Plastics Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Plastics M&A contracted in August, tallying 28 deals, falling 14 short of July totals and five below August 2024 levels. Despite a slower month of activity, announced transactions are still outpacing 2024 volumes by 25 deals. Strategic buyer activity remained strong in the month, accounting for over two-thirds of the activity. The slowdown in volume was largely attributable to a decline in financial buyer activity across both add-on and platform acquisitions. Overall, despite a reduction in activity when compared to the prior two months, plastics M&A remains on track to have a strong 2025 in the midst of macroeconomic headwinds.
- Resin and Color & Compounding tallied three deals during August, matching July activity, marking the seventh consecutive month of at least three deals for this subsector. On the year, the subsector is outpacing 2024 levels and is tracking to exceed activity from the prior three years. Sheet & Thermoforming had only one announced deal during the month, a substantial decline from July, which tallied five deals
- Strategic buyers remained active during the month, posting 19 deals, which was in line with 2025 average monthly activity for this buyer type. Financial buyers, however, lagged with nine transactions announced during August, down from 15 in July, as both platform and add-on acquisitions reported a sluggish month
- 11 deals were announced that involved two foreign parties during the month, a departure from the 2025 average of 18 such deals. Additionally, four deals were announced involving a U.S. buyer of a foreign company, marking the second-most monthly activity of such transactions in 2025
- Activity in the Industrial end market remained steady at 22 deals while Food & Beverage, Consumer, and Medical end markets experienced soft activity levels
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- Peek At The Plastics News Calendar of Plastics-Related Events (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/peek-plastics-news-calendar-plastics-related-events - Plastics Treaty Talks Collapse; Next Steps Unclear (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/plastic-treaty-talks-collapse-geneva-nations-fail-reach-agreement-limits-chemicals - A Cautious Case for Plastics Manufacturing Growth (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/us-plastics-manufacturing-needs-more-investment-offset-trade-deficits - Trump’s Tariff Expansion Hits Plastics Industry Molds and Equipment (PlasticsToday)
https://www.plasticstoday.com/legislation-regulations/trump-s-tariff-expansion-hits-plastics-industry-molds-and-equipment - Hiring Stalled in August, With 22,000 New Jobs (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/jobs-report-august-2025-unemployment-economy-0901d8a7?mod=jobs_news_article_pos3 - Fed Upheaval Sows New Uncertainty About Path of Rates (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/fed-interest-rate-cut-lisa-cook-2f3c7e0f?mod=central-banking_more_article_pos14
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.