The non-gelatin empty capsules market size is expected to grow from US$ 2.73 billion in 2024 to US$ 5.11 billion by 2031; it is projected to register a CAGR of 9.5% during 2025-2031. The rising prevalence of chronic diseases, regulatory and ethical constraints on animal-derived gelatin capsules, and demand for plant-based, vegan, halal/kosher & clean label products are noteworthy factors contributing to the expansion of the non-gelatin empty capsules market size. Additionally, the development of specialty capsules is projected to bring new non-gelatin empty capsules market trends in the near future.

The market dynamics are heavily influenced by the increasing sophistication of therapeutic molecules. It involves new kinds of therapies like peptides and RNA-based, which, in turn, require more advanced delivery systems. The pharmaceutical industry is the main driver behind the demand for acid-resistant capsules which is motivated by its need for precision pharmacokinetics, the ultimate goal of which is to dose less frequently and improve patient adherence, especially in chronic therapies where it is vital to be consistent.

Major industry players are leading these technological changes and innovations on the front line. In 2024, Lonza brought to the market its Capsugel Enprotect capsules. These capsules have a built-in enteric release system that makes multi-step coating procedures obsolete. On top of that, by using HPMC-based non-gelatin shells, they allow the complete shielding of sensitive APIs even under high moisture conditions, thus not only facilitating the production process but also increasing the targeted delivery effectiveness, especially in oncology and gastroenterology, where they are widely used.

At the very beginning of 2025, CapsCanada introduced its K-CAPS Delayed Release capsules. These capsules are specially designed to release the nutraceutical acid-sensitive ingredients in the intestines, such as vitamins, without the need for an external coating. Noteworthy, they ensure that as much as 95% of probiotics are kept alive when going through the stomach, thus overcoming a major challenge in probiotic formulation and ensuring effectiveness. In mid-January 2025, a research team came out with its work on a new generation of enteric-coated HPMC/gellan capsules, inspired by the already present DRcaps technology. These capsules have a dual-layer coat-ethylcellulose inside and Eudragit S outside-intended for the delivery of water-soluble biomaterials in the colon. Their release times vary from 2 to 12 hours, which makes these capsules very versatile, for example, in fecal microbiota transplants, and completely eliminates the need for special devices for their use. All these innovations serve as proof of the non-gelatin capsule market's drift at present and are expected to emerge as a significant trend in the non-gelatin empty capsules market.

End User-Based Insights

Based on end user, the non-gelatin empty capsules market is segmented into the pharmaceutical industry, the nutraceutical industry, the cosmetics industry, and the research laboratories. The pharmaceutical industry segment held the largest non-gelatin empty capsules market share in 2024. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are attracted to capsules as a drug delivery technology of choice because of the adaptability of capsules to both immediate and controlled-release formulations. In response to consumer preference for non-animal products and regulatory changes in some regions, the pharmaceutical sector has been moving to vegetarian or plant-based capsules, such as HPMC and pullulan, which have been the most popular choices in recent years. These capsules provide improved stability, longer shelf life, and can be used for moisture-sensitive and hygroscopic drugs. Besides, pharmaceutical companies are employing capsule-in-capsule and multi-particulate systems to enable complex drug delivery profiles, such as delayed release and targeted delivery, thereby non-gelatin empty capsules are becoming an innovating solution crossing therapeutic areas, thereby fueling the non-gelatin empty capsules market growth.

The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are among the primary and secondary sources referred to while preparing the non-gelatin empty capsules market report.