Empty Capsules Market By Product Type (Gelatin Capsules {Hard Gelatin Capsules, Soft Gelatin Capsules}, Non-Gelatin Capsules {Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Capsules, Pullulan Capsules, Starch Capsules}), By Source (Animal-Based, Plant-Based, Others), By Functionality (Immediate-Release Capsules, Sustained-Release Capsules, Delayed-Release Capsules), By Application (Pharmaceutical Industry {Antibiotics, Vitamins and Dietary Supplements, Antacids and Antiflatulents, Painkillers, Others}, Nutraceuticals {Probiotics, Herbal Supplements, Omega-3 and Fatty Acids}, Cosmetics, Research and Development {Clinical Trials, Drug Delivery Innovations}), By Capsule Size (Size 000, Size 00, Size 0, Size 1, Size 2 and Smaller), and By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline {Direct Sales, Third-Party Distributors, Others}), Global Market Size, Segmental analysis, Regional Overview, Company share analysis, Leading Company Profiles And Market Forecast, 2025 – 2035

Industry Outlook

Empty Capsules market accounted for USD 3.94 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 7.88 Billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of around 6.5% between 2025 and 2035. The empty capsules market refers to the industry that manufactures and sells hollow capsules for use in pharmaceutical and nutritional supplement applications. These can be produced with gelatin or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and contain active substances like medication or vitamins. They categorize empty capsules into different sizes, specifically hard and soft capsules, based on their intended use. The market is rising due to the rising interest in health supplements and the enlarging production of pharmaceuticals, with many players aiming to enhance capsule formulations and technologies.

Report Scope:

Market Dynamics

Pharmaceutical Advancements Propel Growth in the Empty Capsules Market Amid Rising Global Healthcare Demands

The key drivers for the empty capsules market are advances in pharmaceuticals, as global health needs rise, especially because of improvements in delivery systems. With the growth of the pharmaceutical industry, there is a continued need for functional and functionalized capsule systems that enhance drug stability, improve bioavailability, and enable targeted delivery. Pharmacological innovations like enteric-coated capsules and extended-release formulations are reshaping the way total drug delivery systems are individually effective and tender to patients.

The shift toward more targeted therapies and biological drugs has increased the demand for custom-shaped capsules, which are essential for effective treatment. As healthcare expenses rise around the world, particularly in emerging nations, there will be a greater demand for efficient and cost-effective alternatives, such as empty capsules for drug delivery. According to the World Health Organization, worldwide health expenditure increased year after year from 2000 to 2018, reaching $8.3 trillion, or 10% of global GDP, highlighting the need for greater innovation in the healthcare industry, one of which is drug delivery.

Surging Demand for Plant-Based Capsules Driven by Rising Vegetarianism and Vegan Lifestyle Trends

There is a high need for vegetarian or plant-based capsules to match the growing desire for vegetarian or vegan diets, which is scorching the empty capsules market. Vegetarian and vegan capsule kinds have emerged as customers shift toward plant-based foods for reasons of diet, health, morality, and the environment. Conventional gelatin capsules are produced from collagen derived from animals. Nowadays, HPMC and pullulan are employed, both of which are vegan and vegetarian-friendly. Concerns about sustainability and animal rights are driving this change. Moreover, many view plant-based capsules as superior and less "dirty" than gelatin, making them a better fit for the trend toward plant-based supplements and nutraceuticals. With changing business trends, manufacturers are shifting their efforts to making plant-based capsules that would gain high demand from consumers.

Stringent Regulatory Frameworks Impede Growth of the Empty Capsules Market

Government regulations and legal difficulties are important factors limiting the growth of the empty capsules business. This is due to the specifications and licensing requirements established by the FDA, EMA, and other regional agencies. They also specify the kind of materials that can be used to create the capsules, the acceptable quality of those materials, and the manufacturing procedure that must be followed.

Adherence to these laws necessitates costly certification, testing, and inspection, which hurts the time to market and overall manufacturing costs. Furthermore, regulations change between countries, posing hurdles for firms seeking to operate globally. The growing emphasis on the safety, quality, and effectiveness of medications, natural supplementary foods, and health products exacerbates these regulatory barriers more than ever before. As a result, the regulatory burden becomes a significant impediment to rapid innovation and overall market efficiency in meeting expanding demand.

Emerging Economies Unlock Growth Potential for the Empty Capsules Market with Advancing Healthcare and Rising Incomes

Emerging economies in the healthcare sector and rising per capita income largely drive the growth of the empty capsules market. As these regions, especially the Asian, African, and Latin American nations, enjoy accelerated economic growth, the consumer demands for pharmaceutical products and dietary supplements also follow the same pace. An increase in investment in healthcare facilities, growing consciousness about health among people, the availability of advanced drug delivery systems, and technological advancement have led to a more capsule-based drug delivery system market.

Moreover, people's income continues to grow, allowing them to purchase better and often more specific types of goods, plant-based or customized capsules. Consequently, various market players are focusing on emerging economies to enhance their market presence and gradually respond to the increasing demand for both pharmaceutical and nutraceutical systems.

Rising Demand for Customizable Capsule Solutions Driven by Personalized Medicine and Patient-Specific Needs

One of the biggest opportunities for the empty capsules market is the growing demand for customized capsule solutions, driven by the healthcare industry's increasing focus on personalized medication. Advances in technology in medicine mean that drug administration is moving toward precision medicine with an ability to address genetics and other factors unique to a patient; this means that capsule forms that are easily scalable, coatable, and have customizable release mechanisms will become more popular with medical manufacturers.

Pharmacotherapies must have a precise dosage form that can be changed to match the needs of individual patients, like controlled-release or targeted delivery systems. This tendency is especially prominent in the chronic disease management field, where patients require tailored care. To overcome this gap, manufacturers are developing sophisticated capsule formulations that can be modified, making medication more effective and easier for patients to take. As healthcare advances, consumers' attention shifts to individualized care, creating a market for empty capsules.

Industry Experts Opinion

“Collaborating with pharmaceutical companies to develop customized capsules for specific patient needs can provide a competitive advantage over other market players."

• Sabyasachi Ghosh Associate Vice President at FMI.

Segment Analysis

Based on the product type, the empty capsules market has been classified into Gelatin Capsules, Non-Gelatin Capsules. In the empty capsules market, gelatin capsules dominate the market because of their utility in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Manufacturers primarily use hard gelatin capsules (HGC) for solid formulations, while they use soft gelatin capsules (SGC) for liquids or oils. Hard gelatin capsules are cheaper and easier to manufacture and may encapsulate nearly every API. However, modern gelatin encapsulation is still more commonly used than vegetarian and non-gelatin options due to its efficiency, availability, and general consumer preference.

Based on the source, the empty capsules market has been classified into Animal-Based, Plant-Based, Others. The animal-based segment is the largest in the empty capsules market, primarily due to the use of gelatin capsules made from bovine or porcine raw materials. Gelatin capsules demonstrate high stability, are effortless to prepare, and have compatibility when used with many varieties of pharma and nutraceutical products. This segment has formed the biggest market, especially in the pharmaceutical sector, due to its cheap nature and customer preference. However, animal-based capsules remain popular owing to the constantly increasing demand for the product and the established reliability and high rates of production of these capsules.

Regional Analysis

The North American empty capsule market has the largest share due to the presence of advanced pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries in the region. The United States is a major contributor to the market, exhibiting significant demand for both pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements. The leading capsule manufacturers, along with the development of the health care system, push the market for such products to grow in this region. The market is also driven by the use of strategies such as enteric-coated & controlled-release capsules for drug delivery. The growing demand for individualized treatment and specific medications tailored to patients' needs is driving the development of custom-designed capsules.

The Asia-Pacific empty capsule market is the fastest-growing sector due to its increasing economic growth and a growing healthcare industry. As the populations of countries such as China, India, and Japan get wealthier and the standards of their healthcare systems improve, the demand for both pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals is increasing. Another factor driving the demand for capsule-based drug delivery systems is the increasing incidence of diseases. This rise is due to the region's aging population and an increase in the prevalence of chronic, cardiovascular, and neurological illnesses.

Moreover, improved features of drug delivery systems, such as enteric-coated and targeted capsules, have contributed to market growth. Further, there is a rising number of specialized capsule manufacturing companies in the region, establishing production and development centers. These developments were achievable due to friendly government policies for the pharmaceutical industry and investment in health infrastructure. The Asia-Pacific region shows firm strength in the empty capsules market growth.

Competitive Landscape 

The empty capsules market consolidates around a few key players, including Lonza Group, which recently acquired Capsugel, along with Qualicaps, Shandong Xinhua Pharmaceutical, Suheung Co., Ltd., and ACG Worldwide. They focus on developing new products, improving production processes, and creating new formulations to meet the growing demand for targeted medications and products containing plant-based ingredients.

The recent developments include Lonza expanding capsule manufacturing capacity in Asia in response to increased market demand, and ACG Worldwide Co.'s launching a line of vegetable capsules for nutraceutical applications. Qualicaps focuses on developing sustainable capsule solutions that have a low environmental impact, in keeping with the global trend toward eco-friendly and vegan products. These methods demonstrate how firms want to expand into new markets while remaining viable in the emerging market.

Empty Capsules Market, Company Shares Analysis, 2024

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Recent Developments:

• In May 2024, Roquette, a global leader in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical excipients, introduced its LYCAGEL Flex hydroxypropyl pea starch premix, designed for use in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical softgel capsules.
• In April 2024, Lupin Ltd launched the first generic version of doxycycline capsules, Oracea, in the United States following approval from the U.S. FDA.

Report Coverage:

By Product Type

• Gelatin Capsules
  • Hard Gelatin Capsules (HGC)
  • Soft Gelatin Capsules (SGC)
• Non-Gelatin Capsules
  • Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) Capsules
  • Pullulan Capsules
  • Starch Capsules

By Source

• Animal-Based
• Plant-Based
• Others

By Functionality

• Immediate-Release Capsules
• Sustained-Release Capsules
• Delayed-Release Capsules

By Application

• Pharmaceutical Industry
  • Antibiotics
  • Vitamins and Dietary Supplements
  • Antacids and Antiflatulents
  • Painkillers
  • Others
• Nutraceuticals
  • Probiotics
  • Herbal Supplements
  • Omega-3 and Fatty Acids
• Cosmetics
• Research and Development
  • Clinical Trials
  • Drug Delivery Innovations

By Capsule Size

• Size 000
• Size 00
• Size 0
• Size 1
• Size 2 and Smaller

By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline
  • Direct Sales (B2B)
  • Third-Party Distributors
  • Others

By Region

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Singapore
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC Countries
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

List of Companies:

• Capsugel
• Qualicaps
• ACG Capsules
• Suheung Co., Ltd.
• Shandong Pharmaceutical Capsules Co., Ltd.
• Gelita AG
• Lonza Group
• Zhuhai Jiawei Biological Functionality Co., Ltd.
• Bright Pharmacaps, Inc.
• Qualicaps, Inc.
• Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd.
• HPMC Capsules
• Pharmorphx
• Roxlor LLC
• Jiangsu Kanghui Capsule Co., Ltd.