Vegetarian capsules
HPMC capsules for stable, clean-label production.
HPMC (hypromellose) capsules are made from plant-derived cellulose rather than animal gelatin. They hold less moisture, resist cross-linking, and tolerate a wider humidity range — which makes them the default choice for vegan and clean-label products, hygroscopic or reactive fills, and supply chains that move across climates.
Formulation fit
As a non-protein cellulose ether, HPMC is chemically inert. It does not undergo the Maillard reaction or cross-link with aldehydes and reducing sugars the way gelatin can, so it suits reactive actives, aldehyde-generating excipients, and long shelf lives without the late dissolution surprises cross-linking causes. It is a dependable shell for hygroscopic powders, probiotics, and herbal extracts.
Moisture and stability
HPMC equilibrates at a substantially lower moisture level than gelatin and depends far less on retained water for its integrity. That smaller moisture reservoir means less exchange with a moisture-critical fill, and the film stays flexible in dry warehouses, arid climates, and winter production where gelatin turns brittle.
Dissolution and grade
HPMC dissolution depends on the gelling system: some gelled grades can be sensitive to the ionic strength of the medium, while non-gelling or thermogelled grades dissolve more independently. This makes the grade a specification item rather than a detail — confirm the intended HPMC grade against your dissolution and release requirements.
Machine performance
Correctly specified HPMC capsules run cleanly on modern high-speed fillers, with consistent separation, seating, and locking. The film behaves slightly differently from gelatin, so expect to confirm tooling and rectification on your own line — dimensional consistency and tight lot control are what keep the line predictable.
Certification and documentation
HPMC is plant-derived and directly supports vegan, vegetarian, and clean-label positioning, and can be certified Halal and Kosher without animal-origin concerns. As a distributor we pass through the factory's GMP-accredited manufacturing and supply the batch-specific COA, dimensional and moisture specifications, and certificates for each product line.
Standard colours
A range of stock colours in opaque and transparent finishes. Availability varies by material and size, and we colour-match to Pantone for custom and printed runs.
- Clear
- White
- Ivory
- Yellow
- Orange
- Swedish orange
- Red
- Pink
- Green
- Turquoise
- Blue
- Lavender
- Purple
- Caramel
- Brown
- Grey
- Black
Need a bespoke colour or two-tone combination? Explore custom capsules.
Ideal for
- Vegan, vegetarian, and clean-label products
- Hygroscopic and moisture-sensitive fills
- Reactive or aldehyde-generating formulations
- Long shelf-life programs where cross-linking is a risk
- Dry climates, low-humidity storage, and winter distribution
- Probiotics, botanicals, and delicate actives
When gelatin may fit better
If a gelatin process is already validated for a compatible fill and cost per thousand is the deciding factor at high volume, gelatin can be the more economical choice. HPMC typically carries a modest cost premium, though stability often recovers it in fewer rejects.
See Gelatin CapsulesDocumentation
- Batch-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- Dimensional and moisture specifications
- Certificate of conformance
- Halal, Kosher, and Vegan certificates by product line
- Country of origin and supplier GMP pass-through
Common questions
Are HPMC capsules suitable for high-speed filling?
Yes. With consistent capsule quality and correctly tuned tooling, HPMC runs reliably on modern high-speed lines; confirm rectification on your own machine.
Are HPMC capsules more expensive than gelatin?
Usually a modest premium per thousand, but total production cost can improve when better stability reduces rejects, downtime, and shelf-life risk.
Are HPMC capsules vegan and vegetarian?
Yes. They are plant-derived and free of animal origin, and support vegan, vegetarian, Halal, Kosher, and clean-label positioning.
Do HPMC capsules dissolve as reliably as gelatin?
Yes, but dissolution depends on the gelling system, so the grade should be confirmed against your release requirements rather than assumed.
Do HPMC capsules still need controlled storage?
They tolerate a wider humidity band than gelatin, but sealed packaging and stable conditions still protect performance.
Specify HPMC Capsules for your line
Tell us your sizes, colors, and volumes and we'll come back with availability, documentation, and terms — by the box, pallet, or container. No public pricing, no obligation.