Packaging Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Packaging M&A tallied 27 deals in November, which was below October levels but was in line with 2024 monthly averages. Financial buyer activity was elevated during the month, while strategic buyer activity slightly lagged 2024 averages. Foreign transactions helped to drive deal volume in the month and have supported elevated volumes throughout the year. Looking at the year-to-date, 297 deals in the first 11 months of the year represents a 21-deal increase from the same point last year. Overall, 2024 has been strong from an M&A volume standpoint when compared to last year and pre-COVID levels, but these values have been bolstered by smaller deals and cross border transactions.
- Following heightened activity in October, the Rigid Packaging, Flexible Plastic, Protective Equipment, and Distribution subsectors saw modest declines from prior month activity. To counteract this, Printing/Labels, Paper, and Machinery/Equipment experienced an uptick in activity
- Strategic buyer activity, while less than October levels by more than 10 deals, exceeded August and September volumes and continued a strong Q4 for this buyer type
- November was a strong month for platform acquisitions with 6 deals posted. Financial buyers were generally more active in November, accounting for a higher share of total activity compared to the year-to-date average
- Foreign M&A drove over half of the deal volume during the month accounting for 15 deals, or 56% of the volume. Deals involving two domestic parties was just shy of 2024 averages with 8 deals closed in the month
- The Medical end market posted another strong month in November with 3 deals. Over the past three months, 11 of 2024’s 20 Medical deals have been recorded
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- Amcor Acquiring Berry in $8.4B Deal to Create Global Plastics and Healthcare Packaging Giant (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/amcor-acquire-berry-global-konieczny-plastic-film-healthcare/733299/ - International Paper, Georgia-Pacific Try for 2025 Fiber Price Increases (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/international-paper-georgia-pacific-fiber-price-increase-2025/733824/ - Stories from Pack Expo International 2024 (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/pack-expo-international-2024-stories/732357/ - Trump’s Win Means Changes in Plastics Environmental, Trade Policies (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/trump-win-set-bring-change-environmental-trade-and-plastics-treaty-policies - Hiring Bounced Back With 227,000 Jobs Added Last Month
https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/jobs-report-november-unemployment-economy-3088b8cc - Powell Says Solid Economy Allows Fed to Consider Rate Cuts ‘Carefully’ (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/powell-says-solid-economy-allows-fed-to-consider-rate-cuts-carefully-3055c890?mod=central-banking_more_article_pos69
Download Packaging M&A Update – November 2024
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.
Packaging M&A Update – March 2026
Global Packaging M&A activity improved in March, with 27 deals announced.
Plastics M&A Pulse – 2025 Year In Review
Global Plastics M&A recorded its fourth consecutive year of deal volume growth with 420 transactions, highlighting a steady rebound following the record-setting activity of 2021.
Packaging M&A Pulse – 2025 Year In Review
The Global Packaging M&A market achieved its third consecutive year of growth in 2025 with 344 transactions, up 22 deals from 2024.
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.