Softgel Capsules Market Report 2026

Softgel Capsules Market Overview

• Softgel Capsules market size has reached to $8.84 billion in 2025 • Expected to grow to $13.52 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9% • Growth Driver: Soft Gel Capsules Market Surges As Chronic Diseases Escalate • Market Trend: IFF's VERDIGEL SC Sets New Standards In Vegan Softgel Manufacturing • North America was the largest region in 2025.

What Is Covered Under Softgel Capsules Market?

Soft gelatin capsules, also known as softgels or soft elastic capsules, are capsules that dissolve faster than hard gelatin capsules and are used to carry medicine in liquid or powder form. It is used to deliver pharmaceuticals and a variety of nutritional supplements, including omega-3 fish oils. The main types of softgel capsules are gelatin or animal-based, and non-animal based. Gelatin or animal-based refers to cattle and pig connective tissues, boiling, broken bones, and decomposing animal hides that are used to make gelatin. The various manufacturers are pharmaceutical companies, nutraceutical companies, cosmeceutical companies, contract manufacturing organizations, and manufacturers of softgel capsules that are used in antacid and anti-flatulent preparations, anti-anemic preparations, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and antibacterial drugs, cough and cold preparations, health supplements, vitamin D dietary supplements, and pregnancy.

What Is The Softgel Capsules Market Growth Forecast?

The softgel capsules market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $13.52 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for personalized medicine, growth of online pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sales, innovation in encapsulation technology, increased focus on plant-based and non-animal capsules, expansion into emerging markets. Major trends in the forecast period include increased demand for omega-3 and nutraceutical softgels, rising preference for fast-dissolving drug delivery systems, growth of contract manufacturing organizations (cmos/cdmos), expansion of personalized nutrition and supplements, adoption of advanced encapsulation technologies.

Global Softgel Capsules Market Segmentation

1) By Type: Gelatin Or Animal Based, Non-Animal Based 2) By Manufacturers: Pharmaceutical Companies, Nutraceutical Companies, Cosmeceutical Companies, Contract Manufacturing Organizations, Softgel Capsules 3) By Application: Antacid And Anti-Flatulent Preparations, Anti-Anemic Preparations, Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Antibiotic And Antibacterial Drugs, Cough And Cold Preparations, Health Supplement, Vitamin And Dietary Supplement, Pregnancy Subsegments: 1) By Gelatin Or Animal Based: Porcine Gelatin, Bovine Gelatin, Fish Gelatin 2) By Non-Animal Based: Vegetarian Capsules, Gelatin Alternatives

What Is The Driver Of The Softgel Capsules Market?

The rising prevalence of chronic ailments such as cardiovascular diseases is expected to drive the growth of the soft gel capsules market going forward. Chronic diseases refer to ailments that persist for a year or longer, such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and arthritis. These are the most common chronic illnesses, which can be controlled but not cured and require ongoing nutrition and medical care. Soft gel capsules provide the nutritional supplements required for chronic patients; as a result, the rising prevalence of chronic ailments increases the demand for soft gel capsules. For instance, in September 2025, according to American College of Cardiology, a US-based nonprofit medical association, reported that CVD remains the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and deaths estimated in the GBD globally. There were 437 million CVD DALYs in 2023, with a 16-fold difference between the countries with the lowest and highest CVD DALY rates. Therefore, the rising prevalence of chronic ailments such as cardiovascular diseases will drive the soft gel capsules market.

Key Players In The Global Softgel Capsules Market

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., Best Formulations Inc., Biophar Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd., Swisschem Healthcare, Krishlar Pharmaceuticals, Amzor Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., Medgel Pvt. Ltd., 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

Global Softgel Capsules Market Trends and Insights

Major companies operating in the softgel capsules market are focusing on developing innovative solutions, such as advanced pectin-based vegan softgel technologies, to meet the rising demand for plant-based, carrageenan-free, and highly efficient softgel manufacturing systems. These next-generation technologies replace traditional gelatin or carrageenan shells with cleaner, more stable plant-derived materials that deliver improved performance, consistency, and processing flexibility. For instance, in April 2023, International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), Inc., a US-based manufacturer of flavors, fragrances, and cosmetic actives, introduced VERDIGEL SC, an innovative carrageenan-free, pectin-based softgel technology. This premix delivers superior softgel quality, enhanced processing efficiency, and seamless integration into existing manufacturing lines. It requires only water and a plasticizer to produce high-performance vegan softgels and supports a wide range of formulations, offering a clean-label, efficient alternative to traditional softgel systems.

What Are Latest Mergers And Acquisitions In The Softgel Capsules Market?

In November 2023, Permira, a UK-based private equity firm with a strong global presence, acquired Ergomed Public Limited Company for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition aims to expand its investments in the healthcare sector. Ergomed PLC, a provider of specialized services to the pharmaceutical industry, aligns well with Permira's focus on companies that offer growth potential in the healthcare and life sciences sectors. Ergomed Public Limited Company is a UK-based pharmaceutical company.

Regional Insights

North America was the largest region in the soft gel capsules market in 2025. The regions covered in this market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in this market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

What Defines the Softgel Capsules Market?

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.

How is Market Value Defined and Measured?

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.

What Key Data and Analysis Are Included in the Softgel Capsules Market Report 2026?

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