Global Visual Inspection of Tablets, Capsules, and Softgels Market - 2025-2032

The global visual inspection of tablets, capsules, and softgels market reached US$ 586.26 million in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 897.72 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period 2024-2032.

Pharmaceuticals and healthcare product manufacturers dealing with oral solid products such as tablets and capsules need a fool-proof quality inspection to assure product safety. Before putting a product on the market, quality monitoring is crucial. When it comes to dealing with tablets, capsules, and softgels intended for the pharmaceutical business, this is of more importance. A tablet inspection machine can be useful in this situation. These machines use a conveyor belt to thoroughly examine each tablet or capsule in turn. This is a quick and effective process that guarantees that only high-quality products are available for consumers to purchase. The high-speed cameras and customized software of the visual inspection machines are capable of accurately detecting inconsistencies in tablet color, shape, and size, removing defective products via a custom-built rejection mechanism. The system can be configured to reject individual products or bottles.

Market Dynamics: Drivers & Restraints

Rising pharmaceutical production volumes

Globally the production of pharmaceuticals has significantly risen in recent times due to increasing demand caused by the escalating global burden of chronic diseases. Majority of the pharmaceutical manufacturers are scaling up their production volumes to meet consumer demands. Several nations are stepping up to stand as market leaders in pharmaceutical production. For instance, the Press Information Bureau of the Government of India has stated that India has been drastically growing in the pharmaceutical business fueled by constant investments and higher demand. The country's pharmaceutical industry is expected to reach US$ 100 billion by 2025 with the rising domestic manufacturing as a major market driver. The country's export volume has also increased by 8.36% from 2023 to 2024. This reflects the country's growing emphasis on the pharmaceutical sector and its focus on improving production volume. A similar scenario is continued in other emerging nations such as China, Brazil, Eastern European countries, and Southeast Asian countries.

With the growing pharmaceutical product volumes, the requirement for visual inspection systems is expected to significantly rise in the future. This will propel the market growth positively in the forecast period.

The rising adoption of artificial intelligence fuels market growth

Among all the new-age technologies, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fast fast-growing technology in pharmaceutical manufacturing. It plays a crucial role in early-stage drug development to end-stage commercial manufacturing. In the pharmaceutical's visual inspection, this technology can rapidly analyze tablets, capsules, and softgels with high precision and reduce the overall inspection time. For instance, the VISITAB series of vision inspection systems by ACG and Proditec are integrated with AI technologies are designed to detect even a minute manufacturing defects in pharmaceutical products.

The AI systems also alert the quality personnel to make relevant changes when the quality of the product on the assembly line is poor. Also, training the system requires almost zero human involvement, and the machine keeps learning new behaviors from itself to improve its efficiencies incrementally.

AI-powered visual inspection processes can outperform human quality inspectors any day. This new-age solution can be trained to identify defects and failures much earlier. Smart cameras and sensors ensure end-to-end visibility of the production line and capture data and images which are crucial to train the AI-based solution.

AI-powered systems possess the remarkable ability to detect and identify defects with exceptional precision, complementing the skills of human inspectors in maintaining consistency and objectivity. AI is a valuable supplement, enabling inspectors to perform their tasks more effectively and make more informed decisions.

One of the key advantages of integrating AI into visual inspection lies in its ability to handle complex inspections in hazardous areas that are hidden from human vision. With the continuous advancements in camera technology and computer vision algorithms, maintenance technicians can conduct inspections remotely while maintaining a safe distance from the objects under examination. This breakthrough ensures both the safety of personnel and the preservation of equipment integrity, mitigating risks and minimizing downtime.

Scalability is another advantage of AI inspection compared to manual methods. Training another human inspector to match the expertise and proficiency of an experienced inspector takes time, resources, and considerable investment. On the other hand, scaling AI inspection systems involves replicating software and deploying it to additional inspection stations or integrating it into existing infrastructure. This scalability allows businesses to increase throughput and handle higher volumes of inspections without the need for significant reliance on humans.

It is quality assurance in production that aims to preserve a desired level of quality and standard in a product on the assembly line with a high-quality final output. Computer vision, an AI subset uses algorithms to understand digital visual data very similar to the function performed by the human eye.

Manual traditional visual inspection approaches are not only time-consuming but are prone to errors due to the subjective perception and experience of the respective quality inspector. This impacts consistency in the quality control process where only a limited number of defects are detected within a given time. Furthermore, legacy systems are not flexible and have to be reconfigured frequently to accommodate product changes. It is also time-consuming and labor-intensive.

The high cost of visual inspection systems may restrain the market growth.

The technological advancements are growing in the visual inspection systems, however, additional features may come at additional prices. The cost of automated visual inspection systems integrated with new-age technologies like AI, can be significantly higher than manual systems, or semi-automated systems. Due to the high initial investment cost, low to mid-range manufacturing companies may rely on the traditional practice of manual inspection. The adoption rate for a novel, tech-loaded systems can significantly reduce among these manufacturers hindering their market growth.

Segment Analysis

The global visual inspection of tablets, capsules, and softgels market is segmented based on mode of operation, application, end-user, and region.

Automatic systems in the mode of operation segment are expected to grow with the highest CAGR in the forecast period.

An automatic visual inspection machine for tablets and capsules has a digital image recognition technology that can assist in the precise detection of physical damage on tablets and capsules. These devices find their major application in medium to large-scale manufacturing facilities due to their high efficiency. The automatic visual inspection machines are specifically used to inspect size mismatches, breakage, the presence of foreign objects, and twining on tablets and capsules. There are several automated visual inspection systems with advanced features.

For instance, SPINE by Sensum d.o.o. is an all-in-one automated machine for 100% visual inspection and sorting of tablets, capsules, and softgels. The device can inspect 830 products per hour and can visualize products between 2mm to 28mm in size. Various types of tablets can be inspected, such as coated or uncoated, multilayer, laser-drilled, or those with engraving. The machine can inspect full or empty capsules, as well as those with print or that are transparent.

Automatic machines deliver the seamless inspection of quality through the system setting and apply the best algorithm as well without structural change or complicated settings. Automatic visual inspection machines are also designed with technological advancements like AI technologies to enhance advanced features and high visuality with 2D and 3D inspection.

All these features of automatic machines reflect their potential for widespread adoption in the future.

Geographical Analysis

North America dominates the visual inspection of tablets, capsules, and softgels market.

North America is renowned for its pharmaceutical industry. Manufacturers in the U.S. have adopted advanced technologies and machines for pharmaceutical production and inspection. Moreover, the market players in visual inspection machines have a strong presence in the U.S., and they offer visual inspection machines integrated with advanced technologies such as AI. For instance, Key International Inc., a company based in New Jersey, U.S., and one of the global market leaders offers its highly advanced Enclony PLANET 6G inspection machine to manufacturers in the United States. The machine takes up to 12 pictures of every tablet or capsule that passes through it. The machine also compares each tablet or capsule against a "golden image" to assure 100% visual inspection, keeping the good product and rejecting any defective product. With its combined state-of-the-art features, the Enclony PLANET 6G is capable of inspecting any shape, size, or color tablet or capsule. It also boasts 350,000 tablets per hour or 150,000 capsules per hour output to streamline efficiency.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the visual inspection of tablets, capsules, and softgels market are Daiichi Jitsugyo Asia Pte. Ltd., Accura Pharmaquip Pvt. Ltd., Proditec, Jekson Vision, SaintyCo, METTLER TOLEDO., Anritsu, Sensum d.o.o., YENCHEN MACHINERY CO., LTD. Key International 2025, Inc. and MELISCOUT GMBH among others.

Why Purchase the Report?

• Pipeline & Innovations: Reviews ongoing product and technology developments, and forecasts upcoming advancements.
• Target Performance & Market Positioning: Analyzes product performance, market positioning, and growth potential to optimize strategies.
• Real-World Evidence: Integrates customer feedback and data into product development for improved outcomes.
• Market Updates & Industry Changes: Covers recent regulatory changes, new policies, and emerging technologies.
• Competitive Strategies: Analyzes competitor strategies, market share, and emerging players.
• Pricing & Market Access: Reviews pricing models, reimbursement trends, and market access strategies.
• Market Entry & Expansion: Identifies optimal strategies for entering new markets and partnerships.
• Regional Growth & Investment: Highlights high-growth regions and investment opportunities.
• Supply Chain Optimization: Assesses supply chain risks and distribution strategies for efficient Target delivery.
• Sustainability & Regulatory Impact: Focuses on eco-friendly practices and evolving regulations in healthcare.
• Post-market Surveillance: Uses post-market data to enhance product safety and access.
• Pharmacoeconomics & Value-Based Pricing: Analyzes the shift to value-based pricing and data-driven decision-making in R&D.

The global interleukin inhibitors market report would provide approximately 86 tables, 69 figures, and 265 pages.

Target Audience 2024

• Manufacturers: Technology Innovators, Product Manufacturers, Contract Manufacturers, Distributors.
• Regulatory & Policy: Compliance Officers, Government, Health Economists, Market Access Specialists.
• Investors: Healthcare Investors, Venture Fund Investors, Pharma Marketing & Sales.
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