The global sales of hard gelatin capsules are estimated to be worth USD 1,940.3 million in 2024 and are anticipated to reach a value of USD 3,409.7 million by 2034. Sales are projected to rise at a CAGR of 5.8% over the forecast period between 2024 and 2034. The revenue generated by Hard Gelatin Capsules in 2023 was USD 1,833.9 million. The industry is anticipated to exhibit a Y-o-Y growth of 5.9% in 2024.
A hard gelatin capsule is an important pharmaceutical dosage form prepared from animal collagen, consisting of a body and a cap that fit together. The capsules are designed to enclose powdered or granular substances for oral use.
The advantages are several; for example, active components in such a form are protected against moisture and air, thus preserving the potency and prolonging shelf life. At the same time, they ensures easy swallowing and exact dosages. One of the main factors contributing to the higher demand for hard gelatin capsules is the growth in the nutraceuticals market.
Global Hard Gelatin Capsules Industry Assessment
| Attributes | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Historical Size, 2023 | USD 1,833.9 million |
| Estimated Size, 2024 | USD 1,940.3 million |
| Projected Size, 2034 | USD 3,409.7 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034) | 5.8% |
The ease of swallowing, better masking of tastes, and generally quicker dissolution rates have made hard gelatin capsules preferable over other dosage forms such as tablets. Capsules, especially hard gelatin, ensure ease of swallowing compared to tablets due to their smooth, rounded texture that reduces discomfort.
Among the critical advantages of hard gelatin capsules is the masking of unpleasant taste and odor of the encapsulated active. This becomes important in nutraceuticals where the active ingredient, such as fish oil or herbal extracts, can have a strong, rather undesirable flavor.
Hard gelatin capsules are in high demand because they offer superior dissolution rates among other dosage forms. They have fast dissolution in the stomach, giving them the advantage of rapid active ingredient absorption into the bloodstream. This makes it important for drugs which have to act fast.
Examples include pain management, whereby ibuprofen, when dosed in a hard gelatin capsule, can provide faster pain relief compared to conventional tablets. The rapid onset, apart from enhancing the therapeutic efficacy, improves the patient's satisfaction owing to quick symptomatic relief.
Thus, patients generally prefer capsules for quicker action, which results in rising demand. Improved dissolution properties of hard gelatin capsules enable more effective and timely treatment; hence, they are a preferred choice in the pharmaceutical market.
As there are advantage of capsule as a dosage form, there are several disadvantages of capsule such as the patient who faces difficulty in swallowing such as pediatrics and old age people may not adopt oral dosage form such as hard gelatin capsule. This may act as a restraint to the market.
Don't pay for what you don't need
Customize your report by selecting specific countries or regions and save 30%!
The table below compares the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the global hard gelatin capsules market from 2023 to 2024 during the first half of the year. This overview highlights key changes and trends in revenue growth, offering valuable insights into market dynamics.
H1 covers January to June, while H2 spans July to December. In the first half (H1) of the decade from 2023 to 2033, the business is predicted to surge at a CAGR of 6.9%, followed by a slightly lower growth rate of 6.5% in the second half (H2) of the same decade.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 | 6.9% (2023 to 2033) |
| H2 | 6.5% (2023 to 2033) |
| H1 | 5.8% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 | 5.3% (2024 to 2034) |
Moving into the subsequent period, from H1 2024 to H2 2034, the CAGR is projected to decrease slightly to 5.8% in the first half and remain relatively moderate at 5.3% in the second half. In the first half (H1) the market witnessed a decrease of 110 BPS while in the second half (H2), the market witnessed a decrease of 120 BPS.
Hard gelatin capsules can enhance the bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs which boost their adoption
One of the major drivers in the market is that hard gelatin capsules help in the absorption of poorly soluble drugs. Many medicines, upon administration, face certain difficulties while dissolving into the body, which decreases their effectiveness. Hard gelatin capsules help solve this problem by enclosing the drug in a shell that dissolves quickly within the stomach and helps the drug to degrade and be absorbed effectively.
The fact that the capsule dissolves fast really exposes more of the active ingredient to the bloodstream, making the drug work better. Moreover, special ingredients can be added to the capsule to enhance the rate at which it dissolves.
This is particularly beneficial for drugs that do not dissolve well naturally. With pharmaceutical companies looking to optimize the delivery of their drugs, the amount of hard gelatin capsules being used is steadily on the rise. Therefore, these kinds of capsules prosper in the market, as there is a heightened demand for better means of drug delivery.
Expansion of nutraceutical market creates future growth opportunity
The major drivers in the hard gelatin capsules market include the rapidly growing nutraceutical market. Increasing awareness among consumers regarding health has turned people to be more health-conscious and has made them turn to prevention rather than treatment, which again increases demand for the capsules. Therefore, dietary supplements and nutraceuticals are in demand, out of which one preferred form is hard gelatin capsules.
These are popular because of their effectiveness and convenience for nutritional supplement delivery. One good example is that supplements of fish oil are considered to be rich in omega-3 fatty acids, normally supplied in the form of hard gelatin capsules.
The shell of gelatin assists in encapsulating the oil; therefore, it protects it from oxidation and allows the delivery of the oil to the digestive system without being damaged. This protection enhances its stability and effectiveness.
Hard gelatin capsules can also mask the taste of supplements, hence making them palatable for consumers. They enable effective dosing, which is paramount to maintain optimum health. Besides, with the trend towards preventive health and self-care continuing to grow, demand for dietary supplement and nutraceuticals in hard gelatin capsules is thus likely to go up and drive the market.
Technological Advancements in Encapsulation is acting as a major trend in the market
The technological change in encapsulation has majorly supported the growth in the hard gelatin capsule market by increasing production efficiency, improving the quality of the product, and widening the scope of applications. New innovative encapsulation technologies that have reformed hard gelatin capsule manufacturing and use include liquid-filled hard capsules, micro-encapsulation techniques, and band-sealing techniques.
The liquid-filled hard capsule represents one of the most interesting developments in the last decades due to its capability to allow the encapsulation of liquid and semisolid formulations. Technology brings enhanced bioavailability for poorly soluble drugs and increased stability of the encapsulated product.
This allows various active pharmaceutical ingredients that can be encapsulated in more liquid form, opening new avenues in drug delivery and formulation flexibility.
In this respect, another development is represented by the techniques of microencapsulation, allowing a very specific control of drug release profile. Coating the API with different polymers prior to encapsulation enables the manufacturer to design the capsules that would release drugs at specific sites in the gastrointestinal tract or over a more prolonged period.
This technology has been found to have special application for controlled-release formulations and is gaining more and more importance both in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical fields.
Gelatin is derived from animal collagen, which can pose challenges due to ethical concerns
Gelatin is obtained from animal collagen, normally from beef or pork. This can create problems in that some people frown upon or have issues with the use of animal products. Besides, the supply of gelatin might be inconsistent due to changes in farming or legal environments concerning animal farming.
Such factors result in increased costs and reduced reliability in the supply of gelatin for production. This is likely to pose a headache to firms as far as sourcing gelatin and consequently ensuring a reliable production process is concerned for the hard gelatin capsule. This, therefore, means a significant consideration in the hard gelatin capsule market.
In addition, hard gelatin capsules face stiff competition from other dosage forms such as tablets, soft gels, and liquid medications. Tablets are preferred by virtue of being relatively cheap and having a longer shelf life. Soft gels are easier to swallow and can protect the sensitive ingredients inside.
Liquid medications boast the fact that they have quick absorption and flexibility of dosing. These options have different advantages and may meet various consumer needs, challenging the hard gelatin capsules market. Therefore, companies need to keep innovating and discussing the unique benefits of capsules to remain competitive.
Principal Consultant
The global hard gelatin capsules industry recorded a CAGR of 5.3% during the historical period between 2019 and 2023. The growth of Hard Gelatin Capsules industry was positive as it reached a value of USD 3,409.7 million in 2034 from USD 1,940.3 million in 2024.
Historically, hard gelatin capsules have been in wide demand due to their exceptional capability for taste masking and delivering drugs in powdered form. With the advent of better manufacturing and formulation technologies, demand rose. Currently, the market is filled with innovation in capsule technology and ever-increasing demand for personalized medicine and dietary supplements.
The hard gelatin capsule market will witness significant growth based on a number of key drivers. They are highly valued for their effectiveness in delivering both medications and supplements; hence, they are very popular with pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.
Fast dissolution in the stomach could well equate to faster absorption of active ingredients, which may be so vital to the effectiveness of a treatment. In addition, the capsules can be filled with a lot of things such as powder or liquid meaning that it gives an avenue for great flexibility in Product development. Hard gelatin capsules are very popular owing to their easy swallow and the ability to mask unpleasant flavors.
Technological advancement also continues to develop the formulation of capsules, making them more effective and versatile. These act together to make hard gelatin capsules a preferred choice and hence drive the growth in its market.
Tier 1 companies are the industry leaders as they hold a substantial 58.5% market share worldwide. These companies have generated revenue over USD 100 million. These companies have large product portfolio and a high production capacity.
These industry leaders stand out for having a wide geographic reach, a strong customer base, and substantial experience in manufacturing. They offer a variety of product, and have a strong brand loyalty. Prominent companies within tier 1 include ACG Worldwide, Lonza-Capsugel, Qualicaps, Inc. (Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation), CapsCanada Corporation, Suheung Co., Ltd. (EmboCaps), Medi-Caps Ltd., and NLL (Nector Lifesciences Ltd.)
Mid-size businesses with annual revenue between USD 0 and USD 100 million and which are capturing a market share of 21.7% in global market, and that are based in particular areas and have a significant impact on the local market are considered Tier 2 companies. These companies have regional presence and in-depth industry expertise.
These companies invests in newer technology and follows good manufacturing practices (GMP). These companies also collaborate with bigger companies so as to get competitive edge. Prominent companies in tier 2 include Erawat Pharma, Dah Feng Capsule (Biocaps), Lefan Capsule, Qingdao Yiqing Medicinal Capsules Co., Ltd., Shanxi Guangsheng Medicinal Capsule, Health Caps India, Comed Chemicals, and Fortcaps Healthcare
Tier 3 companies, although, smaller but are essential for the market. They have limited reach and mostly operate in few countries. They have lesser revenue as compared with tier 1 and tier 2 companies.
The companies such as Shaoxing Zhongya Capsule, Shree Pharma Caps, Shaoxing Kangke Capsule, Zhejiang Yuexi Capsule, Saviour Caps, Chemcaps Ltd., Anhui Huangshan Capsule and other falls under this category. They specialize in specific products and cater to niche markets, adding diversity to the industry.
Get the data you need at a Fraction of the cost
Personalize your report by choosing insights you need
and save 40%!
The section below covers the industry analysis for the hard gelatin capsules market for different countries. Market demand analysis on key countries in several regions of the globe, including North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and others, is provided. The United States is anticipated to remain at the forefront in North America, with a value share of 80.6% through 2034. In Asia Pacific, China is projected to witness a CAGR of 5.8% by 2034.
| Countries | Value CAGR (2024 to 2034) |
|---|---|
| USA | 1.8% |
| Germany | 1.8% |
| France | 2.9% |
| UK | 2.1% |
| China | 5.8% |
| India | 6.6% |
| South Korea | 4.6% |
Germany’s hard gelatin capsules market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 1.8% between 2024 and 2034. The Germany holds highest market share in European market.
In Germany, greater consumer preference for hard gelatin capsules due to their convenience in delivery and taste masking properties is a significant growth factor. Many patients, particularly aged patients and people suffering from dysphagia, are said to find it easier to swallow capsules rather than tablets.
Capsules are smooth and require less effort during swallowing, which is of utmost importance to people with health conditions that make swallowing a pill difficult.
Thirdly, hard gelatin capsules mask the unpleasant taste and odor of a certain drug or supplement. Because of this, it is highly desirable in over-the-counter and prescription products since they enhance the patient's experience by making the taking of medication much easier to bear.
Greater awareness of these benefits significantly raises demand for the hard gelatin capsule in the German market. This can be enabled by increasing focus on patient-centric health propositions, and also growth in dietary supplement and personalized medicine markets, which are expected to propel the capsule market.
USA market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 1.8% throughout the forecast period.
In the USA, the emergence of personalized medicine has encouraged the need for formulations of personalized capsules to a great extent. This kind of medicine will actually work on fitting treatments with respect to several variables that characterize a patient, like their genetic profile, life habits, or particular health conditions.
Hard gelatin capsules match very well with this approach, given the ability to tailor dosage, release mechanisms, and mixes to fit each individual's needs.
The pharmaceuticals are currently working on different types of capsules with tailored formulations that target a particular health-related problem or maximize the efficacy of a drug concerning the profile of a patient. In addition, personalization enhances treatment outcomes and minimizes the incidence of side effects.
The growth in genomic research and an increasing focus on personalized healthcare spur interest in personalized medicine. Because patients and health professionals continue to demand more accurate and potent therapeutic treatment, the hard gelatin capsule market has emerged resiliently as a function of its demand, which is continuously growing for specialized capsule formulations.
The China is expected to hold dominating position in East Asia market of hard gelatin capsules and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.8% throughout the forecast period.
Because of better health awareness and an increase in the middle-class population, the consumption of OTC medicines is also increasing more for convenience and self-medication purposes. Hard gelatin capsules are increasingly used to produce such products as they effectively deliver a broad range of pharmaceuticals, from pain relievers to cold and flu medications.
Capsules have won a place among consumers because of the ease of swallowing, efficiency of dosage control, and masking of unpleasant tastes. Their consumption is further driven by the increase in the availability of OTC products in capsule form on retail shelves and on online platforms.
In addition, Chinese regulations are giving an impulse to demand due to supportive legislation that has promoted access and affordability of medication. As more and more consumers switch to OTC solutions for minor health issues, it is likely that demand for hard gelatin capsules will continue to rise in China.
The section contains information about the leading segments in the industry. Based on source, the type-B gelatin (animal bones & calf skin) segment is expected to account for 46.7% of the global market share in 2024.
| Source | Type-B Gelatin (Animal Bones & Calf Skin) |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2024) | 46.7% |
The type-B gelatin (animal bones & calf skin) segment is expected to dominate the market in terms of revenue, accounting for almost 46.7% of the market share in 2024.
Type-B gelatin, derived from animal bones and calf skin, is expected to dominate the industry due to its cost-effectiveness and easy availability. Type-B gelatin is plentiful and less costly to produce compared to Type-A, which is produced from pig skin.
Its characteristics make it suitable for a range of applications in capsules, including those that require robust and durable shells. Further, Type-B gelatin exhibits good performance for maintaining capsule integrity and delivering the active ingredients effectively, thereby making it more attractive to manufacturers due to which the segment leads the market position.
| Size | Size "0" Capsules |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2024) | 19.7% |
By size, the Size "0" capsules segment is projected to hold a major market share of 19.7% in 2024.
The Size "0" capsules segment is expected to dominate the industry because these are versatile and largely adopted in both pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Size "0" capsules offer the best balance between capacity and ease of ingestion for a wide range of applications.
The size "0" capsules are widely used in many applications to deliver powders, granules, and liquid-filled formulations. Their demand is based on an appropriate amount of the active ingredient that can be contained within them while allowing a size that is comfortably taken by consumers. It is because of these factors that Size "0" capsules happen to be more preferable since both practical and effective, therefore, being in the lead in the market.
The hard gelatin capsules market is extremely fragmented. There are large number companies that offers hard gelatin capsules in the global market involved in developing novel products so that they can meet their customer’s needs.
Prominent producers of Hard Gelatin Capsules products are concentrating on growing internationally in order to increase their revenue and increase the size of their sales footprint. These companies often collaborated with other research institutes to develop more advanced devices.
Manufacturers utilize various key strategies such as agreements, product launches, research sponsorship, and strategic collaborations to boost product sales and establish their market presence.
Recent Industry Developments in Hard Gelatin Capsules Market
In terms of source, the industry is divided into type-A (pork skin), type-B gelatine (animal bones & calf skin), and fish bone gelatine
In terms of size, the industry is segregated into size "00" capsules, size "0" capsules, size "1" capsules, size "2" capsules, size "3" capsules, size "4" capsules, and size "5" capsules
In terms of route of administration, the industry is divided into oral administration and inhalation.
In terms of end user, the industry is segregated into pharmaceutical companies, cosmetic & nutraceutical companies, and CROs & CDMOs
Key countries of North America, Latin America, Europe, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Middle East and Africa (MEA) have been covered in the report.
The global hard gelatin capsules industry is projected to witness CAGR of 5.8% between 2024 and 2034.
The global Hard Gelatin Capsules industry stood at USD 1,833.9 million in 2023.
The global hard gelatin capsules industry is anticipated to reach USD 3,409.7 million by 2034 end.
China is expected to show a CAGR of 5.8% in the assessment period.
The key players operating in the global Hard Gelatin Capsules industry include ACG Worldwide, Lonza-Capsugel, Qualicaps, Inc. (Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation), Sunil Healthcare Ltd., CapsCanada Corporation / Farmacapsulas, Suheung Co., Ltd. (EmboCaps), Medi-Caps Ltd., NLL (Nector Lifesciences Ltd.)
1. Executive Summary
2. Industry Introduction, including Taxonomy and Market Definition
3. Market Trends and Success Factors, including Macro-economic Factors, Market Dynamics, and Recent Industry Developments
4. Global Market Pricing Analysis
5. Global Market Size USD Million & Volume (Units) Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, including Historical Analysis and Future Projections
6. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034
6.1. By Source
6.2. By Size
6.3. By Route of Administration
6.4. By End User
6.5. By Region
7. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Source
7.1. Type-A(Pork Skin)
7.2. Type-B Gelatin (Animal Bones & Calf Skin)
7.3. Fish Bone Gelatin
8. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Size
8.1. Size "00" Capsules
8.2. Size "0" Capsules
8.3. Size "1" Capsules
8.4. Size "2" Capsules
8.5. Size "3" Capsules
8.6. Size "4" Capsules
8.7. Size "5" Capsules
9. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, By Route of Administration
9.1. Oral Administration
9.2. Inhalation
10. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by End User
10.1. Pharmaceutical Companies
10.2. Cosmetic & Nutraceutical Companies
10.3. CROs & CDMOs
11. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Region
11.1. North America
11.2. Latin America
11.3. East Asia
11.4. South Asia and Pacific
11.5. Western Europe
11.6. Eastern Europe
11.7. Middle East and Africa
12. North America Sales USD Million & Volume (Units) Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries
13. Latin America Sales USD Million & Volume (Units) Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries
14. East Asia Sales USD Million & Volume (Units) Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries
15. South Asia & Pacific Sales USD Million & Volume (Units) Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries
16. Western Europe Sales USD Million & Volume (Units) Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries
17. Eastern Europe Sales USD Million & Volume (Units) Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries
18. Middle East and Africa Sales USD Million & Volume (Units) Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries
19. Sales Forecast 2024 to 2034 by Source, Size, Route of Administration, and End User for 30 Countries
20. Competition Outlook, including Market Structure Analysis, Company Share Analysis by Key Players, and Competition Dashboard
21. Company Profile
21.1. ACG Worldwide
21.2. Lonza
21.3. Qualicaps, Inc. (Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation)
21.4. Sunil Healthcare Ltd.
21.5. CapsCanada Corporation / Farmacapsulas
21.6. Suheung Co., Ltd. (EmboCaps)
21.7. Medi-Caps Ltd.
21.8. NLL (Nector Lifesciences Ltd.)
21.9. Natural Capsules
21.10. Erawat Pharma
21.11. Dah Feng Capsule (Biocaps)
21.12. Lefan Capsule
21.13. Qingdao Yiqing Medicinal Capsules Co., Ltd.
21.14. Shanxi Guangsheng Medicinal Capsule
21.15. Health Caps India
21.16. Comed Chemicals
21.17. Fortcaps Healthcare
21.18. Shaoxing Zhongya Capsule
21.19. Shree Pharma Caps
21.20. Shaoxing Kangke Capsule
21.21. Zhejiang Yuexi Capsule
21.22. Saviour Caps
21.23. Chemcaps Ltd.
21.24. Anhui Huangshan Capsule
21.25. Jiujiang Angtai Capsule Co.,ltd
21.26. MEIHUA Group
21.27. Yili Capsule
21.28. Xinchang Kangdi Capsule Co.,Ltd.
21.29. Roxlor LLC
Explore Healthcare Insights
View Reports
Hard Gelatin Capsules Market
