NEWS
Film industry M&As strong at year’s start
Mergers and acquisitions in film, sheet and thermoforming rose in March 2026 according to PMCF, a consultancy that tracks M&A deals. It says there were six film-related
deals in March 2026 (up from four in March 2025) and one sheet/thermo- forming deal (there were none in the same period in 2025). This year, there have been 15 film deals (up four) and eight sheet/thermoforming deals (up by six).
PMCF tracked 38 transactions in
March, five more than in March 2025. In the whole of 2026, there was a 13% year-on-year increase in deal an- nouncements – rising to 121. Strategic buyers drove this, accounting for two-thirds of activity in March. There were 13 domestic (ie, US) transactions in March and 42 in the
year to date, representing 35% of all volume. ‘Foreign’ (non-US) transac- tions accounted for 21 deals in March and 63 for the year to date – for a total of 52%. The industrial end market domi-
nated the figures, with 72% of all activity. Others were food & bever- age, consumer and medical. Some examples include: US-based Plastic Ingenuity buying German thermoforming company Spezi-Pack in March; and the merger between US firms Garlock and C-P Flexible Packaging. “Overall, plastics M&A activity has
been strong to start the year, but we are monitoring the impact, if any, of recent geopolitical tensions on dealmaking,” said PMCF. �
www.pmcf.com
BASF expands agri film stabiliser production
▪ Greenline concept for saving energy and raw materials
BASF said it is expanding its production capacities for both standard and NOR HALS light stabilisers used in agricultural films. NOR HALS technology provides resistance to high UV exposure, elevated temperatures, sulphur-based products that create acidic microclimates, and increasingly harsh pesticides. It said that as “climate conditions become more extreme and sustainability
expectations increase, growers – particularly in China, the world’s largest plasticulture market – are seeking film materials that deliver durability, efficien- cy, and environmental responsibility”. BASF said the NOR HALS platform provides long shelf life even under intense sunlight and acidic conditions, reduces plastic accumulation in soil through easier recollection and fewer film breakages. �
www.basf.com
www.filmandsheet.com
▪ 12m lines: Increased productivity and efficiency
▪ Solutions for recyclate use
▪ Heat recovery unit reducing operating costs
Key innovations for film stretching lines
www.brueckner.com
IMAGE: BASF
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