Empty Capsules Market by Type (Gelatin Capsule [Bovine, Porcine], Non-gelatin [HPMC, Pullulan]), Functionality (Sustained-release, Immediate-release, Delayed-release), Application (Antibiotics, Antacids, Anti-inflammatory, Cough), and End User - Global Forecast to 2029

The Empty Capsules Market is expected to reach $4.47 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2022 to 2029. Capsules are the solid dosage form in which drugs or substances are enclosed. Empty capsules are used for the oral dosage form. It is used to store powdered APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients), herbal powders, and vitamin supplements. Most pharmaceutical manufacturers use empty capsules to prepare therapeutic drugs, which drives their market demand. Furthermore, growing investments in emerging economies to manufacture pharmaceuticals offer significant opportunities for the growth of this market.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Empty Capsules Market

The COVID-19 pandemic positively impacted the empty capsules market. The pandemic highlighted the importance of consuming healthy diets and living healthy lifestyles to maintain immunity. Thus, the consumption of herbal and supplementary capsules increased significantly, boosting the demand for nutraceuticals. The increased demand for nutraceuticals subsequently drove the demand for empty capsules. Furthermore, research centers and pharmaceutical & biotechnology companies continuously focused on developing therapies for COVID-19, which increased the demand for capsules.

However, as the manufacturing of empty capsules is majorly concentrated in countries such as China and India, there were temporary disruptions in the supply chain due to nationwide lockdowns, which adversely affected the market's growth.

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Increasing Consumption of Nutraceuticals and Dietary Supplements to Drive Market Growth

The adoption of dietary supplements and nutraceuticals is rising among consumers globally. The adoption of healthy lifestyles is driving the growth of the dietary supplements market, which drives the demand for empty capsules. Furthermore, the rising disposable incomes among consumers and the growing accessibility to supplements further drive the market's growth.

Capsules, as a Dosage Form Gaining Traction

Empty capsules are empty shells made from special film-forming materials such as starch, gelatin, and pullulan. Although tablets are the most preferred alternatives for consumption among the solid dosage forms, the adoption of capsules is also significantly high. Capsules have various advantages over tablets, such as faster dissolution time, better bio-absorption, ease of swallowing, and no bitter taste after consumption. These benefits increase the adoption of empty capsules for producing antacids, anti-bacterial therapies, and cold & cough medications.

Key Findings in the Empty Capsules Market Study:

Based on Product Type, the Gelatin Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Market Share in 2022

Gelatin has been traditionally used in the manufacturing of capsules. Factors such as easy availability of raw materials, low cost, and easy manufacturing processes drive the adoption of gelatin in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The need to reduce operational costs in the pharmaceutical sector has resulted in companies adopting cost-effective alternatives such as gelatin for manufacturing capsules.

Based on Functionality, the Immediate-release Capsules Segment is Slated to Register the Highest CAGR Over the Forecast Period

Based on functionality, the empty capsules market is segmented into immediate-release capsules, sustained-release capsules, and delayed-release capsules. The immediate-release capsules segment is slated to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Immediate-release capsules take immediate effect after consumption. Thus, these capsules are used in the production of various medical products such as antacids and pain relievers. These factors drive the global demand for immediate-release capsules.

Based on Application, the Antibiotic & Antibacterial Drugs Segment is Expected to Dominate the Market in 2022

Antibiotics and anti-bacterial drugs are used to prevent or treat some types of microbial infections. The rising prevalence of infectious diseases, the high demand for antibiotics from low & middle-income countries, and the increasing investments in R&D activities by major pharmaceutical companies are the key factors driving the empty capsules market for the manufacturing of antibiotics and anti-bacterial preparations.

Based on End User, the Pharmaceutical Companies Segment is Expected to Account for the Largest Market Share in 2022

Based on end user, the empty capsules market is segmented into pharmaceutical companies, nutraceutical companies, cosmeceutical companies, and research laboratories. In 2022, the pharmaceutical companies segment is expected to account for the largest market share due to the high volume of commercial production by pharmaceutical companies.

Asia-Pacific: Fastest-growing Regional Market

The growth of this regional market is driven by the increasing investments in the pharmaceutical sector, expansions of pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, wide availability of raw materials, and the increasing collaborations between raw material suppliers and pharmaceutical companies.

Key Players

The report includes a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the key growth strategies adopted by leading market participants. The key players profiled in the empty capsules market report are ACG Worldwide (India), Capsugel (U.S.), CapsCanada Corporation (Canada), Qingdao Yiqing Medicinal Capsules Co., Ltd. (China), HealthCaps India Ltd. (India), NATURAL CAPSULES LIMITED (India), Goerlich Pharma GmbH (Germany), Qualicaps (U.S.), Bright Pharma Caps Inc. (U.S.), Suheung Co. Ltd. (South Korea), and Roxlor LLC (U. S.).

Scope of the Report:

Empty Capsules Market, by Product Type

• Gelatin Capsules
  • Bovine Gelatin Capsules
  • Porcine Gelatin Capsules
  • Other Gelatin Capsules
• Non-gelatin Capsules
  • Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) Capsules
  • Pullulan & Starch Capsules
    (Note: Other gelatin capsules comprise marine- and poultry-sourced capsules.)

Empty Capsules Market, by Functionality

• Immediate-release Capsules
• Sustained-release Capsules
• Delayed-release Capsules

Empty Capsules Market, by Application

• Antibiotic & Antibacterial Drugs
• Dietary Supplements
• Antacids & Anti-flatulent Preparations
• Antianemic Preparations
• Anti-inflammatory Drugs
• Cardiovascular Therapy Drugs
• Cough & Cold Drug Preparations
• Other Applications
  (Note: Other applications include cosmeceuticals, steroids, and anti-asthmatics)

Empty Capsules Market, by End User

• Pharmaceutical Companies
• Neutraceutical Companies
• Cosmeceutical Companies
• Research Laboratories

Empty Capsules Market, by Geography

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • U.K.
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe (RoE)
• Asia-Pacific (APAC)
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Rest of APAC (RoAPAC)
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa

Key questions answered in the report: