Empty Capsules Market:: Growth, Size, Share, and Trends

Market Growth Outlook Summary

The global empty capsules market growth forecasted to transform from $3.1 billion in 2024 to $4.2 billion by 2029, driven by a CAGR of 6.3%. The growth of the market is driven by technological advancements such as entric coating to protect drugs or nutrients from stomach acids, controlled-release capsules for targeted and sustained drug delivery. Furthemore, demographic shift towards non-animal-derived ingredients and advantages of non-gelatin capsules over gelatin capsules such as superior stability is likely to give momentum to the growth of the non-gelatin empty capsules market. Rising investment in development of veg capsules and launch of novel veg capsules in the market by key market is futher likley to boost the market growth. For instance, in February 2023, Vivion, Inc., introduced new product range launch of empty gelatin, HPMC and pullulan capsules.

Empty Capsules Market Size, Dynamics & Ecosystem

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Global Empty Capsules Market Dynamics

DRIVER: Increasing demand for nutraceuticals

Mostly administered in capsules, nutraceuticals abound in fibre, antioxidants, heart-healthy components, vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and whole grains. Globally, growing health-conscious behaviours have driven demand for nutraceuticals as individuals give physical and mental well-being top priority via well-balanced diets and focused supplements top priority. Weighted towards a healthy gut, children, vision and sleep are the major focus trends. A study conducted in 318 Indian districts comprising more than 47,000 respondents showed that 71% of those surveyed consume nutraceuticals on a regular basis which reflects a major transition to health-conscious behavior. In addition, there is growing interest in CBD-based products as well as mental health among others, the sector is projected to hit USD 261.7 billion worth of nutraceutical components market by 2027 while plant-based substitutes.

RESTRAINT: Dietary restrictions and issues with gelatin

Originally utilised extensively in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors, gelatin is the original and most often used component for making capsules. It is not fit for those with religious or dietary restrictions against animal products since it comes from the collagen of animal by-products including bones, skins, and hooves. The demand for vegetarian capsules—which are also more suitable for religious reasons—classified as Kosher and Halal—has grown along with the rise in vegetarian and vegan diets. Unlike gelatin capsules, which are only suitable for powdered drugs or supplements, vegetarian capsules satisfy a wider client base and are compatible with other substances. These elements are controlling the expansion of the capsule market based on gelatin.

OPPORTUNITY: Expansion of capsule production in emerging economies

The normally robust pharmaceuticals sector is finding challenges from a shrinking medicine pipeline, government pressure to cut costs, and strict regulations on new products. Low-cost manufacturing, attractive tax rates, and relaxed regulations help this situation inspire empty capsule manufacturers to move their operations to high growth developing areas. Big companies are raising their capacity in these regions to meet the increased demand for empty capsules and boost pharmaceutical output. For example, a major South Korean company opened a plant in Vietnam in May 2022, therefore significantly increasing its annual capsule production. Likewise, in February 2021 a European corporation started to be more visible in South Asia. Many pharmaceutical businesses are adopting contract manufacturing—focusing on core activities while outsourcing production—to offset profit margin constraints from cost-cutting and legislative changes, hence generating predicted demand for empty capsules.

CHALLENGES: Increasing prices and low availability of raw materials

Because of the differences between the demand and supply growth rates of gelatin, changing gelatin prices are having a major effect on the empty capsules market. While the demand for collagen, which mostly consumes gelatin, is forecast to spike at a strong CAGR of 8.25%, the gelatin market is expected to increase modestly in the United States at a CAGR of 3.3%. This higher demand for collagen strains gelatin supply for various applications, including empty capsule manufacture. Further aggravating the scenario are supply limitations including limited availability of raw materials including hides, bones, and pigskin and decreasing cattle slaughter levels. These elements build a major obstacle to the expansion of the empty capsule industry.

Global Empty Capsules Market Ecosystem Analysis

Raw material suppliers offer gelatin and HPMC in the empty capsules market; product manufacturers create the capsules following strict quality and regulatory standards. These capsules find use in end consumers in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and research domains. Regulatory authorities guarantee public health by means of safety and quality compliance. These players taken together help several sectors by enabling the effective manufacture, transportation, and use of empty capsules, therefore promoting world healthcare and research.

Empty Capsules Market Segmentation & Geographical Spread

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Gelatin segment held a dominant share in the type of segment in the empty capsules market

Based on the type, the empty capsules market has been segmented into gelatin and non-gelatin capsules. The gelatin capsules segment is further categorized as porcine gelatin, bovine-derived gelatin, bone meal, and other gelatin sources. The non-gelatin capsules segment is further categorized as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) capsules, and pullulan & starch capsules. In 2023, gelatin capsules segment accounted for the largest share of the empty capsules market.

Gelatin capsules segment dominated the market due to the compatibility with a wide range of active ingredients, and cost-effectiveness. Non-gelatin capsules are likely to grow at significant CAGR during the forecast period owing to launch of new products in the market and rise in adoption of veg capsules among patient populations across the globe.

The dietary supplements segment is expected to register the fastest growth during the forecast period.

Based on the therapeutic application of empty capsules, the market has been segmented into antibiotic & antibacterial drugs, dietary supplements, antacid & antiflatulent preparations, antianemic preparations, anti-inflammatory drugs, cardiovascular therapy drugs, cough & cold drugs, other therapeutic applications. In 2023, antibiotic & antibacterial drugs segment accounted for the largest share. Over the projected period, the segment on dietary supplements is likely to have the greatest CAGR. The growing consumer attention on health and wellbeing, which results in more demand for dietary supplements, drives the empty capsule market in dietary supplements. Furthermore, new capsule formulations including vegetarian and vegan choices appeal to a larger audience and help to increase market growth.

North America accounted for the largest share in empty capsules market in 2023

Geologically, the empty capsules market is broken out into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. First in share was North America, then Europe. Empty capsules in North America are driven by the increased need for dietary supplements and medications, developments in capsule production techniques, and customer inclination for quick and easy dose forms. Moreover, a great focus on preventive health drives regional market growth.

Key Market Players

Key players in the global empty capsules market include Capsugel (Lonza) (Switzerland), ACG (India), QUALICAPS (Roquette Frères) (France), SUHEUNG (South Korea), Shanxi Guangsheng Capsule Limited (China), CapsCanada (Lyfe Group) (US), HealthCaps India (India), Nectar Lifesciences Ltd. (India), Sunil Healthcare Limited (India), Farmacapsulas (Colombia), NATURAL CAPSULES LIMITED (India), Erawat Pharma Limited (India), Qingdao Yiqing Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (Baotou Dongbao Bio-Tech Co., Ltd.) (China), Fortcaps ( Kumar Organic Products Limited) (India), Comed Chemicals Limited  (India), Roxlor (US), Medisca Inc. (US), Zhejiang Yuexi Capsule Co. (China), ZHEJIANG HUILI CAPSULES CO., LTD (China), Shaoxing Zhongya Capsule Co., Ltd. (China), Shing Lih Fang Enterprise Co., Ltd. (Taiwan), Chemcaps Limited (India), SNAIL PHARMA INDUSTRY (China), SavoiurCaps (India), Shanxi JC Biological Technology CO.  (China), Shaoxing Kangke Capsule Co., Ltd.  (China), Lefancaps (Canada), BIO-CAPS INDIA LTD. (India), BioCaps Enterprise (US), Bright Pharma Caps (US), and SHREE PHARMA CAPS (India).

Scope of the In Vitro Toxicology Testing Industry:

This report categorizes the global empty capsules market to forecast revenue and analyze trends in each of the following submarkets:

By Type

• Gelatin Capsules (Value (USD Million) & Volume (Billion Units))
  • Porcine Gelatin
  • Bovine-derived Gelatin
  • Bone Meal Gelatin
  • Other Gelatin Sources
• Non-gelatin Capsules (Value (USD Million) & Volume (Billion Units)
  • Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC)
  • Pullulan & Starch

By Functionality

• Immediate-release Capsules
• Sustained-release Capsules
• Delayed-release Capsules

By Therapeutic Application

• Antibiotic & antibacterial drugs
• Dietary supplements
• Antacid & antiflatulent preparations
• Antianemic preparations
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Cardiovascular therapy drugs
• Cough & cold drugs
• Other therapeutic applications

By End User

• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Nutraceutical Industry
• Cosmetic Industry
• Research Laboratories

By Region

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • RoE
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • RoAPAC
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • RoLATAM
• Middle East & Africa

Recent Developments

• In October 2023 Roquette purchased pharmaceutical instruments to improve worldwide presence and Qualicaps, a producer of hard capsules. Thus, it not only provided oral dosage solutions all around but also enhanced ground-up versions of them. By combining two companies like Roquette and Qualicaps then the new company will be able to advance technically along with improving services in order to provide customers an extensive range from generic capsules or full binders including others such fillers used in this field for years past decades present day but not future times yet.
• Capugel Enprotect presented the first coating-free capsule for intestinal (enteric) medicine delivery in November 2022. Aiming at small chemicals, peptides, proteins, and RNA-based treatments, this novel delivery technology seeks to It also looks at making live biotherapeutic objects feasible.
• ACG made an agreement with the Government of Maharashtra (India) in December 2021 to construct the largest capsule manufacturing unit in Asia at Aurangabad. This facility will output 40 billion capsules per year, which will be utilized by local as well as global nutraceutical and pharmaceutical firms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

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