Global Empty Capsules Market 2024-2031

Global Empty Capsules Market 2024-2031

Empty Capsules Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Product (Gelatin Capsules, and Non-Gelatin Capsules), by Functionality (Immediate-Release Capsules, Delayed-Release Capsules, and Sustained-Release Capsules), by Therapeutic Application (Antibiotic and Antibacterial Drugs, Vitamins and Dietary Supplements, Antacid and Antiflatulent Preparations, Cardiovascular Therapy Drugs, and Other Therapeutic Applications), and by End-Use (Pharmaceutical Industry, Nutraceutical Industry, Cosmetics Industry, and Research Laboratories) Forecast Period (2024-2031)

Empty capsules market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period (2024-2031). Empty capsule is a small container designed to hold a dose of medication or supplement in powder, liquid, or granular form. The capsules are typically made from two materials gelatin, cellulose, or vegetarian-based materials. The market growth is attributed to increasing demand for capsules in the pharmaceutical industry, growing acceptance of capsule-based drug delivery, escalating prevalence of chronic illnesses, and an aging population. The development of novel materials for empty capsule production is anticipated to offer lucrative opportunities for market growth.

Market Dynamics

Growing Pharmaceutical Industry

The growth of the empty capsule industry is highly reliant on the production, consumption, and development of novel drug formulations and medicines in the pharmaceutical industry. Globally, drug development and consumption of medication have been on the rise in the last decade owing to the aging population. The rising number of chronic diseases requiring regular medication, and the development of other supplement-based medications, has driven the demand for the empty capsules market. For instance, as per the Pharmaceutical Industry and Global Health Report, in 2020, 53 new medicines were launched, while currently, more than 9,000 compounds are at different stages of development globally.Additionally, in 2021, the number of drugs in development for disease areas was cancer 3,148, immunology 1,677, neurology 1,668, and infectious diseases 1,488.

Increasing Health Awareness & Medication Acceptance

The demand for dietary supplements and nutraceuticals has exponentially increased in recent years owing to an increase in awareness about the consumption of nutritional supplements as an approach to preventive healthcare. Further, the rise has been stimulated by healthcare professionals to incorporate essential nutritional supplements in routine diets, especially in the aging population is driving the global empty capsule market.

Market segmentation

Based on product, the market is segmented into gelatin capsules and non-gelatin capsules.

Based on functionality, the market is segmented into immediate-release capsules, delayed-release capsules, and sustained-release capsules.

Based on the therapeutic application, the market is segmented into antibiotic and antibacterial drugs, vitamins and dietary supplements, antacid and antiflatulent preparations, cardiovascular therapy drugs, and other therapeutic applications.

Based on the end-user, the market is segmented into the pharmaceutical industry, nutraceutical industry, cosmetics industry, and research laboratories.

Gelatin Holds Substantial Share in the Empty Capsules Market

Gelatin capsules made from animal-derived gelatin are highly demanded in the market owing to their cost-effectiveness, and ease of use. Gelatin capsules are an essential composition in oral dosage form for the delivery of life-saving medications, vitamins, minerals, and other healthful elements. The growth of the segment is driven by the capsules’ ability to provide consistent dosing, portability, and excellent consumer compliance. Innovations such as liquid-filled hard gelatin capsules offer benefits over soft gelatin capsules, including ease of scalability, contributing to the growth of this market segment.

Pharmaceutical Industry Dominates the Empty Capsules End-User Segment

Empty capsules were primarily formulated and are widely consumed in different capsules manufactured for the pharmaceutical industry. They are used to encapsulate both solid and liquid drug formulations, providing a safe and effective way to deliver medicines to patients. Further, protection of medications, drug delivery, material options, ease of swallowing, and technological advancements are some key factors contributing to the increasing consumption of empty capsules in the pharmaceutical industry.

Regional Outlook

The global empty capsules market is further segmented based on geography including North America (the US, and Canada), Europe (the UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and the Rest of the World (the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America).

North America holds the Largest Market Share in Empty Capsule Market

North America holds the highest share of the empty capsule market share which can be attributed to the growing consumption of pharmaceutical drugs. The presence of major pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca, and Pfizer, among others that are making advancements in drug development, and technological advancements in production processes to meet the regional demand is further aiding the regional market growth. The high regional investment in the R&D of new drugs is a major contributor to the regional market growth. For instance, according to the Congressional Budget Office, in 2019, the US pharmaceutical industry spent $83.0 billion on R&D. Adjusted for inflation, that amount is about 10 times what the industry spent per year in the 1980s. Additionally, between 2010 and 2019, the number of new drugs approved for sale increased by 60 percent compared with the previous decade, with a peak of 59 new drugs approved in 2018.

Asia-Pacific is Anticipated to Exhibit the Fastest CAGR in the Global Empty Capsule Market

The region holds the fastest-growing pharmaceutical industry across emerging economies such as China, India, and Vietnam which are generic medicine exporting countries to Europe and the US.

The increasing levels of the aging population and chronic disease patients across the region is further fueling demand for the consumption of several drugs in the region.

Major Player outlook

The major companies serving in the global empty capsules market include ACG Worldwide, Capsugel Corp., and Medi-Caps Ltd. among others. The market players are increasingly focusing on business expansion and product development by applying strategies such as collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions to stay competitive in the market. For instance, in May 2022, Lonza expanded its Capsugel product line with a titanium dioxide-free (TiO2-free) white firm gelatin capsule, meeting its clients' expanding desire to meet new titanium dioxide-free criteria for foods in the EU.