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
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.