Packaging Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Packaging M&A announced 25 deals in September, coming in below year-to-date monthly averages but exceeding August volumes by one transaction. Both Platform and Add-on activity saw upticks relative to August, which was offset by weaker activity from Strategic buyers, who posted less than 10 deals in a month for only the second time this year. Deals involving an acquirer and target based in the United States accounted for the majority of monthly deal flow for the first time in 2025, underscoring strong demand within the domestic Packaging M&A market. Overall, Global Packaging M&A remains elevated compared to prior year levels heading into the fourth quarter.
- In September, the Printing/Labels subsector led all subsectors for the first time since February 2025. Meanwhile, all other subsectors recorded deal flow in-line with or below year-to-date averages
- Strategic buyer activity slowed in September. Strategic buyers accounted for nine transactions, which marked the second lowest monthly total for this buyer type in 2025. Financial buyers accounted for 64% of the deals in the month, a significant increase from 42% in August. This uptick was primarily driven by add-on acquisitions, which recorded 10 deals in the month, the highest level since April
- No cross-border transactions were announced in September involving companies based in the United States. Meanwhile, Domestic activity drove transaction levels and accounted for 56% of volume. This marks only the second month in 2025 that domestic deal volumes outpaced foreign transaction activity
- 11 Food & Beverage transactions were recorded in the month, marking the highest level of deal activity this end market has experienced since April. Meanwhile, the Industrial end market had its least active month of the year with only four transactions, a decline of six deals from August
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- Supply, Scale, Cost Add Challenges for Recyclers (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/freepoint-resynergi-executives-share-challenges-scaling-chemical-recycling - 5 Ways AI is Shaping Packaging Today (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/5-ways-ai-shaping-packaging-research-testing-nestle-colgate-palmolive/759794/ - California Names Companies Expected to Report Emissions, Climate Risks (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/california-air-resources-board-reporting-requirements-list-sb253-sb261/761137/ - PRS 2025 Captures Pivotal Moment in Circularity (Packaging World)
https://www.packworld.com/sustainable-packaging/recycling/article/22947558/prs-2025-captures-pivotal-moment-in-circularity - Trump’s Team Explores Government-Backed Manufacturing Boost (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-manufacturing-federal-land-ef3c02ba?mod=trade_more_article_pos21 - Powell Describes Rates as ‘Modestly Restrictive,’ Keeping Door Open to Cuts (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/fed-chair-jerome-powell-speaks-rate-cuts-397ac3f7?mod=central-banking_more_article_pos41
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.