M&A

  • Re:Dish operations
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    Permission granted by Circular Services/Photo by Visko Hatfield

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    Circular Services acquisition bets on integrating reuse with recycling

    The Closed Loop Partners offshoot acquired Re:Dish. The long-term vision is that “we are offering reuse services everywhere that we provide recycling or food waste services today,” said Circular Services’ Jessica Long.

    By • Sept. 23, 2026
  • A molded fiber bowl containing salad. sits on a counter next to a molded fiber container holding a burrito.
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    Permission granted by Sabert
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    Sabert sells to private equity

    Butterfly Equity plans to acquire the food service packaging specialist, continuing its push into packaging following its January acquisition of ePac.

    By • Sept. 22, 2026
  • Three stacked wooden cubes on the right side of the frame read "M&A"
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    Getty Images
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    Packaging dealmaking: August 2026

    HarperLove, Pregis, Applied Adhesives and Jones Healthcare Group announced acquisitions.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • Sept. 4, 2026
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    Getty Images
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    Packaging M&A activity dips in 2026

    Economic uncertainty has contributed to “cautious buyer behavior” resulting in a more than 21% decrease in packaging M&A activity through the second quarter, according to a Capstone Partners report.

    By • Aug. 6, 2026
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    Courtesy of Gerresheimer
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    Gerresheimer selling certain assets to private equity

    The German pharma packaging supplier is offloading some Ohio-based business. The company also announced a few months ago it was shutting down some operations in Illinois.

    By • July 29, 2026
  • Close up view of Andy Boy packaged lettuce
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Emerald Packaging CEO on his dual role as supplier and policy advisor

    The 63-year-old company just closed its first acquisition. CEO Kevin Kelly spoke with Packaging Dive about forgoing private equity investment and helping customers adapt to EPR.

    By • May 28, 2026
  • International Paper's new logo.
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    Courtesy of International Paper/Cision
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    International Paper acquires North Pacific Paper Co. for $360M

    IP said Norpac’s paper mill in Longview, Washington, will complement its existing system as part of the company’s strategic transformation.

    By • Updated June 5, 2026
  • Close up view of bubble wrap
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    Getty Images
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    CD&R completes acquisition of Sealed Air

    The private equity purchase takes Sealed Air private. Analysts are watching closely to see how CD&R rolls the packaging company into its portfolio and whether it sells segments — a possibility that caused shareholder pushback.

    By • April 9, 2026
  • A person's head is seen in front of a computer showing a variety of line graphs with stock symbols.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    Iran war may dampen packaging M&A in 2026

    While deals are still being announced, they’re coming at a slower pace than analysts had expected — in part due to war-related uncertainty. Meanwhile, predictions for smaller deals and heavy private equity activity are playing out.

    By • April 2, 2026
  • A ProAmpac conference booth with shelves displaying flexible packaging products.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    As performance and growth avenues lag, companies pursue M&A

    Packaging companies are turning to multiple small-to-medium deals to achieve growth, according to a report from McKinsey & Co. More than 80% of executives surveyed expect M&A activity to increase in the coming years.

    By • March 12, 2026
  • A ProAmpac/PAC Worldwide sign and packaging at Pack Expo Las Vegas 2025.
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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    ProAmpac completes TC Transcontinental flexible packaging acquisition

    The transaction, backed by Pritzker Private Capital, brings together two of North America’s largest flexible packaging companies.

    By • March 6, 2026
  • A production line seals poultry packages with plastic film made from chemically recycled content
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    Courtesy of ExxonMobil
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    Sealed Air reduced debt in 2025 ahead of acquisition

    Sealed Air released Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings results on the heels of shareholders approving the company’s acquisition by private equity firm CD&R. 

    By • March 2, 2026
  • A wide shot of Sealed Air's exhibiting area on the show floor of Pack Expo International, with people and machinery throughout
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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    CD&R’s acquisition of Sealed Air clears hurdles

    Shareholders on Wednesday approved private equity firm CD&R’s proposed purchase of the packaging company, days after the European Commission gave the thumbs up to proceed.

    By • Feb. 25, 2026
  • One person stands in front of a podium next to another person, in front of a blue background that says The Packaging Conference.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Investors’ appetites for size, scale drive packaging M&A

    Lagging company growth has tamped down M&A activity, but that could shift this year, according to speakers from Perella Weinberg Partners at The Packaging Conference. 2026 is also expected to bring more take-private deals.

    By • Feb. 10, 2026
  • different types of packaging in different bins
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    Getty Images
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    The packaging industry outlook for 2026

    Take a closer look at some of the biggest topics and trends that industry leaders expect will shape commodity markets, dealmaking and the future of packaging policy.

    By Packaging Dive Staff • Jan. 30, 2026
  • A closeup of the bottom of a corrugated box with International Paper's
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    Rachel Pollack/Packaging Dive
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    International Paper expects at least 7 closures, 700+ layoffs in 2026

    The cuts in the Europe, Middle East and Africa business are part of IP’s ongoing optimization plan.

    By • Jan. 29, 2026
  • Aerial view of an industrial facility with an International Paper sign on the outside.
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    Permission granted by International Paper
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    International Paper to split into 2 companies

    The announcement about spinning off a publicly traded company for the Europe, Middle East and Africa business comes one year after Memphis, Tennessee-based IP acquired London-based DS Smith.

    By • Updated Jan. 29, 2026
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    Permission granted by Stephen Gould
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    Q&A

    Stephen Gould’s new CEO talks the ‘art’ of integration

    It’s a new chapter for the nearly 90-year-old packaging and supply chain services provider. Justin Golden took over the long-standing family business this month.

    By • Jan. 27, 2026
  • An industrial scale machine for manufacturing packaging is displayed at the Pack Expo trade show.
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    Katie Pyzyk/Packaging Dive
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    Out: M&A megadeals. In: Streamlining and private equity transactions.

    Packaging M&A in 2026 will likely involve more — but smaller — deals, analysts say. Recent megadeals will drive divestitures, and numerous private equity-owned companies are approaching the end of their hold period.

    By • Jan. 22, 2026
  • An operator adjusts a pouch-making machine at an ePac Flexible Packaging facility.
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    Permission granted by ePac
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    Butterfly Equity acquires ePac

    Butterfly is “the right partner that understands and speaks our language,” said Virag Patel, co-founder and CEO of digitally printed flexible packaging specialist ePac, whose investors included Amcor.

    By • Jan. 15, 2026
  • Packaged items on refrigerated grocery shelves.
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    Getty Images
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    5 packaging industry trends to watch in 2026

    Long-anticipated EPR and labeling regulations are poised to have very real impacts. The M&A cycle is advancing. And is there nowhere to go but up for containerboard?

    By , • Jan. 8, 2026
  • Flexible plastic packaging pouches
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    Getty Images
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    2025 packaging trends by the numbers

    A $10.4 billion acquisition. Two new EPR laws. A $1 billion kraft linerboard mill investment. These were some of the figures that stood out in the packaging industry this year.

    By , • Dec. 23, 2025
  • Ball cans and bottles.
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    Permission granted by Ball Corporation
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    Ball to acquire majority stake in Benepack

    A German regulatory authority approved the deal Wednesday that would transfer two European production facilities into Ball’s ownership. 

    By • Dec. 11, 2025
  • An interior view of an industrial facility's production equipment.
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    Retrieved from UPM on December 08, 2025
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    Sappi, UPM propose $1.65B graphic paper joint venture

    The proposed JV will focus on the European market, but also includes a UPM Minnesota mill. The deal is expected to have broader implications for the North American market upon completion.

    By • Dec. 8, 2025
  • TC Transcontinental Packaging sign hanging from ceiling
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    Maria Rachal/Packaging Dive
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    ProAmpac to acquire TC Transcontinental Packaging for $1.5B

    The deal continues an M&A streak for ProAmpac as it plans to grow even bigger in flexible packaging.

    By • Dec. 8, 2025