December 2024. The first period of the year exceeded 2024 levels, which averaged 14 deals monthly
- Financial buyers recorded 24 deals in January, accounting for more than half of all transaction activity in the month. Both add-on and platform transactions recorded double-digit deal volumes. Platform transactions outpaced the prior year significantly, increasing from January 2024 volumes by seven deals
- All but two of the packaging subsectors experienced elevated deal volume relative to prior year levels in January with the Printing & Labels subsector posting the largest year-over-year increase
- Domestic deal flow propelled transaction activity, posting its second-most active month on record with 19 deals. Foreign transaction activity matched domestic deal flow, accounting for 42% of all January volume
- The Consumer end market recorded its most active month since January of 2023 with 12 deals tallied. The Medical end market also ticked above historical trends, doubling the 2024 monthly average of two deals
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- Packaging groups eye federal changes, state EPR evolution in 2025 (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/packaging-policy-regulation-trump-trade-tariffs-extended-producer-responsibility/737894/ - Inflation Ticks Up to 2.9%, but Underlying Price Gains Are Muted (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/cpi-report-inflation-december-interest-rate-0347479e?mod=central-banking_more_article_pos48 - How the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Tariffs Will Work—and What Products Are Targeted (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/how-the-u-s-canada-mexico-tariffs-will-workand-what-products-are-targeted-10c80f41?mod=trade_news_article_pos1 - Where is Packaging Industry Consolidation Likely in 2025? Experts Weigh In. (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/packaging-mergers-acquisitions-2025-outlook-volumes/738471/ - EU Says ‘No Deal Preferable to Bad Deal’ in Plastics Treaty (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/eu-backs-majority-voting-plastics-treaty-says-no-deal-preferable-bad-deal - 5 Packaging Industry Trends to Watch in 2025 (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/sustainable-packaging-trends-trump-plastics-epr-2025/736764/
Download Packaging M&A Update – January 2025
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.