Europe Soft Gel Capsules Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Gelatin and Non-Gelatin), By Application (Nutraceuticals & Dietary Supplements, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics), By Distribution Channel (Pharmacies & Drug Stores, Supermarkets & Hypermarkets, Online Providers), and Europe Soft Gel Capsules Market Insights, Industry Trends, Forecast to 2035

Europe Soft Gel Capsules Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Europe Soft Gel Capsules Market Size Was Estimated at USD 1673.2 Million in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of Around 6.8% from 2025 to 2035
• The Europe Soft Gel Capsules Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 3449.5 Million by 2035

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, The  Europe Soft Gel Capsules Market Size is Anticipated to Reach USD 3449.5 Million by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2025 to 2035. The market is driven by a growing need for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products, bolstered by improvements in encapsulating technology and increased health consciousness.

Market Overview

The softgel market refers to the manufacturing, distribution, and use of softgel capsules, a solid dosage form of medication in which a substance is encapsulated within gelatin shells. Preservatives, plasticisers, opaquants, a few approved dyes, and mixtures of gelatin make up these capsules. Soft gelatin capsules dissolve more rapidly than hard gelatin capsules and are typically used to hold liquid or powdered medications. The market for non-animal shells derived from materials including tapioca, HPMC, and pullulan is being driven by consumers' growing preference for ethical and plant-based products.

In May 2024, Cookies Creative Consulting & Promotions, Inc., a California firm, and SOMAI Group and its subsidiary, RPK Biopharma, extended their cooperation to include new territories for the dried flower portfolio and to produce various extract products.

Organizations like GELITA DELASOL and Roquette LYCAGEL Flex are setting the standard for flexible, plasticiser-free shell systems that work with biologics and delicate substances. Lipid-based delivery systems, microencapsulation techniques, and enteric coatings are increasing absorption rates and expanding medicinal applications.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the Europe Soft Gel Capsules Market Size based on various segments and regions, and forecasts revenue growth and analyses trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the Europe soft gel capsules market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies, such as expansion, product launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the Europe soft gel capsules market.

Driving Factors

The soft gel capsules market in Europe is driven by the ageing of the population and the increase in chronic diseases, such as heart problems, memory impairment, and arthritis are making preventive nutritional supplements increasingly necessary. The whole situation is also giving rise to the demand for plant-based alternatives, HPMC, pullulan, and starch that are less harmful to humans and the earth due to their sustainable source, as well as having clean labels and being vegan. Personalized medicine, biologics, and functional supplements are becoming more and more popular, which has increased demand for flexible, high-precision production capabilities.

Restraining Factors

The soft gel capsules market in Europe is restrained by the flexibility, protective barrier, and fill compatibility of non-animal-derived shells are generally inferior to those of conventional gelatin, particularly when it comes to oils or delicate substances. The market expansion of software capsules may be constrained by competition from other dosage forms.

 Market Segmentation

The Europe Soft Gel Capsules Market share is categorised into type, application and distribution channel.

• The gelatin segment accounted for the largest revenue market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. 

The  Europe Soft Gel Capsules Market Size is segmented by type into gelatin and non-gelatin. Among these, the gelatin segment accounted for the largest revenue market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of the segment is driven by the growing popularity of health supplements and the advantages of soft gelatin capsules, including their ease of swallowing, lack of flavor, unit dose distribution, tamper-proof nature, and availability in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Soft gels are soft, flexible, and simple to swallow because of a component called gelatin.

• The nutraceuticals & dietary supplements segment dominated the market in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period.  

Based on application, the  Europe Soft Gel Capsules Market Size is segmented into nutraceuticals & dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics. Among these, the nutraceuticals & dietary supplements segment dominated the market in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. The segmental growth is driven by the increasing requirement for health supplements is an essential factor contributing to the upsurge in the acceptance of the health and fitness lifestyle. The number of chronic diseases is increasing, the population is ageing, and more and more individuals are becoming aware of the importance of being fit.

• The pharmacies and drug stores segment accounted for the largest revenue market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. 

The  Europe Soft Gel Capsules Market Size is segmented by distribution channel into pharmacies and drug stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets, online providers. Among these, the pharmacies and drug stores segment accounted for the largest revenue market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of the segment is driven by consumer confidence, convenient access to health products, and strong healthcare infrastructure were the main factors contributing to the market growth; nonetheless, the retail landscape is changing with supermarkets, hypermarkets, and online providers' expansion, especially for nutraceuticals, and Germany is at the forefront in Europe in terms of consumption owing to its large pharmaceutical industry.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the Europe soft gel capsules market, along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborate analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies                                                                                                                          

• EuroCaps
• Kuehne + Nagel International AG
• Lonza Group Ltd
• Aenova Group GmbH
• Sirio Pharma Co., Ltd.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
• Soft Gel Technologies Inc.
• Gelita AG
• SAS Gelatines Weishardt
• Lapi Gelatine S.p.a
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Recent Development

In May 2024, Roquette, a global leader in plant-based ingredients and a leading provider of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical excipients, announced the launch of its new LYCAGEL Flex hydroxypropyl pea starch premix for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical softgel capsules.

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at the Europe, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the  Europe Soft Gel Capsules Market Size based on the below-mentioned segments:

Europe Soft Gel Capsules Market, By Type

• Gelatin
• Non-Gelatin

Europe Soft Gel Capsules Market, By Application

• Nutraceuticals & Dietary Supplements
• Pharmaceuticals
• Cosmetics

Europe Soft Gel Capsules Market, By Distribution Channel

• Pharmacies & Drug Stores
• Supermarkets & Hypermarkets
• Online Providers