Softgel Capsules Market Report 2025

The softgel capsules market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $8.29 billion in 2024 to $8.92 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to pharmaceutical and nutraceutical demand, consumer preference for oral dosage forms, customization and formulation flexibility, enhanced bioavailability, product differentiation and branding.

The softgel capsules market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $12.67 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expanding healthcare industry, personalized and customized healthcare, functional food and beverage market, natural and organic trends, focus on elderly population, green and sustainable initiatives. Major trends in the forecast period include nutraceutical innovation, sustainability initiatives, natural and organic preferences, regulatory compliance.

The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular ailments, is anticipated to be a key driver for the growth of the soft gel capsules market. Chronic illnesses, lasting a year or more, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and arthritis, necessitate ongoing nutritional and medical care. Soft gel capsules serve as a preferred delivery system for nutritional supplements required by patients with chronic conditions, contributing to the rising demand for these capsules. As of September 2022, studies from the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India indicate that approximately 60% of the global burden of heart disease is attributed to India. This underscores the significant role soft gel capsules play in addressing the nutritional needs of individuals with chronic diseases, particularly in the context of cardiovascular ailments.

The growth of the softgel capsules market is expected to be driven by the rising global aging population. This term refers to changes in a population's age distribution that lead to a higher proportion of elderly individuals. As people age, their ability to swallow conventional pills or tablets often diminishes due to factors like decreased swallowing ability or dry mouth. Consequently, older adults tend to prefer softgel capsules, which feature a smooth, gelatinous coating that facilitates easier swallowing. For example, a report published by the US-based Pew Research Center Organization in January 2024 indicated that the geriatric population is projected to grow by 0.5% by 2054, with an increase of just 0.2% in 2024. Therefore, the increasing global aging population is propelling the growth of the softgel capsules market.

A noteworthy trend in the soft gel capsules market is the adoption of technological advancements. Key players in the market are actively developing new products with cutting-edge technologies to maintain their competitive edge. For instance, in April 2023, International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), Inc., a leading US-based company in flavors, fragrances, and cosmetic actives manufacturing, introduced VERDIGEL SC. This innovative pectin-based technology, designed as a carrageenan-free, vegan softgel premix, enhances softgel quality, performance, and process efficiency. VERDIGEL SC is easily integrated into existing operations, requiring only the addition of water and a plasticizer to produce high-performance softgels. This technological advancement underscores the commitment of major industry players to continually innovate and offer superior products in the soft gel capsules market.

Major players in the soft gel capsules market are actively pursuing strategic collaborations with prominent manufacturing companies to reinforce their market position. These strategic collaborations empower companies to establish alliances with partners possessing the expertise needed to translate conceptual ideas into tangible products. In August 2022, Aenova Group GmbH, a Germany-based contract manufacturer and development service provider in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, initiated a strategic partnership with Microcaps, a Switzerland-based high-precision microencapsulation technology company. This collaboration is geared towards the faster and improved development and production of pharmaceuticals, food supplements, and various other products. Leveraging Microcaps' expertise in creative, high-precision microencapsulation, Aenova aims to enhance its capabilities and offerings in the market.

In November 2023, Permira, a UK-based private equity firm with a significant global footprint, acquired Ergomed Public Limited Company for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is intended to enhance Permira's investments in the healthcare sector. Ergomed PLC, which provides specialized services to the pharmaceutical industry, aligns seamlessly with Permira's focus on companies that present growth opportunities in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. Ergomed Public Limited Company is a pharmaceutical firm based in the UK.

Major companies operating in the softgel capsules market are Catalent Inc., Eurocaps Ltd., Aenova Group GmbH, Sirio Pharma Co. Ltd., Procaps Laboratories Inc., Captek Softgel International Inc., Fuji Capsule Co. Ltd., Hunan ER-KANG Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Curtis Health Caps SA, Delpharm Holding SAS, Estrellas Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., Elnova Pharma LLP, Soft Gel Technologies Inc., Weihai Baihe Biology Technological Co. Ltd., United Laboratories, Robinson Pharma Inc., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Best Formulations Inc., DCC PLC, Biophar Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., Swisschem Healthcare, Krishlar Pharmaceuticals, Amzor Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Medgel Pvt. Ltd., Amway Corp., Welex Laboratories Pvt. Ltd., NutraScience Labs Inc., Nutrifynn Caps Inc., NutraPak USA, Nutrafill LLC, Nutricap Labs LLC, Nutra Manufacturing Inc., Ion Labs Inc., Vitakem Nutraceutical Inc., Private Label Nutraceuticals LLC, NutraLab Canada Ltd., Makers Nutrition LLC.

North America was the largest region in the soft gel capsules market in 2024. The regions covered in the softgel capsules market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the softgel capsules market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Soft gelatin capsules, often termed softgels or soft elastic capsules, dissolve more rapidly compared to hard gelatin capsules and are employed for containing liquid or powder medications. They serve as a vehicle for delivering pharmaceuticals and a range of nutritional supplements, such as omega-3 fish oils.

Two primary categories of soft gel capsules exist such as gelatin or animal-based and non-animal based. Gelatin or animal-based capsules are derived from connective tissues of cattle and pigs, utilizing processes involving boiling, fractured bones, and deteriorating animal hides for gelatin production. Various manufacturers, including pharmaceutical companies, nutraceutical companies, cosmeceutical companies, contract manufacturing organizations, and softgel capsule manufacturers, utilize these capsules in multiple applications. These applications span antacid and anti-flatulent preparations, anti-anemic preparations, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, cough and cold preparations, health supplements, vitamin D dietary supplements, and pregnancy-related medications.

The soft-gel capsules market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides soft-gel capsules market statistics, including soft-gel capsules industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a soft-gel capsules market share, detailed soft-gel capsules market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the soft-gel capsules industry. This soft-gel capsule market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The soft gel capsules market consists of sales of liquid or semisolid-filled capsules, chewable, suckers, twist-offs, and meltable capsules. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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