Despite persistent inflation, lingering supply chain vulnerabilities, and mounting regulatory pressure, merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the global packaging sector remained robust through the first half of 2025.
A string of high-profile deals—ranging from megamergers to strategic tuck-ins—reflects growing investor appetite for firms that enable sustainable packaging, production automation, and regulatory compliance.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Private equity groups and strategic buyers alike are pursuing assets that align with broader sustainability mandates and digital transformation.
The sector’s underlying strength continues to be driven by demand from food and beverage, e-commerce, and healthcare—industries that are increasingly reliant on reliable and efficient packaging solutions.
Industry analysts expect further consolidation in areas like fibre-based packaging, circular materials, and smart labelling, as buyers seek operational synergies and access to greener technologies.
Sustainability and automation drive deal interest
Firms with strong environmental credentials are commanding premium valuations. From low-carbon substrates to closed-loop systems and energy-efficient production lines, packaging players offering climate-aligned solutions are leading the M&A conversation in 2025.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataNotably, Amcor’s $8.4bn acquisition of Berry Global, finalized in April, signals the strategic value placed on sustainable plastic packaging and healthcare applications. The deal is expected to deliver $650m in annual synergies, largely through supply chain optimization and sustainability-led product development.
At the mid-market level, Nefab Group’s acquisitions of Embalajes Echeberria and Plasticos Flome in Spain expand its capabilities in corrugated and thermoformed sustainable packaging, aligning with growing demand for greener transit solutions in Europe.
Automation is also front and center. ProMach’s May 2025 acquisition of DJS Systems, a specialist in disposable foodservice packaging, reflects ongoing interest in equipment and turnkey solutions that help brand owners meet Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Plastic Packaging Tax thresholds.
Similarly, the merger of SGK and SGS & Co to form Propelis, a design and digital asset management platform, underscores the market’s focus on digital packaging traceability and integrated workflow automation.
Rising regulation reshapes deal priorities
With regulations tightening across global markets—particularly in the UK, EU, and U.S.—dealmakers are increasingly prioritizing compliance capabilities and recyclability metrics.
The impending rollout of UK EPR fees in October 2025 is reshaping domestic M&A strategy. Ahead of the implementation, Macfarlane Group’s acquisition of Pitreavie Group in January provides access to recyclable corrugated and foam packaging expertise, with synergies in both food and industrial end markets.
Regulatory uncertainty has also influenced valuations. Following DEFRA’s revised fee structure, which controversially places higher per-tonne charges on some fibre-based formats, buyers are scrutinizing downstream cost exposures more closely.
Strategic acquirers are increasingly factoring recyclability rates, sorting infrastructure compatibility, and overall carbon intensity into their investment models.
Packaging subsectors see varied investment trends
While the M&A market remains active overall, activity levels vary by subsector. Flexible packaging, pharmaceutical containers, and digitally enabled labels are seeing strong capital inflows due to their roles in product security, inventory management, and extended shelf life.
In one notable deal, ALPLA’s June acquisition of KM Packaging brought six European and U.S. sites into its portfolio, bolstering its position in food-grade film and flexible pouching.
Meanwhile, Novvia Group’s acquisition of Garrett Hewitt International in May marks a growing trend toward premium packaging in the beauty and fragrance sectors, which are under pressure to reduce virgin plastic use.
Cross-border transactions are also increasing. International Paper’s $9.9bn takeover of DS Smith, completed in January, strengthens its European corrugated presence and enhances access to recycling infrastructure.
Likewise, Zeus Group’s purchases of Empire Tapes and Rio Tinto Plásticos in June highlight interest in vertically integrated, multi-market players in the adhesives and secondary packaging space.
In contrast, firms heavily reliant on non-recyclable or multi-material plastics have struggled to attract buyers, with several rumored deals put on hold or shelved due to compliance risks and poor ESG ratings.
Defensiveness supports sector resilience
Despite macroeconomic caution, packaging remains a relatively defensive sector, benefiting from structural demand in everyday essentials. That stability, combined with regulatory tailwinds and technology convergence, is helping sustain M&A activity at pace in 2025.
According to RL Hulett, deal volumes climbed from 62 in Q1 to 69 in Q2, driven by strategic and PE interest across North America and Europe.
Median EV/EBITDA multiples for strategic acquirers held around 7.5×, while private equity buyers pushed valuations closer to 15× in high-growth segments.
With global buyers chasing sustainable scale, cost-saving automation, and compliance expertise, the packaging M&A surge is expected to continue into H2 2025—albeit with sharper focus and more selective capital deployment.
