Enteric Empty Capsules Market

Enteric Empty Capsules Market Size & Share Analysis

The global enteric empty capsules market is anticipated to increase from US$3.1 Bn in 2024 to US$4 Bn by the end of 2031. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2031.

Key Highlights of the Market

• Growing Demand for Pharmaceutical Products
• Technological Advancements in Capsule Manufacturing
• Nutraceutical manufacturers held the highest share of the market in 2022
• North America is estimated to account for the greatest revenue share in 2023

Attributes	Key Insights
Market Size (2024E)	US$3.1Bn
Projected Market Value (2031F)	US$4Bn
Forecast Growth Rate (CAGR 2024 to 2031)	6%
Historical Growth Rate (CAGR 2019 to 2023)	7.5%

Market Introduction and Trend Analysis

Enteric empty capsules are like the stealth agents of drug delivery, they’re designed to pass through the stomach unscathed, like secret agents slipping past security checkpoints. These capsules are formulated with a special enteric material that resists the harsh acidic environment of the stomach. They’re typically made from gelatin or vegetarian alternatives.

Some drugs are sensitive to stomach acid and enteric capsules provide a safe passage for these drugs.

Some of the major market trends are:

Growing Demand for Pharmaceutical Products:

• The pharmaceutical industry’s expansion is a significant driver for the enteric empty capsules market. As our global population increases and healthcare awareness rises, there’s a corresponding surge in demand for pharmaceutical products worldwide.
• Enteric capsules are particularly favoured because they protect drugs from degradation in the acidic environment of the stomach. These capsules allow sensitive medications (especially those affected by gastric acid) to reach the intestines intact, where they can be effectively absorbed.
• For instance, Evonik’s EUDRACAP, launched in May 2021, is a commercial-scale functional capsule designed for fast and effective drug development. It accommodates sensitive molecules, including biologicals, from early development to commercial scaling.

Rising Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Disorders:

• Conditions like acid reflux, ulcers, and inflammatory bowel diseases necessitate medications that can bypass the stomach and release their contents directly in the intestines. Enteric empty capsules fulfill this requirement.
• Patients with gastrointestinal disorders benefit from drug delivery systems that ensure precise targeting and minimize side effects. Enteric capsules play a crucial role in achieving this goal.

Historic Growth and Course Ahead

The enteric empty capsules market has evolved significantly over the years, driven by advancements in pharmaceutical technology and increasing demand for specialized drug delivery systems.

Enteric capsules were initially developed to protect sensitive drugs from the acidic environment of the stomach, ensuring they reach the intestines where they can be absorbed effectively. This innovation was crucial for medications that could be degraded by stomach acid or cause irritation to the stomach lining.

The enteric empty capsules market experienced notable growth from 2013 to 2018. During this period, the market saw a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.5%. This growth was driven by increasing demand for pharmaceutical products, advancements in capsule manufacturing technologies, and a rising prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders.

Covid 19 Impact

The impact of COVID-19 on the empty capsules market has been quite interesting.  As the pandemic unfolded, people became more conscious of their health. The development of strong immunity became crucial in the fight against viral infections, including COVID-19. Consequently, there has been a surge in demand for immunity-boosting products, including natural herbs and nutraceuticals. Empty capsules serve as a convenient way to encapsulate these supplements. Researchers even recommended screening COVID-19 patients for malnutrition and assessing serum vitamin D levels.

Market Growth Drivers

• Increasing Demand for Pharmaceutical Products: As the global population grows and healthcare awareness rises, there’s a higher demand for pharmaceutical products. Enteric capsules are particularly useful for drugs that need protection from stomach acid.
• Rising Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Disorders: Conditions like acid reflux, ulcers, and inflammatory bowel diseases are becoming more common. Enteric capsules help deliver medications directly to the intestines, bypassing the stomach.
• Technological Advancements: Innovations in capsule manufacturing, such as improved coating techniques, have enhanced the performance and functionality of enteric capsules, making them more appealing to pharmaceutical companies1.
• Adoption by Pharmaceutical Companies: More pharmaceutical companies are opting for enteric capsules due to their ability to protect drugs from degradation in the acidic environment of the stomach1.
• Growing Geriatric Population: The aging population often requires medications that are gentle on the stomach, further driving the demand for enteric capsules

Factors Impeding the Market

• Preference for Non-Animal-Based Capsules: Gelatin, derived from animal sources, is commonly used in capsule production. However, many communities worldwide now lean toward vegetarian and vegan options. This preference for plant-based alternatives can hinder the growth of the global enteric empty capsules market.
• Dietary and Religious Restrictions: Some consumers have dietary restrictions related to animal-origin products. Whether due to allergies or religious beliefs, these considerations impact the adoption of gelatin-based capsules. As a result, manufacturers need to explore alternative materials to cater to diverse preferences.
• Quality Standards and Raw Material Scarcity: Maintaining consistent quality standards for capsule production is crucial. Additionally, there can be challenges related to sourcing raw materials. Ensuring a steady supply of high-quality materials for capsule manufacturing is essential to meet market demand

Future Opportunities for the Enteric Empty Capsules Companies

• Increasing Demand for Pharmaceuticals: With a growing global population and rising healthcare awareness, the demand for pharmaceutical products is on the rise. Enteric capsules are particularly valued for their ability to protect drugs from degradation in the stomach’s acidic environment.
• Technological Advancements: Innovations in capsule manufacturing, such as improved coating techniques and automated capsule filling machines, are enhancing the performance and functionality of enteric capsules. These advancements make them more appealing to pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Category-wise Analysis

Software Segment to Emerge as the Dominant Force

Category	Market Share through 2022
Nutraceutical Segment	32.79%

As of 2022, nutraceutical companies held the largest market share in the enteric empty capsules industry, accounting for 32.79%

Nutraceutical companies indeed hold a significant share in the enteric empty capsules market. These companies leverage enteric capsules to ensure that their products, such as vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements, are effectively delivered to the small intestine, where they can be best absorbed by the body. This targeted delivery helps in maximizing the efficacy of the supplements and protecting sensitive ingredients from the acidic environment of the stomach.

Some of the reasons for a considerable share of nutraceutical companies are as follows:

Nutraceutical companies have a high market share in the enteric empty capsules market for several reasons:

• Increasing Awareness of Digestive Health: There is a growing awareness about the importance of digestive health, which has led to a higher demand for products that support gut health.
• Targeted Nutrient Delivery: Enteric capsules are effective in delivering nutrients directly to the intestines, bypassing the stomach. This targeted delivery is particularly beneficial for sensitive ingredients that can be degraded by stomach acid.
• Personalized Nutrition: There is a rising interest in personalized nutrition, where supplements are tailored to individual health needs. Enteric capsules are ideal for this purpose as they can deliver specific nutrients to the right part of the digestive system.
• Sports Nutrition and Dietary Supplements: The demand for sports nutrition and dietary supplements has been increasing. Enteric capsules are popular in these markets because they can protect active ingredients and ensure their effective release in the intestines.
• Technological Advancements: Innovations in capsule manufacturing, such as improved coating techniques, have enhanced the performance and functionality of enteric capsules, making them more appealing to nutraceutical companies.

These factors collectively contribute to the significant market share held by nutraceutical companies in the enteric empty capsules industry.

Gelatin Capsules to Exhibit Substantial Revenue Growth

Category	Market Share through 2023
Gelatin Capsules	61.21%

In the enteric empty capsules market, gelatin capsules held the largest market share, accounting for 61.21% in 2023. This dominance is due to their widespread use in pharmaceutical applications for encapsulating various drugs, especially those sensitive to gastric acid.

The reasons for further market enrichment are as follows-

• Revolutionary Drug Delivery Systems: The demand for sophisticated drug delivery methods has boosted the use of enteric-coated gelatin capsules.
• Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Disorders: Rising cases of gastrointestinal issues like acid reflux and ulcers have increased the need for medications that can bypass the stomach.
• Patient Compliance: Innovations in dosage forms aim to improve patient adherence to medication regimens.

These factors contribute to the growing market share of gelatin capsules in the enteric empty capsules market.

Region-wise Analysis

North America to Take Charge in the Market

 

Region	Market Share through 2023
North America	42.7%

North America: This region played a significant role, capturing 42.74% of the global market share in 2023. Factors driving this dominance include the increasing prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders and the rising demand for nutraceuticals and dietary supplements. North American pharmaceutical companies have been actively adopting enteric capsules due to their ability to protect drugs from degradation in the acidic stomach environment.

Competitive Landscape Analysis

In the enteric empty capsules market, companies are employing several competitive strategies to maintain and enhance their market positions. Here are some of the key strategies:

• Mergers and Acquisitions: Companies are merging with or acquiring other firms to expand their product portfolios and market reach.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: Forming strategic partnerships and collaborations helps companies leverage each other’s strengths and resources.
• New Product Launches: Introducing innovative products to meet the evolving needs of the market is a common strategy.
• Research and Development (R&D) Investments: Significant investments in R&D to develop advanced and more effective capsule technologies.
• Technological Advancements: Companies are focusing on improving manufacturing processes and incorporating new technologies to enhance product quality and efficiency.

Key Industry Developments

May 2024

In May 2024, researchers published findings in Molecular Pharmaceutics on enteric-coated capsules designed for precise drug delivery to the distal ileum. This area is rich in Peyer’s patches, which are crucial for immune response

November 2022

Lonza Group’s Enprotect Capsules: Introduced in November 2022, these capsules are designed to deliver acid-sensitive active pharmaceutical ingredients to the intestine, simplifying the drug product manufacturing process by eliminating the need for additional capsule coating or sealing

May 2021

Evonik’s EUDRACAP: Launched in May 2021, this commercial-scale functional capsule is designed for fast and effective drug development, accommodating sensitive molecules, including biologicals

Market Report Scope

Attributes	Details
Forecast Period	2024 to 2031
Historical Data Available for	2019 to 2023
Market Analysis	US$ Million for Value
Key Regions Covered	North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America The Middle East and Africa
Key Countries Covered	The United States Canada Germany The United Kingdom France China Japan South Korea India Brazil UAE South Africa
Key Market Segments Covered	Product End-user Application Region
Key Companies Profiled	Lonza Roquette Frères SUHEUNG Farmacápsulas  Nectar Lifesciences Ltd.  ZHEJIANG HUILI CAPSULES CO., LTD;  Shaoxing Zhongya Capsule Co., Ltd.;  Chemcaps Limited; Fortcaps;  Natural Capsules Limited
Report Coverage	Market Forecast Company Share Analysis Competition Intelligence DROT Analysis Market Dynamics and Challenges Strategic Growth Initiatives
Customization & Pricing	Available upon request

Enteric Empty Capsules Market Research Segmentation

By Product

• Gelatin Capsules
• Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) Capsules
• Vegetable Capsules

 By End-user

• Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
• Nutraceutical Manufacturers
• Others

 By Application

• Antacid and Antiflatulent Preparations
• Antibiotic and Antibacterial Drugs
• Others

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• The Middle East and Africa

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