| Key Points: – All-cash transaction creates leading food and beverage packaging manufacturer – Combines 250+ brands and 39,000 SKUs across diverse packaging substrates – 49% premium to Pactiv Evergreen’s pre-announcement stock price |
Novolex and Pactiv Evergreen have announced a transformative $6.7 billion merger that will create a leading manufacturer in food and beverage packaging. The all-cash transaction, valued at $18.00 per Pactiv Evergreen share, represents a 49% premium to the company’s recent trading price.
The strategic combination brings together two complementary businesses, establishing an extensive packaging solutions provider with a comprehensive North American manufacturing and distribution network. By merging their portfolios, the companies will offer more than 250 brands and 39,000 product SKUs across multiple packaging substrates, including fiber, resin, and post-consumer recycled content.
Stan Bikulege, Novolex’s Chairman and CEO, emphasized the strategic rationale, highlighting the merger’s potential to create an innovative, sustainable, and customer-focused company. The transaction aims to accelerate product innovation, improve customer service, and enhance sustainability efforts through combined research and development capabilities.
The deal is backed by funds managed by Apollo and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments), which will contribute approximately $1 billion and become a significant minority shareholder. Upon completion, expected in mid-2025, Pactiv Evergreen will become a privately held company.
Key strategic benefits include expanded service capabilities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and increased resources for developing recyclable, compostable, and reusable packaging. The merger positions the combined entity to better meet evolving customer demands in grocery, retail, restaurant, and foodservice markets.
Michael King, Pactiv Evergreen’s President and CEO, described the transaction as a milestone that maximizes shareholder value and represents the next exciting chapter for the company. The merger builds on both companies’ recent operational improvements and focus on product innovation.
The transaction has received approval from Pactiv Evergreen’s Board of Directors and is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Upon completion, Novolex’s leadership will guide the combined organization, leveraging the strengths of both companies to create a packaging industry leader.