For over two decades, the encapsulation of health care products has shifted from gelatin capsules to HPMC capsules. Until recently, the movement was largely driven by consumer demand. Many health-conscious consumers—a key target market for the vitamin and supplement industry—prefer vegan products. Now, this healthy market trend for vegetarian capsules has an additional driver: a global shortage of gelatin.
What's causing the gelatin shortage?
To understand what's going on, you must first understand the gelatin market. Gelatin is an animal-based product made from collagen. Collagen is derived from the connective tissue and bones of animals. For pharmaceutical and nutritional uses, the sources are mainly bovine (cattle) and swine (pig). Gelatin shortage caused by increased demand and decreased supply
The. Of course, gelatin is the main ingredient in empty hard gelatin capsules. An aging population is driving increased demand for pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements; this increased demand is also affecting the gelatin capsules used in many of these products. In addition, gelatin is also used in other industries. As a food additive, gelatin is gaining popularity for its antioxidant, cryoprotective, and food-stabilizing properties. In the skincare market, cosmetic manufacturers often use collagen and gelatin for anti-aging benefits. during the COVID-19 pandemic
All of this demand has tightened supply before hitting. Now things got worse. The industry has seen shortages of gelatin in the past when swine flu killed millions of pigs in China. Recently, many countries have closed meat processing facilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This closure severely limits the availability of collagen used to make gelatin, which in turn has implications for empty HPMC capsules
made a key impact. For example, Indian capsule makers were forced to cut the production of gelatin capsules by 30 to 40 percent.
Today, the impact of COVID is not over, and the impact of future outbreaks remains to be seen. Manufacturers of gelatin capsules that do not own and control their gelatin supply chain may continue to strive to provide customers with a reliable and safe supply of capsules.
HPMC capsules provide an excellent alternative
Continuing shortages of gelatin are causing brands in the healthcare market to reassess their reliance on gelatin. For many, the solution is obvious: use HPMC capsules instead.
If your company is considering making this change, there are a few important things you need to know.
First, these capsules offer some less obvious benefits. HPMC capsules work very well with moisture-sensitive ingredients such as probiotics, as the low moisture content in the shell does not interfere with the active ingredients. They are also more resilient to temperature and humidity fluctuations during transportation, storage, and manufacturing.
Second, HPMC capsules can be harder to run than gelatin capsules—not all vegetarian capsules are created equal in this regard. Empty HPMC Capsules
Quality differences between options can mean the difference between a successful conversion and a production nightmare.
When evaluating capsule quality, please note that the grade and quality of raw materials used by HPMC capsule suppliers and the details of capsule (needle) design are key factors. "You get what you pay for" motto at empty HPMC capsules
The supply is of course correct. A simple manufacturing trial comparing one brand to another may show significant differences in product throughput and yield and can highlight where cost savings are more significant.
Their excellent separation performance reduces filling equipment fouling, filling material waste, and increased downtime. Their sturdy domes are better than competing capsules when the filling material is "overfilled". Their extremely consistent quality gives you the best performance from one batch to the next.
Third, if the release rate is important to your product, be sure to consider that.