Empty Capsules Market (Source: Porcine, Bovine, Marine, and Natural; and Type: Gelatin Capsules and Non-Gelatin Capsules)- Global Industry Analysis, Share, Growth, Regional Outlook and Forecasts, 2022-2030

The global Empty Capsules market size was estimated at USD 2.9 billion in 2021 and is expected to surpass around USD 4.9 billion by 2030 and poised to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8% during the forecast period 2022 to 2030.

Empty Capsules Market Introduction

Empty capsules are used as oral dosage forms. They carry powdered APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients), herbal powder, or vitamin supplements for easy and convenient delivery of these substances. Various capsule sizes are available in the market, from size 000 (the largest) to size 5 (the smallest).

Gelatin and non-gelatin are the two different types of commercially available empty capsules. Gelatin capsules (hard and soft) are animal-based medicinal products, with a high collagen content. They are produced from pork and connective tissues of beef and chicken. Non-gelatin or vegetarian capsule is made from a mixture of starch and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC). Currently, empty capsules are widely used in healthcare and therapeutic applications.

Increase in commercialization of gelatin capsules-based drug delivery systems and rise in emphasis on preventive care among customers are the key factors driving the global empty capsules market. Growth in demand for immediate-release capsules among manufacturers for the production of various medicinal products such as anti-bacterials, antacids, inhalers, dietary supplements, pain relievers, and antibiotics is also boosting the global market. Thus, demand for empty hard gelatin capsules is rising across the globe.

Insights on the empty capsules market suggest that companies are gaining expertise in custom synthesis by designing different methods for the synthesis of capsules. Custom synthesis of the empty capsule is backed by analytical data to suit the needs of customers. Moreover, companies keep stock of custom synthesized empty capsule products for rapid reorder availability.

Various manufacturers of empty capsules are striving to ensure the availability of a range of seamless scale-up options. These companies also focus on transferring custom synthesized empty capsule materials to large-scale manufacturing facilities and GMP facilities.

Report Scope of the Empty Capsules Market

 Commercialization of Gelatin Capsules-based Drug Delivery Systems to Drive Empty Capsules Market

Future market demand for empty capsules is projected to be strong for gelatin capsules (hard and soft capsules), since these act as superior carriers with capabilities to encapsulate both hydrophilic and lipophilic drugs and provide protection from degradation. Additionally, these offer better absorption rates and can act as an efficient solubilizing matrix. Gelatin-based IR, ER, and DR formulations perform better than conventional formulations, leading to better patient compliance and improved efficacy. These benefits result in increased acceptance of gelatin-based capsules, which in turn propels the global empty capsules market. Gelatin capsules derived from bovine, porcine, and marine have proven to be more beneficial than other natural gelatins based on low toxicity, non-antigenicity, high stability, and high nutritional value parameters. Empty gelatin capsules exhibit high sustained release of various drugs, owing to high adsorption capacity, followed by high dispersion ability in water.

Emphasis on Preventive Care Propelling Empty Capsules Market

Capsule formulation is a preferable alternative for patients who cannot swallow pills and for products that are needed to be protected from the acidic environment of the stomach. Rise in sales of vitamins, minerals, and supplements can be ascribed to an increase in consumer focus on health and wellness. This is bolstering the demand for empty pill capsules.

Global market for empty capsules is growing due to the rise in awareness about healthy lifestyle. Effectiveness of dietary supplements has propelled the demand for vitamin supplements among consumers. Rise in physician recommendations for vitamins, minerals, and supplements as preventive care for diseases in adults who have difficulty swallowing is a major factor augmenting the global empty capsules market.

Increase in Demand for Supplements and Rise in Awareness about Preventive Medicines to Augment Empty Capsules Market

The usage of capsules in the manufacture of drugs has increased owing to characteristics such as biodegradability, high absorption rates, and easy availability. The global empty capsules market is expected to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period. Several new clinical trials are being conducted toward the encapsulation of new as well as existing drugs and cardiovascular drugs.

Ingredients can be encapsulated through automation processes and do not require manual load to be rearranged. The global empty capsules market is likely to be driven by the rise in demand for supplements, surge in marketing activities to increase the promotion of gelatin or non-gelatin capsules, and growth in awareness about the consumption of preventive medicines. Hence, manufacturers are increasing the production of empty medicine capsules.

Favorable Trade Policies for Import and Export of Dietary Supplements to Benefit Manufacturers

In terms of application, the vitamin & dietary supplements segment held major share of the global empty capsules market in 2021. The segment is anticipated to dominate the global market during the forecast period. Adoption of preventive care measures by the population is likely to drive the vitamin & dietary supplements segment during the forecast period. Increase in investments by key players in vitamin & dietary supplements and favorable trade policies for the import and export of dietary supplements are projected to propel the vitamin & dietary supplements segment during the forecast period.

Abundant Availability and Extended Application in Healthcare and Nutraceutical Industries to Bolster Porcine Segment

Based on source, the porcine segment accounted for major share of the global empty capsules market in terms of revenue in 2021. The segment is anticipated to grow at a moderate CAGR during the forecast period. Porcine is a widely used source of gelatin due to its abundant availability and extended application of this source in healthcare and nutraceutical industries. However, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical companies are switching to the use of bovine gelatin in their products in order to expand their presence in countries with ethical beliefs and restrictions that restrain the use of porcine products. Furthermore, demand for bovine gelatin has increased at a steady pace due to the high protein content (compared to other gelatin derivatives) and hygienic nature of bovine-derived products compared to chicken and porcine derivatives.

Frequent Outbreaks of Chronic Diseases to Augment Pharmaceutical Industry Segment

In terms of end-user, the pharmaceutical industry segment is expected to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period due to the expansion of the pharmaceutical industry and increase in application of capsules in different indications. Pharmaceuticals represent the largest end-user of empty capsules (soft and hard capsules). Constant development in the pharmaceutical industry and frequent outbreaks of chronic diseases across the globe are the key factors propelling the segment.

Regional Outlook of Global Empty Capsules Market

Asia Pacific accounted for significant share of the global empty capsules market in 2021. The market in the region is expected to grow at a rapid pace during the forecast period. Increase in investment by key players in manufacture of drugs and expansion of the nutraceutical industry are likely to drive the empty capsules market in the Asia Pacific. Emerging economy, government funding for research, improving health care infrastructure, and rise in presence of major global players in countries, such as China and India, are likely to propel the empty capsules market in the region during the forecast period.

North America held the second largest share of the global empty capsules market in 2021. The market in the region is driven by the presence of key players, large number of research activities, and highly structured healthcare industry. A report published by the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations indicated that R&D and plant investments by pharmaceutical companies in the U.S. have been increasing consistently since the past 15 years.

Analysis of Key Players in Global Empty Capsules Market

The global empty capsules market is fragmented, with the presence of a large number of leading players. Diversification of product portfolio and mergers & acquisitions are the key strategies adopted by the players. Leading players operating in the market include ACG Worldwide, Lonza Group AG, Qualicaps, HealthCaps India Ltd., Natural Capsules Limited, CapsCanada Corporation, Roxlor, and Qingdao Yiqing Medicinal Capsules Co., Ltd.

Key Developments in Global Empty Capsules Market

• In February 2019, ACG expanded its footprint in Brazil with the launch of its new capsules manufacturing plant in Pouso Alegre, Minas Gerais
• In February 2018, CapsCanada invested US$ 29 Mn in a new 100,000 square foot K-CAPS facility with an additional 50% capsule production increase, nearly three times the amount CapsCanada invested in a 2014 HPMC capsule expansion, to meet rising global demand for K-CAPS
• In July 2017, Lonza completed the acquisition of Capsugel S.A. Under the terms of the agreement, Lonza paid US$ 5.9 Bn in cash, including refinancing of existing Capsugel debt of around US$ 2 Bn for the acquisition of Capsugel, a world leader in advanced oral dosage delivery technologies with a leading position in hard capsules.

Some of the prominent players in the Empty Capsules Market include:

• ACG Worldwide
• Lonza Group AG
• Qualicaps
• HealthCaps India Ltd.
• Natural Capsules Limited
• CapsCanada Corporation
• Roxlor
• Qingdao Yiqing Medicinal Capsules Co., Ltd.

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the global Empty Capsules market

• Source
• Porcine
• Bovine
• Marine
• Natural
• Type
• Gelatin Capsules
• Non-gelatin Capsules
• Application
• Antibiotic & Antibacterial Drugs
• Vitamin & Dietary Supplements
• Antacid & Antiflatulent Preparations
• Cardiovascular Therapy Drugs
• Other
• Functionality
• Immediate-release Capsules
• Sustained-release Capsules
• Delayed-release Capsules
• End-user
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Nutraceutical Industry
• Other

By Geography

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• Germany
• France
• United Kingdom
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Southeast Asia
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

• GCC
• North Africa
• South Africa
• Rest of Middle East & Africa

Key Benefits for Stakeholders

• This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the global Empty Capsules industry analysis from 2022 to 2030 to identify the prevailing Empty Capsules industry opportunity.
• The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.
• Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.
• In-depth analysis of the global Empty Capsules industry segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.
• Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.
• Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.
• The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global Empty Capsules industry trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.