Empty Capsule Market

 Growth in the Pharmaceutical Industry Worldwide

The robust growth of the pharmaceutical industry stands as a pivotal driver propelling the expansion of the global empty capsules market. Across the world, the pharmaceutical sector is experiencing unprecedented advancements and expansion, driven by factors such as increasing healthcare needs, technological innovations, and a continuous stream of new drug developments. As populations age and health awareness rise, the demand for pharmaceuticals has surged, leading to a subsequent increase in the utilization of empty capsules. These capsules serve as efficient and versatile vehicles for drug delivery, encapsulating a wide array of medications ranging from traditional oral drugs to advanced formulations.

The dynamic landscape of pharmaceutical research and development, coupled with a heightened emphasis on precision medicine, has further amplified the need for encapsulation solutions. For Instance, according to the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, in 2020 the pharmaceutical industry invested more than USD 48,638.3 million in R&D in Europe.

The global empty capsules market is witnessing substantial growth, driven prominently by the escalating demand for nutraceuticals. The rising global interest in preventive healthcare and the pursuit of wellness have fueled a surge in the consumption of nutraceutical products, which often utilize empty capsules as preferred encapsulation solutions. Empty capsules are commonly used to encapsulate vitamins, minerals, and other nutritional supplements, driving the demand for empty capsules in the nutraceutical sector. Additionally, empty capsules play a pivotal role in the nutraceutical industry, providing an efficient and convenient means for encapsulating diverse formulations.

Consumers often prefer capsules for nutritional supplements due to factors such as ease of consumption, taste masking, and accurate dosing. The encapsulation of nutraceutical ingredients within empty capsules ensures proper delivery, bioavailability, and stability of the active compounds, meeting consumer expectations for both efficacy and convenience. Furthermore, as consumers increasingly seek plant-based and vegetarian alternatives, the market is witnessing a shift towards the production of these capsules using alternative materials.

The global empty capsules market is experiencing significant growth, driven by advancements in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Increasing healthcare needs, technological innovations, and rising health awareness are fueling demand for both pharmaceutical drugs and nutraceuticals, with empty capsules serving as efficient delivery vehicles. The growing preference for plant-based and vegetarian capsules reflects consumer demand for alternatives. As pharmaceutical research continues to evolve and wellness trends rise, the empty capsules market is set to expand further, offering diverse encapsulation solutions for a wide range of applications.

The Global Empty Capsule Market Industry is experiencing a notable surge in demand for dietary supplements. As consumers increasingly prioritize health and wellness, the market for capsules used in vitamins and herbal supplements is expanding. In 2024, the market is projected to reach 34.0 USD Billion, driven by a growing awareness of preventive healthcare. This trend is further supported by the rising number of health-conscious individuals seeking convenient and effective ways to consume supplements. Consequently, manufacturers are focusing on producing high-quality empty capsules that cater to diverse dietary needs, thereby enhancing their market presence.

By region, the market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. North America accounted for the largest market in 2023, owing to the various factors contributing to the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. The market expansion can be attributed to the increasing demand for drug delivery solutions, coupled with the rising prevalence of chronic diseases in the region. Moreover, advancements in technology and manufacturing processes have led to new improvements in empty capsule production, enhancing the overall quality and efficiency of these pharmaceutical formulations.

The development of innovative materials and the adoption of sophisticated encapsulation techniques have further bolstered the market's evolution. In March 2021, CapsCanada, a Lyfe GroupTM company, introduced a new liquid-filled hard capsule manufacturing service.

Further, the major countries studied are: The US, Canada, Brazil, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Australia.

FIGURE 3: EMPTY CAPSULE MARKET, BY REGION, 2023 & 2032 (USD BILLION)

 Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, Market Research Future Database and Analyst Review

The Europe Empty Capsules market accounted for USD 568.97 million in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.32% during the forecast period. Europe is further segmented into the Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, and Rest of the Europe.

The Europe empty capsules market is experiencing robust growth, driven by factors such as increasing pharmaceutical and nutraceutical activities, rising consumer awareness about preventive healthcare, and a growing aging population. Lonza had expanded its Capsugel offering with a titanium dioxide-free (TiO2-free) white hard gelatin capsule, meeting customers' evolving demand to meet new titanium dioxide-free requirements for foods in the European Union. The demand for empty capsules, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, is propelled by their advantages in delivering precise dosage and masking the taste of active ingredients.

The Germany empty capsule market held the largest market share in 2023, and the UK empty capsule market is the fastest-growing market in the Europe region.

The Asia-pacific Empty Capsules market accounted for USD 893.55 million in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.28% during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific is further segmented into the China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Rest of Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific empty capsules market is experiencing significant growth and is projected to continue an upward trajectory in the coming years. The market is being driven by various factors, such as the increasing demand for empty capsules in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. These capsules are widely used to encapsulate drugs, vitamins, and other dietary supplements, as they offer advantages like better drug bioavailability and improved patient compliance. Moreover, China empty capsule market held the largest market share in 2023, and Japan empty capsule market is the fastest growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Empty Capsule Market is distinguished by the presence of numerous regional and local players catering to empty capsule products that are evolving at a rapid pace. Furthermore, the growth in the pharmaceutical industry worldwide, growing demand for nutraceuticals, and advancements in capsule technology is further driving the growth of Empty Capsule Market during the forecast period. The major competitors have adopted a strategy of obtaining regulatory approval from government agencies for their products and signing contracts and agreements to broaden their reach and reduce operational costs.

For instance, in August 2021, Qualicaps Europe, S.A.U. expands its footprint throughout the region of South Asia. As a result of this expansion, the company is well-equipped to maintain its high standards of performance, functionality, and quality in these integrated regions: flexibility to meet unique customer needs, cooperation in the scientific, technical, and service aspects of the capsule delivery form, and high-quality products.

Qualicaps is a manufacturer and distributor of pharmaceutical processing equipment as well as empty capsules. The company produces and distributes two-piece capsules, equipment for filling and sealing capsules, and soft gel liquid filling machinery. Equipment from Qualicaps includes automatic capsule filling machines, band-sealing capsules, imprinting equipment, and inspection equipment. With the acquisition of Genix, the only empty hard capsule supplier with a manufacturing site in Brazil, the company currently has production facilities and account teams in the United States, Canada, Japan, Europe (Spain and Romania), and Brazil.

Moreover, in August 2021, Qualicaps Europe, S.A.U. expands its footprint throughout the region of South Asia. As a result of this expansion, the company is well-equipped to maintain its high standards of performance, functionality, and quality in these integrated regions: flexibility to meet unique customer needs, cooperation in the scientific, technical, and service aspects of the capsule delivery form, and high-quality products and services