Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market by Source (Porcine, Bovine Skin, Animal Bones, and Others), by Function (Stabilizer, Thickener, Gelling Agent, and Others), by Application (Hard Capsules, Soft Capsules, Micro-encapsulation, Coating for Tablets, Absorbable Hemostat, and Others), by Type (Type A, Type B), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)—Forecast to 2032

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market Overview

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market Size was valued at USD 1.18 Billion in 2023. The Global Pharmaceutical Gelatin industry is projected to grow from USD 1.25 Billion in 2024 to USD 1.93 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.08% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032).

Pharmaceutical gelatin is a colorless, water soluble, thermo-reversible, biocompatible, translucent, and a sensitive element that has a high molecular weight. It is derived from animal skin, white connective tissues, and bones of animals by partial hydrolysis of collagen. Gelatin is widely used as an excipient in the production of hard capsules and soft gels. In addition, it is also used as a binder in tablets, utilized as blood plasma substitutes, and others.  Various manufacturers provide pharmaceutical gelatin across the world such as Nitta Gelatin Inc. (Japan), Tessenderlo Group (Belgium), Gelita AG (Germany), and others. For instance, Darling Ingredients Inc. (US) provides pharmaceutical-grade gelatins such as X-Pure globally. The X-Pure range such as X-Pure Gelatin, X-Pure GelMA, and X-Pure GelDAT offers premium quality gelling and non-gelling gelatins sourced from porcine skin. It provides significant technical advantages for the development of biomedical applications.

The pharmaceutical gelatin market is expected to rise significantly in the forecast period, owing to the factors such as growing nutraceuticals & pharmaceutical companies across the world uses gelatin to manufacture drugs. In addition, rising applications of pharmaceutical gelatin for the production of hard & soft gel capsules, tablets and vaccine fuels the market growth. Moreover, rising prevalence of chronic diseases, advancements in technology, low manufacturing cost for making gelatin capsule shells, and increasing awareness about the consumption of nutrition rich food are boosting the market growth during the forecast period.

GELITA unveiled a rapid-drying gelatin in March 2023, revolutionizing the production of improved gummy candies. The introduction of CONFIXX, a novel gelatin product, enables the production of gummies without the need for starch, while still maintaining the desired sensory characteristics. This enables manufacturers of these fashionable supplements to explore novel active ingredients, optimize production processes, and achieve substantial cost savings without compromising the essential texture of the supplements. By using CONFIXX, firms can eliminate the requirement for starch in the manufacturing of fortified gummies, leading to substantial cost savings and conservation of valuable resources.

In January 2023, Rousselot, a product line of Darling Ingredients and the leading provider of collagen-based solutions, expanded its range of pure, pharmaceutical-grade modified gelatins with the launch of X-Pure GelDAT - Gelatin Desaminotyrosine. When developing biomedical applications for the human body, it is crucial to prioritize cleanliness and consistency on a large scale. To minimize the need for re-validation of biomaterials prior to clinical trials, researchers can utilize Rousselot's X-Pure GelDAT research-grade product, which offers similar functionality to the GMP grade material. If the quality of research is degraded in the early phases, it can lead to significant issues when trying to scale up and delays in preparing for clinical trials. X-Pure GelDAT can be used at any stage of product development.

COVID-19 Analysis

The global pharmaceutical gelatin market is projected to witness significant growth in this pandemic period. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the increasing use of medications related to COVID-19 for the treatment is expected to have an impact on market growth. The demand for capsules and tablets has increased during COVID-19 pandemic for the treatment of COVID-19, pneumonia, and other infectious diseases. Moreover, pharmaceutical gelatin is often used in COVID-19 vaccines to keep the drug's ingredients stable and effective during the distribution procedure. According to the Our World in Data, 10.91 billion vaccines doses have been administered globally as of 13th March 2022, with 17.92 million vaccines doses being administered every day. Hence, rising number of administration of doses will increase demand for pharmaceutical gelatin to develop effective vaccines during the forecast period.

In terms of the supply-chain, transport, and logistics challenges have arisen as a result of the quarantine and lockdown measures imposed in several regions, making it difficult to obtain raw material for gelatin. Also, this has caused a supply-demand gap in some areas, resulting in a shortage of pharmaceutical gelatin. Hence, reducing imports and exports between borders may cause supply chain disruptions, resulting in a significant loss for raw material suppliers.

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market Trends

Drivers

• Rising demand of pharmaceutical gelatin
  
  
  
  • Pharmaceutical gelatin is a combination of protein & peptide made up from collagen that's been partially hydrolyzed. The collagen used to make gelatin comes from animal bones and skin trimmings. Pharmaceutical gelatin has demonstrated its versatility in applications for the pharmaceutical and medical uses. Pharmaceutical gelatin is used for the production of capsules, tablets, vaccines, wound dressings, hemostatic sponges, and blood volume substitutes in the pharmaceutical and medical devices industries. Moreover, pharmaceutical gelatin is a useful biomaterial in regenerative medicine as this mimic the extracellular matrix and promotes cell development. It also aids in the enhancement of cell viability. Hence, rising demand of pharmaceutical gelatin worldwide drives the growth of the pharmaceutical gelatin market.
  
  
  • Additionally, gelatin's unique functional characteristics, such as gelling, adhesion, coating, binding, and film-building are ideally suited for pharmaceutical applications. The gelatin coating on hard capsules, softgel capsules, and tablets suppresses the odour of the medicine while also making swallowing easier. Furthermore, it gives protection against environmental changes such as oxygen, moisture, and extends the shelf life of pharmaceutical medications. Therefore, the rising applications of pharmaceutical gelatin for new drug development is driving the pharmaceutical gelatin market growth.
  
  
  
  


• Surge in use of gelatin among nutraceutical & pharmaceutical drug manufacturer

Market Restraints

• Presence of substitute components
  
  
  
  • The increasing demand for plant-based alternatives such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and modified starch are used to manufacture vegetarian capsule shells. Moreover, the rising trend in veganism across the world hinders the consumption of animal-based products, hence restrain the pharmaceutical gelatin market
  
  
  
  


• Stringent regulatory requirements for pharmaceutical gelatin

Market Opportunities

• Rise in demand for pharmaceutical-grade gelatin in emerging countries
  
  
  
  • Emerging markets such as Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa provide considerable prospects for the expansion of pharmaceutical gelatin market. Moreover, several raw gelatin and gelatin capsule manufacturers are taking steps to extend their company presence and production capacity in India, China, and other emerging countries is fueling the growth of the market. Hence, rising demand of pharmaceutical gelatin in emerging economies, availability of raw material and decreased labor prices are anticipated to provide significant growth opportunities for the global pharmaceutical gelatin market.
  
  
  
  

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market Value Chain Analysis

An increasing number of patients are suffering from chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and others increases the demand for medications for the treatment. As a result, pharmaceutical gelatin is projected to gain more importance due to its broad-spectrum qualities such as excellent bioavailability, protect active pharmaceutical ingredients from contamination, and the potential for modified release that make it a highly effective excipient for pharmaceutical applications. The pharmaceutical gelatin market is predicted to grow in the next years, and it will be useful to make capsules, tablets, vaccines, emulsions, suppositories, and others in pharmaceutical industry. The value chain analysis for the global pharmaceutical gelatin market comprises four major components that start with the research and product development (R&D), followed by the manufacturing of the products, distribution & sales, and ends with post-sales monitoring.

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market Segment Insights

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Source Insights

• Porcine

Pig skins or bones are the most important source of materials for pharmaceutical gelatin. The pig skin product is commonly used as a thickening, stabilizer, texturizer, and binder in capsules & tablets. Moreover, gelatin-based hemostats are primarily produced from porcine collagen (porcine skin) and come in the form of sponges, strips, powder, and nanofibers. Porcine based gelatin is one is the most commercially used gelatin worldwide, owing to its cheaper price & easier availability.

• Bovine Skin

Bovine species include bison, yak, antelope, water buffalo, and cows. Pharmaceutical gelatin obtained from bovine skin is a colourless, transparent, flavourless, and brittle in nature. It is typically utilized as a jelling agent in pharmaceutical drugs and cosmetic industry. For instance, Merck KGaA (Germany) offers gelatin from bovine skin.

• Animal Bones

Pharmaceutical gelatin is also derived from cow, pork, and fish bones. The bones of certain animals usually cows and pigs are boiled, dried, treated with a strong acid or base, and lastly filtered to remove the collagen. To synthesize pharmaceutical gelatin, the collagen is dried, pulverised into a powder, and sifted.

• Others

Other sources for pharmaceutical gelatin include chicken, fish skins, and others.

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Function Insights

• Stabilizer

Pharmaceutical gelatin is used as a stabilizer in capsules, vaccines, and other dosage forms. In vaccines, purified pharmaceutical gelatin with minimal endotoxin level is utilized as a stabilizer. It enhances in the stability of lyophilized (freeze-dried) products, reduces the potential for side effects, and ensures patient safety.

• Thickener

Pharmaceutical gelatin is used as a thickener in medicinal syrups, elixirs, and other liquid dosage forms. Moreover, pharmaceutical gelatin is utilized to improve the viscosity of the dosage form while keeping the other components unaltered. It is used as a thickener in antibiotic creams and lotions.

• Gelling Agent

Gelling agents are the gel-forming agents when dispersed in a liquid phase as a homogeneous mixture develop a weakly cohesive internal structure. Pharmaceutical gelatin is used as a gelling agent in medications, drug & vitamin capsules, and in cosmetics products.

• Others

Other functions of pharmaceutical gelatin include film forming, water-binding agent, foaming agent, thermo-reversible, and others.

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Application Insights

• Hard Capsules

Pharmaceutical gelatin is one of the most common and well-known material used to produce hard capsules. It has lower production costs, less manufacturing constraints, and ensures superior active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) dissolving rates. Moreover, hard capsules are an oral dose form for the supplementation of life-saving medications, minerals, vitamins, and other healthy elements. Hence, rising prevalence of chronic diseases will increase the demand of hard capsules, ultimately increases the pharmaceutical gelatin market segment growth.

• Soft Capsules

Soft capsules (softgels) are hermetically sealed capsules that contain liquids or semisolid contents. They are easy to use, identify, and swallow due to their lack of friction. Moreover, soft capsules are patient-friendly dosage form due to the capability of being formulated appropriately for rapid or slow release and having a high degree of reproducibility.

• Coating for Tablets

Tablet coating is the process where pharmaceutical gelatin is most preferred coating material applied to the surface of the tablet to improve taste, odor, color, and ease of swallowing by the patient. Moreover, it is also improved tablets stability. The pharmaceutical gelatin coating provides a low coefficient of friction to the tablet, increasing slipperiness and swallowability of tablets without adding stickiness or thickness agents. Moreover, growing adoption of tablet dosage form among the growing geriatric population, and the rising adoption of orphan drugs are supporting the growth of the pharmaceutical gelatin market segment.

• Absorbable Hemostat

Purified porcine-derived pharmaceutical gelatin has excellent hemostatic properties due to its high fluid absorption and water swelling capacity, it is used by surgeons to minimize blood loss during surgery. Allowing it to concentrate serum proteins, aggregate red blood cells, promote platelet aggregation, and tamp the wound to prevent blood loss. In addition, absorbable gelatin sponge is used in chemotherapy to embolize arteries in the vicinity of a tumour in order to obstruct or slow blood flow. For instance, Spongostan Absorbable Haemostatic Gelatin Sponge, which is offered by Ethicon, Inc. (US).

• Others

Other applications of pharmaceutical gelatin include in regenerative medicine, in femoral plugs as a plasticizer for a more elastic shape, in Vaccines, and others.

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Type Insights

• Type A

Pharmaceutical gelatin derived from pig skin is normally referred to as type A gelatin. it has a broad isoelectric range between pH 7-9, adjusted to an acidic pH which is below the isoelectric point.

• Type B

Pharmaceutical gelatin derived from beef skin is normally referred to as type B gelatin. it has a narrower isoelectric range between pH 4.7-5.4, produced from an alkali-treated precursor.

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Regional Insights

North America

Rise in chronic diseases and presence of key players in the region are driving the North American pharmaceutical gelatin market

North America holds the largest share in 2021 in pharmaceutical gelatin market, owing to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis, cancer, and others, and presence of major key players in the region. These players are involved in acquisitions, business expansions, and strategic collaborations. For instance, in January 2022, Darling Ingredients Inc. (US) collaborated with the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (US), a California-based research institute focused on regenerative medicine. This collaboration will be helpful for development and translation of gelatin-based medicines into the clinics.

Europe

Rising use of pharmaceutical gelatin in regenerative medicine, and ample availability of raw materials is anticipated to drive the growth of the pharmaceutical gelatin market

Europe accounts for the second-largest market share due to the ample availability of raw materials such as porcine & bovine in the region. In addition, rising use of pharmaceutical gelatin in regenerative medicine for its cell-responsive characteristics and ability to transport a diverse range of biomolecules is also expected to boost the market growth in the region.

Asia-Pacific

The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases is fueling the Asia-Pacific pharmaceutical gelatin market

The Asia-Pacific pharmaceutical gelatin market is projected to be the fastest-growing regional market. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, osteoarthritis, and cancer are demands new drug development for the treatment. Ultimately, increases the demand of pharmaceutical gelatin as an excipient for various pharmaceutical dosage forms such as capsules, tablets, suspensions, emulsions, injections, and others. Moreover, rising number of contract research & manufacturing companies, and lower labor & capital costs for the manufacturing of pharmaceutical gelatin is also driving the growth of the market in the Asia Pacific region.

Rest of the World:

The rest of the world is comprised of the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. The pharmaceutical gelatin market in the rest of the world is driven by rising government initiatives for improving the healthcare sector and increasing R&D in pharmaceutical and medical devices industry. Furthermore, rising applications of pharmaceutical gelatin for anticancer drugs delivery, gene delivery, pulmonary drug delivery, ocular drug delivery, protein delivery, and others in the region also contributing to the growth of the pharmaceutical gelatin market.

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market Competitive Landscape

The pharmaceutical gelatin market is profitable, both for existing players as well as new entrants. Our analysis revealed that market players have adopted different strategies such as joint ventures, contractual agreements, new product launches, and partnering with other players to expand their global footprint. For instance, In December 2020, Gelita AG (Germany) acquired 65% shares of the SelJel (Turkey) to strengthen its position as the industry's global leader. This acquisition will also meet the increasing demand for gelatin, and in particular for halal bovine gelatin. The companies are investing in R&D activities to expand their product portfolio, which further driving the pharmaceutical gelatin market.

List of Key Companies Covered in this Report:   

• Darling Ingredients Inc. (US)


• Nitta Gelatin Inc. (Japan)


• Tessenderlo Group (Belgium)


• Gelita AG (Germany)


• Weishardt International (France)


• Trobas Gelatine B.V. (Netherlands)


• Lonza Group AG (Switzerland)


• Lapi Gelatine S.p.A (Italy)


• Italgelatine S.p.A (Italy)


• Xiamen Gelken Gelatin Co. Ltd. (China)


• Gelco International (Brazil)


• Aspire Pharmaceuticals (US)


• India Gelatine & Chemicals Ltd. (India)


• Gelnex Industria E Comercio Ltda (Brazil)


• Henan Boom Gelatin Co. Ltd (China)


• Baotou Dongbao Bio-Tech Co. Ltd (China)


• Norland Products Inc. (US)


• Geltech Co. Ltd (South Korea)


• Geliko LLC (US)


• Kenney & Ross Limited (Canada)

Recent Developments

• In December 2021, Lapi Gelatine S.p.A (Italy) acquired Junca Gelatines (Spain). This acquisition will be expanding its presence in the industrial gelatin sector for pharmaceutical uses.


• In May 2021, Darling Ingredients Inc. (US) launched X-Pure GelDAT – Gelatin Desaminotyrosine. This new product provides purity and consistency on a high level, which is critical for the successful development of biomedical products employed in the human body.

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market Report Overview

The study covers the existing short-term and long-term market effects, as well as helping decision-makers to draught short-term and long-term plans for businesses by region. The report covers major regions in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The report analyzes market drivers, restraints, opportunities, challenges, Porter's Five Forces, Value Chain, and impact of COVID-19 on the market.

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market Segmentation

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Source Outlook

• Porcine


• Bovine Skin


• Animal Bones


• Others

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Function Outlook

• Stabilizer


• Thickener


• Gelling Agent


• Others

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Application Outlook

• Hard Capsules


• Soft Capsules


• Micro-encapsulation


• Coating for Tablets


• Absorbable Hemostat


• Others

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Type Outlook

• Type A


• Type B

Pharmaceutical Gelatin Region Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America