Plastics Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Plastics M&A posted 34 transactions in December, one deal fewer than November and four below the 2025 monthly average. 2025 posted a 4% year-over-year increase in deal announcements from 2024 and marks the third consecutive year of increased activity. Strategic buyers drove volume, accounting for 65% of activity in December and 55% of activity on the year. Despite only eight announced domestic transactions in December, deals of this type finished the year representing 36% of all volume. Both domestic and foreign transaction volume rose in 2025 as cross border activity dwindled, likely the result of uncertain trade policy early in the year. Coming off a strong Q4, plastics M&A has substantial positive momentum heading into 2026.
- Both the Injection Molding and Specialty subsectors declined modestly from November levels but exceeded December 2024 activity. These were the only two subsectors to outpace prior year volumes. Film posted eight deals in December – the most of any month in 2025, while the Resin/Color & Compounding subsector did not post a transaction for the first time in over a year
- Strategic buyers displayed elevated activity in December, outpacing the 2025 average with 22 transactions announced. Financial buyers came in marginally below typical monthly levels, with both private equity platform and add-on acquisitions trailing 2025 monthly averages by two deals
- Deals involving two foreign parties tallied 20 transactions and led all geographies from a deal volume standpoint. December was the slowest month of the year for domestic plastics M&A with just eight deals announced. Despite this, deals involving two domestic parties still increased year-over-year
- Industrial end market activity slowed in December compared to prior months but still notched its highest volume in Q4. The Medical end market announced 53 deals in 2025, its most active year since PMCF began tracking the sector
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- Plastics Industry’s Top Request in USMCA Revision? Keep the USMCA Intact (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/pn-plastics-industry-usmca-ideas/ - 2026 Could Be End of Down Cycle for Resins (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/suppliers/materials/pn-materials-outlook-2026/ - Success for Composting and EPR Programs Go Hand in Hand: Report (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/closed-loop-partners-composting-consortium-epr-packaging-reimbursement-framework/807325/ - What Supply Chain Factors Would Bring Manufacturing Back to the US? (Packaging Digest)
https://www.packagingdigest.com/trends-issues/what-supply-chain-factors-would-bring-manufacturing-back-to-the-us- - November Pending-Home Sales Had Fourth Consecutive Monthly Rise (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/november-pending-home-sales-had-fourth-consecutive-monthly-rise-89eb85da?mod=housing_news_article_pos4 - Fed Minutes Suggest Caution About Further Cuts Early Next Year (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/fed-minutes-suggest-caution-about-further-cuts-early-next-year-f36148c7?mod=central-banking_more_article_pos1
