Plastics Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Plastics M&A recorded 33 transactions in March, representing a decline of five deals from the prior month. Despite this modest month-over-month decrease, overall deal volume in the sector remains elevated relative to 2024, with 107 transactions completed in the first quarter of 2025—an increase of 16 deals compared to the same period last year. Notably, March marked the eleventh consecutive month with more than 30 completed transactions, signaling sustained M&A activity in the Global Plastics sector that has continued well into 2025, even in the face of ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty.
- The Specialty and Injection Molding subsectors led activity in March, collectively accounting for over 75% of all transactions recorded during the month. While most subsectors remained consistent with Q1 2024 volumes through the first quarter of 2025, both Specialty and Injection Molding outperformed prior year levels, surpassing activity by nine and 14 transactions, respectively
- Strategic buyers accounted for 22 transactions, representing 67% of total deal volume in March. Add-on and platform acquisition activity slowed, making March the lowest-volume month of 2025 for financial buyers. Q1 2025 closed with a balanced split between buyer types, with strategic buyers accounting for 53% of the total deal volume
- Deals involving two foreign parties accounted for 17 transactions in March which was well above January and February levels. In contrast, domestic M&A saw a notable decline month-over-month after elevated deal flow in the first two months of 2025
- The Industrial end market continued to drive deal activity in 2025, making up over 55% of quarterly volume, which is marginally lower than historical levels
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- Paper, Metal, Plastics Sectors Raise Alarm Over North America Tariffs (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/tariffs-effective-us-canada-mexico-paper-aluminum/741410/ - Amcor Takeover of Berry Clears US Antitrust Hurdle (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/amcor-takeover-berry-clears-us-antitrust-hurdle - U.S. Added 151,000 Jobs Last Month (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/jobs-report-february-2025-unemployment-economy-1e0d14a8?mod=jobs_more_article_pos4 - Newsom Orders Redo of California Plastics EPR Law, Citing Costs (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/newsom-orders-redo-california-plastics-epr-law-ngos-threaten-revive-ballot-measure - Mass Balance Sparks Debate in Plastic Package Recycling (PlasticsToday)
https://www.plasticstoday.com/medical/mass-balance-sparks-debate-in-plastic-package-recycling - Plastics Targeted by Retaliatory EU Tariffs (PlasticsToday)
https://www.plasticstoday.com/legislation-regulations/plastics-targeted-for-retaliatory-eu-tariffs
Download Plastics M&A Update – March 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.
Plastics M&A Update – June 2026
Global Plastics M&A accelerated in June, with 46 transactions announced, an increase of 10 from May and eight from June 2025.
Packaging M&A Update – May 2026
Global Packaging M&A activity slowed slightly in May, with 27 deals announced. While this reflected only a one-deal decrease compared to April, activity rebounded meaningfully from May 2025, with ten more transactions announced.
Plastics M&A Update – May 2026
Global Plastics M&A recorded 36 transactions in May, increasing by five deals from April and seven from May 2025, bringing year-to-date volume to 188 transactions.
Packaging M&A Update – April 2026
Global Packaging M&A activity remained stable in April, with 28 deals announced, one fewer than April 2025 and slightly above March levels. Through the first four months of 2026, 105 deals have been announced, a 27-deal decrease from the prior-year period.