Plastics Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Plastics M&A accelerated in June, with 46 transactions announced, an increase of 10 from May and eight from June 2025. Through the first half of 2026, 234 deals were announced, 27 more than the prior-year period and 24% above the trailing three-year first-half average. Buyers and sellers outside of the U.S. drove activity in the month, accounting for over 60% of transactions. Domestic M&A activity, by comparison, notched its second lowest month of the year. While transaction volumes are up year-over-year, domestic activity is down roughly 10% from 2025 levels. This activity split is a trend we will be monitoring as we head into the second half of 2026.
- Film activity was strong again in June, recording eight deals which was up from four in June 2025. On the year, Film activity is outpacing H1 2025 levels by five deals or 22%. Other subsectors have been largely in line with 2025 levels, with the exception of Specialty and Sheet & Thermoforming, which are up by 12 and 8 deals, respectively
- Strategic buyers drove June activity with 29 deals, up from 19 in June 2025, resulting in a monthly share of volume of 63%. Add-ons and platforms held at 10 and seven deals in June, respectively. Year-to-date volume remained ahead of 2025 across all three buyer types, with add-ons posting the largest growth, increasing approximately 17% to 68 deals
- Deals involving two foreign parties accounted for 63% of the monthly volume, the highest share since July 2024. The 29 announced transactions marked the highest monthly foreign-to-foreign deal count since December 2014, while US-to-US activity declined to 11 deals from 15 in the previous month
- The Industrial end market drove June’s increase, rising to 35 transactions from 25 in May and 24 in June 2025. All other end markets combined for 11 deals, unchanged from May and below prior-year level
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- Consumer Spending Signals Steady Growth for Plastics Industry (Plastics Today)
https://www.plasticstoday.com/legislation-regulations/consumer-spending-signals-steady-growth-for-plastics-industry - Global Energy Disruptions Drive Resin Market Uncertainty (Star Plastics)
https://www.starplastics.com/global-energy-disruptions-drive-resin-market-uncertainty/ - Recycling Crisis: Only 21% Recovery Rate (Plastics Today)
https://www.plasticstoday.com/packaging/us-recycling-crisis-only-21-recovery-rate - The Future of Bioplastics: Innovation and Market Trends (Plastics Today)
https://www.plasticstoday.com/medical/the-future-of-bioplastics-innovation-and-market-trends - Upward Recyclates Price Trend Falters on Softer Sales (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/resin-prices/sp-recyclates-prices-june-2026-upward-trend-falters/ - What’s the State of Play in the Strait of Hormuz? (WSJ)
https://www.wsj.com/business/energy-oil/how-quickly-can-the-strait-of-hormuz-get-back-up-and-running-a5380c70?mod=Searchresults&pos=2&page=2
Packaging M&A Update – August 2026
Global Packaging M&A activity softened in August, totaling 16 transactions, down 11 deals compared to July, and the lowest monthly volume recorded since March 2023.
Plastics M&A Update – August 2026
Global Plastics M&A recorded 29 transactions in August, down from 37 in July but in line with the 28 deals announced in August 2025.
Packaging M&A Update – July 2026
Global Packaging M&A activity was unchanged in July with 27 transactions, matching June volume but 10 fewer than in July 2025.
Plastics M&A Update – July 2026
Global Plastics M&A recorded 37 transactions in July, down from 46 in June and 43 in July 2025.
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.