Global pharmaceutical excipient market to reach US$7415.2 million by 2021

Report assesses trends by chemistry type, application type, functionalities and regions to offer analytical insights about the potential demand emerging for particular pharmaceutical excipients in specific regions.

In the report, the global pharmaceutical excipients market is analysed on the basis of chemistry type (i.e., source of origin), application type, functionality, and region. Based on chemistry type, the overall market has been segmented into plant-based, animal-based, mineral-based and synthetically derived excipients. Based on functionality, the market has been segmented into binders (binders, coatings, and fillers), glidents, diluents, disintegrants, and others (solvents, co-solvents, anti-microbial agents, lubricants, colorants, emulsifiers, and humectants). By application type, the market has been segmented into oral, topical, parenteral formulations, and others, which includes suppositories, intra-muscular, and ophthalmic preparations. In the overall market, oral solid dosage formulations are expected to witness increased uptake owing to the ease of consumption by patients globally. Accordingly, oral application type segment is expected to witness value increase from US$3327.8 million in 2015 to US$5094.2 million by the end of 2021.

The prime drivers of the market include rising demand for sustained-release and controlled-release formulations, especially in oral applications, and increased demand for generics. Sustained and extended release formulations are gaining popularity as they help in maintaining patient-safety through reduced number of medicine dosages, but having increased drug efficacy. Apart from these factors, increase in the incidence of chronic diseases across regions has been spurring demand for essential drugs, which is expected to fuel demand for excipients over the forecast period.

Frequent physical audits of excipients manufacturing facilities by officials from regulatory agencies lead to the imposition of substantial operating cost burdens on excipient manufacturers, thus hampering revenue growth for excipients over the forecast period. Other market deterrents include long gestation period before a novel excipient is formally accepted in the industry. However, the situation is expected to improve over the next few years, with individual economies formulating their own good manufacturing and good distribution practice guidelines in collaboration with the International Pharmaceutical Excipient Council.

Based on regions, the market has been divided into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the MEA. Developed pharmaceutical markets such as the US and EU are expected to emerge as the main sourcing markets, while economies such as India, China, and Brazil are expected to emerge as the main supplying countries for raw materials such as cellulose, starch, lactose, etc.

Formalization of good manufacturing practices for excipients is an urgent need in the global excipients market, to cater to rising demand for higher purity excipients in applications such as parenteral forms. According to various trade associations and regulatory agencies, global acceptance of excipients by drug manufacturers is a relatively lengthy process, which takes around 7–10 years. This factor is expected to prolong the revenue conversion period for excipients manufacturers.

This report assesses trends by chemistry type, application type, functionalities and regions to offer analytical insights about the potential demand emerging for particular pharmaceutical excipients in specific regions. North America is estimated to dominate the pharmaceutical excipients market accounting for a maximum revenue share of the overall market by the end of 2015. By 2021 end, North America and Europe markets are expected to account for over three-fifth share of the global pharmaceutical excipients market revenue. In terms of market share by value, North America is estimated to retain its dominant position, registering a CAGR of 6.9% over the forecast period.

Some key companies covered in this report include BASF SE, Evonik Industries AG, Innophos Holdings Inc., The Lubrizol Corporation, The Dow Chemical Company, Wacker Chemie AG, and Ashland Inc. These companies are primarily focused on enhancing their product portfolio through research and development and the introduction of innovative and cost-effective advanced manufacturing procedures such as co-processing of existing excipients in order to gain higher market share and to strengthen their respective positions in the global market.