Contact

Plastics M&A Update – August 2022

October 5, 2022

Plastics Industry M&A Activity Tracking

Global Plastics M&A activity totaled 33 transactions in the month of August, which was up two deals from July levels but still lower than elevated levels in 2021. Despite turbulence in the debt and equity markets, both strategic and financial buyers remained active in Plastics from an M&A standpoint. August M&A levels were the second-highest monthly total recorded in the last five months of 2022. While the threat of a contraction looms over the economy, Plastics M&A is poised to close the third quarter on a high note.

  • After a weak month in July, private equity activity rallied to account for ~52% of the deal volume in August; it marked the first time financial buyers accounted for greater than 50% of the deal activity since January 2022
  • Resin / Color & Compounding totaled six deals in August, building on a strong July and once again accounting for over 15% of the total transaction volume
  • After posting 14 deals in July, Injection Molding M&A activity fell, recording seven deals recorded in August. On average, eight deals are attributable to this subsector per month in 2022 which means the drop in activity is still in line with normal levels
  • The Film subsector rebounded in August and posted the highest month-over-month increase of any plastics subsector. Eight Film deals were recorded in August which was the most activity for the subsector from a volume standpoint since January 2022

Through August 2022, Global Plastics M&A continues to display strong transaction volumes. Currently, 269 deals have been recorded in 2022, which is significantly higher than pre-pandemic deal totals. Despite volatility in the overall macroeconomic landscape, current activity would suggest that Plastics M&A will continue to exhibit robust transaction volume in the near term. If you are a plastics company considering a merger, acquisition, sale or recapitalization in the short or longer term, please consider leveraging PMCF’s transaction planning and execution expertise to best position your company in a transaction.

Sources: Capital IQ, PitchBook, Thomson Reuters, Company Reports, PMCF. Data as of August 31, 2022

 

Plastics M&A By Subsector

 

Total Plastics M&A By End Market

 

Plastics Transactions By Buyer Type

Notable M&A Activity

Public Entity Performance

Major News

Download Plastics M&A Update – August 2022



Download



Preview

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

Global Plastics M&A posted 34 transactions in December, one deal fewer than both November and the 2025 monthly average.

Read More