Empty capsules market seen topping $6B by 2030

The empty capsules market is projected to grow 11% annually through 2030 and exceed $6 billion, driven by rising demand for pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and plant-based capsule formats. North America is expected to lead the market, while gelatin capsules remain the largest segment.

Why it matters: - Empty capsules are a small slice of the pharmaceutical market, but they are central to oral drug delivery, supplements and specialized dosing. - Growth in chronic disease treatment, preventive care and nutraceutical use is expanding demand for capsule-based products. - The market is also shifting toward vegetarian, halal, kosher and clean-label formats, pushing manufacturers toward non-gelatin materials.

What happened: - The empty capsules market is projected to grow at an 11% CAGR through 2030. - The market is expected to surpass $6 billion by 2030. - The business research report frames empty capsules as a niche segment within a pharmaceuticals industry forecast to reach $2,496 billion by 2030. - The report was published as The Business Research Company’s 2026 market outlook on empty capsules. - Request the free sample report. - Access the detailed report.

The details: - Rising use of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and supplements is supporting demand for capsules that offer precise dosing and better patient compliance. - Non-gelatin capsules are gaining share as consumers and manufacturers favor plant-based and clean-label materials. - HPMC and pullulan are emerging as key alternatives to traditional gelatin. - These materials also improve stability for moisture-sensitive ingredients. - Capsule technology is advancing in delayed-release, sustained-release, enteric-coated and liquid-filled formats. - Manufacturing improvements are increasing precision, scale and flexibility for next-generation therapies. - Gelatin capsules are expected to remain the largest segment in 2030. - Gelatin capsules are projected to account for 71% of the market, or about $4 billion. - Gelatin remains popular because it is low cost, easy to swallow and compatible with a wide range of active ingredients. - The market is segmented by functionality into immediate-release, sustained-release and delayed-release products. - Major applications include antibiotics, dietary supplements, antacid and antiflatulent products, antianemic drugs, anti-inflammatory medicines, cardiovascular therapies, cough and cold remedies and other therapeutic uses. - End users include pharmaceutical companies, nutraceutical firms, cosmetics manufacturers and research laboratories. - North America is projected to be the largest regional market in 2030 at $2.2 billion, up from $1.4 billion in 2025. - North America is forecast to grow at a 9% CAGR. - The United States is expected to be the largest single-country market at $2.1 billion by 2030, up from $1.3 billion in 2025. - The U.S. market is forecast to grow at a 10% CAGR. - Lonza Group AG leads the market with a 2% share in 2025. - ACG, Suheung Co. Ltd. and Natural Capsules Limited each hold about 1% of the market. - Other named players hold less than 0.5% each, including Sunil Healthcare Ltd., Shanxi Guangsheng Medicinal Capsule Co. Ltd., Lyfe Group, Farmacapsulas SA de CV, Goerlich Pharma GmbH and HealthCaps India Ltd. - The top 10 players together accounted for only 6% of revenue in 2025, underscoring a fragmented market. - Lonza expanded hard gelatin capsule production in December 2024 with automated lines in Rewari, India, and Suzhou, China. - The upgrades were designed to raise annual output, add capsule sizes and colors, increase operational flexibility and improve supply stability across Asia-Pacific.

Between the lines: - The market’s fragmentation suggests room for consolidation, partnerships and product specialization. - Clean-label and vegetarian demand is reshaping supplier strategies and material choices. - Automation is becoming a competitive requirement, not just a cost-saving tool, as buyers seek reliability, scale and consistency. - The strongest growth appears to be coming from advanced oral dosage forms and personalized nutraceutical products, not just traditional gelatin capsules.

What's next: - Non-gelatin capsule makers are likely to keep investing in plant-based materials and specialized formulations. - Capsule producers are expected to expand automated production lines to meet demand and protect supply chains. - Demand for customized dosing, better stability and improved bioavailability should support new product development through 2030. - The report says both gelatin and non-gelatin segments will add more than $3 billion in new market value combined by 2030.

The bottom line: - Empty capsules are moving from a commodity component to a more strategic part of drug delivery, with growth tied to consumer preferences, manufacturing automation and new oral dosage technologies.