Sugar-Coated Tablet Manufacturer for Global Brands

We operate 12 coating pans with batch sizes from 50 kg to 400 kg. Each pan has independent temperature, airflow, and spray control. For sugar coating, we use a standard syrup build-up: seal coat, subcoat, smoothing, colouring, and polishing. This produces a 2–4% weight gain, depending on core size and desired opacity. Line capacity reaches 1.2 million tablets per day across two shifts.

Cores can be compressed in-house on 35 stations rotary presses, ranging from 6 mm to 22 mm in diameter. We run both single-layer and bi-layer cores. If your formula includes moisture-sensitive actives, we recommend a film subcoat before sugar coating to reduce water migration. All coating parameters are logged per batch and retained for 5 years.

Sugar coating works with a wide range of actives: herbal extracts, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and probiotics. We adjust syrup composition to match core hardness and porosity. For hygroscopic ingredients, we add a shellac or zein seal coat. For effervescent cores, we use a non-aqueous coating solvent to avoid premature reaction. Typical sugar coating formulations use sucrose, glucose, or a sugar alcohol blend for reduced sugar claims.

We can incorporate natural colours, titanium dioxide alternatives, and polished finishes. Flavour masking is a common request for bitter botanicals such as valerian root or artichoke extract. Our R&D team runs small-batch coating trials to confirm appearance, taste, and disintegration before scale-up. Stability testing follows ICH guidelines, with 6-month accelerated and 24-month real-time options.

Every sugar-coated tablet batch is tested for weight variation, hardness, friability, disintegration, and microbial limits. We hold GMP, ISO 22000, and HACCP certifications. halal and vegan certifications are available on request. Our facility is FDA-registered for dietary supplements. We provide a Certificate of Analysis for each shipment, plus full traceability from raw material lot to finished bottle.

Packaging runs from 30-count to 180-count HDPE bottles, blister packs, and stick packs. We ship FOB Shenzhen or Yantian, with air freight for urgent orders. Lead times are 20–35 working days for mass production after sample approval. For repeat orders, we hold your approved formula and artwork for 24 months. Documentation includes commercial invoice, packing list, health certificate, and free sale certificate if required.

Every sugar-coated tablet batch is tested against a written specification before coating and after curing. Incoming raw materials are sampled at 100% of containers for identity by FTIR or HPLC, and each active is assayed for potency. During coating, pan speed, inlet temperature, spray rate and syrup solids are logged every 15 minutes. After polishing, finished tablets are tested for appearance, weight variation (target ±5%), hardness, friability (under 1.0% after 100 drops), disintegration (typically 15–30 minutes for sugar-coated cores, depending on the formula) and microbial limits (TPC under 1,000 cfu/g, absence of E. coli and Salmonella).

Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury) are tested per batch or per raw material lot, depending on risk. A certificate of analysis (COA) is issued for each batch and includes lot number, product name, specification version, test items, methods, acceptance criteria, results and a pass/fail statement, signed by the QC manager. The COA also lists the coating type, colourants used and the expiry date assigned. Where a customer requires it, we add a statement of composition and allergen status.

Retention samples of every batch are kept for the shelf life plus 12 months, stored under labelled conditions at 25°C/60% RH and 30°C/65% RH. Stability protocols follow ICH Q1A(R2) where the destination market requires it: 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months for long-term, with accelerated conditions at 40°C/75% RH for 6 months. Assay, disintegration, microbials and appearance are monitored at each point. If a batch is exported to a market with different climatic zone requirements, we adjust the protocol accordingly.

Documentation is released as a batch record package: executed batch record, COA, deviation log (if any), line clearance record, environmental monitoring data for the coating room, and a retention sample register entry. These are provided in English as standard; translated labels and market-specific declarations are handled at the packaging stage. Buyers auditing the facility can request the full package for any lot before shipment.

Sugar-coated tablets are packed in HDPE bottles (30, 60, 90, 120, 180 or 250 cc) with induction seals, in blisters (PVC/PVDC or alu/alu), in stick packs or in sachets. Bottle filling runs at 40–60 bottles per minute on our line, with desiccant options for hygroscopic cores. Blister tooling is available for standard cavity sizes; custom shapes require a 15–20 working day tooling lead time. For effervescent sugar-coated cores, we recommend alu/alu blisters or tubes with desiccant to control moisture.

Labels are produced to the destination market's requirements. For the US, we include the FDA dietary supplement label elements: statement of identity, net quantity of contents, supplement facts panel with serving size and percent daily value where applicable, other ingredients list, and the required domestic address and phone number of the distributor. For the EU, we include the nutrition declaration, allergen statement and the food business operator address. Lot number and expiry date are inkjet-printed on the bottle, blister or carton, and we can add a QR code linking to a batch-specific COA if required.

Cartons are specified to withstand retail and e-commerce handling. Standard export cartons are 5-ply corrugated with a bursting strength of at least 18 kg/cm². We can print the carton with the customer's artwork, barcodes (UPC/EAN) and Amazon FNSKU labels. For Amazon FBA shipments, we apply FNSKU labels to each unit, poly-bag or shrink-wrap as required, and print the box labels with the correct FBA box ID. Pallet configuration is typically 1,200 x 1,000 mm or 1,200 x 800 mm, stretch-wrapped and corner-protected, with a maximum height of 1.8 m for sea freight.

Retail compliance checks are built into the packaging line: barcode verification (ANSI grade C or better), label proof against the approved artwork, and a first-article inspection before the run starts. We keep approved artwork and label proofs on file for each SKU. If a retailer requires a specific carton marking, such as a lot code on the outside, we add it during carton sealing. All packaging materials are food-grade and meet EU 10/2011 and US FDA 21 CFR 174-186 requirements where applicable.

Sampling starts with a 7–10 working day turnaround from receipt of a signed specification and sample request. We provide up to 500 g of coated tablets for evaluation, with a preliminary COA. If formulation work is needed, such as taste masking or colour matching, add 5–7 working days. Sample costs are credited against the first production order. For pilot runs, the MOQ is 1,000 units per SKU; for retail bottling, 1,000 units per SKU depending on bottle size and label complexity.

Mass production takes 20–35 working days after sample approval and receipt of packaging materials. This includes raw material testing, granulation, compression, sugar coating, curing, polishing, packaging and QC release. If the order requires custom blister tooling or printed cartons, add 10–15 working days. We confirm the production slot in writing once the deposit is received, and we send weekly progress updates with photos of the coating and packaging stages.

Shipping is arranged by air or sea. Air freight takes 5–8 days door to door for most destinations; sea freight takes 25–40 days depending on the port. We work with EXW, FOB Shenzhen or Hong Kong, and DDP for selected markets. DDP includes customs clearance and delivery to the customer's warehouse, but the buyer remains responsible for import licensing and product registration. For DDP shipments, we provide the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or airway bill, and the certificate of origin where required.

The export document pack includes the COA for each batch, a material safety data sheet (MSDS) where applicable, a free-sale certificate issued by the local authority, and a phytosanitary certificate for herbal or botanical ingredients where the destination country requires it. We also provide a certificate of manufacture and a GMP certificate copy. Documents are sent electronically before shipment and the originals travel with the cargo or by courier, depending on the Incoterm.