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 – June 2026
Global Packaging M&A held steady in June with 27 transactions, in line with May and three deals above June 2025.
Plastics M&A Update – June 2026
Global Plastics M&A accelerated in June, with 46 transactions announced, an increase of 10 from May and eight from June 2025.
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.