Plastics Industry M&A Activity Tracking
Global Plastics M&A recorded 34 deals in September, which represented the fifth consecutive month of 30 or more deals and a four deal increase over September 2023 figures. The increase in deal volume was driven primarily by the Injection Molding, Specialty, and Blow Molding subsectors. Through September, 286 total deals have been posted, an uptick of 19 deals relative to 2023 levels. Strategic buyers recorded their third most active month of the year, posting 18 deals. Notably, domestic M&A activity drove a majority of volume in the month and recorded its strongest month since January 2022. Overall, September notched another strong month for Global Plastics M&A
- The Injection Molding and Specialty subsectors drove plastics M&A activity in September, combining for over 82% of deals during the month. Increased deal volume in these two subsectors has been a significant factor in the uptick of overall deal activity compared to last year
- Despite relatively low deal volume in the year-to-date, Blow Molding had its second consecutive month of elevated activity in September
- Strategic buyers led activity in September, accounting for over half of all activity for the seventh time this year. Platform private equity acquisitions declined in the month, with only four deals recorded
- Domestic M&A had its strongest month in more than two years, tallying 18 deals during September. This represented over 50% of all deals completed, well above the year-to-date average
- The Industrial end market had another strong month of M&A activity, accounting for 23 deals during September. The Consumer end market also saw an above average month, posting eight deals, and marking its most active month of the year
Sources: S&P Capital IQ, Company Websites, Pitchbook, Company Reports, PMCF
Major News
- Konieczny Named CEO At Amcor (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/amcor-names-konieczny-its-ceo - EPA to Delay Implementation of New PFAS Reporting Rules (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/environmental-protection-agency-push-start-pfas-reporting-rule-july-2025 - Industry Backs Proposed Federal Plastics Recycling Bill (Plastics News)
https://www.plasticsnews.com/public-policy/federal-plastics-proposal-echoes-industry-priorities-recycling - Packaging Updates Anticipated in Biden Administration’s Waning Months (Packaging Dive)
https://www.packagingdive.com/news/biden-regulatory-agenda-green-guides-plastic-pollution-strategy/726171/ - Fed Cuts Rates by Half Percentage Point (The Wall Street Journal)
https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/fed-cuts-rates-by-half-percentage-point-03566d82?mod=central-banking_more_article_pos57 - Bottle-to-bottle recycling could get boost from California carpet recovery bill
https://www.sustainableplastics.com/news/newsom-signs-california-carpet-recovery-bill-could-boost-bottle-bottle-recycling
Download Plastics M&A Update – September 2024
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.
Plastics M&A Update – April 2026
Global Plastics M&A recorded 31 transactions in April, moderating from March levels but bringing year-to-date volume to 152 deals, up 12 transactions from the prior-year period and 29 deals above the trailing three-year average through April.
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.