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The empty capsules market plays a crucial role in the pharmaceutical industry as capsules are used as a popular delivery vehicle for many active pharmaceutical ingredients and supplements. Empty capsules are two-piece or one-piece shells made of gelatin or plant-derived polymers that are filled with powders, granules, or liquids. They provide distinct advantages over other oral solid dosage forms like tablets in terms of ease of swallowing and customizable dosage options. The empty capsules find widespread applications in the nutraceuticals, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The Global Empty Capsules Market is estimated to be valued at US$2.3 Bn in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 7.9% over the forecast period 2023 to 2030.
Key players operating in the empty capsules market are ACG Worldwide, Capsugel, Qualicaps Inc., Bright Pharma Caps Inc., Sunil Healthcare Ltd., CapsCanada Corporation, Roxlor LLC, Snail Pharma Industry Co. Ltd., Suheung Co. Ltd., and Medi-Caps Ltd.
With growing health consciousness among consumers and rising demand for natural and herbal supplements, the demand for empty capsules is growing steadily. The increasing generic and OTC drug production is another key factor fueling the empty capsules market growth. Innovations in capsule formulation, size, and shape have widened the applications of capsules in precision dosing of drugs and supplements.
With advancements in capsule manufacturing technology, the key players are expanding their global footprint to leverage market opportunities. They are increasingly focusing on customized capsule solutions, tamper-evident capsules, and vegetarian and halal capsules to cater to specific industry and regional demand. Industry players are also actively engaging in new product launches and strategic mergers and acquisitions to enhance their market share.
Key Trends: Customization is a key trend gaining traction in the empty capsules market. Manufacturers are offering varied product portfolios with customizable options for capsule size, shape, color, imprinting, and fill volumes to match industry and customer requirements. Custom empty capsules help facilitate brand differentiation and precision or individualized dosing of formulations. This trend is expected to continue driving innovations and applications of empty capsules over the forecast period.
Porter’s Analysis
Threat of new entrants: High capital requirement for infrastructure and manufacturing facilities poses threat of low entry.
Bargaining power of buyers: Large pharmaceutical companies can negotiate price putting pressure on suppliers.
Bargaining power of suppliers: Raw material suppliers like gelatin have few alternatives and suppliers can negotiate prices.
Threat of new substitutes: No close substitutes to empty capsules so threat is low.
Competitive rivalry: Global presence of leading manufacturers leads to intense competition.
Geographical Regions
North America accounts for the largest share of the empty capsules market in terms of value owing to high healthcare expenditure and rising pharmaceutical R&D. The presence of major capsule manufacturers also contributes to market concentration in the region.
Asia Pacific is projected to be the fastest growing regional market between 2023 to 2030. This is attributed to increasing generic drug production, rising healthcare infrastructure and growing medical tourism in countries such as India and China. Low manufacturing costs are attracting global players to set up production facilities in the region.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
