Natural and unique

Hard capsules have been manufactured in their characteristic cylindrical form since 1897. They are generally composed of up to 80 to 85 per cent gelatin and about 10 to 15 per cent water. Examples of further constituents are dyes. 

Hard capsules were traditionally used for powdery or granulated medicines. Thanks to modern production engineering, they can now also be filled with liquid or paste-like formulations. Manufacturing involves a two-step process: first, two empty capsule halves, “body” and “cap”, are produced and put together. Then, they are reopened by the pharmaceutical manufacturer, filled with a substance and firmly sealed. 

Hard capsules are elastic and robust. The gelatin capsules provide effective protection against environmental influences such as oxygen or moisture, which could potentially reduce or change the effect of the active ingredients. The capsules only dissolve and release the active ingredients in the digestive tract. The thin gelatin coating facilitates oral administration and also masks the unpleasant flavor or smell of some constituents. The capsules can be dyed either one or two colors using special dyes that have been approved for pharmaceutical applications, which not only helps the consumer differentiate between the various medicines offered in hard capsules, but can also help protect light-sensitive ingredients. 

Another advantage of hard capsules is that they give the ingredients in the desired formulation a long-lasting shelf life. This also applies for soft capsules.

In contrast to hard capsules, the convex-shaped soft capsules are molded in one piece and have thicker capsule walls. They are suppler and softer and are generally filled with active ingredients in the form of oils and pastes. The manufacture of these capsules and their filling takes place in a single production step. Similar to hard capsules, these gelatin capsules protect ingredients that are sensitive to light and oxygen-induced degradation, facilitate oral administration and mask unpleasant tastes or smells. 

Soft capsules make it possible for manufacturers to precisely dose liquid substances, such as oil-based vitamins. Using oil-based formulations also makes it possible to combine several active ingredients in one capsule. Similar to hard capsules, soft capsules are neutral in smell and taste and are easy to swallow thanks to their soft surface. 

Soft capsules can be manufactured in various shapes and colors and are also commonly used to divide cosmetic products into individual portions. For example, one application for soft capsules in the cosmetic industry is in the manufacture of bath bombs. Moreover, they are used for creams, salves or skin oils. Here, the soft capsule shell again protects ingredients that are sensitive to light and oxygen-induced degradation and makes it possible to develop forms of application perfectly tailored to meet manufacturer and consumer wishes. 

A gelatin coating can be applied to tablets by means of a dipping process. The gelatin coating of these so-called film-coated tablets make the tablets harder and more stable. Furthermore, film-coated tablets can be dyed or printed for better recognizability and are easier to swallow thanks to their smooth surface. Again, the coating offers protection from light and oxygen and masks potentially unpleasant tastes or smells. 

Variants of pharmaceutical gelatin as well as collagen peptides are also used as drying and binding agents in the manufacture of effervescent vitamin tablets and other water-soluble powders. Thus, for example, fine drops of oil-soluble vitamins can be integrated into an aqueous gelatin solution. Because the gelatin solution envelops the vitamins, it provides them with long-term protection from light, oxygen and moisture, which could otherwise change or weaken their effect. 

A powder is formed through special solidification and drying processes that can subsequently be dissolved in both warm as well as cold liquids. The powder can also be pressed into stable forms that are unaffected by storage, such as effervescent tablets.