Packaging Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Packaging M&A activity notched a very strong month, with 43 deals announced. October levels represented a 22-deal increase compared to September and a 9-deal increase from October 2023. While deal volume has been up in 2024, much of this has been related to foreign activity with transactions involving two foreign parties accounting for 52% of the transaction activity. Strategic buyers drove activity in the month, which reflected pent up demand that carried over after a weaker Q3. Generally, October marked a strong start to Q4 and represents positive momentum heading into the end of the year.
- Rigid Packaging and Flexible packaging led deal volume in October posting 12 and 10 deals, respectively. These were substantial increases from September activity and October 2023 volume. Protective Packaging and Machinery & Distribution both posted modest increases from October 2023 while Paper and Printing & Labels saw minor declines in volume, but remained in line with 2024 monthly averages
- Both strategic and financial buyers were highly active in October, contributing to a strong month from a deal volume standpoint. Strategic buyers led the way in October, accounting for 58% of the total volume, which was above year-to-date levels
- Foreign transactions had a strong October and have accounted for more than half of all activity in the year-to-date. While October was a strong month, deals involving two domestic parties have been below levels seen in the past few years
- The Food & Beverage end market tallied only its second month of the year with double-digit volumes. Meanwhile, the Medical end market has recorded 10 deals in the last three months, consistently ramping its volume
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- Biden-Harris Administration Opens Tariff Exclusion Process for Some Manufacturers (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/biden-harris-china-tariffs-exclusion-process-solar-equipment/730795/ - Is the Fiber Packaging M&A Surge Done? Probably Not. (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/fiber-packaging-consolidation-mergers-acquisitions-capacity/731110/ - Insights From the 2024 Packaging Recycling Summit (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/packaging-recycling-summit-2024/728280/ - As Plastics Treaty Debates Production Caps, a Look at Potential Impact and Implementation (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/plastics-treaty-and-production-caps-look-implementation-and-impact - U.S. Added 12,000 Jobs in October as Storms Sidelined Workers (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/jobs-report-october-unemployment-economy-f771b682?mod=jobs_news_article_pos2
Download Packaging M&A Update – October 2024
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.