Morgan- I'm much more familiar with plastic rigid packaging market (part of my current customer base). For flexibles, you have plastic bags, then pouches, etc. Some major players in bags (Hilex, etc). There is some innovation attempts in bags right now (Kroger launched these "eco" bags which are supposed to be re-usable, but in reality are just a bigger consumer of petroleum based plastic). If you are talking flexibles outside of plastics, that could be a growth area, with a move away from plastics.

With plastics, I believe we are on the cusp of a "bio" plastics revolution in the space, where PLA (and similar low glass transition temp materials) could soon dominate (or at least command higher margins). However, there are some technical processing challenges with these materials. There are several startups/new players in the bio plastics space, so it is definitely growing. DM if you want to discuss further.

^[redacted]‌ - Thanks for your post! Tagging a few Searchfunders who have commented on the packaging industry in the past and might have additional advice on flexible packaging specifically:

^[redacted]‌, ^[redacted]‌, ^[redacted]‌, ^[redacted]‌, ^[redacted]‌, ^[redacted]‌, ^[redacted]‌, ^[redacted]‌, ^[redacted]‌, ^[redacted]‌, ^[redacted]‌, ^[redacted],

^[redacted]‌, ^[redacted]‌, ^[redacted]‌, ^[redacted]‌, ^[redacted],^[redacted]‌& ^[redacted]‌have all acquired packaging companies and might be able to provide additional insights.

To our friends with knowledge and/or opinions on the packaging industry‌, THANK YOU for helping to make Searchfunder a collaborative community! Be sure to take full advantage of your UNLIMITED access to IBISWorld (Searchers only) & BVR Deal Stats, now available under the INDUSTRIES & VALUATIONS tabs at the top of this screen. Here are the direct links:

www.searchfunder.com/ibisworld

www.searchfunder.com/bvr

Searchfunder is currently working on partnerships with DataAxle & ZoomInfo to help with your proprietary outreach. If you have additional suggestions for partnerships that would benefit the Searchfunder community, please PM me.
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With Best Wishes, ^[redacted]‌

Morgan - happy to connect and offer any insights I may have. I have been focusing on paper & packaging deals for a boutique investment bank for a few years and may have some resources that could be helpful.

Morgan - happy to connect and share my thoughts. I recently acquired a packaging distribution business with a healthy exposure to flexible packaging.

Morgan, I have generally been looking into the whole plastic space and there seems to be a lot of innovation to deal with single use plastic, which I believe, without knowing the specifics of the product, that this is what we are looking at here.

There are a number of suggested ways to deal with single use plastic from reducing the quantities used to introducing new plastics that are firstly recyclable and then also bio-degradeable and/or compostable.

However I do not see the use of plastics going away, as the reality is it serves a useful purpose in keeping food fresh for longer and the weight (compared to other packaging) reduces carbon emissions from fuel in transport.

I would have thought that you need to understand how easy it will be to convert the manufacturing facility to introduce plastics that are recyclable and/or bio-degradeable./compostable?

What does the IBIS report say? Feel free to reach out to me as needed

Morgan, I’ve spent most of my career in flexible and rigid packaging selling into and alongside distributors. Happy to speak if helpful. Harry

Morgan, I've ran a flexible packaging manufacturer in Israel for three years, selling mainly to distributors in Europe. I'm happy to chat.