The plastic manufacturing industry in the US plays a crucial role in various sectors like automotive, aerospace, and consumer products. Companies range from large polymer producers to innovative startups focused on biodegradable alternatives. This industry not only supplies essential materials for everyday life but is also evolving towards sustainability, with an increased demand for recycled plastics and eco-friendly options. Reports indicate a shift as consumers and regulations push for greener practices. As the industry adapts, investments in advanced recycling technologies and alternative materials are expected to grow, driving further innovation and improving waste management practices.


The investors highlighted in this article include a mixture of venture capital, private equity, and corporate entities, all based in varied locations across the US. Ranging from decades-old firms like KKR and Morgan Stanley to newer entrants such as the Deep Tech Fund, these investors exhibit diverse expertise in the plastic manufacturing sector. With more than 1,000 deals across the board in 2024, these firms demonstrate a strong commitment to backing innovative companies and projects, supporting advancements and sustainable practices within the industry.


Top 16 Plastic Manufacturing Investors in the US


1. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

  • Website: energy.gov
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Washington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1977
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 597
  • LinkedIn: u-s--department-of-energy

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is a public entity established in 1977, responsible for overseeing national energy policy, energy production, and nuclear power research. It serves various stakeholders, including government entities and the public, by providing guidance on energy efficiency, funding opportunities, and conducting research to address energy challenges. In recent years, the DOE has made significant investments in the plastic manufacturing sector, particularly in projects aimed at recycling and sustainable practices. Notable transactions include a $375 million grant to Eastman Chemical Company for a molecular recycling facility that will recycle approximately 110,000 metric tons of hard-to-recycle plastic waste, and grants to companies like Danimer Scientific and Chemours, which are involved in innovative solutions for plastic production and recycling. These investments highlight the DOE's role in promoting advancements in the plastic manufacturing industry, particularly in the context of sustainability and waste reduction.


2. Sosv

  • Website: sosv.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1995
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 170
  • LinkedIn: sosv

SOSV is a venture capital firm founded in 1995, specializing in funding and supporting deep tech startups through its development programs. With a global reach, SOSV connects innovative companies with investors, providing venture capital investment and resources to help startups grow in various sectors, including health and climate technology. Notably, SOSV has invested in Novoloop, a recycling tech startup that raised significant funding to commercialize its process technology aimed at improving plastic recycling. This involvement highlights SOSV's interest in the plastic manufacturing context, particularly in sustainable practices and innovations that can enhance the lifecycle of plastics. Additionally, their investments in other startups like Capro-X and Bucha Bio, while not directly related to plastic manufacturing, showcase their broad investment strategy in deep tech and sustainability.


3. Advantage Capital


Advantage Capital is a venture capital firm based in New Orleans, Louisiana, founded in 1992. The firm specializes in providing equity and debt financing to small businesses across various sectors, including agribusiness, solar projects, and affordable housing. Notably, Advantage Capital has made significant investments in the plastic manufacturing industry, with transactions involving companies such as Danimer Scientific, which focuses on biodegradable plastics, and Crown Plastics, which specializes in plastic manufacturing. They also participated in a Series B funding round for Hybrid Plastics, a company that develops advanced polymer materials. These investments highlight Advantage Capital's commitment to supporting innovation and growth in the plastic manufacturing sector, alongside their broader mission to assist entrepreneurs in underserved communities.


4. Government of Canada

  • Website: canada.ca
  • Type: Corporate
  • Headquarters: Canada, Kentucky, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1999
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 137
  • LinkedIn: government-of-canada

The Government of Canada is a public entity that provides a wide range of services and information to Canadian citizens and residents, addressing various needs including employment, immigration, health care, and taxation. Founded in 1999, it operates through multiple departments and agencies to ensure access to essential services and support for individuals and businesses across the country. In recent years, the Government of Canada has actively invested in the plastic manufacturing sector, providing grants to companies such as GreenMantra Technologies and Recyplast, which focus on innovative recycling technologies. Additionally, it has supported Plascon Plastics with a significant grant and provided debt financing to Exxel Polymers, indicating a strategic interest in enhancing the capabilities and sustainability of the plastic manufacturing industry in Canada.


5. Y Combinator

  • Website: ycombinator.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2005
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 802
  • LinkedIn: y-combinator

Y Combinator is a prominent startup accelerator and venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2005. It specializes in providing funding and mentorship to early-stage technology companies, having successfully launched over 4,000 startups. Among its notable transactions, Y Combinator has invested in Voodoo Manufacturing, a company that leverages 3D printing technology to streamline manufacturing processes. Voodoo Manufacturing raised $5 million in a financing round in 2017, with Y Combinator participating through its Continuity Fund. This investment aligns with the plastic manufacturing sector, as 3D printing is increasingly used for producing plastic components and products. Additionally, Y Combinator has supported other companies like Genecis and Birch Biosciences, which are involved in innovative approaches to materials and manufacturing, further showcasing its engagement with industries that intersect with plastic manufacturing.


6. 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 has established itself as a leader in asset management, providing solutions to institutional investors and individual clients. Notably, KKR has made strategic investments in the plastic manufacturing sector, including the acquisition of Minnesota Rubber & Plastics from Norwest Equity Partners, which highlights their commitment to the industrials sector. Additionally, KKR's €100 million deal with Petainer, a UK packaging company, involved refinancing its capital structure, further emphasizing their engagement in the plastic manufacturing industry. Other relevant transactions include their acquisition of Der Grüne Punkt and investment in Charter Next Generation, showcasing their diverse portfolio that includes significant players in the plastics market.


7. Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)

  • Website: av.vc
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2023
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 258
  • LinkedIn: deep-tech-fund-av-focused-fund

The Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund) is a venture capital firm based in Manchester, New Hampshire, founded in 2023. It provides accredited investors and institutions with access to professionally-managed, diversified venture portfolios, leveraging a network of over 10,000 investors to connect them with high-quality investment opportunities in the startup ecosystem. The fund has been involved in several notable transactions, including investments in Loliware, a startup focused on seaweed-based materials, and Tipa, an Israel-based producer of compostable flexible packaging solutions. These investments highlight the fund's interest in sustainable materials and innovative solutions within the plastic manufacturing context. Additionally, their involvement with ARRIS, a 3D-printing startup, further emphasizes their engagement in advanced manufacturing technologies that could relate to plastic production and processing.


8. Plug and Play Tech Center


Plug and Play Tech Center is an innovation hub and venture capital firm based in Sunnyvale, California, founded in 2006. They connect startups with corporations to foster growth and innovation, offering various programs including accelerator initiatives and investment opportunities primarily targeting the technology sector. In recent years, they have expanded their investment portfolio to include companies in the plastic manufacturing space, such as Polymer-X, which focuses on innovative plastic solutions, and ByFusion Global, which raised $1.5 million in a Seed Round to develop sustainable building materials from recycled plastics. Their commitment to supporting startups like Upcycling+ and Epoch Biodesign further emphasizes their interest in advancing technologies that address plastic waste and promote sustainability in the industry.


9. 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. Founded in 1988, Riverside manages a diverse portfolio of over 140 companies globally. Among their notable transactions in the plastic manufacturing sector, they acquired Viking Plastics in 1994, Trend Technologies in 1997, and Xcentric Mold & Engineering in 2017, which specializes in technology-enabled injection molding and CNC machining services. These acquisitions highlight Riverside's commitment to investing in and supporting growth within the plastic manufacturing industry, alongside their broader investment strategy.


10. MassVentures

  • Website: mass-ventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Waltham, Massachusetts, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1978
  • Headcount: 1-10
  • Number of deals in 2024: 28
  • LinkedIn: massventures

MassVentures is a venture studio based in Waltham, Massachusetts, founded in 1978. It supports early-stage companies, particularly those focused on deep tech innovation, by providing a range of funding options, including venture capital and grants, as well as business guidance and accelerator programs. Notably, MassVentures has been involved in several transactions relevant to the plastic manufacturing industry, such as a grant to Radical Plastics for $100,000 in June 2022, which indicates their support for innovative solutions in the plastic sector. Additionally, they provided a convertible note of $300,000 to Z-Polymers in June 2023, further showcasing their commitment to advancing technologies in plastic manufacturing. These transactions highlight MassVentures' active role in fostering growth within the plastic industry, alongside their broader focus on technology commercialization.


11. 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 acquired a minority stake in Logoplaste, a key player in the plastic packaging industry, highlighting their engagement in plastic manufacturing. Additionally, Carlyle's diverse portfolio includes investments in companies like Nouryon B.V. and Atotech, which, while not directly related to plastic manufacturing, showcase their broad investment strategy and expertise in industrial sectors.


12. Advent


Advent International Corporation is a private equity firm based in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 1984. The firm specializes in buyouts and investments across various sectors, focusing on long-term value creation for its portfolio companies. Advent has a global presence and partners with companies to provide capital and strategic guidance to help them achieve growth and navigate market challenges. Among their notable transactions in the plastic manufacturing sector, Advent acquired Manjushree Technopak, a leading player in plastic packaging, for approximately $330 million in 2018. They also acquired Vinnolit Holdings, a manufacturer of PVC products, and Vestolit, which specializes in PVC resins, further demonstrating their commitment to the plastic manufacturing industry. Additionally, their acquisition of Roehm, a company involved in specialty chemicals, and Allnex, which produces resins for coatings and adhesives, showcases their broader investment strategy that includes companies relevant to the plastics sector.


13. 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, dedicated to fostering private sector development in emerging markets. Based in Washington, D.C., IFC provides investment, advisory, and asset management services to businesses and financial institutions, helping them access capital and expertise to promote economic growth. IFC operates in over 100 countries, addressing poverty and promoting sustainable development. Notably, IFC has engaged in transactions relevant to the plastic manufacturing industry, such as providing a US$30 million financing package to Baalbaki Chemical Industries to expand production of polyurethane, a key material used in packaging. Additionally, their US$100 million finance package for the Middle East Glass Manufacturing Company highlights their commitment to supporting manufacturing sectors that may overlap with plastic production. These transactions illustrate IFC's role in enhancing regional supply chains and promoting sustainable practices within the manufacturing landscape.


14. SK Capital Partners


SK Capital Partners is a private investment firm based in New York, specializing in the specialty materials, ingredients, and life sciences sectors. Founded in 2007, the firm focuses on transforming portfolio companies through strategic investments and operational improvements to create sustainable value for stakeholders. Notably, SK Capital has made significant investments in the plastic manufacturing sector, including the acquisition of Techmer PM, a company known for its advanced polymer solutions, and the establishment of GEON Performance Solutions through the acquisition of the Performance Products & Solutions division from PolyOne Corporation for $775 million. These strategic moves highlight SK Capital's commitment to enhancing growth and efficiency in the plastic manufacturing industry, leveraging their extensive industry expertise to drive innovation and value creation.


15. Khosla Ventures

  • Website: khoslaventures.com
  • Type: Venture Capital
  • Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 2004
  • Headcount: 51-200
  • Number of deals in 2024: 97
  • LinkedIn: khosla-ventures

Khosla Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2004, based in Menlo Park, California. The firm specializes in providing funding and strategic guidance to startups, particularly in technology, healthcare, and sustainability sectors. Khosla Ventures has been actively involved in various transactions that reflect their interest in innovative solutions to environmental challenges. Notably, they led a $10 million Series A funding round for Genecis Bioindustries, which focuses on converting organic waste into biodegradable plastics, showcasing their commitment to sustainable plastic solutions. Additionally, their investment in Resource Chemical, which raised $15 million, may also indicate a focus on chemical processes relevant to plastic manufacturing. Khosla Ventures' portfolio includes companies like LanzaTech, which is involved in converting waste carbon into valuable products, further emphasizing their interest in sustainability and innovative manufacturing processes.


16. Goldman Sachs

  • Website: goldmansachs.com
  • Type: Private Equity
  • Headquarters: New York, New York, United States (USA)
  • Founded year: 1998
  • Headcount: 10001+
  • Number of deals in 2024: 59
  • LinkedIn: goldman-sachs

Goldman Sachs is a prominent investment bank and financial services firm based in New York, New York, founded in 1998. It offers a wide range of services, including investment banking, asset management, and wealth management, catering to a diverse clientele that includes corporations, financial institutions, and individuals. In recent years, Goldman Sachs has been active in various sectors, including plastic manufacturing. Notably, they invested in Transcendia, Inc., a company specializing in custom engineered materials, which are crucial in the production of plastics. Additionally, their acquisition of Flint Group, a major player in the printed packaging market, highlights their strategic interest in sectors that utilize plastic materials. These transactions demonstrate Goldman Sachs' commitment to supporting growth in industries related to plastic manufacturing, making them a relevant investor in this space.



Plastic Manufacturing Insights: Key Investors in the US


InvestorHeadquarterSizeFoundedDeals 2024
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)Washington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)10001+1977597
SosvUnited States (USA)51-2001995170
Advantage CapitalNew Orleans, Louisiana, United States (USA)51-20019925
Government of CanadaCanada, Kentucky, United States (USA)10001+1999137
Y CombinatorSan Francisco, California, United States (USA)51-2002005802
KkrNew York, New York, United States (USA)1001-5000197674
Deep Tech Fund (an Alumni Ventures Fund)Manchester, New Hampshire, United States (USA)51-2002023258
Plug and Play Tech CenterSunnyvale, California, United States (USA)501-10002006253
The Riverside CompanyNew York, New York, United States (USA)201-500198812
MassVenturesWaltham, Massachusetts, United States (USA)1-10197828
The Carlyle GroupWashington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)1001-5000198725
AdventBoston, Massachusetts, United States (USA)501-1000198417
IFC - International Finance CorporationWashington, D.C., District Of Columbia, United States (USA)1001-50001956107
SK Capital PartnersNew York, New York, United States (USA)51-20020073
Khosla VenturesMenlo Park, California, United States (USA)51-200200497
Goldman SachsNew York, New York, United States (USA)10001+199859


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