Asia-Pacific Vegetarian Capsules Market Forecast to 2031 - Regional Analysis - by Product [Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Pullulan, and Others], Application, Functionality, and End User

The Asia Pacific vegetarian capsules market was valued at US$ 740.88 million in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 1.47 billion by 2031; it is estimated to register a CAGR of 9.0% from 2023 to 2031.

Innovative Product Launches of Vegetarian Capsules Boost Asia Pacific Vegetarian Capsules Market

Innovation in vegetarian capsule products is of utmost importance for manufacturers to promote it as the best alternative to gelatin capsules. Nutraceutical companies are launching modified-release vegetarian capsules for effective drug absorption and to achieve predetermined clinical objectives.

"DRcaps capsules" by Lonza's (Capsugel) are vegetarian capsules manufactured using hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), which disintegrates more slowly than traditional gelatin capsules. Such HPMC-derived vegetarian capsules keep the ingredients intact in the capsule shell. Also, DRcaps capsules do not require any external application of chemical coatings to keep the ingredients intact, mask taste, or postpone the release of the active ingredients, proving advantageous for consumers who doubt capsule coatings as "unnatural." The clinical in-vitro studies on DRcaps capsules reveal that the capsule contents are intact for at least 30 minutes, with a gastric pH of 1.2, and disintegrate fully at an intestinal pH of 6.8. The DRcaps capsules are modified-release vegetarian capsule types that benefit consumers dealing with bad taste or aftertaste caused by some ingredients. Further, these capsules can eliminate certain disintegration steps such as coating, which reduces high production costs and time.

Several nutraceutical manufacturers are developing acid-resistant vegetarian capsules as probiotics cannot travel through stomach acid. Several probiotic products contain "strains" that cannot survive the passage of stomach acid. The SILVACO company's "Acid-Resistant vegetable HPMC capsules" can pass through the stomach acid, travel in low-pH environments, and quickly disintegrate in the intestinal tract.

Vegetarian capsule manufactures are developing innovative products to obtain predetermined clinical objectives and gain a significant advantage over gelatin capsules, which is expected to offer lucrative opportunities for the Asia Pacific vegetarian capsules market during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific Vegetarian Capsules Market Overview

According to the survey published in India's Phytonutrient report, the utility of nutritional supplements is quite low, accounting for only 21.2% of people who consume nutritional supplements. Furthermore, 27.4% and 17.3% of vegetarians and non-vegetarians consume supplements in India; hence, the consumption rate is higher among the vegetarian group. Consumers who purchase dietary supplements prefer to buy from general stores (79%) and pharmacies (67%), according to the same report. Moreover, India has no specific regulations for nutraceutical products and food supplement sales.

For example, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) proposed a draft of Food Safety Standards (Food or Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Foods for Special Dietary Uses, Foods for Special Medical Purposes, Functional Foods and Novel Food) Regulations, in 2015; however, the regulation is yet to be finalized. Therefore, Indian consumers have a low intake of nutritional supplements, accounting for the lowest share of the vegetarian capsules market in Asia Pacific.

Asia Pacific Vegetarian Capsules Market Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)

Asia Pacific Vegetarian Capsules Market Segmentation

The Asia Pacific vegetarian capsules market is categorized into product, application, functionality, end user, and country.

Based on product, the Asia Pacific vegetarian capsules market is segmented hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), pullulan, and others. The hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) segment held the largest market share in 2023.

In terms of application, the Asia Pacific vegetarian capsules market is categorized into antibiotic and antibacterial drug, vitamin and dietary supplement, anti-inflammatory drugs, cardiovascular therapy drugs, antacid and antiflatulent preparation, and others. The antibiotic and antibacterial drug segment held the largest market share in 2023.

By functionality, the Asia Pacific vegetarian capsules market is segmented into immediate release capsules, sustained release capsules, and delayed release capsules. The immediate release capsules segment held the largest market share in 2023.

By end user, the Asia Pacific vegetarian capsules market is segmented into pharmaceutical companies, nutraceutical companies, contract manufacturing organizations (CMOS), and cosmeceutical companies. The pharmaceutical companies segment held the largest market share in 2023.

By country, the Asia Pacific vegetarian capsules market is segmented into India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Rest of Asia Pacific. India dominated the Asia Pacific vegetarian capsules market share in 2023.

ACG; CapsCanada; Capsugel, Inc (A subsidiary of Lonza Group AG); HealthCaps India; Lefancaps; NATURAL CAPSULES LIMITED; QUALICAPS; Shanxi Guangsheng Medicinal Capsules Co (GS Capsules); SUHEUNG; Sunil Healthcare Limited; Yasin; Zhejiang Honghui Capsule Co., Ltd; and Zhejiang Huili Capsules Co., Ltd. are some of the leading companies operating in the Asia Pacific vegetarian capsules market.