What Packaging Business Owners Should Know About Today’s M&A Market

Packaging M&A continues to attract interest from strategic buyers and private equity investors, even as rising input costs, sustainability requirements, and broader economic uncertainty shape transaction decisions.

In a recent Packaging Perspectives Podcast interview, John Hart, Managing Director at PMCF Investment Banking, shared his outlook for the packaging M&A market in 2026 and discussed what current buyer activity may mean for owners evaluating their strategic options.

Private Equity Add-Ons Are Shaping Packaging M&A

Private equity has expanded its presence in the packaging industry over the past two decades. Today, numerous private equity-backed packaging platforms are actively seeking add-on acquisitions that can expand capabilities, increase scale, enter new markets, or strengthen customer relationships.

Some strategic acquirers remain focused on integrating larger transactions completed previously. Meanwhile, private equity-backed platforms continue to pursue acquisition opportunities.

“Private equity still continues to view packaging as a favorable place for investment, which is good,” he said.

For packaging business owners, the expanded buyer landscape creates several potential paths:

• A private equity platform transaction may provide liquidity while allowing owners or management to retain an equity interest and participate in future growth.
• An add-on acquisition may align the company with an established packaging business seeking complementary products, capabilities, customers, or geographic reach.
• A strategic sale may appeal to owners seeking a full exit, a succession solution, or access to capabilities and scale that would be difficult to build independently.

Buyers Are Focused on Input-Cost Resilience

“In general, it’s a good environment for packaging M&A, but it’s not without its challenges,” Hart told Packaging Strategies.

Volatility in resin, paper, metal, glass, fuel, and other inputs has increased scrutiny during packaging transactions.

For owners preparing for a potential transaction, that may mean clearly demonstrating:

• Contractual mechanisms for monthly or quarterly price adjustments
• A consistent history of recovering increased material costs
• Strong customer communication and pricing discipline
• The ability to maintain financial performance during periods of volatility

“There’s a lot to be excited about from an M&A perspective over the next six to 12 months from our perspective,” Hart said.

Listen to the full podcast here: Packaging M&A: A Look at First-Half 2026 and Beyond | Packaging Strategies

Learn more about PMCF’s Plastics & Packaging investment banking practice: Plastics & Packaging M&A | PMCF