Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Type A, Type B), By Source (Porcine, Bovine Skin, Bovine Bone, Fish, Poultry), By Function (Stabilizing, Thickening, Gelling, Others), By End User (Hard Capsule, Soft Capsule, Tablet, Absorbable Hemostat, Others), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.12 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.13%
Fastest Growing Segment	Thickening
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 3.03 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market will grow from USD 2.12 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.03 Billion by 2031 at a 6.13% CAGR. Pharmaceutical gelatin is a high-molecular-weight biopolymer derived from the partial hydrolysis of collagen, primarily utilized in the manufacture of hard and soft capsules, plasma expanders, and as a stabilizer in vaccine formulations. The market is fundamentally driven by the escalating global prevalence of chronic diseases and an aging population, which necessitate efficient oral drug delivery systems to ensure patient compliance and bioavailability. Furthermore, the material’s superior functional properties, including excellent film-forming capabilities and biocompatibility, continue to support its indispensability in clinical applications, distinguishing these core drivers from shifting market trends such as clean-label preferences.

However, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the volatility of raw material costs, as the industry relies heavily on livestock by-products, making it vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and sanitary regulations. This dependence can lead to pricing instability and procurement difficulties for pharmaceutical manufacturers. According to the Gelatin Representatives of the World (GROW), in 2025, the health and nutrition sector emerged as the primary application area, with 54% of surveyed industry professionals operating within this category, underscoring the critical reliance of the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors on this versatile excipient.

Key Market Drivers

Surging Demand for Softgel and Hard Capsule Delivery Systems is a primary force propelling the market, as these dosage forms offer superior patient compliance through effective taste masking and ease of swallowing. Pharmaceutical gelatin serves as the critical structural component in these systems, providing the necessary mechanical strength and dissolution properties required for secure active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) encapsulation. This segment's robustness is evident in recent financial performances; for instance, according to Nitta Gelatin India Limited, October 2025, in the 'Financial Results for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2025', the company reported a revenue increase to 141.93 crore INR, driven largely by sustained demand in its pharmaceutical excipient lines. Such financial metrics underscore the continuous manufacturing reliance on high-quality gelatin for capsule production despite broader supply chain volatilities.

The Rapid Expansion of the Nutraceutical and Dietary Supplement Industry further accelerates market growth, blurring the lines between traditional pharmaceuticals and preventive health solutions. As consumers increasingly prioritize preventative care, manufacturers are utilizing pharmaceutical-grade gelatin to create fortified functional foods and gummy supplements that require precise textural and stability profiles. This trend is highlighted by shifting consumer behaviors; according to the Council for Responsible Nutrition, October 2024, in the '2024 Consumer Survey', usage of specific supplements like magnesium rose to 23% of all supplement users, indicating a broadening base for gelatin-dependent delivery formats. To support this expanding scale of application, major producers are maintaining substantial turnover, as evidenced by Nitta Gelatin Inc., November 2025, in the 'Financial Results Briefing Material for the Six Months Ended September 30, 2025', which reported net sales of 18,499 million JPY, reflecting the material's critical role across both clinical and wellness sectors.

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Key Market Challenges

The volatility of raw material costs, driven by the industry’s heavy reliance on livestock by-products, stands as a critical impediment to the growth of the global pharmaceutical gelatin market. Since pharmaceutical gelatin is a derivative product dependent on the meat processing industry, it is inherently susceptible to external shocks such as sanitary regulations, animal disease outbreaks, and fluctuating livestock populations. This dependency creates a fragile supply chain where the availability of high-quality bovine bone or porcine skin can drop unexpectedly, causing rapid price escalations. Consequently, pharmaceutical manufacturers face significant procurement risks and pricing instability, which complicates cost management for essential drug delivery systems and discourages long-term investment in gelatin-based formulations.

This instability in raw material supply directly restricts market scalability by limiting the volume of pharmaceutical-grade excipients available to meet rising demand. The contraction in livestock numbers in key regions exacerbates this issue, tightening the supply of necessary biomass. According to the Gelatine Manufacturers of Europe (GME), in 2024, the estimated European porcine production declined to approximately 218 million heads, indicating a clear reduction in the availability of essential raw materials for gelatin extraction. Such supply constraints force manufacturers to operate in a high-cost environment, ultimately slowing the broader adoption of gelatin in mass-market pharmaceutical applications despite its functional advantages.

Key Market Trends

Expansion into Regenerative Medicine and Hemostatic Applications is fundamentally altering the market landscape as pharmaceutical gelatin becomes a cornerstone biomaterial for advanced clinical devices. Manufacturers are increasingly re-engineering gelatin's physicochemical properties to develop flowable hemostats, wound healing scaffolds, and bio-inks that mimic the extracellular matrix, moving beyond traditional encapsulation roles. This strategic shift towards high-value biomedical solutions is supported by robust capital allocation from major industry players who are diversifying their portfolios. According to Darling Ingredients, October 2025, in the 'Third Quarter 2025 Results', the company's global ingredients business achieved an EBITDA of $248 million, reflecting the substantial financial stability enabling continuous investment in next-generation medical device innovations such as gelatin-based microneedles and dural sealants.

Increasing Commercialization of Marine-Sourced Pharmaceutical Gelatin is accelerating due to the rising global demand for non-mammalian excipients that comply with strict Halal, Kosher, and pescatarian dietary requirements. As religious and lifestyle preferences increasingly dictate pharmaceutical purchasing decisions, producers are diversifying their raw material supply chains away from bovine and porcine sources to include cold-water fish skins, which offer comparable functional performance with fewer regulatory hurdles regarding animal diseases. This diversification strategy is evident in the financial resilience of regional leaders pivoting to these segments. According to Nitta Gelatin India Limited, July 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024-25', the company reported a profit before tax of 109.68 crore INR, underscoring the commercial viability and profitability of adapting production portfolios to meet evolving ethno-religious market needs.

Segmental Insights

Based on current market data, the Thickening segment is emerging as the fastest-growing category within the Global Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market, driven by the escalating demand for liquid dosage formulations. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are increasingly utilizing gelatin to precisely modify viscosity and enhance the stability of syrups, elixirs, and suspensions, ensuring the uniform distribution of active ingredients. This trend is significantly supported by the rising need for patient-centric solutions that facilitate easier swallowing for pediatric and geriatric populations. Furthermore, strict adherence to safety standards established by the United States Pharmacopeia reinforces the industry preference for gelatin as a reliable viscosity-increasing agent.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the Global Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market, primarily driven by its mature pharmaceutical manufacturing sector and extensive healthcare infrastructure. The region experiences sustained demand for gelatin-based drug delivery forms, such as soft and hard capsules, necessitated by the rising prevalence of chronic conditions and an aging demographic. Furthermore, the market benefits from significant investments in research and development alongside a rigorous regulatory environment. Compliance with high safety standards set by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reinforces the region’s strong market standing.

Recent Developments

• In December 2025, Darling Ingredients and Tessenderlo Group signed a definitive agreement to combine their respective collagen and gelatin businesses, Rousselot and PB Leiner, into a new joint venture named Nextida. Under the terms of this strategic collaboration, Darling Ingredients owns an 85% stake while Tessenderlo Group retains 15%, with the new entity expected to generate approximately $1.5 billion in revenue. This merger consolidates a production network of 22 facilities worldwide, creating a global leader capable of delivering an extensive range of pharmaceutical gelatin and collagen peptides. The partnership is positioned to accelerate research and development in bioactive ingredients and optimize supply chains for pharmaceutical customers globally.
• In October 2025, Gelita presented its latest breakthroughs in pharmaceutical gelatin solutions at the CPHI Worldwide event held in Frankfurt, Germany. The company showcased a comprehensive portfolio of specialized gelatin grades, including RXL, Delasol, and Easyseal, which are engineered to solve specific formulation challenges in soft capsule production. These innovative products were highlighted for their ability to prevent cross-linking, enable enteric release without additional coatings, and minimize leakage during manufacturing. By introducing these advanced excipients, the company aimed to support pharmaceutical developers in creating more stable, efficient, and patient-centric delivery systems for sensitive active pharmaceutical ingredients.
• In October 2024, Rousselot strengthened its intellectual property portfolio by securing a patent from the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) in Brazil for its advanced gelatin technology, StabiCaps. This specialized solution addresses a critical challenge in the pharmaceutical industry by significantly reducing the cross-linking of gelatin shells in softgel capsules, which can compromise drug stability and release. The patent approval in Brazil, a key emerging market for pharmaceutical applications, allows the company to offer enhanced formulation security to manufacturers. This development underscores the company's commitment to innovating functional excipients that ensure the efficacy and extended shelf life of softgel dosage forms.
• In May 2024, Nitta Gelatin India Limited initiated a significant capacity expansion project at its manufacturing facility in Kakkanad, Kerala. The company held a ground-breaking ceremony for this development, which involves an investment of ₹200 crore to enhance its production capabilities. This strategic move is designed to increase the output of collagen peptides and upgrade the existing infrastructure to manufacture high-quality pharmaceutical-grade gelatin. The expansion aims to meet the growing global demand for functional ingredients used in pharmaceutical drug delivery systems and healthcare supplements, reinforcing the company's position as a key supplier in the pharmaceutical gelatin market.

Key Market Players

• Gelita AG
• Trobas Pharmaceutical gelatine B.V
• Rousselot SAS
• Gelatines Weishardt SAS
• Sterling Biotec Ltd.
• Catalent, Inc
• Nitta Pharmaceutical Gelatin India Limited
• Aspire Pharmaceuticals
• Gelco International
• Lapi Gelatine S.p.a

By Type	By Source	By Function	By End User	By Region
Type A Type B	Porcine Bovine Skin Bovine Bone Fish Poultry	Stabilizing Thickening Gelling Others	Hard Capsule Soft Capsule Tablet Absorbable Hemostat Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market, By Type:

• Type A
• Type B

• Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market, By Source:

• Porcine
• Bovine Skin
• Bovine Bone
• Fish
• Poultry

• Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market, By Function:

• Stabilizing
• Thickening
• Gelling
• Others

• Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market, By End User:

• Hard Capsule
• Soft Capsule
• Tablet
• Absorbable Hemostat
• Others

• Pharmaceutical Gelatin Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE