Plastics Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Plastics M&A activity slowed in September with 28 transactions, which was five transactions lower than a strong August and the second lowest month of this year. Despite the lower volumes in September, the 3rd quarter finished at deal volume levels that were comparable to the 1st and 2nd quarters. Plastics company transaction multiples appear to be continuing at attractive levels but activity seems to be trending downward as companies navigate higher interest rates and slowing demand in some sectors.
- Q3 2022 was marked by robust strategic buyer activity; strategic buyers accounted for 59% of the deal volume in the quarter, up from 55% in Q2 2022
- Specialty transactions which include distribution, extrusion, and foam deals led all plastics subsectors in the month with 10 deals. In Q3, Specialty transactions accounted for 27% of the deal volume
- After posting eight deals in August, the Film subsector had a slow month in September as only two deals were recorded. Overall, the subsector has accounted for 13% of the deal volume in Q3
- The Automotive and Construction end markets accounted for four deals each and 29% of the deal volume in the month; both end markets had a strong Q3
Global Plastics M&A fell slightly in September, but has exhibited strong activity through all three quarters of 2022. Average monthly deal volume for each quarter has remained above 30 transactions. Q4 typically brings higher levels of plastics M&A activity as buyers and sellers move to close deals by year-end but this year could be different depending on the impacts of rising interest rates and a slowing economy. If you are a plastics company considering a merger, acquisition, sale or recapitalization in the short or longer term, please consider leveraging PMCF’s transaction planning and execution expertise to best position your company in a transaction.
Sources: Capital IQ, PitchBook, Thomson Reuters, Company Reports, PMCF. Data as of September 30, 2022
Plastics M&A By Subsector
Total Plastics M&A By End Market
Plastics Transactions By Buyer Type
Notable M&A Activity
Public Entity Performance
Major News
- Economic Good News: Inflation and Supply Chain Issues Easing (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/economic-good-news-inflation-and-supply-chain-issues-easing - A “Robust” plastics Treaty Push by Governments, Businesses at UN Meeting (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/robust-plastics-treaty-push-governments-business-un-meeting - U.S. Jobless Claim Hit Lowest Level in Five Months (Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-jobless-claims-hit-lowest-level-in-five-months-11664455866?mod=Searchresults_pos7&page=1 - Newsom Vetoes California’s Thermoform Recycled-Content Bill (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/newsom-vetoes-californias-thermoform-recycled-content-bill - “Cautious” Purchasing Decisions Lead to Lower Resin Prices in September (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/resin-pricing/resin-prices-september-continue-downward-trend
Download Plastics M&A Update – September 2022
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.