Encapsulation (Capsule Filling) Basics

Encapsulation refers to the process of enclosing the medicinal dosage of either powder Or pallet Or tablet Or all Or some of them in a strategic combination in a relatively stable shell known as a capsule, allowing them to be consumed with ease and achieve a controlled release in a predetermined environment.

Do you know that the encapsulation market is expected to grow from US$ 35,113.49 million in 2021 to US$ 80,071.65 million by 2028; it is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2021 to 2028 (ref: theinsightpartners dot com/reports/encapsulation-market).

The original patent for invention and manufacturing of Gelatin Capsule was issued in 1834 to a Parisian pharmacist, Joseph Gérard Dublanc, and Fran?ois Achille Barnabé Mothès. Today there are two main types of capsules viz the Hard Gelatin Capsule and the Soft Gelatin Capsule (or softshells).

The steps involved in the Encapsulation Process are as follows:

1. Filling the empty capsules in the loader hopper
2. Rectification i.e. orienting the empty capsules such as the body of each capsule faces the same direction.
3. Separation of caps form the bodies
4. Plug Or slug formation of the feed material
5. Dosing the capsule body with the plug Or slug formed
6. Replacement of the caps on the body of the telescopic nature capsule
7. Polishing and Sorting of capsules
8. Ejection of the capsules