Empty Capsules Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The Empty Capsules Market Report is Segmented by Product (Gelatin Capsules and Non-Gelatin Capsules), Functionality (Immediate-Release Capsules, and More), Therapeutic Application (Antibiotic & Antibacterial, and More), End User (Pharmaceutical Industry, and More), Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, The Middle East and Africa, and South America). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Global Empty Capsules Market Size and Share

Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Compare market size and growth of Global Empty Capsules Market with other markets in Healthcare Industry

Global Empty Capsules Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The empty capsules market is valued at USD 3.68 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 5.20 billion by 2030, expanding at a 7.12% CAGR. Growth springs from larger pharmaceutical production runs, wider acceptance of capsule-based therapies and rapid improvements in high-speed filling equipment. Rising demand for personalized dose packaging, especially in North America and Europe, lifts premium capsule grades that meet strict regulatory and patient-centric requirements. Technology upgrades that integrate machine vision and IoT sensors are raising first-pass yield rates and lowering unit costs, encouraging producers to scale capacity[1]ISPE, “Continuous Manufacturing in Capsule Filling,” ispe.org. Simultaneously, nutraceutical brands are shifting to capsules to protect delicate ingredients, which adds a fresh layer of demand diversity. Competitive intensity is sharpening as leading suppliers expand output in India and China while exploring divestitures or joint ventures that promise sharper strategic focus.

  • By product type, gelatin capsules led with 84.34% revenue share in 2024, whereas non-gelatin alternatives are projected to grow at a 10.32% CAGR to 2030.
  • By functionality, immediate-release formats held 72.45% of the empty capsules market size in 2024, while sustained-release is expected to advance at a 9.84% CAGR
  • By therapeutic application, antibiotic and antibacterial uses captured 29.45% of empty capsules market share in 2024, yet probiotics and prebiotics are forecast to expand at an 11.56% CAGR.
  • By end user, pharmaceuticals accounted for 66.34% share of the empty capsules market size in 2024, with nutraceuticals poised for an 8.93% CAGR.
  • By geography, North America commanded 38.54% of the empty capsules market share in 2024, while Asia-Pacific shows the fastest growth at an 8.72% CAGR to 2030.

Segment Analysis

By Product: Plant-Based Alternatives Gain Momentum

Gelatin shells retained 84.34% of empty capsules market share in 2024, thanks to entrenched cost advantages and proven functionality. Yet non-gelatin capsules are moving at a 10.32% CAGR, signaling a structural pivot driven by clean-label preferences and multi-faith compliance requirements. Hard gelatin variants dominate high-volume oral solids, while soft gelatin capsules support lipid-soluble formulations. Innovation in cellulose chemistry equips HPMC shells with dissolution and mechanical properties once exclusive to gelatin. Pullulan and starch capsules occupy premium niches where oxygen barrier performance or specific vegetarian claims hold sway.

HPMC adoption rises fastest in nutraceutical lines that encapsulate moisture-sensitive probiotics or herbal extracts. Producers overcome previous brittleness by optimizing moisture content during drying. Pullulan’s superior oxygen resistance makes it ideal for high-potency botanicals. Emerging enteric HPMC capsules such as Enprotect reach 98% buffer-conditioned release efficiency without secondary coating, cutting process steps and validating the premium positioning. Starch variants remain limited to cost-sensitive segments but stand to benefit if conversion economics further improve.

Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Functionality: Extended-Release Innovation Drives Growth

Immediate-release shells held 72.45% share of the empty capsules market size in 2024, favored for their established compendial standards. However, sustained-release uses are growing at 9.84% CAGR as pharma companies chase once-daily regimens that lift adherence. Delayed-release capsules fill a smaller yet strategic niche for acid-labile APIs, evolving through polymer layering that triggers site-specific dissolution. Continuous coating methods yield tighter polymer distribution, enhancing batch uniformity and easing regulatory filings.

Bi-layer shells merge immediate and sustained profiles in a single unit, eliminating the need for tablet-capsule hybrids. pH-independent matrices counter patient-to-patient variability in gastric conditions. Real-time analytics embedded in continuous lines give operators direct control over coating weight gain, reducing deviations. As digital therapeutics integrate drug release data into patient dashboards, demand for bespoke release profiles is poised to strengthen over the forecast horizon.

By Therapeutic Application: Probiotics Lead Growth Trajectory

Antibiotic and antibacterial therapies captured 29.45% of empty capsules market size in 2024, underlining the persistent global burden of infectious diseases. Probiotics and prebiotics, moving at 11.56% CAGR, illustrate the rising consumer focus on gut microbiome modulation. Vitamin blends sustain high capsule volumes by masking taste and stabilizing fat-soluble actives. Antacid and antiflatulent segments continue serving acute digestive needs with well-proven gelatin or HPMC shells.

Cardiovascular treatments register moderate gains as chronic disease prevalence climbs with aging demographics. Multi-compartment capsules that separate incompatible APIs gain attention in oncology and immunology clinics, where synchronized pharmacokinetics can improve outcomes. Regulatory support for complex drug delivery expands the application canvas, prompting developers to trial capsule formats in areas once dominated by tablets or parenterals.

Empty Capsules Market
Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By End User: Nutraceutical Sector Drives Innovation

Pharmaceutical manufacturers consumed 66.34% of global output in 2024, reflecting rigorous GMP needs and risk-averse sourcing practices that favor long-tenure suppliers lonza.com. The nutraceutical sector, forecast at 8.93% CAGR, increasingly mirrors pharmaceutical quality standards while retaining marketing agility. Beauty-from-within supplements illustrate capsule expansion into cosmetic nutrition, where dosage precision and swift product refresh cycles fit capsule attributes.

Contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) embed capsule capability to attract both drug and supplement brands, creating a vertically integrated service model. Digital health ecosystems drive interest in “daily packs” that align to wearable-derived biomarkers, reinforcing the appeal of modular capsule filling lines. Academic labs and clinical research centers, though small in volume, demand tight tolerances and customizable colors for blinded trials, nudging premium-grade suppliers to offer micro-batch services.

Geography Analysis

North America retained leadership with a 38.54% stake in the empty capsules market in 2024, backed by advanced GMP facilities and FDA oversight that prizes documentation and batch consistency[3]FDA, “Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Guidance,” fda.gov. Continuous manufacturing pilots in the United States push suppliers to meet tight specification ranges and real-time release testing. Canada’s generics production and Mexico’s contract-manufacturing base add depth to regional capsule demand. Plants that can certify for FDA, Health Canada and USP standards thus win preferred-supplier status.

Asia-Pacific records the highest 8.72% CAGR through 2030 and is set to re-shape global volume flows. China upgrades its pharmaceutical infrastructure while antidumping probes into low-cost capsule exports force realignment of sourcing strategies. India leverages cost advantages and a skilled workforce; Natural Capsules’ INR 250 million expansion indicates confidence in export contracts. Japan targets geriatric formulations that demand easy-to-swallow shells, favoring smaller sizes and enhanced glidants. Southeast Asian economies follow suit as universal healthcare programs expand access to oral therapies.

Europe maintains a mature yet innovative landscape. German biotechnology hubs require advanced capsule technologies for specialty drugs, while post-Brexit policy tweaks stimulate United Kingdom-based investments. EU environmental directives encourage a pivot to plant-based shells, with HPMC uptake gathering momentum. Producers market low-carbon footprints and solvent-free processes to align with corporate sustainability targets. Across the bloc, personalized medicine pilots tap into e-prescription platforms, and capsule suppliers that can provide rapid small-lot deliveries gain competitive edges.

Empty Capsules Market
Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Competitive Landscape

The empty capsules market shows moderate concentration as top firms blend capacity builds with portfolio rationalization to sustain margins. Lonza’s plan to divest Capsules & Health Ingredients while adding new lines in Rewari and Suzhou exemplifies a dual track of focus and growth. Mergers such as Roquette’s acquisition of IFF Pharma Solutions for USD 2.85 billion illustrate horizontal expansion aimed at bundling excipients and capsule offerings within single supply contracts.

Technology leadership becomes the primary differentiator. Lonza’s Enprotect won a 2023 innovation award, reinforcing the premium segment where ease-of-manufacture and enteric performance intersect. ACG broadens geographic reach by setting up a multi-phase complex in Croatia to balance European order fulfillment and hedge against tariff exposure. Smaller specialists target high-value niches such as pullulan or starch capsules, leveraging faster decision cycles to customize polymers or dye systems for branding.

Supply security, not merely price, now dictates sourcing decisions. Multinationals insist on dual-continent production footprints and transparent ESG reporting. Suppliers employ digital twins to predict capacity constraints and channel capital toward debottlenecking projects. Strategic alliances between capsule makers and CDMOs rise as big pharma outsources both drug formulation and component supply, embedding capsule procurement within long-term framework agreements.

Global Empty Capsules Industry Leaders

  1. ACG Worldwide

  2. Bright Pharma Caps Inc

  3. Lonza Group(Capsugel)

  4. Suheung Capsule Co. Ltd

  5. Qualicaps

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Empty Capsules Market
Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.
Need More Details on Market Players and Competitors?
Download PDF

Recent Industry Developments

  • January 2025: Roquette completed the USD 2.85 billion acquisition of IFF Pharma Solutions to deepen its excipient and oral-dosage technologies portfolio.
  • January 2025: Hovione and Zerion Pharma formed a joint venture to commercialize Dispersome technology for respiratory drugs and nutraceuticals.
  • January 2025: Gerresheimer announced a USD 180 million expansion of its Peachtree City, Georgia, facility, adding 18,000 m² and 400 jobs for medical systems output gerresheimer.com.
  • Dec 2024: Lonza revealed plans to divest its Capsules & Health Ingredients arm while strengthening capacity in India and China.
  • December 2024: Lonza commissioned new hard-gel lines in Rewari and Suzhou, boosting annual capacity for regional demand.
  • October 2024: The USITC launched antidumping and countervailing duty probes on hard empty capsules from Brazil, China, India and Vietnam.

Table of Contents for Global Empty Capsules Industry Report

1. Introduction

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions & Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary

4. Market Landscape

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
    • 4.2.1 Growing Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Volume
    • 4.2.2 Rising Nutraceutical Consumption
    • 4.2.3 Advancements in Capsule Filling Technology
    • 4.2.4 Shift Toward Personalized Dose Packaging
    • 4.2.5 Integration of Digital Health Technologies
    • 4.2.6 Expansion of Continuous Manufacturing Infrastructure
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
    • 4.3.1 Volatility In Gelatin Raw Material Supply
    • 4.3.2 Stringent Religious and Dietary Compliance
    • 4.3.3 Limited Availability of Pharmaceutical-Grade HPMC
    • 4.3.4 Climate-Induced Stability Challenges In Supply Chain
  • 4.4 Regulatory Landscape
  • 4.5 Porter's Five Forces
    • 4.5.1 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.5.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
    • 4.5.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.5.4 Threat of Substitutes
    • 4.5.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

5. Market Size & Growth Forecasts (Value, USD)

  • 5.1 By Product
    • 5.1.1 Gelatin Capsules
    • 5.1.1.1 Hard Gelatin Capsules
    • 5.1.1.2 Soft Gelatin Capsules
    • 5.1.2 Non-Gelatin Capsules
    • 5.1.2.1 HPMC Capsules
    • 5.1.2.2 Pullulan Capsules
    • 5.1.2.3 Starch-Based Capsules
  • 5.2 By Functionality
    • 5.2.1 Immediate-Release Capsules
    • 5.2.2 Delayed-Release Capsules
    • 5.2.3 Sustained/Extended-Release Capsules
  • 5.3 By Therapeutic Application
    • 5.3.1 Antibiotic & Antibacterial
    • 5.3.2 Vitamins & Dietary Supplements
    • 5.3.3 Antacid & Antiflatulent
    • 5.3.4 Cardiovascular Therapy
    • 5.3.5 Other Therapeutic Applications
  • 5.4 By End User
    • 5.4.1 Pharmaceutical Industry
    • 5.4.2 Nutraceutical Industry
    • 5.4.3 Cosmetic & Personal-Care
    • 5.4.4 Research & Academic Laboratories
  • 5.5 By Geography
    • 5.5.1 North America
    • 5.5.1.1 United States
    • 5.5.1.2 Canada
    • 5.5.1.3 Mexico
    • 5.5.2 Europe
    • 5.5.2.1 Germany
    • 5.5.2.2 United Kingdom
    • 5.5.2.3 France
    • 5.5.2.4 Italy
    • 5.5.2.5 Spain
    • 5.5.2.6 Russia
    • 5.5.2.7 Rest of Europe
    • 5.5.3 Asia-Pacific
    • 5.5.3.1 China
    • 5.5.3.2 Japan
    • 5.5.3.3 India
    • 5.5.3.4 Australia
    • 5.5.3.5 South Korea
    • 5.5.3.6 Rest of Asia-Pacific
    • 5.5.4 Middle East & Africa
    • 5.5.4.1 GCC
    • 5.5.4.2 South Africa
    • 5.5.4.3 Rest of Middle East & Africa
    • 5.5.5 South America
    • 5.5.5.1 Brazil
    • 5.5.5.2 Argentina
    • 5.5.5.3 Rest of South America

6. Competitive Landscape

  • 6.1 Market Concentration
  • 6.2 Market Share Analysis
  • 6.3 Company Profiles (includes Global level Overview, Market level overview, Core Business Segments, Financials, Headcount, Key Information, Market Rank, Market Share, Products and Services, and analysis of Recent Developments)
    • 6.3.1 ACG Worldwide
    • 6.3.2 Lonza Group (Capsugel)
    • 6.3.3 Qualicaps
    • 6.3.4 Suheung Capsule Co. Ltd
    • 6.3.5 CapsCanada Corporation
    • 6.3.6 Bright Pharma Caps Inc.
    • 6.3.7 Medi-Caps Ltd
    • 6.3.8 HealthCaps India Ltd
    • 6.3.9 Sunil Healthcare Ltd
    • 6.3.10 Fujifilm Corp. (Fujicaps)
    • 6.3.11 Roxlor LLC
    • 6.3.12 Farmacapsulas S.A.
    • 6.3.13 Patheon (Thermo Fisher)
    • 6.3.14 Sirio Pharma Co., Ltd.
    • 6.3.15 Er-Kang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd
    • 6.3.16 Qingdao Yiqing Medicinal Capsules Co. Ltd
    • 6.3.17 Shanxi Guangsheng Medicinal Capsules Co. Ltd
    • 6.3.18 Shanxi JC Biological Technology Co. Ltd
    • 6.3.19 Natural Capsules Ltd
    • 6.3.20 Zhejiang Huangyan Gelatin Capsule Co. Ltd
    • 6.3.21 Zhejiang Ruixin Capsules Co. Ltd

7. Market Opportunities & Future Outlook

  • 7.1 White-Space & Unmet-Need Assessment
You Can Purchase Parts Of This Report. Check Out Prices For Specific Sections
Get Price Break-up Now

Global Empty Capsules Market Report Scope

Empty capsules are stable shells that contain or encapsulate medicines, which are administered in a variety of dosage forms. Empty capsules are the most common option to store herbs, powders, and medicines. The empty capsules market is segmented by product (gelatin capsules and non-gelatin capsules), functionality (immediate-release capsules, delayed-release capsules, and sustained-release capsules), therapeutic application (antibiotic and antibacterial drugs, vitamins and dietary supplements, antacid and antiflatulent preparations, cardiovascular therapy drugs, and other therapeutic applications), end user (pharmaceutical industry, nutraceutical industry, cosmetics industry, and research laboratories), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle-East and Africa, and South America). The market report also covers the estimated market sizes and trends for 17 countries across major regions globally. The report offers the value (in USD million) for the above segments.

By Product Gelatin Capsules Hard Gelatin Capsules
Soft Gelatin Capsules
Non-Gelatin Capsules HPMC Capsules
Pullulan Capsules
Starch-Based Capsules
By Functionality Immediate-Release Capsules
Delayed-Release Capsules
Sustained/Extended-Release Capsules
By Therapeutic Application Antibiotic & Antibacterial
Vitamins & Dietary Supplements
Antacid & Antiflatulent
Cardiovascular Therapy
Other Therapeutic Applications
By End User Pharmaceutical Industry
Nutraceutical Industry
Cosmetic & Personal-Care
Research & Academic Laboratories
By Geography North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe Germany
United Kingdom
France
Italy
Spain
Russia
Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific China
Japan
India
Australia
South Korea
Rest of Asia-Pacific
Middle East & Africa GCC
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa
South America Brazil
Argentina
Rest of South America
By Product
Gelatin Capsules Hard Gelatin Capsules
Soft Gelatin Capsules
Non-Gelatin Capsules HPMC Capsules
Pullulan Capsules
Starch-Based Capsules
By Functionality
Immediate-Release Capsules
Delayed-Release Capsules
Sustained/Extended-Release Capsules
By Therapeutic Application
Antibiotic & Antibacterial
Vitamins & Dietary Supplements
Antacid & Antiflatulent
Cardiovascular Therapy
Other Therapeutic Applications
By End User
Pharmaceutical Industry
Nutraceutical Industry
Cosmetic & Personal-Care
Research & Academic Laboratories
By Geography
North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe Germany
United Kingdom
France
Italy
Spain
Russia
Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific China
Japan
India
Australia
South Korea
Rest of Asia-Pacific
Middle East & Africa GCC
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa
South America Brazil
Argentina
Rest of South America
Need A Different Region or Segment?
Customize Now

Key Questions Answered in the Report

What is the current size of the empty capsules market in 2025?

The market stands at USD 3.68 billion in 2025 with a 7.12% CAGR outlook to 2030.

Which capsule material is growing fastest?

Plant-based non-gelatin capsules, especially HPMC types, are expanding at a 10.32% CAGR through 2030.

Why are sustained-release capsules gaining momentum?

Pharmaceutical firms seek once-daily dosing that lifts adherence, prompting 9.84% CAGR growth for sustained-release formats.

Which region shows the highest growth potential?

Asia-Pacific leads in growth with an 8.72% CAGR, driven by expanding manufacturing capacity and healthcare spending.

How are gelatin supply risks influencing market dynamics?

Price volatility and tariff threats accelerate the shift toward cellulose-based alternatives that sidestep animal-origin and compliance barriers.

What strategic move has most affected competitive positioning recently?

Lonza’s plan to divest its capsule unit while upgrading lines in India and China is reshaping supplier hierarchies and acquisition pipelines.