The pharmaceutical excipients market saw significant strategic
consolidations, technological developments, and regulatory adaptations in 2025.
Globally, the pharmaceutical excipients sector is growing at a compound annual
growth rate of 6.6 percent, and was valued at US$ 8.85 billion in 2024. It is projected to reach US$ 14.77 billion by 2032.This year, the sector is witnessing technological advancements,
regulatory evolution, and strategic business realignments. North America
continues to dominate the global excipients landscape, with a 39.8 percent
market share. The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing segment with a
substantial 30.4 percent market share, driven by increasing investments in
pharmaceutical manufacturing, growing demand for cost-effective drugs, and
rising healthcare expenditure across developing economies.Major
excipient providers include BASF, Merck KGaA owned MilliporeSigma, Gangwal Healthcare, DuPont, Evonik, Seqens, Actylis, SPI Pharma, PMC Isochem, Croda International, Pfanstiehl, Kewpie Corporation, Boai NKY Pharmaceuticals, ICE Pharma, Roquette, Nanjing Well Pharmaceutical, Minakem, Ashland Global, Anhui Ribobay
Pharmaceutical and Nippon Fine Chemical. View Our Dashboard on Major Excipient Companies in 2025 (Free Excel Available)Roquette restructures after
buying IFF Pharma; Colorcon partners ASHA CelluloseIn May, Roquette completed its acquisition of IFF Pharma Solutions. Valued at up to US$ 2.85 billion in enterprise value, this transaction represents a major consolidation in the pharmaceutical excipients market. The acquisition significantly enhances Roquette’s ability to deliver high-value drug delivery solutions to pharmaceutical customers worldwide. Roquette announced a comprehensive, new organizational structure following the acquisition, indicating the company’s commitment to integrate IFF Pharma Solutions’ capabilities seamlessly into its existing operations. This consolidation creates a more robust platform for addressing the growing demand for specialized excipients in complex drug formulations, particularly as the industry moves towards more personalized approaches to medicines.So far, the year has also witnessed some strategic alliances, such
as Colorcon’s partnership with ASHA Cellulose. As part of the deal, Colorcon will become the exclusive representative for two ASHA products — ASHACEL and ASHAKOTE — throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia.Brenntag Specialties has announced an exclusive distribution agreement with MEGGLE Excipients to expand market reach. This collaboration makes available a broad portfolio of over 30 high-quality lactose-based excipients for various applications in the pharmaceutical industries across the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Finland, and Sweden.The portfolio’s versatility offers optimal solutions for a wide range of pharmaceutical applications, including tableting through both granulation and direct compression, powder preparations, and dry powder inhalation. View Our Dashboard on Major Excipient Companies in 2025 (Free Excel Available)WHO, FDA drive new standards
with GMP guidelines; Pfanstiehl launches injectable-grade glycineIn March, the World Health Organization had put out a publication titled “Good Manufacturing Practices for Excipients used in Pharmaceutical Products.” WHO’s excipient GMP guideline emphasizes modern quality management principles, comprehensive risk assessment protocols, and supplier qualification procedures for excipients across all stages of production, storage, and distribution.Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed amendments to the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as part of its FY 2025 legislative proposals, specifically targeting supply chain transparency for high-risk excipients. The FDA proposal would require certain excipients designated as high-risk to carry labeling that identifies the original manufacturer’s name and address. This initiative addresses what FDA has identified as a lack of transparency in excipient supply chains.In April, IFF Pharma Solutions launched Low Nitrite METHOCEL
hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). This innovative product is specifically designed to
reduce the risk of nitrosamine formation in finished
pharmaceutical dosages, addressing one of the most pressing concerns in
contemporary pharmaceutical manufacturing.Pfanstiehl, a global leader in
high-purity excipient manufacturing, announced the launch of its High Purity Low Endotoxin Low Metals (HPLE-LM) injectable-grade glycine. This multi-compendial glycine is specifically engineered for use in biologics, vaccines, and the downstream purification of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Manufactured under ICH-Q7 cGMP regulations at Pfanstiehl’s advanced facility in Waukegan, Illinois, the product meets stringent global pharmacopeial standards. View Our Dashboard on Major Excipient Companies in 2025 (Free Excel Available)Shin-Etsu Chemical invests in
Japan, Germany to expand cellulose productionIn March, Shin-Etsu Chemical announced investments in pharmaceutical cellulose
business operations in Japan and Europe, thereby showing significant commitment
to market expansion. The company is making substantial investments at two key
bases: the subsidiary SE Tylose GmbH in Germany, and the Naoetsu Plant in Joetsu, Japan. In Germany, a new production facility for the pharmaceutical excipient L-HPC will be built adjacent to the existing facility, creating a dual base with the Naoetsu Plant. The excipients market in 2025 has seen innovation in functional
applications. Research on BENEO’s Palatinose as a bedtime drink shows that it improves
aspects of sleep and represents an innovative approach to excipient
functionality. Palatinose is a naturally sourced, smart carbohydrate that
provides full carbohydrate energy in a more balanced way, thanks to its
low-glycemic profile.Gangwal Healthcare, with its EXCiPACT-certified GMP facilities and a robust portfolio of co-processed excipients like ProBlend, Starlose, and Microlose, is actively contributing to the pharmaceutical industry’s demand for functional excipients. The company also offers cellulose-based excipients such as Solvostar (Sodium Starch Glycolate) and Sallyso (Croscarmellose Sodium), designed to improve tablet
disintegration and drug release profiles in oral solid dosage forms.Evonik announced a partnership with South Korea–based CDMO ST Pharm to expand its RNA and nucleic acid delivery services. This collaboration enables Evonik to integrate customized nucleic acids from ST Pharm seamlessly with its lipid and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) development and fill-and-finish services. This streamlined approach means that pharmaceutical companies can reduce complexity and increase speed-to-market for nucleic acid therapeutics. View Our Dashboard on Major Excipient Companies in 2025 (Free Excel Available)Our viewThe pharmaceutical excipients market in 2025 is being shaped by several key trends including the development of multifunctional excipients that can simultaneously improve solubility, bioavailability, and control drug release in increasingly complex formulations.Moreover, the expanding generic medicines market is creating demand for cost-effective, versatile excipients. The growing importance of biologics and biosimilars is driving innovation in specialized excipients designed to maintain the stability and efficacy of these complex therapeutic products throughout their lifecycle. And nanotechnology continues to enable advanced nano-excipients for enhanced drug delivery and efficacy.In addition to these trends, we also notice a shift towards natural and plant-based excipients that is driven by sustainability concerns and potential biocompatibility benefits.
Share
