CAPSULE FILLING MACHINES MARKET SIZE AND SHARE ANALYSIS - GROWTH TRENDS AND FORECASTS (2023 - 2030)

Global capsule filling machines market size is estimated to be valued at US$ 2.39 Bn in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 3.33 Bn by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% from 2023 to 2030. Capsule filling machines are used to fill capsules with powder, granules, tablets, or liquid formulations in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries. Growing pharmaceutical industry, increasing nutraceutical supplement consumption, and rising demand for capsule-based dosage forms are key factors driving the market growth.

Capsule filling is preferred for encapsulating active ingredients due to benefits such as faster disintegration, taste & odor masking, and extended shelf life. Technological advancements in capsule filling machines such as integrated weight checking, vision inspection systems, and connectivity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, also supports the market growth. However, the high cost of automated capsule filling machines and stringent regulatory requirements for validation & maintenance impede the growth to some extent.

Global Capsule Filling Machines Market Regional Insights

• North America is expected to be the largest market for global capsule filling machines market during the forecast period, accounting for over 32.0% of the market share in 2023. The growth of the market in North America is due to the well-established pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, presence of key manufacturers, and growing biologics market.
• The Asia Pacific market is expected to be the second-largest market for global capsule filling machines market, accounting for over 27% of the market share in 2023. The growth of the market in the region is due to rapid growth in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors, increasing contract manufacturing activities, and focus of international players on emerging Asia Pacific countries.
• The Europe market is expected to be the fastest-growing market for global capsule filling machines market, with a CAGR of over 18% during the forecast period. The growth of the market in Europe is due to the rising nutraceuticals and dietary supplements industry, increasing pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) investments, and growing adoption of capsule dosage forms.

Figure 1. Global Capsule Filling Machines Market Share (%), By Region, 2023

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Global Capsule Filling Machines Market: Analyst’s Viewpoint

Global capsule filling machines market is expected to experience a steady rate over the forecast period driven by the increasing demand for capsules in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. North America and Europe will continue to dominate the market due to presence of major capsule manufacturers in these regions. However, Asia Pacific is likely to witness the fastest growth due to rising generic drugs market and growing nutraceutical industry in countries like India and China. One of the key opportunities for capsule filling machine manufacturers is the increasing demand for softgel capsules as they provide better bioavailability and stability compared to tablets.

Moreover, growing preference for capsule dosage forms over tablets among geriatric population prone to dysphagia can further aid the market expansion. On the other hand, high initial costs and significant maintenance expenditure of capsule filling machines may restrict its adoption by small and medium scale pharmaceutical manufacturers. Lack of skilled labor and local device manufacturers can also impede the market growth in underdeveloped regions. However, ongoing technological advancements focusing on enhanced output efficiency, accuracy and automation of capsule filling machines are expected to unlock new opportunities in the near future.

Global Capsule Filling Machines Market Drivers:

• Increasing pharmaceutical and nutraceutical manufacturing: Growing pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries globally is a major driver for the capsule filling machines market. Capsules are an efficient dosage form for administering pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals due to benefits such as masking taste and odor, improved bioavailability and precise dosing. Increasing number of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical drugs as well as dietary supplements being launched in capsule form is contributing to the growing demand for capsule fillers. According to Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd., in May 2023, advancements in machinery and cutting-edge facilities have significantly streamlined the manufacturing process. Specifically, the preparation of drugs like capsule filling has become more efficient than ever before, due to technological innovations and expertise of professionals.
• Growth in generics and biologics markets: Increasing number of blockbuster drugs going off-patent has led to significant growth of the generics market. The rise in biologics drug development is also propelling the market growth as many biologic molecules and vaccines are filled into capsules. Capsule fillers enable generics and biologics manufacturers to produce capsules at an industrial scale with high output. This creates substantial demand for advanced automated filling machines.
• Technological advancements in capsule fillers: Pharmaceutical equipment manufacturers are consistently integrating new technologies into capsule fillers to improve efficiency, enhance quality control, and meet regulatory compliance standards. Advanced features such as automated weight checking systems, vision inspection systems, sealing force monitoring, dust control technologies and integration capabilities with ERP software have improved the functionality of modern capsule fillers. This is boosting their adoption across end user segments.
• Demand for capsule dosage forms: Increasing consumer demand for capsule-based drug delivery and shift away from tablets is propelling the capsule filling machines market. Capsules are preferred due to their ease of swallowing, flexible dosing, and availability in different sizes, and colors. Capsules also mask taste and odor of active ingredients, unlike tablets. These benefits are fueling the demand for capsule dosage forms, thereby driving capsule filler sales.

Global Capsule Filling Machines Market Opportunities:

• Emerging markets: Developing regions such as Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa offer significant opportunities for market players due to expanding pharmaceutical and nutraceutical manufacturing in these geographies. Government promotion of domestic drug manufacturing and favorable regulations are attracting global companies to set up production plants in these emerging markets, which will drive the need for capsule filling lines and equipment. In April 2023, Quotient Sciences, a firm specializing in drug development and manufacturing acceleration, teamed up with MG2, a renowned company known for its capsule filling machinery. As part of this collaboration, Quotient Sciences will integrate a FlexaLAB continuous-motion capsule filling machine at its Garnet Valley, PA-based early-stage drug development facility in the USA. The FlexaLAB is adept at processing up to 3,000 capsules hourly and is tailored for research and development settings, accommodating capsule sizes ranging from 0 to 5 for a variety of products and mixes.
• Oral vaccines: Oral vaccines encapsulated into capsules represent an area of untapped potential for the capsule filling machines market. Challenges that are associated with maintaining stability and efficacy of oral vaccines have limited their transition into capsules. However, ongoing R&D focused on developing temperature-stable oral capsules for vaccines unlocks an immense opportunity for capsule filler OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) in the long run.
• Pediatric and geriatric medications: Capsule dosage forms are well-suited for pediatric and geriatric medications due to their easy swallowing and masking of flavor. As the development of age-specific drugs gains focus, capsule filling technology providers have an opportunity to customize machines according to dose sizes, capsule sizes and safety requirements for pediatric and geriatric capsules.
• Liquids, gels and pastes: Filling sensitive ingredients such as high potency APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient), hormones, oxygen, and moisture-sensitive drugs into capsules is an emerging opportunity. Innovations such as liquid-filled capsules are tapping into this segment. Advances in sealing technologies will enable filling of challenging ingredients like gels, pastes, oils, and others into capsules, thereby creating new scope for players in this market.

Global Capsule Filling Machines Market Trends:

• Integrated capsule filling lines: A prominent trend is the development of integrated capsule filling lines which automate multiple processes in a single system. This includes steps such as capsule sorting, visual inspection, precise dosing, sealing, weight control, de-dusting, metal detection, and more. Integrated lines minimize human intervention, boost productivity and improve quality control.
• Use of internet-of-things (IoT) and analytics: Incorporating smart technologies such as IoT, sensors, and data analytics into capsule fillers is an emerging trend. Connected machines generate performance data that is leveraged for predictive maintenance, efficiency improvements, and better decision making. Analytics enable analysis of machine condition, output parameters, and product quality to optimize the filling process. In May 2023, IMA Coffee debuts the SYNKRO machine designed for fast capsule filling and sealing.
• Custom capsule filling solutions: Provider firms are increasingly focused on offering tailored capsule filling machines that are suited to client needs in terms of output capacity, capsule specifications, dosing requirements, and other custom aspects. Configurable modular machines allow adaptation to different capsule sizes and integration of additional functionalities based on application needs.
• Automated capsule counter-fillers: Automated systems that combine capsule counting/sorting with precision filling and sealing in a single machine are becoming popular. Automated counter-fillers minimize human intervention and improve productivity and accuracy as compared to separate capsule counting and filling units. This supports lean and flexible capsule manufacturing.

Global Capsule Filling Machines Market Restraints:

• High cost of equipment: Fully automated high-speed capsule fillers are capital intensive. The machinery, additional integrated components, and sophisticated technologies substantially increase costs. This makes procuring new filling machines challenging especially for smaller companies. Many manufacturers prefer refurbished or entry-level basic machines as cost-effective options. Furthermore, as the demand for pharmaceutical products grows, economies of scale make it more feasible for smaller companies to adopt advanced machinery in collaboration with larger entities or through shared resources. Thus, while the initial investment may seem daunting, it's essential to evaluate the broader strategic benefits and explore innovative solutions to harness the potential advantages of modern technology in capsule filling operations.
• Stringent regulatory requirements: Capsule fillers that are used for pharmaceutical manufacturing need to comply with stringent regulatory requirements pertaining to machine validation, cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practices compliance) compliance, maintenance, and product quality. This necessitates extensive documentation and quality control, thereby increasing overhead costs for users. The complexities pose an adoption barrier for many companies. However, companies that prioritize regulatory adherence often cultivate a reputation for reliability and quality, which can be a significant competitive advantage in the marketplace. Instead of viewing these requirements solely as adoption barriers, organizations can leverage them as opportunities to differentiate themselves, build credibility, and establish a foundation for sustainable growth.
• Limitations in filling processes: Limitations of capsule filling equipment in handling highly viscous, oxygen or moisture sensitive ingredients and filling of potent drugs, biologics, and others hinder their adoption for certain applications. Sealing and stability issues for liquids and requirement of special conditions for sensitive molecules are other restraining factors. This negatively impacts market growth to some extent. On the other side, as the demand for specialized pharmaceutical formulations continues to grow, the industry's collective focus on research and development, which is likely to yield innovative solutions that overcome current limitations.

Counterbalance: By investing in research, training, and infrastructure, companies can enhance their capabilities, expand market opportunities, and drive sustained growth in the capsule filling equipment sector.  With proactive collaboration, innovation, and adaptation restraints can be counterbalanced and help in paving the way for broader adoption and market expansion in the evolving landscape of pharmaceutical manufacturing. For instance, in September 2023, Nupha Capsules acknowledges the effectiveness and speed of your production methods. Consequently, they have developed machinery to facilitate rapid and seamless filling and packaging of your products.

Recent Developments

New product launches

• In November 2023, ACG, the world's only integrated pharmaceutical solutions & manufacturing company for capsules, films & foils, engineering, inspection, and track & trace, introduced AF330 capsule filling machine, that is tailored for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical uses and emphasizing simplicity, safety, and efficiency, is showcased at PMEC (Pharmaceutical Machinery and Equipment Convention) India 2023.
• In July 2023, Syntegon,  a leading single-source supplier of processing, packaging, and automation technology to the food and pharma industries, launched its GKF Capsylon 6005 capsule filling machine in Europe and the U.S. This machine is engineered to fill 360,000 nutraceutical capsules per hour, thus marking more than double the throughput compared to its preceding model.
• In November 2022, Lonza, a Sweden based multinational manufacturing company for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and nutrition sectors, introduced a groundbreaking capsule solution designed for intestinal (enteric) drug delivery. The capsugel enprotect capsule remains intact as it passes through the stomach, thereby ensuring content release only in the intestine. These capsugel enprotect capsules streamline the drug manufacturing process by eliminating the necessity for extra capsule coating or sealing.

 Acquisition and partnerships

• In April 2023, Quotient Sciences, recognized for accelerating drug development and manufacturing, joined forces with MG2, a top player in capsule filling machine production, to announce a significant collaboration. As part of this alliance, Quotient Sciences will acquire and set up a FlexaLAB continuous-motion capsule filler at its Garnet Valley, PA (USA) facility dedicated to early-phase drug development. The FlexaLAB is engineered for research and development settings, boasting a capacity to fill up to 3,000 capsules per hour and accommodating capsule sizes ranging from 0 to 5 across various products and combinations.
• In July 2022, MG2, a global architecture firm, became a part of the U.K.'s "Made Smarter" initiative, contributing as an industrial partner in its digital medicine manufacturing sector. Specifically, MG2 plays a significant role in platform 2, aiming to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered microscale capsule filling system. This system aims to identify formulation and processing parameters, thereby ensuring the creation of a consistent product with the specified critical quality attributes (CQAs).
• In September 2021, Bosch Connected Industry, the IoT software house from Bosch, and Capgemini is a global leader in partnering with companies to transform and manage their business by harnessing the power of technology, announced their intention to extend their fruitful strategic partnership for the foreseeable future. Their joint efforts will prioritize enhancing Bosch Connected Industry's Nexeed Industrial Application System and amplifying client engagement. This alliance between two prominent Industry 4.0 software and service providers will deliver a diverse array of solutions, primarily benefiting industrial firms seeking to digitize and enhance the sustainability of their manufacturing facilities.

Figure 2. Global Capsule Filling Machines Market Share (%), by Machine Type, 2023

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Top companies in Capsule Filling Machines Market

• Robert Bosch GmbH
• IMA S.p.A.
• MG2 s.r.l.
• Romaco Group
• ACIC Pharmaceutical Machinery
• Torpac Inc.
• Dott Bonapace & C Srl
• Schaefer Technologies, Inc.
• TITAN PHARMACEUTICAL MACHINERY
• Adinath International
• ACG Worldwide
• Jornen Machinery Co., Ltd.
• Hanningfield Process Systems Ltd.
• N.K Industries
• Kambert Machinery Co. Pvt. Ltd.
• SaintyTec
• Cap Plus Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
• Hanlin Hangyu Industrial Co., Ltd.
• Harro Höfliger Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH
• Qualicaps

*Definition: The Capsule Filling Machines Market refers to the industry and market associated with manufacturing of equipment and machines used for filling capsules with powders, granules, pellets, tablets, or liquid formulations. Capsule fillers are extensively used across pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic companies for encapsulation of active ingredients, formulations, or final dosage forms.

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