North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Forecast to 2031 - Regional Analysis - by Product [Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC), Pullulan, and Others], Application (Antibiotic and Antibacterial Drug, Vitamin and Dietary Supplement, Anti Inflammatory Drugs, Cardiovascular Therapy Drugs, Antacid and Antiflatulent Preparation, and Others), Functionality (Immediate Release Capsules, Sustained Release Capsules, and Delayed Release Capsules), and End User (Pharmaceutical Companies, Nutraceutical Companies, Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), and Cosmeceutical Companies)
The North America vegetarian capsules market was valued at US$ 503.63 million in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 976.33 million by 2031; it is estimated to register a CAGR of 8.6% from 2023 to 2031.
Rising Preference for Vegan Capsules Over Gelatin-Based Capsules Fuels North America Vegetarian Capsules Market
The majority of pharmaceutical companies are procuring vegetarian capsules over animal-derived capsules as they have low moisture content and better stability for hygroscopic compounds. For many years, there have been medical, religious, cultural, and ethical concerns about adding animal substances to capsule coatings or formulations in pharmaceutical medicines. Also, some consumers expressed concerns over the use of animal-derived pharmaceutical medicines due to the associated healthcare risks. In July 2023, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report for Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) patients to limit the consumption of animal-derived medicines and supplements, as 75% of these medications contain animal-sourced ingredients. Also, AGS patients revealed serious allergic reactions after consuming medications or supplements that include mammalian-derived ingredients. Such instances have raised interest among the manufacturers to produce animal-free medications and supplements.
Comparative Analysis Between Gelatin Capsules and Vegetarian Capsules
Factors | Gelatin Capsules | Vegetarian Capsules |
Source | Bovine, Skin, Cow, and Pigs | Plants |
Target Audience | Vegan and Nonvegetarian Population | Vegan or Vegetarian Population |
Allergy | Allergy Due to Cow and Pig-Based Ingredient | No Allergies |
Cross Linking Ingredients | Cross Linking with Other Drug-Drug Derivatives | No Cross Linking |
External Ingredients | Preservatives | No Preservatives |
Currently, the high volume of pharmaceutical capsules available in the market are composed of gelatin. However, the crosslinking of gelatin with drug incompatibilities and strict regulations on the use of animal-derived gelatin have encouraged pharmaceutical manufacturers to replace gelatin components with vegetable-based ingredients. Pharmaceutical manufacturers identified that Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC)-derived vegetarian capsules are a good alternative to gelatin due to its vegetable derived source. Vegicaps soft capsules are the best example of animal-free capsules. The shell is composed of seaweed extract and gluten-free starch containing no modified sugars and artificial colors. Advantages of Vegicaps soft capsules are that they are free from animal derivatives, easy to swallow, soft, natural, and healthier products. In the case of gelatin-based capsules, the shell may get soft and become sticky upon spraying aqueous enteric polymer dispersions or may become brittle due to water evaporation during drying, ultimately losing mechanical stability. However, in HPMC-derived vegetarian capsules, it is less sensitive to aqueous coating, and the capsule shell is hard that avoids leakage of the ingredients.
Therefore, rising preference toward vegetarian medicines proves advantageous for the manufacturers to accelerate the production of vegetarian capsules, which drives the North America vegetarian capsules market growth.
North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Overview
According to data published in the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) report in 2024, in the US more than 4 in 5 American adults (86%) consume vitamins or dietary supplements. The report reveals that American adults consume vitamins or nutraceuticals due to personal needs or recommendations by physicians, friends, or family members. Also, with the rising prevalence of vitamin deficiency, the consumption of nutraceutical supplements such as capsules is high among the US population. The 2023 CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements shows that almost 74% of adults in the US consume dietary supplements, among which 55% are regular consumers. Some US population is shifting toward vegan diet. Health-conscious vegan consumers look for the “Vegan Trademark” while purchasing nutraceuticals and other dietary supplement products.
In the US, the nutraceutical industry provides innovative vegan products to meet rising consumer demand and diverse consumer intake shift toward animal-free dietary supplements. In April 2023, IFF announced the launch of "VERDIGEL SC". The introduction of "VERDIGEL SC" enables manufacturers of vegan soft gels to offer carrageenan-free products that are in high demand in several markets. Softgels are gaining high popularity in the nutritional and supplement sectors, and this new product developed by the IFF offers manufacturers a suitable option to switch to plant-based, carrageenan-free alternatives without disrupting existing production processes and compromising performance and quality.
North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Segmentation
The North America vegetarian capsules market is categorized into product, application, functionality, end user, and country.
Based on product, the North America 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 North America 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 North America vegetarian capsules market is segmented into immediate release capsules, sustained release capsules, and delayed release capsules. The immediate release capsules segment held the larger market share in 2023.
By end user, the North America 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 North America vegetarian capsules market is segmented into the US, Canada, and Mexico. The US dominated the North America 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); Sunil Healthcare Limited; Yasin; and Zhejiang Huili Capsules Co., Ltd. are some of the leading companies operating in the North America vegetarian capsules market.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction
1.1 The Insight Partners Research Report Guidance
1.2 Market Segmentation
2. Executive Summary
2.1 Key Insights
3. Research Methodology
3.1 Secondary Research
3.2 Primary Research
3.2.1 Hypothesis formulation:
3.2.2 Macro-economic factor analysis:
3.2.3 Developing base number:
3.2.4 Data Triangulation:
3.2.5 Country level data:
4. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Landscape
4.1 List of Raw Material Suppliers
4.1.1 List of Raw Material Suppliers for Pullulan
4.1.2 Variant types of HPMC Use in Formulation
5. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Key Market Dynamics
5.1 Market Drivers
5.1.1 Rising Preference for Vegan Capsules Over Gelatin-Based Capsules
5.1.2 Growing Demand for Vegetable Capsules Despite Their High Cost
5.2 Market Restraints
5.2.1 Risks of Product Recalls
5.3 Market Opportunities
5.3.1 Innovative Product Launches of Vegetarian Capsules
5.4 Future Trends
5.4.1 Outsourcing of Vegetarian Capsules
5.5 Impact of Drivers and Restraints:
6. Vegetarian Capsules Market - North America Analysis
6.1 North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Revenue (US$ Million), 2021-2031
7. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Analysis - by Product
7.1 Overview
7.2 North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Volume and Forecast Analysis - by Product
7.3 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC)
7.3.1 Overview
7.3.2 Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC): North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
7.4 Pullulan
7.4.1 Overview
7.4.2 Pullulan: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
7.5 Others
7.5.1 Overview
7.5.2 Others: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
8. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Analysis - by Application
8.1 Overview
8.2 Antibiotic and Antibacterial Drug
8.2.1 Overview
8.2.2 Antibiotic and Antibacterial Drug: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
8.3 Vitamin and Dietary Supplement
8.3.1 Overview
8.3.2 Vitamin and Dietary Supplement: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
8.4 Anti Inflammatory Drugs
8.4.1 Overview
8.4.2 Anti Inflammatory Drugs: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
8.5 Cardiovascular Therapy Drugs
8.5.1 Overview
8.5.2 Cardiovascular Therapy Drugs: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
8.6 Antacid and Antiflatulent Preparation
8.6.1 Overview
8.6.2 Antacid and Antiflatulent Preparation: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
8.7 Others
8.7.1 Overview
8.7.2 Others: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
9. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Analysis - by Functionality
9.1 Overview
9.2 Immediate Release Capsules
9.2.1 Overview
9.2.2 Immediate Release Capsules: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
9.3 Sustained Release Capsules
9.3.1 Overview
9.3.2 Sustained Release Capsules: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
9.4 Delayed Release Capsules
9.4.1 Overview
9.4.2 Delayed Release Capsules: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
10. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Analysis - by End User
10.1 Overview
10.2 Pharmaceutical Companies
10.2.1 Overview
10.2.2 Pharmaceutical Companies: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
10.3 Nutraceutical Companies
10.3.1 Overview
10.3.2 Nutraceutical Companies: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
10.4 Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs)
10.4.1 Overview
10.4.2 Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs): North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
10.5 Cosmeceutical Companies
10.5.1 Overview
10.5.2 Cosmeceutical Companies: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
11. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Country Analysis
11.1 North America
11.1.1 North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Breakdown, by Key Countries, 2023 and 2031 (%)
11.1.1.1 United States: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
11.1.1.1.1 Overview
11.1.1.2 United States: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
11.1.1.2.1 United States: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Breakdown, by Product
11.1.1.2.2 United States: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Volume and Forecast Analysis - by Product
11.1.1.2.3 United States: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Breakdown, by Application
11.1.1.2.4 United States: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Breakdown, by Functionality
11.1.1.2.5 United States: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Breakdown, by End User
11.1.1.3 Canada: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
11.1.1.3.1 Overview
11.1.1.4 Canada: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
11.1.1.4.1 Canada: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Breakdown, by Product
11.1.1.4.2 Canada: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Volume and Forecast Analysis - by Product
11.1.1.4.3 Canada: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Breakdown, by Application
11.1.1.4.4 Canada: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Breakdown, by Functionality
11.1.1.4.5 Canada: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Breakdown, by End User
11.1.1.5 Mexico: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
11.1.1.5.1 Overview
11.1.1.6 Mexico: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
11.1.1.6.1 Mexico: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Breakdown, by Product
11.1.1.6.2 Mexico: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Volume and Forecast Analysis - by Product
11.1.1.6.3 Mexico: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Breakdown, by Application
11.1.1.6.4 Mexico: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Breakdown, by Functionality
11.1.1.6.5 Mexico: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Breakdown, by End User
12. Company Profiles
12.1 Shanxi Guangsheng Medicinal Capsules Co (GS Capsules)
12.1.1 Key Facts
12.1.2 Business Description
12.1.3 Products and Services
12.1.4 Financial Overview
12.1.5 SWOT Analysis
12.1.6 Key Developments
12.2 Lefancaps
12.2.1 Key Facts
12.2.2 Business Description
12.2.3 Products and Services
12.2.4 Financial Overview
12.2.5 SWOT Analysis
12.2.6 Key Developments
12.3 ACG
12.3.1 Key Facts
12.3.2 Business Description
12.3.3 Products and Services
12.3.4 Financial Overview
12.3.5 SWOT Analysis
12.3.6 Key Developments
12.4 Capsugel, Inc (A subsidiary of Lonza Group AG)
12.4.1 Key Facts
12.4.2 Business Description
12.4.3 Products and Services
12.4.4 Financial Overview
12.4.5 SWOT Analysis
12.4.6 Key Developments
12.5 HealthCaps India
12.5.1 Key Facts
12.5.2 Business Description
12.5.3 Products and Services
12.5.4 Financial Overview
12.5.5 SWOT Analysis
12.5.6 Key Developments
12.6 NATURAL CAPSULES LIMITED
12.6.1 Key Facts
12.6.2 Business Description
12.6.3 Products and Services
12.6.4 Financial Overview
12.6.5 SWOT Analysis
12.6.6 Key Developments
12.7 Sunil Healthcare Limited
12.7.1 Key Facts
12.7.2 Business Description
12.7.3 Products and Services
12.7.4 Financial Overview
12.7.5 SWOT Analysis
12.7.6 Key Developments
12.8 QUALICAPS
12.8.1 Key Facts
12.8.2 Business Description
12.8.3 Products and Services
12.8.4 Financial Overview
12.8.5 SWOT Analysis
12.8.6 Key Developments
12.9 CapsCanada
12.9.1 Key Facts
12.9.2 Business Description
12.9.3 Products and Services
12.9.4 Financial Overview
12.9.5 SWOT Analysis
12.9.6 Key Developments
12.10 Zhejiang Huili Capsules Co., Ltd.
12.10.1 Key Facts
12.10.2 Business Description
12.10.3 Products and Services
12.10.4 Financial Overview
12.10.5 SWOT Analysis
12.10.6 Key Developments
12.11 Yasin
12.11.1 Key Facts
12.11.2 Business Description
12.11.3 Products and Services
12.11.4 Financial Overview
12.11.5 SWOT Analysis
12.11.6 Key Developments
12.12 Zhejiang Honghui Capsule Co., Ltd
12.12.1 Key Facts
12.12.2 Business Description
12.12.3 Products and Services
12.12.4 Financial Overview
12.12.5 SWOT Analysis
12.12.6 Key Developments
13. Appendix
13.1 About The Insight Partners
13.2 Glossary of Terms
List of Tables
Table 1. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Segmentation
Table 2. Comparative Analysis Between Gelatin Capsules and Vegetarian Capsules
Table 3. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Volume and Forecast to 2031 (Million Units) - by Product
Table 4. United States: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million) - by Product
Table 5. United States: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Volume and Forecast to 2031 (Million Units) - by Product
Table 6. United States: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million) - by Application
Table 7. United States: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million) - by Functionality
Table 8. United States: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million) - by End User
Table 9. Canada: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million) - by Product
Table 10. Canada: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Volume and Forecast to 2031 (Million Units) - by Product
Table 11. Canada: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million) - by Application
Table 12. Canada: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million) - by Functionality
Table 13. Canada: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million) - by End User
Table 14. Mexico: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million) - by Product
Table 15. Mexico: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Volume and Forecast to 2031 (Million Units) - by Product
Table 16. Mexico: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million) - by Application
Table 17. Mexico: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million) - by Functionality
Table 18. Mexico: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million) - by End User
Table 19. Glossary of Terms, Vegetarian Capsules Market
List of Figures
Figure 1. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Segmentation, by Country
Figure 2. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Key Market Dynamics
Figure 3. Impact Analysis of Drivers and Restraints
Figure 4. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Revenue (US$ Million), 2021-2031
Figure 5. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Share (%) - by Product (2023 and 2031)
Figure 6. Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC): North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 7. Pullulan: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 8. Others: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 9. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Share (%) - by Application (2023 and 2031)
Figure 10. Antibiotic and Antibacterial Drug: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 11. Vitamin and Dietary Supplement: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 12. Anti Inflammatory Drugs: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 13. Cardiovascular Therapy Drugs: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 14. Antacid and Antiflatulent Preparation: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 15. Others: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 16. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Share (%) - by Functionality (2023 and 2031)
Figure 17. Immediate Release Capsules: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 18. Sustained Release Capsules: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 19. Delayed Release Capsules: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 20. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Share (%) - by End User (2023 and 2031)
Figure 21. Pharmaceutical Companies: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 22. Nutraceutical Companies: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 23. Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs): North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 24. Cosmeceutical Companies: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 25. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market by Key Countries - Revenue 2023 (US$ Million)
Figure 26. North America Vegetarian Capsules Market Breakdown, by Key Countries, 2023 and 2031 (%)
Figure 27. United States: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 28. Canada: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
Figure 29. Mexico: North America Vegetarian Capsules Market - Revenue and Forecast to 2031 (US$ Million)
- ACG
- CapsCanada
- Capsugel, Inc (A subsidiary of Lonza Group AG)
- HealthCaps India
- Lefancaps
- NATURAL CAPSULES LIMITED
- QUALICAPS
- Shanxi Guangsheng Medicinal Capsules Co (GS Capsules)
- Sunil Healthcare Limited
- Yasin
- Zhejiang Honghui Capsule Co., Ltd.
- Zhejiang Huili Capsules Co., Ltd
- Save and reduce time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the growth, size, leading players, and segments in the North America vegetarian capsules market.
- Highlights key business priorities in order to assist companies to realign their business strategies.
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- Develop/modify business expansion plans by using substantial growth offering developed and emerging markets.
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- Enhance the decision-making process by understanding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with respect to client products, segmentation, pricing, and distribution.