Capsule contract manufacturing – A perfect solution for supplement production

The last decade has seen continued growth in the dietary supplements industry, driven by increasing consumer awareness on the health and wellness front. For those businesses looking to enter the market, or even for those already in the industry and looking to expand, the production side of the business can prove challenging. Setting up your own manufacturing facilities requires a lot of money, knowledge of the industry and regulations, and the necessary skills to put it all into action.

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This is the exact spot where capsule contract manufacturing becomes an indispensable resource. By working with specialized manufacturers, companies can avoid the production complexity and concentrate all efforts on market strategy, branding, and sales. The following article is a technical overview of the landscape of contract manufacturing, focusing on the processes, benefits and most important aspects to consider when producing dietary supplements in capsule form.

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What is capsule contract manufacturing?

Capsule contract manufacturing is where a brand outsources the production of their capsule supplements to a third party. In this manufacturing model, the contract manufacturer covers the sourcing of raw materials, blending, encapsulating, polishing, testing, and packaging. This ultimately allows brand owners to offer products to the market without the hassle of owning or running any manufacturing facilities.

Value of Partnering with a Contract Manufacturer

When it comes to partnering with a contract manufacturer, there are a number of things to consider. For one, there are things like speed, technology, and encapsulation. These are things most startups simply can’t afford to purchase. Also, partnering with a contract manufacturer makes the operational danger less likely and can give them the ability to scale. With a contract manufacturer, organizations can give themselves the ability to manufacture as much or as little as they want based on the market.

Important Figures in the Industry of Capsule Manufacturing

The ecosystem consists of the suppliers of active ingredients and excipients of the contract manufacturers, processed into finished forms, and the suppliers of packaging. A good contract manufacturer usually has a good network throughout this ecosystem to ensure continuity of good sources of high-quality products and materials.

The Process of Manufacturing of Capsule Supplements

The first step of the capsule supplements manufacturing process involves the creation of a balanced formulation of active ingredients and excipients, which are the components used to construct or assist in the construction of the product, like flow agents, to ensure the components are of good quality. A good formulation ensures that the dosage is precise and consistency is good in bioavailability.

What to Think About When Choosing a Size and Type of Capsule

Capsule selection is based upon technical aspects such as volume of fill material and target consumer. Capsule sizes go from 000 (biggest) to 4 (smallest).

– Gelatin Capsules: These are the traditional standard and most economical option, as they derive from animal collagen and are therefore less expensive.

– Vegetarian/HPMC Capsules: These cost more because of the increased materials. They are more expensive because they are plant-based, while also catering to consumer dietary restrictions.

Supplement Manufacturing and Process Control

QC (Quality Control) is the backbone of the manufacturing process. During the manufacturing process, control checks are performed multiple times to create stages for each of the following: raw material, process (weight and disintegration), and finished molecule (potency and purity). The federally regulated cGMP control system makes sure each batch has met the safety and quality standards.

Tailoring Your Capsule Experience

Creating Custom Formulas and Private Labeling

Contract manufacturing provides two primary avenues for brands to pursue: custom formulation and private labeling.

Custom Formula Development: This entitles the client to exclusivity and is proprietary because the client becomes the sole entity to offer the product to the market.

Private Labeling: In this scenario, the manufacturer has control over the stock formula, and the brand is able to place their label on the formula. This option has less stringent minimum order quantities (MOs) and results in a faster time to market.

Customizing Manufacturing Capabilities

Because of the flexibility of the manufacturing process, the addition of different branded products, or the ability to customize a package, some manufacturers may accommodate requests to meet their specific needs, including organic or non-GMO products. 

Contract Manufacturing Services for Dietary Supplements

The Role of Compliance and Certifications

The supplement industry is heavily regulated, and there is no getting around this. The most reputable manufacturers will have third-party certifications with organizations such as NSF International, UL, or USP, which confirm this company’s facility meets the standards of these organizations. 

Finding a Good Supplement Manufacturer

Finding a good business partner is about evaluating their output capabilities, lead times, and how they will handle quality. You should absolutely assess the facility for yourself and look at their track record regarding compliance. A manufacturer’s openness about their sourcing and testing is a good indicator of credibility.

Packaging and Distribution of Capsule Supplements

Outside-the-box Thinking When it Comes to Packaging

To protect the integrity of the capsules during shipment and storage, packaging will need to provide protection against moisture, light, and oxygen, all of which can degrade the potency of the capsules. Packaging can serve an aesthetic purpose as well. Capsules can be packaged in a variety of materials, including HDPE and PET Bottles, glass jars, and blister packs. Advanced solutions may include induction sealing and desiccant packets to maximize the shelf life of the capsules.

Logistics and Supply Chain Management 
 
The last step is called distribution. Some contract manufacturers provide fulfillment services by taking control of the inventory and the shipping to the distribution centers or the end customers. Integrated logistics support makes sure the product is moving through the different phases. This support reduces the amount of time the product is not on the supply chain and guarantees the continuity of the supply chain. 
 
Strategic Manufacturing Partnerships 
 
The key to success in the dietary supplement market depends on the quality and consistency of the product. Capsule contract manufacturing is a pathway for brands to use industrial expertise and infrastructure for their benefit. By knowing the technical details of formulation, quality control, and compliance, a business can choose a manufacturing partner that meets their operational objectives and quality expectations. A strategic partnership in manufacturing is the key to building a reliable and scalable supplement brand.