Soft Gelatin Capsule Market 2024 – Market Size & Segments Analysis, Industry Trends, Manufacturers Analysis, Opportunities and Forecast 2030

Soft gelatin capsules are referred to as soft gels, are a popular dosage form used in the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement industries. They consist of a gelatin shell filled with a liquid, semi-solid, or suspension formulation. The gelatin shell is flexible and easy to swallow, making soft gels a preferred option for patients who have difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules. Soft gel capsules are commonly used for delivering drugs, vitamins, minerals, and other active ingredients due to their advantages such as enhanced bioavailability, improved stability, and precise dosing.

They are manufactured using a process called encapsulation, where the liquid or semi-solid formulation is encapsulated within the gelatin shell under controlled conditions. soft gelatin capsules come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, allowing for customization to meet specific formulation requirements and branding preferences of pharmaceutical companies and dietary supplement manufacturers.

MARKET OVERVIEW

The global market valuation of Soft Gelatin Capsule Market was valued at approximately USD 8 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 15.3 Billion in 2030 exhibiting a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period of 2023-2030. Soft Gelatin Capsule plays a crucial part in the bioavailability and stability of the supplement. The market is aligned with vast industries which makes it a sustainable and growing market.

GROWTH DRIVERS

The consumer preference for easy to swallow dosage forms due to their ease of swallowing as compared to traditional tablets or hard capsules drives the demand of the product particularly in elderly patients. According to Tablets and Capsules, soft gelatin capsules (softgels) are an important dosage form option for pharmaceutical manufacturers because many patients prefer them over other solid oral dosage forms and perceive them as easy to swallow, which leads to improved patient compliance.

The growth in awareness of health and wellness among consumers leads to a surge in the demand for dietary supplements. Soft Gelatins are widely used for encapsulating vitamins minerals and botanical extract to their stability and bioavailability. The pharmaceutical companies expanding their product portfolios to include soft gel capsules for drug delivery under the advantages like delivering poorly soluble drugs and enhancing bioavailability. The growth in nutraceutical industries, driven by increasing consumer awareness of health and wellness products.

The advancements in soft gel manufacturing technologies, leads to improvements in capsule quality, product efficiency and customization capabilities like vegan soft gel capsules by Aenova, contributes towards the market growth. The rise in frequency of chronic disease like cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and more such diseases coupled with increasing geriatric population leads to the increase in adoption of softgel capsules in the manufacturing of medicines.

MARKET SEGMENTATION:

·         By Gelatin Type – Bovine gelatin, porcine gelatin, fish gelatin and other gelatin sources

·         By Product Application – Pharmaceuticals (anti-inflammatory drugs, antacid and anti- flatulent preparations, antibiotic and antibacterial drugs, cardiovascular drugs, anti-anemic preparations, cough and cold preparations and others pharmaceutical products), Health Supplements (vitamins and dietary supplements, pregnancy supplements and others), Cosmetic products and other applications.

·         By End–User sector - cosmeceutical companies, pharmaceutical companies, contract manufacturing organizations, nutraceutical companies and others

·         By Region - North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and South America

Soft Gelatin Capsule Market by Gelatin Type Segment Review:

Bovine gelatins are derived from animal bones like cattles and hides, is one of the most commonly used gelatin types in softgel capsule production. It is known for its excellent gel-forming properties and stability, making it suitable for a wide range of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. The bovine gelatin is widely available, driving its extensive use in the soft gelatin capsule market. Porcine gelatins are sourced from pigs, is another widely used gelatin type in soft gel capsule manufacturing.

Similar to bovine gelatin, porcine gelatin offers good gel-forming characteristics and stability, making it suitable for encapsulating various pharmaceutical and dietary supplement ingredients. Fish gelatin, derived from fish collagen offers similar gel-forming properties to bovine and porcine gelatin and is considered suitable for use in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.

Soft Gelatin Capsule Market by Product Application Segment Review:

In the pharmaceutical sector, the soft gelatin capsules are widely used for encapsulating anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac, due to their ease of swallowing and rapid dissolution properties. These drugs are commonly prescribed for pain relief and inflammation management in conditions like arthritis, musculoskeletal disorders and more. Soft gelatin capsules are also utilized for antacid and anti-flatulent preparations, containing ingredients like calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, and simethicone.

These formulations help relieve symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, and bloating by neutralizing stomach acid and reducing gas accumulation. Soft gelatin capsules are suitable for delivering antibiotic and antibacterial drugs, including amoxicillin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin. These capsules facilitate precise dosing and improve drug bioavailability, aiding in the treatment of bacterial infections such as respiratory tract infections and skin infections.

Soft gelatin capsules are used for cardiovascular drugs like omega-3 fatty acids, coenzyme Q10, and statins, which are beneficial for heart health and cholesterol management. These formulations support cardiovascular function and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. Soft gelatin capsules may contain iron supplements, folic acid, and vitamin B12 to treat anemia and support red blood cell production. These formulations are essential for patients with iron deficiency anemia and other types of anemia. Soft gelatin capsules may include cough and cold preparations containing decongestants, antihistamines, and expectorants to relieve symptoms of respiratory infections, allergies, and sinus congestion.

Soft gelatin capsules are a popular dosage form for vitamins (e.g., vitamin D, vitamin E) and dietary supplements (e.g., fish oil, probiotics) due to their enhanced stability and bioavailability. These supplements support overall health, immune function, and nutritional needs. These capsules contains prenatal vitamins, folic acid, iron, and other nutrients essential for pregnant women to support fetal development and maternal health. Soft gelatin capsules are utilized in cosmetic products for encapsulating ingredients such as oils, vitamins, antioxidants, and botanical extracts. These capsules are used in skincare, haircare, and beauty supplements to promote skin health, hydration, and anti-aging effects.

Soft Gelatin Capsule Market by End User Segment Review:

The soft gelatin capsule market segment based on end users, which include cosmeceutical companies which utilizes soft gelatin capsules in skincare, haircare, and beauty products due to their versatility in encapsulating active ingredients such as vitamins, antioxidants, botanical extracts, and essential oils. Soft gel capsules offer controlled release, enhanced stability, and targeted delivery of cosmetic formulations, supporting various applications such as anti-aging, moisturizing, and skin nourishment.

Pharmaceutical companies are significant users of soft gelatin capsules for encapsulating drugs and pharmaceutical formulations. Soft gel capsules provide advantages such as precise dosing, improved bioavailability, and enhanced patient compliance, making them suitable for a wide range of pharmaceutical products, including over the counter (OTC) medications, prescription drugs, and specialty formulations. Contract manufacturing organizations specialize in the production of soft gelatin capsules on behalf of pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and nutraceutical companies. CMOs offer manufacturing services, including formulation development, encapsulation, packaging, and quality control, to streamline the production process and meet the specific requirements of their clients.

These organizations play a crucial role in the soft gelatin capsule market by providing scalable and cost-effective manufacturing solutions. Nutraceutical companies use soft gelatin capsules for encapsulating vitamins, minerals, botanical extracts, dietary supplements, and functional ingredients. Softgel capsules offer advantages such as improved stability, better absorption, and easier swallowing compared to traditional dosage forms.

Soft Gelatin Capsule Market by Regional Analysis:

North America is a significant market for Soft Gelatin Capsule market driven by the factors like the presence of well- developed healthcare infrastructure and cosmetic industry. Europe is another significant market you due the presence of Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sector and stringent regulations governing over them like Provision of Food Information to Consumers, Food Supplements provides the framework for regulating the composition, labeling, and advertising of food supplements and more.

Asia Pacific is a rapidly growing market due to the urbanization and population growth leading to increased demand for pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements and cosmetics products. The Middle East and Africa is a growing market driven by the rising healthcare expenditure and investments in healthcare infrastructure and presence of big cosmetic companies. South America market is a prominent market driven by the economic development and increasing consumer spending, mainly in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical segment.

Key Challenges:

The soft gelatin capsules relies on gelatin, which is derived from animal collagen. Fluctuations in gelatin prices and availability may impact manufacturing costs and profit margins for the soft gel manufacturers. The soft gelatin capsule market may face competition from the alternative dosage forms like tablets hard capsules powders or liquids. The shelf life and maintaining the stability of soft gelatin capsules particularly for those containing sensitive or reactive ingredients may be challenging due to temperature humidity and exposure to light. the use of.

The gelatins are derived from animal sources, which raises environmental concerns related to resource consumption, waste generation and sustainability, coupled with increasing consumer awareness of ethical environment issues. The ensurance of compliance with various regulatory bodies and maintaining the quality control may be challenging for the manufacturers, which may lead to increased cost in product development.

Competitive Landscape:

In the highly competitive Soft Gelatin Capsule market, companies are investing heavily in research and development to innovate and improve nitrogen and oxygen generation technologies. They are also collaborating, forming strategic partnerships, or acquiring other companies to gain access to new market segments, enhance distribution networks, and increase market share. Recent developments include Aenova released vegan softgels VegaGels, Darlings ingredients acquired Gelnex, Leiner extended the gelwoRx Dsolve portfolio with three new launches and PB Leiner established a joint venture with D&D Participacoes Societarias.

Global Key Players:

·         Catalent Inc.

·         Aenova Group

·         Lonza Group

·         Sirio Pharma Co.

·         Soft Gel Technologies

·         EuroCaps

·         Captek Softgel International

·         Patheon Pharma Services

·         PB Leiner

·         Weishardt Gelatines