Sealed Air, one of Charlotte’s major corporate anchors, just sold for $10.3 billion to London-based investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R). The all-cash deal values shares at $42.15, a 41% premium over the company’s August stock price, and has been unanimously approved by Sealed Air’s board.
The company noted that its global headquarters will remain in Charlotte, preserving one of the region’s largest corporate centers. The company generated $5.4 billion in sales in 2024 and employs 16,400 people serving customers in 117 countries.
Best known for BUBBLE WRAP®, Cryovac food packaging, and Autobag automation systems, Sealed Air says the deal will strengthen long-term investment and innovation while keeping Charlotte at the center of its global strategy.
“Today marks an inflection point in Sealed Air’s history and we look forward to embarking on this next phase of growth in partnership with CD&R,” said Sealed Air CEO Dustin Semach in a press release. “This transaction delivers significant and derisked value to Sealed Air stockholders while accelerating our ongoing transformation. CD&R’s partnership will enhance our ability to invest in growing our Food and Protective businesses while maintaining a customer-first approach. Through more rapid innovation, expanded capabilities and broader reach, we will create more value for our customers and more opportunities for our employees.”
The transaction is expected to close in mid-2026, pending shareholder approval and regulatory review. Sealed Air will enter a 30-day “go-shop” window to seek competing offers, though none are guaranteed.
CD&R will finance the acquisition with committed equity and debt from major institutions including J.P. Morgan, BofA Securities, Goldman Sachs, and Wells Fargo. Once completed, Sealed Air will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and operate as a privately held company.
The acquisition marks one of the largest private equity deals in this history of Charlotte and reinforces our city’s growing reputation as a hub for global manufacturing and logistics leadership.
