The metal packaging industry in the US focuses on producing rigid containers for food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. Companies involved vary from large multinationals to specialized manufacturers, offering tinplate, aluminum, and composite materials. With sustainability trends influencing consumer preferences, there is a significant push towards recycled and eco-friendly packaging solutions. The industry's future looks forward to innovation, adapting to regulatory changes, and meeting increasing demand for sustainable practices. The rise of e-commerce also creates new opportunities for smart and efficient packaging designs, reflecting the industry's commitment to both functionality and environmental responsibility.


The top investors in metal packaging range from private equity firms to venture capital groups, primarily based in major US cities like New York and Washington, D.C. Founded between the late 1950s to the early 2000s, these firms vary in size, managing from dozens to thousands of employees. For 2024, their investments reflect strong engagement in the sector, with notable deal counts, such as KKR's 74 transactions and IFC's 107. This dynamic investor network emphasizes strategic opportunities and growth prospects in the evolving packaging marketplace.


Top 12 Metal Packaging Investors in the US


1. The Riverside Company


The Riverside Company is a private equity investment firm based in New York, specializing in providing flexible capital solutions and strategic guidance to smaller middle-market businesses across various industries. Founded in 1988, Riverside manages a diverse portfolio of over 140 companies globally. Notably, Riverside has made significant investments in the metal packaging sector, including the acquisition of Selig Group, a leader in packaging solutions, and SIGG, known for its high-quality aluminum bottles. Additionally, they acquired Vitex Packaging Group, which specializes in metal packaging solutions. These transactions highlight Riverside's commitment to the metal packaging industry, alongside their broader investment strategy.


2. The Carlyle Group

  • Website: carlyle.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Washington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1987
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 25
  • LinkedIn: the-carlyle-group

The Carlyle Group Inc. is a prominent investment management firm founded in 1987, specializing in private equity, real assets, and private credit. With a global presence and a focus on driving long-term value for institutional investors, Carlyle has made significant investments across various sectors. Notably, they have acquired companies in the packaging industry, such as Signode Industrial Group, which provides industrial packaging solutions, and HCP Packaging, which specializes in packaging for the healthcare sector. Although their recent transactions have primarily involved plastic packaging companies like Logoplaste and Novolex, their involvement in the packaging sector as a whole suggests a potential interest in metal packaging as well. This diverse investment strategy allows Carlyle to leverage opportunities across different materials and markets, enhancing their relevance in the packaging industry.


3. Kkr

  • Website: kkr.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1976
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 74
  • LinkedIn: kkr

KKR & Co. Inc. is a prominent investment firm based in New York, specializing in private equity, credit, infrastructure, and real estate. Founded in 1976, KKR provides asset management solutions to institutional investors and individual clients, helping them navigate complex investment landscapes and achieve strong financial returns. KKR operates globally, leveraging its extensive expertise and resources to support its clients' investment needs. Notably, KKR has made significant investments in the packaging sector, including a €100 million deal with Petainer, a UK packaging company, which involved refinancing its capital structure. Additionally, KKR acquired a 70% stake in CMC Machinery, an Italian manufacturer of automated packaging solutions, for approximately $1.3 billion. These transactions highlight KKR's strategic focus on the packaging industry, including metal packaging, further solidifying its position as a relevant investor in this sector.


4. Sonoco

  • Website: sonoco.com
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Hartsville, South Carolina, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1899
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 2
  • LinkedIn: sonoco

Sonoco Products Company, founded in 1899 and headquartered in Hartsville, South Carolina, is a prominent packaging manufacturer that offers a diverse range of consumer and industrial packaging solutions. With a workforce of over 10,000 employees and operations in multiple countries, Sonoco serves various industries, including food and beverage, healthcare, and personal care. Recently, Sonoco has made significant strides in the metal packaging sector, highlighted by its acquisition of Ball Metalpack for $1.35 billion, which aims to enhance its sustainable packaging portfolio. Furthermore, the acquisition of Eviosys, a European food-can manufacturer, for $3.9 billion positions Sonoco as a leading global manufacturer of metal food cans, expected to significantly boost its earnings. These transactions underscore Sonoco's commitment to expanding its footprint in the metal packaging industry, making it a relevant player in this sector.


5. IFC - International Finance Corporation

  • Website: ifc.org
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Washington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1956
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 107
  • LinkedIn: ifclinkedin

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a not-for-profit organization established in 1956, headquartered in Washington, D.C. It focuses on private sector development in emerging markets by providing investment, advisory, and asset management services to businesses and financial institutions. The IFC aims to foster economic growth and reduce poverty by helping companies access capital and expertise. Notably, the IFC has been involved in significant transactions relevant to the metal packaging industry, including a $100 million finance package for the Middle East Glass Manufacturing Company (MEG), which is focused on producing glass containers and enhancing production capabilities. Additionally, the IFC has invested in Assan Alüminyum Sanayi ve Ticaret, a company involved in aluminum production, which is a key material in metal packaging. These transactions highlight the IFC's active role in supporting the metal packaging sector and related industries.


6. Advent


Advent International Corporation is a private equity firm founded in 1984 and based in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm specializes in buyouts and investments across various sectors, providing capital and strategic guidance to help companies achieve growth. Advent operates globally, focusing on long-term value creation for its portfolio companies. Notably, Advent has made significant investments in the packaging sector, including the acquisition of Manjushree Technopack, a Bengaluru-based company specializing in packaging solutions, for approximately $330 million in 2018. Additionally, they acquired Faerch Plast, a Danish food packaging company, for €700 million in 2017. These transactions highlight Advent's active role in the packaging industry, which includes metal packaging, thereby reinforcing their relevance in this sector.


7. Atlas Holdings LLC


Atlas Holdings LLC is a private equity investment firm founded in 2002, based in the United States. The firm specializes in building and managing a diversified group of manufacturing and distribution businesses across various sectors, including automotive, construction, and food processing. Notably, Atlas Holdings has made several strategic acquisitions relevant to the metal packaging industry. In 2015, they acquired Aludium, a company known for producing aluminum products, which are integral to metal packaging. In 2019, they acquired Saxco International, a leading distributor of rigid packaging for the wine, spirits, craft beer, and food markets, further emphasizing their involvement in the packaging sector. These transactions highlight Atlas Holdings' commitment to enhancing their portfolio in industries that intersect with metal packaging.


8. Platinum Equity

  • Website: platinumequity.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: Beverly Hills, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 201-500
  • Number of deals in 2024: 20
  • LinkedIn: platinum-equity

Platinum Equity is a private equity firm based in Beverly Hills, California, founded in 1995. The firm specializes in mergers, acquisitions, and operations management, focusing on investing in established companies across various industries. With a portfolio of approximately 50 companies and managing over $48 billion in assets, Platinum Equity provides capital and operational expertise to enhance growth and profitability. Notably, they have been involved in significant transactions such as the acquisition of ECKA Granules, a Germany-based manufacturer of metal powders, which aligns with the metal packaging industry. This acquisition highlights their engagement in the metal sector, alongside other diverse investments like Multi-Color Corporation and Husky Injection Molding Systems, showcasing their broad investment strategy.


9. Apollo Global Management, Inc.

  • Website: apollo.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1990
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 46
  • LinkedIn: apollo-global-management-inc

Apollo Global Management, Inc. is an asset management firm specializing in alternative assets and retirement solutions. Founded in 1990 and based in New York, the firm manages a diverse portfolio of investments across credit, private equity, and real assets, serving institutional investors, corporations, and individual clients seeking financial security and growth. Notably, Apollo has made significant investments in companies relevant to the metal packaging industry, including the acquisition of Arconic for $5.2 billion in May 2023, which produces aluminum products widely used in metal packaging. Additionally, their acquisition of Verallia, a glass packaging company, and Novolex, which focuses on sustainable packaging solutions, further demonstrates their engagement in the packaging sector. These transactions highlight Apollo's commitment to investing in industries that align with modern sustainability trends and packaging needs.


10. American Industrial Partners


American Industrial Partners is a private equity firm based in New York, specializing in operationally-oriented investments in industrial businesses. Founded in 2005, AIP focuses on enhancing the performance of its portfolio companies through strategic financial support and operational improvements. Notably, AIP has made significant investments in the aluminum sector, acquiring Aluminium Dunkerque, the largest primary aluminum foundry in Europe, and Aluminium Duffel, an aluminum rolling mill in Belgium. These acquisitions highlight AIP's commitment to the metal industry, particularly in areas that are crucial for metal packaging. Their approach to investing in companies that optimize operations and drive growth aligns with the needs of the metal packaging industry, further solidifying their relevance in this sector.


11. One Equity Partners

  • Website: oneequity.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2001
  • Headcount: 11-50
  • Number of deals in 2024: 11
  • LinkedIn: one-equity-partners

One Equity Partners is a private equity firm based in New York, founded in 2001, that specializes in investing in middle market businesses across various sectors, including industrial, healthcare, and technology. The firm aims to build market-leading companies through transformative business combinations and strategic partnerships, providing capital and management expertise to enhance growth. Notably, One Equity Partners has made significant investments in the metal packaging sector, including the acquisition of Alltub Group, a Netherlands-based aluminum and laminate specialty packaging firm, which generates over €150 million in annual sales. They also acquired Constantia Flexibles, a company involved in flexible packaging solutions, further emphasizing their engagement in the packaging industry. Other relevant transactions include the acquisitions of Clayens NP, Duran Group, and Walki Group Oy, which, while not exclusively focused on metal packaging, contribute to their overall portfolio in the packaging domain.


12. Blackstone

  • Website: blackstone.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1985
  • Headcount: 1001-5000
  • Number of deals in 2024: 57
  • LinkedIn: blackstonegroup

Blackstone Inc. is a leading investment management firm based in New York, specializing in alternative investments across various sectors, including private equity, real estate, and credit solutions. Founded in 1985, Blackstone has built a reputation for delivering lasting value through its extensive portfolio and strategic investment approaches. Notably, Blackstone has made significant investments in the packaging industry, including the acquisition of a majority stake in Essel Propack for up to $460 million, which is a prominent player in the packaging sector. Additionally, Blackstone's acquisition of Gerresheimer Glas, an international packaging company, highlights its commitment to the packaging market. These transactions demonstrate Blackstone's active role in the metal packaging industry, making it a relevant investor in this space.



Metal Packaging Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
The Riverside CompanyNew York, New York, United States (USA)201-500198812
The Carlyle GroupWashington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)1001-5000198725
KkrNew York, New York, United States (USA)1001-5000197674
SonocoHartsville, South Carolina, United States (USA)10001+18992
IFC - International Finance CorporationWashington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)1001-50001956107
AdventBoston, Massachusetts, United States (USA)501-1000198417
Atlas Holdings LLCUnited States (USA)11-5020023
Platinum EquityBeverly Hills, California, United States (USA)201-500199520
Apollo Global Management, Inc.New York, New York, United States (USA)1001-5000199046
American Industrial PartnersNew York, New York, United States (USA)51-20020058
One Equity PartnersNew York, New York, United States (USA)11-50200111
BlackstoneNew York, New York, United States (USA)1001-5000198557


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