Tell us about your production challenge

Let's make hard gelatin capsules

Find innovative production technology for making hard gelatin capsules and connect directly with world-leading specialists.

Hard capsule making equipment

The two-piece capsule is a visual shorthand for all types of medical remedies. Advances in technology have made the production of hard-gelatin capsules a convenient delivery method for drugs and other ingested substances. But the simple solution requires micrometric precision to be manufactured to the proper pharmaceutical standards.

Which hard gelatin capsules technology do you need?

Semi-automatic capsule filler

Semi-automatic capsule filler

Hard gelatin capsules are a popular format for delivering a wide variety of pharmaceutical dose…

R&D hard gelatin capsule sealing machine

R&D hard gelatin capsule sealing machine

When encapsulating products at temperatures up to + 80°C, these tend to solidify at…

R&D semi-automatic capsule filler

R&D semi-automatic capsule filler

Semi-automatic filling machine suitable to open, fill and close empty hard gelatin capsule…

Entry-level X-ray inspection system

Entry-level X-ray inspection system

Without compromising on performance, if you need an entry level x-ray inspection system …

Serialization and aggregation inspection system

Serialization and aggregation inspection system

Including serialization and aggregation inspection systems to packaging lin…

Pharmaceutical data management software

Pharmaceutical data management software

A typical pharmaceutical production handles numerous work flow activities like manag…

Flat carton serialization station

Flat carton serialization station

The packaging lines in the pharmaceutical industry handle several flat cartons. Manual pac…

?

Add your technology here

Do you have technology that can make this better? Tell us more!

Blister inspection system

Blister inspection system

The pharma and healthcare industries widely use blister thermoforming machines to package a variety…

Cold forming aluminum blister machine for capsules

Cold forming aluminum blister machine for capsules

Aluminum blisters are mainly used for packaging products that are sensi…

Contained Visual Inspection System

Contained Visual Inspection System

In the medicine industry, it is important to ensure there are no defects in tablets or ca…

Effective Visual Inspection System for Capsules

Effective Visual Inspection System for Capsules

The attribute of capsule packing is a critical parameter that controls the …

High speed bottle filler with inspection

High speed bottle filler with inspection

Medicines in tablet, capsule, or soft gel forms undergo various processes before re…

High Speed Visual Inspection System for Tablets

High Speed Visual Inspection System for Tablets

In order to ensure quality and standard specifications of tablets, capsules…

Lifter and De-duster for Tablets

Lifter and De-duster for Tablets

The use of several different tools for lifting, de-dusting, and polishing in the pharmaceuti…

Dessicant inserting machine

Dessicant inserting machine

Desiccant canisters play an important role in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Th…

Pharmaceutical bottle unscrambler

Pharmaceutical bottle unscrambler

Pharmaceutical packaging industry requires the ability to quickly manage the process yet a…

Tablet counting machine

Tablet counting machine

Production of pharmaceutical solid dosage forms usually require complete accuracy, flexibility, and co…

Metal detector for bottles

Metal detector for bottles

For metal contamination detection in finished products that are bottled, traditional solutions req…

Metal detector for tablets and capsules

Metal detector for tablets and capsules

Identification of metallic contaminants is a vital part of pharmaceutical quality co…

Semi-automatic case packer

Semi-automatic case packer

Pharmaceutical products require complete traceability throughout the production cycle. For smaller…

Electronic capsule counter

Electronic capsule counter

For lab work or small batch production, hand counting of solid doses into dispensing containers is…

Automatic filling line for solid doses

Automatic filling line for solid doses

For medium-scale production of solid doses such as tablets, capsules, and softgels th…

Stand-alone aggregation station

Stand-alone aggregation station

The aggregation of pharmaceutical products for tracking purposes is already compulsory in man…

Should your technology be listed here?

Can your technology help make this product better?

Sign up
Serialization coding and labeling equipment

Serialization coding and labeling equipment

In the pharmaceutical industry, product serialization is the cornerstone of all…

High capacity weight sorter for tablets & capsules

High capacity weight sorter for tablets & capsules

By employing a weight sorter that is fully flexible and able to han…

Capsule checkweigher

Capsule checkweigher

The production of pharmaceutical capsules requires that individual doses are checked for accuracy. In a p…

High capacity capsule filler

High capacity capsule filler

In the highest volume pharmaceutical production environments, capsule filling needs to be extrem…

Scale up capsule filler

Scale up capsule filler

For higher production volumes of pharmaceutical capsules, speed, accuracy and reliability of productio…

Entry level capsule filler

Entry level capsule filler

For the production of pharmaceutical doses in capsule form complete accuracy of fill is paramount.…

Versatile weight sorter for tablets & capsules

Versatile weight sorter for tablets & capsules

Saving costs and improved production efficiencies are possible by optin…

Industrial capsule checkweigher

Industrial capsule checkweigher

Pharmaceutical manufacturing demands the highest quality standards and completely consistent …

Laboratory capsule filler for liquid solutions

Laboratory capsule filler for liquid solutions

A recent important change in the industry is the trend toward providing liqu…

Automatic capsule filler for liquid solutions

Automatic capsule filler for liquid solutions

Use of liquid filled hard capsules is increasingly popular with today's pharm…

Automatic laboratory capsule filler

Automatic laboratory capsule filler

Innovators in the highly regulated and highly dynamic pharmaceutical market place need e…

Contained capsule filler

Contained capsule filler

For pharmaceutical formulations that are highly active specialized capsule filling equipment is often…

Too much choice? Don't worry, we got you!

Connect directly with world leading technology suppliers.

We will connect you directly with a technology specialist that has experience with your process.

Contact us

Dosing accuracy is key to manufacturing hard gelatin capsules


The bright colors that hard-gel capsules are synonymous with come from dyes and edible colorings. However, the main ingredients of the shell are gelatin and plasticizers, which combine at a typical ratio of 1:0.4 using precise dosage technology.


Compared with softgel capsules, the hard gelatin alternatives require fewer components to produce. But your standard formula will also include sugars, an opacifier, and preservatives.


Hygroscopic ingredients weaken the hard-shell structure

The flexibility of hard-gel caps and their relatively long shelf-life make them an ideal solution for the delivery of various drugs. Two-piece capsules can hold a range of powder formulations, tablets, and semisolid solutions.

But hygroscopic agents may lead to cracks in the shell over time, making the production of hard gelatin capsules unsuitable for materials such as silicon dioxide and magnesium carbonate.

Production of hard gelatin capsules is largely impacted by the water content

The mixture to manufacture hard gelatin capsules consists of 14% to 16% demineralized water. Achieving this delicate proportion is key to ensuring that your shells have the proper elasticity to hold their structure and protect the filling.

Too little water will result in brittle capsules, while too much of it risks destabilizing the drug content inside.

Plant-based gelatin alternatives follow the same manufacturing process


Gelatin has been the industry standard in manufacturing hard capsules for nearly a century. But currents drifting away from animal-based ingredients are spurring research into vegetarian alternatives. Substitute materials like starches and carrageenan can be handled with minor modifications to existing technology.


HPMC capsules have emerged as a prime contender to produce plant-based encapsulation formulas. An edible natural polymer, HPMC is made from plant-extracted cellulose.  Unlike gelatin, which is non-allergenic foodstuff, HPMC is considered an additive (E460).


Processing steps involved in hard-gelatin-capsules making

Let's talk about your project!

Tell us about your production challenge and connect directly with leading manufacturers worldwide
All your data is kept confidential