Vegan Capsule Manufacturer for Supplement Brands

Our encapsulation suite runs automatic filling machines with a combined capacity of 12 million capsules per month across two shifts. HPMC and pullulan shells are handled on dedicated hoppers to avoid cross-contact with gelatin. We fill powders, granules, pellets and small-dose blends, and we can apply enteric coating or delayed-release coatings where the formula needs it. Capsule sizes 0 and 00 cover most retail positions; size 1 and 2 suit low-dose actives or children's lines.

Every run starts with a fill-weight trial. We test three or four target weights, check weight uniformity on 20 capsules, and confirm the shell closes cleanly at your chosen fill. If the powder is fluffy or sticky, we adjust the tamping force and dose disc before locking the batch record. That step prevents the two most common problems in vegan capsule production: split seams and inconsistent fill weights.

HPMC capsules suit most powdered blends. They tolerate 45-60% relative humidity in storage, which is wider than gelatin, and they release actives within 10-15 minutes in simulated gastric fluid. Pullulan capsules offer a cleaner label and lower oxygen permeability, which helps with oxidation-sensitive ingredients such as probiotics, omega-3 powders and certain plant extracts. We stock both shell types in clear and opaque white, and can match opaque colours to your brand.

Vegan capsules are not automatically compatible with every ingredient. Oils and liquid fills need a sealed shell or a banding step. Hygroscopic powders can draw moisture through the shell over 12-18 months, so we recommend a desiccant or a foil pouch. We review your formula before quoting, flag any incompatibility, and suggest a practical fix. That review is part of the sample process, not an extra service.

Each batch is tested for weight variation, disintegration, microbial limits and heavy metals. We retain samples for 24 months and keep batch records for five years. The plant is GMP-certified and holds ISO 22000 and HACCP. If your market needs halal, organic or certification, we produce under the relevant scheme and issue the matching certificate with the shipment.

For US and EU buyers, we prepare a certificate of analysis, a certificate of origin, a free-sale certificate where required, and a full ingredient breakdown with allergen statements. Packaging can be bottles, pouches or blister packs, labelled to your artwork. We ship FOB Shenzhen or Yantian, and air freight samples leave within 48 hours of release. Typical sea transit is 18-28 days to the US west coast and 25-35 days to Rotterdam.

Every vegan capsule batch is tested at three points: incoming raw materials, in-process fill weight checks, and finished goods. Identity and potency are confirmed by HPLC or UV methods depending on the actives, microbials by total plate count, yeast and mould, E. coli and Salmonella, heavy metals by ICP-MS for lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury, and disintegration by USP <701> in water at 37°C. HPMC and pullulan shells typically disintegrate within 5 to 10 minutes, well inside the 30-minute pharmacopoeial limit.

A certificate of analysis (COA) is issued per batch and lists the product name, lot number, manufacture and expiry dates, tests performed, specifications, results and the analyst's signature. Retention samples of every lot are held for 24 months at 25°C/60% RH, with accelerated stability at 40°C/75% RH for 3 and 6 months to support a 24-month shelf life claim. If a customer needs a specific marker compound or a tighter microbial limit, the protocol can be adjusted before the first production run.

Microbial testing is carried out on the finished capsules rather than only on the powder, because the shell and the filling process both affect the final count. Water activity and moisture content are checked on the shells to confirm they remain within the 4.5 to 6.5% range that keeps HPMC and pullulan stable. Any out-of-specification result triggers a documented investigation, and the batch is placed on hold until the root cause is closed.

For export, the batch record, COA, MSDS and, where required, a free-sale certificate are compiled before shipment. Stability data can be shared under an NDA so the brand owner can support the shelf life claim in their own market. The same documentation package is used for retail and for marketplace compliance, which reduces the admin burden when a product launches in more than one channel.

Vegan capsules are packed in HDPE bottles from 30 cc to 500 cc, in blister packs, or in stick and sachet formats for single-serve lines. Bottles are induction-sealed, then fitted with a child-resistant or standard cap depending on the market. Blisters use PVC/PVDC or alu-alu depending on the moisture barrier required. Cartons are specified with board grade, print process and pallet pattern confirmed before the first run, so the retail-ready pack matches the artwork approval.

For the US market, labels are checked against the FDA dietary supplement labelling requirements: statement of identity, net quantity, supplement facts panel with serving size and % daily value, other ingredients, and the manufacturer or distributor address. Lot number and best-by date are inkjet-coded on the bottle and the carton, with the format agreed in advance. We do not provide regulatory advice, but we do check that the supplied artwork contains the mandatory elements before printing.

Amazon and other marketplace sellers need FNSKU labels applied over the existing barcode, poly-bagged units where required, and cartons that meet the marketplace's weight and dimension limits. We can apply FNSKU labels, print the carton markings and build pallets to the retailer's specification, including 1,200 x 1,000 mm and 1,200 x 800 mm pallets. Shrink wrap, corner boards and pallet labels are quoted as part of the packaging line item.

Artwork is proofed as a PDF with bleed, dieline and colour reference before plates are made. A physical pre-production sample is sent for sign-off on bottle, cap, label and carton together, so the brand owner sees the finished retail unit rather than a flat proof. Any change after sign-off restarts the proofing cycle, so the approval step is treated as a formal gate in the project timeline.

Sampling starts with a formula and shell specification. A pilot batch of 500 to 1,000 capsules is produced within 7 to 10 working days, and the sample is shipped with a draft COA so the brand owner can review both the product and the paperwork. Once the sample is approved in writing, the production slot is booked. Mass production runs 20 to 35 working days depending on capsule size, fill weight and packaging complexity.

MOQ is 1,000 retail units per SKU for bottled lines, with lower thresholds for pilot runs that are quoted case by case. Larger orders are scheduled across multiple filling days to keep batch sizes consistent. If a launch needs several SKUs at once, the production plan sequences them so that the same shell lot is used where possible, which keeps colour and disintegration behaviour consistent across the range.

Shipping is quoted on EXW, FOB or DDP terms. Air freight is used for samples and for launches where the retail window is tight, typically 5 to 10 days door to door. Sea freight is used for full pallets and takes 25 to 40 days depending on the destination port. DDP quotes include duties and last-mile delivery, which simplifies landed-cost planning for brands without an import entity in the destination market.

The export document pack includes the commercial invoice, packing list, COA, MSDS, and a free-sale certificate where the destination requires one. Phytosanitary certificates are provided when a market asks for them on plant-derived materials such as HPMC. Documents are issued in the shipper's name and can be couriered with the original set or sent electronically, depending on what the consignee's customs broker accepts.