M&A activity in the packaging sector is gaining strong momentum, underpinned by a convergence of sustainability goals, technological innovation, and strategic investor interest. With packaging serving as a critical enabler across industries such as food, pharma, and e-commerce, its growing strategic value has fuelled a marked increase in dealmaking, particularly in the UK, where M&A rose 25% year-on-year in recent years.

KBS Corporate has played an active role in this evolving landscape, advising on several high-profile packaging transactions. Our sector insight reveals key market trends, including consolidation in high-growth sub-sectors like smart and sustainable packaging, as well as increased inbound interest from international buyers and private equity firms pursuing scale and innovation.

Underlying these deals are powerful growth drivers: regulatory shifts, consumer demand for greener solutions, and rapid digitisation of the production process. Buyers are targeting companies with recurring revenues, scalable infrastructure, and proprietary technologies, with EBITDA multiples reaching up to 12x depending on sector specialism. This activity underscores packaging’s transformation from commodity to high-value, innovation-led investment opportunity.