Plastics Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Plastics M&A softened in November following an October that saw strong activity. 35 transactions were announced during the month, representing a five-deal month-over-month decline but keeping pace with 2025 monthly averages. Strategic buyer demand remained steady during the month, contributing 60% of total activity, while private equity platforms tallied eight transactions, exceeding 2025 average levels by one deal. Notably, the Injection Molding and Specialty subsectors have exceeded 2024 totals with one month left in the year, underscoring the attractiveness of such businesses to buyers. Heading into the final month of 2025, plastics M&A is tracking to have another strong year
- The majority of plastics M&A activity in the month was attributable to the Injection Molding and Specialty subsectors, which combined for all but four transactions. Year-over-year, the two subsectors are 30 deals ahead of 2024 year-to-date, while the remaining four subsectors trail the prior year-to-date by 15 deals
- Strategic buyers were once again highly active during November, tallying 21 deal announcements, the fourth month of at least 20 such deals in the year. Both private equity add-on and platform deals declined from October as financial buyers recorded 14 transactions, two less than the yearly average
- 17 deals involving two foreign parties were announced during the month, representing 49% of total activity. This is in line with 2025 monthly averages and highlights the sustained demand in foreign plastics M&A as these types of transactions are elevated from a mix perspective compared to the prior five years and approaching pre-COVID levels
- Following an October with no Consumer deals, three such deals were announced during November, accounting for 9% of all volume. Five Medical deals were recorded during the month as the subsector continues a strong year of activity with 48 deals posted year-to-date, nearly double the 27 tallied in 2024
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- EU Officially Adopts Stricter Rules Against Plastic Pellet Loss (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/eu-officially-adopts-stricter-rules-against-plastic-pellet-loss/ - Sealed Air Finds New Owner After Years of Struggle (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/sealed-air-after-years-struggle-finds-new-owner/ - Plastics M&A Picks Up After Slow Start to 2025 (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/mergers-acquisitions/pn-stout-fall-2025-report/ - AI Shapes the Future of Resin Selection (PlasticsToday)
https://www.plasticstoday.com/materials/ai-shapes-the-future-of-resin-selection - Fed Chair Powell’s Allies Provide Opening for December Rate Cut (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/fed-interest-rate-cut-powell-december-e9207386?mod=consumers_more_article_pos2 - Consumer Sentiment Fell in November, Michigan Survey Shows (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/consumers/consumer-sentiment-fell-in-november-michigan-survey-shows-46fa0a3f?mod=consumers_more_article_pos5
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.