Global Empty Capsules Market Size By End-User Industry, By Product, By Therapeutic Application, By Geographic Scope And Forecast

Empty Capsules Market Size And Forecast

Empty Capsules Market size was valued at USD 3.07 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 5.02 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.00% from 2026 to 2032.

Empty capsules serve as essential carriers for pharmaceutical drugs, chemicals, and powdered substances, widely utilized in various industries including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and research laboratories.

Acting as solid dosage forms, these capsules are primarily used for oral administration, housing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), herbal powders, and vitamin supplements.

The demand for empty capsules is expected to grow due to the rising prevalence of infectious and viral diseases, along with their increasing application across multiple sectors.

Additionally, heightened research and development efforts aimed at advancing pharmaceutical capabilities, coupled with growing public and government investments in healthcare, are set to further drive market expansion for empty capsules in the coming years.

Global Empty Capsules Market Dynamics

The key market dynamics that are shaping the global empty capsules market include:

Key Market Drivers:

Shift Towards Convenient Dosage Forms: A 2022 survey by the International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council found that 68% of consumers chose capsules over other oral dosage forms due to their ease of swallowing and portability.

Increasing Demand for Gelatin-Free Capsules: The U.S. FDA reported a 25% increase in approvals for new drug applications using vegetarian capsules from 2020 to 2022, driven by growing consumer demand for plant-based and vegan-friendly options.

Pharmaceutical Industry Growth: The WHO reported that global pharmaceutical R&D spending increased by 5.5% in 2021 compared to 2020, further fueling the need for empty capsules to package new drug formulations.

Key Challenges:

Raw Material Supply Challenges: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported a 7.5% decrease in global gelatin production from 2019 to 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted livestock supplies and slaughterhouse operations.

Regulatory Complexity: The U.S. FDA implemented new guidelines in 2021 requiring enhanced traceability and verification for gelatin sources used in pharmaceutical products, leading to increased compliance costs for capsule producers. The European Medicines Agency reported a 12% increase in the number of regulatory queries related to empty capsule composition and safety from 2020 to 2022, slowing the approval process for new drug applications.

Competition from Alternative Delivery Forms: A 2022 consumer survey by the International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council found that 28% of respondents preferred orally disintegrating tablets over capsules, citing faster onset of action as a key driver.

Key Trends:

Rising Demand for Vegetarian & Plant-Based Capsules: A 2021 survey by the International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council found that 65% of consumers globally actively seek out vegetarian or vegan-friendly capsule options for supplements and medications.

Growth of Specialty Capsule Formats: The U.S. FDA saw a 19% increase in new drug applications utilizing specialized capsule technologies from 2020 to 2022, as pharmaceutical companies innovate to improve bioavailability and patient experience.

Increasing Demand for Gelatin Alternatives: Growing dietary, cultural, and religious considerations are leading to a rising preference for gelatin-free capsules. This trend reflects diverse consumer preferences and market needs, boosting demand for alternative capsule materials like vegetarian options, including HPMC and pullulan capsules.

Global Empty Capsules Market Regional Analysis

Here is a more detailed regional analysis of the global empty capsules market:

North America

North America substantially dominates the global empty capsules market driven by the large pharmaceutical industry and R&D investments.

According to the IQVIA Institute, the North American pharmaceutical market was valued at USD 612 Billion in 2020, accounting for nearly half of the global market.

The U.S. National Institutes of Health reported a 7.5% year-over-year increase in pharmaceutical R&D spending in the North American region from 2020 to 2021, reaching over USD 300 Billion.

A 2022 survey by the International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council revealed that 72% of North American consumers prefer purchasing medications in specialty capsule formats like gastro-resistant or controlled-release.

The U.S. Council for Responsible Nutrition reported that the North American nutraceuticals market reached USD 60 Billion in 2021, a 7.5% increase from 2020 levels.

Health Canada data shows that the value of natural health product licenses, which often utilize empty capsules, grew by 9% in the country from 2020 to 2022.

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness the fastest growth in the empty capsules market during the forecast period owing to the expanding pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals industry.

According to the India Brand Equity Foundation, the Indian pharmaceutical industry grew by 18.8% in 2021 to reach $42 billion, driving greater demand for empty capsules.

A 2022 report by the Japan Health and Nutrition Food Association found that the Japanese nutraceuticals market reached $30 billion, up 12% from 2020 levels.

The China Vegetarian Association reported a 20% increase in the sales of plant-based supplements packaged in vegetarian capsules from 2020 to 2022.

A 2021 survey by the International Pharmaceutical Excipients Council found that 68% of consumers in the Asia Pacific region actively seek out clean-label and non-animal-derived capsule products.

The OECD reported that China's per capita healthcare expenditure grew by 9.2% annually from 2020 to 2022, improving access to medicines packaged in empty capsules.

The Indian government's 2022 budget allocated $10 billion towards expanding the country's universal healthcare coverage, which is expected to drive greater pharmaceutical consumption.

Global Empty Capsules Market: Segmentation Analysis

The Global Empty Capsules Market is segmented based on End-User Industry, Product, Therapeutic Application, And Geography.

Empty Capsules Market, By End-User Industry

• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Nutraceutical Industry
• Cosmetics Business
• Clinical Research Organization

Based on the End-User Industry, the Global Empty Capsules Market is bifurcated into the Pharmaceutical Industry, Nutraceutical Industry, Cosmetics Business, and Clinical Research Organization. The Pharmaceutical segment is experiencing growth in the Global Empty Capsules Market owing to the increasing production and usage of a wide range of drugs by healthcare practitioners. Empty capsules are extensively utilized in the pharmaceutical industry for the treatment of infectious and chronic diseases, as they help extend the shelf life of active ingredients in medications.

Empty Capsules Market, By Product

• Gelatin
• Non-Gelatin

Based on the Product, the Global Empty Capsules Market is bifurcated into Gelatin and Non-Gelatin. The Gelatin segment dominates in the Global Empty Capsules Market. The gelatin-based empty capsules are made from various sources, including pig meat gelatin, bovine-derived gelatin, and bone meal gelatin. These capsules are composed of pure protein, are tasteless, and are both gluten-free and GMO-free. Furthermore, they are customized in terms of color, shape, and size to meet specific needs and accommodate diverse demographics.

Empty Capsules Market, By Therapeutic Application

• Antibiotic and Antibacterial Drugs
• Vitamins and Dietary Supplements
• Antacid and Antiflatulent Preparations
• Anti-inflammatory Drugs
• Antianemic Preparations

Based on the Therapeutic Application, the Global Empty Capsules Market is bifurcated into Antibiotic and Antibacterial Drugs, Vitamins and Dietary Supplements, Antacid and Antiflatulent Preparations, Anit-inflammatory Drugs, and Antianemic Preparations. The Antibiotic and Antibacterial Drugs segment dominates in the Global Empty Capsules Market owing to high demand for commonly used drugs such as penicillin, tetracycline, sulfonamide, and nitrofurantoin. Rising cases of bacterial infections, including tuberculosis, and bladder, and gastrointestinal infections, continue to drive demand for these medications. Additionally, ongoing research and development in antibiotic and antibacterial drugs further support market growth.

Key Players

The "Global Empty Capsules Market" study report will provide valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are Capsugel (now Lonza), ACG Worldwide, Qualicaps, Suheung Co., Ltd., CapsCanada Corporation, Sunil Healthcare Limited, Shanxi Guangsheng Medicinal Capsules Co., Ltd., Bright Pharma Caps, Inc., Snail Pharma Industry Co., Ltd., Natural Capsules Limited.

• This section offers in-depth analysis through a company overview, position analysis, the regional and industrial footprint of the company, and the ACE matrix for insightful competitive analysis. The section also provides an exhaustive analysis of the financial performances of mentioned players in the given market.

Our market analysis also entails a section solely dedicated to such major players wherein our analysts provide an insight into the financial statements of all the major players, along with product benchmarking and SWOT analysis. The competitive landscape section also includes key development strategies, market share, and market ranking analysis of the above-mentioned players globally.

Global Empty Capsules Market Key Developments

• In March 2023, VANTAGE NUTRITION, an ACG company, announced the acquisition of ComboCap, Inc. in the United States and BioCap in South Africa, with plans to grow their technology and footprint in North America and around the world.
• In January 2022, Xi'an Le-Nutra Ingredients Inc. exported 8.0 million HPMC capsules to Latvia, Europe. These capsules did not contain titanium dioxide (TiO2), reflecting the company's efforts to accommodate regional demand for the product.
• In July 2020, QUALICAPS Group, which was previously part of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (MCHC), was transferred to Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC). This transition enables QUALICAPS to make use of its network and increase its capsule business.