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Materials, Chemicals & Mining

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EXPERTS IN MATERIALS, CHEMICALS & MINING M&A

How do we meet a growing demand for materials in a world of scarce resources? The race to find the answer is driving incredible advancements in sustainable materials, production techniques, and trade relationships. Generating exciting M&A opportunities on a worldwide scale.

At IMAP, our partners combine deep industry knowledge with a global perspective, guiding our clients through this dynamic terrain. Make a real contribution to the future of innovation, while enjoying exponential commercial growth.

We advise clients operating in:

Agricultural Chemicals

Commodity Chemicals

Containers & Packaging

Forest Products

Mining

Mining Support Services & Equipment

Plastics

Rubber

Specialty Chemicals

Steel, Aluminum, Non-ferrous Metals

Industrial M&A Market Trends and Insights

2024 recorded 1,750 deals, marking a decline from 2,592 transactions in 2023 due to economic uncertainty.

The median transaction value in 2024 was €17M, aligning with the trend of mid-market acquisitions.

85% of completed transactions involved majority stake acquisitions, while 15% were minority deals, asset purchases, or spinoffs.

Geographical Market Trends

North America and Europe dominated M&A activity, contributing to 83% of total deal volume between 2019 and 2024.

The US (45%) led transaction volumes, followed by the UK (9%), China (4%), France (4%), and Germany (4%).

Cross-border transactions accounted for 30% of total activity, while 70% remained domestic.

Buyer Type and Investment Trends

Strategic buyers dominated the space, accounting for 80% of all transactions.

Financial buyers (20%) have maintained a steady presence, focusing on larger assets with an average deal size of €85M, compared to €17M for strategic buyers.

Private Equity (PE) activity remains robust, with 52% of European PE fundraising coming from the UK & Ireland in FY23.

Latest trends:

Industrial M&A Market Trends and Insights

The industrial sector remains a cornerstone of global M&A activity, recording over:

18,000 completed transactions between 2019 - 2024

combined reported value exceeding

€580 billion.

Key Investment Trends

Industrial M&A continues to evolve amid shifting economic conditions, geopolitical uncertainty, and rapid technological change. Although deal volumes have fluctuated, investor appetite, particularly within the mid-market, remains strong.

Impact of Macroeconomic Conditions

Higher interest rates and inflationary pressures contributed to a decline in total deal value, from:

€69B in 2023 to €57B in 2024.

Geopolitical instability has introduced caution among investors, leading to slower deal flow compared to previous years.

Shift Toward Mid-Market Transactions

Mid-sized transactions now dominate industrial M&A, reflecting investor focus on strategic growth opportunities and operational synergies that deliver faster value creation.