Choosing a softgel encapsulation machine manufacturer is not simply a comparison of maximum speed. A complete softgel project must keep gelatin preparation, fill-material handling, rotary-die encapsulation, tumble drying, final drying, inspection, tooling, utilities, and process support in balance. A fast encapsulator connected to an undersized drying system will not deliver a fast production line.
Short answer: the 12 manufacturers worth comparing in 2026 are Pharmagel, URMACHINE, Technophar, Changsung Softgel System, Kamata Machine, SEC Softgel Technology, CapPlus Technologies, GIC Engineering, COUNTEC, Zhejiang Jiangnan Pharmaceutical Machinery, Wuxi Jangli Machinery, and Sinagel. Their strongest use cases range from R&D and pilot batches to high-output pharmaceutical production and turnkey factory projects.
This guide compares their publicly available equipment range, production scale, supporting systems, tooling, and service scope. It also explains what to verify before requesting a quotation, because the best supplier for a compact nutraceutical line may not be the best choice for a validated high-volume pharmaceutical plant.
Top Softgel Encapsulation Machine Manufacturers at a Glance
| # | Manufacturer | Country/Region | Scale Coverage | Publicly Shown Line Scope | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pharmagel | Italy | R&D to high-output production | Preparation, encapsulation, drying, inspection, printing, process support | Pharmaceutical plants and customized turnkey projects |
| 2 | URMACHINE | China | Laboratory, pilot, standard, servo and high-capacity models | Encapsulation, tanks, mixers, chillers, tumble drying, dehumidification and cleaning | Buyers needing broad model choice and one-source line configuration |
| 3 | Technophar | Canada | Pilot, medium and commercial production | Encapsulators, dryers, melters, tanks, polishers, tooling and service | Established pharmaceutical and nutraceutical manufacturers |
| 4 | Changsung Softgel System | South Korea | Formulation development through commercial production | Encapsulation line, dryers, gelatin and fill preparation equipment | Buyers seeking Korean softgel engineering and line integration |
| 5 | Kamata Machine | Japan | Flexible production to mass production | Encapsulation, die rolls, tumble drying, marking, grading and inspection | Plants prioritizing capsule quality and long-term process know-how |
| 6 | SEC Softgel Technology | China | Academic and small batch to large servo production | Encapsulation, tooling, tanks, dryers, inspection and process training | Tooling-intensive projects and varied softgel applications |
| 7 | CapPlus Technologies | United States | R&D and small-to-medium production emphasis | Encapsulation, tanks, chilling, conveying, drying, trays and tooling | North American nutraceutical and specialty-product operations |
| 8 | GIC Engineering | United States | Commercial production and turnkey plant projects | SUPRA encapsulation, dryers, ancillary equipment, upgrades and consulting | Plants needing formulation, equipment and facility-level support |
| 9 | COUNTEC | South Korea | Commercial softgel production | Softgel encapsulation plus broader counting, inspection and packaging equipment | Buyers connecting softgel production with downstream packaging |
| 10 | Zhejiang Jiangnan | China | Multiple commercial machine sizes | Softgel encapsulation plus broad pharmaceutical processing and packaging machinery | Factories sourcing several pharmaceutical machine categories |
| 11 | Wuxi Jangli Machinery | China | Small to high-capacity production | Encapsulation, die rolls, tumble dryers, tanks and line support | Complete Chinese softgel equipment packages and tooling supply |
| 12 | Sinagel | China | R&D, medium and mass production | Encapsulation, drying, gelatin melting, medicine preparation and sorting | Custom YWJ-series lines and plant-based softgel projects |
How These Softgel Machine Manufacturers Were Evaluated
A supplier was included only when its public website or technical literature showed dedicated softgel encapsulation machinery or a clearly defined softgel production solution. The comparison considered seven practical factors:
- Machine range: availability of laboratory, pilot, medium-scale or commercial systems.
- Complete-line capability: preparation, encapsulation, drying, inspection and related equipment.
- Tooling support: die rolls, wedges, change parts, spare parts and format development.
- Process support: formulation trials, training, plant layout, start-up and troubleshooting.
- Documentation: manuals, FAT/SAT, qualification support and control-system options.
- Application range: pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, veterinary, industrial or plant-based products.
- Public transparency: accessible product information that lets a buyer form a meaningful shortlist.
Specifications on supplier websites are reference values, not guaranteed results for every formula. Actual output, yield, seam quality and drying time depend on capsule geometry, fill characteristics, shell formulation, room conditions, tooling and operator control.
1. Pharmagel Technology
Headquarters: Italy | Website: phartech.it | Best for: customized pharmaceutical plants and high-end turnkey integration
Pharmagel presents one of the broadest publicly documented softgel portfolios in this comparison. Its offering covers GK and HT encapsulation lines, laboratory equipment, gelatin and fill preparation, tumble and tunnel drying, dehumidification, in-process control, inspection and laser printing. That range matters when a buyer wants the process designed as one connected system rather than buying an encapsulator first and solving bottlenecks later.
The company states that its new-generation encapsulation lines scale from small to large production and use independently controlled electronic drives. Its HT30 is positioned for laboratory trials and pilot batches. Pharmagel also combines equipment engineering with formulation and product-development support, FAT/SAT, training, documentation and qualification-related services.
Why shortlist Pharmagel: the supplier is particularly relevant when drying, environmental control, inspection, product development and validation support are as important as the main machine. Ask for a project-specific definition of the supply boundary, utility loads, production assumptions, documentation package and local service plan.
2. URMACHINE
Headquarters: Zhejiang, China | Website: urmachine.com | Best for: broad machine selection and configurable complete softgel lines
URMACHINE supplies rotary-die softgel systems for laboratory, pilot, standard industrial and high-capacity production. Its public softgel encapsulation machine range includes compact RGY2-15 equipment, 10-plunger commercial configurations, servo-controlled models, 16-plunger systems and a wider-die high-output option. This gives buyers room to match the machine to current demand without ignoring future expansion.
The published range also extends beyond encapsulation to gelatin melting and service tanks, color and fill-material mixers, homogenizers, water chillers, tumble dryers, dehumidification dryers and cleaning stations. Custom die rolls are available for common oval, oblong, round, tube, suppository and special shapes. Depending on the model, buyers can consider touchscreen or Siemens PLC control, recipe management, servo synchronization, automatic alignment and controlled lubrication.
A key advantage is the ability to compare several architectures through one supplier. Reference outputs on the public specification table range from a compact laboratory machine to over 200,000 capsules per hour on selected high-capacity configurations, but the contractual output must always state capsule size, cavity count, die speed and formulation conditions.
Why shortlist URMACHINE: it suits pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic and veterinary buyers that want the main machine, tooling and auxiliary equipment configured together. For an accurate proposal, provide the capsule drawing, fill volume, viscosity, particle-size limit, daily batch target, shell system, workshop layout and required documentation.
3. Technophar
Headquarters: Canada | Website: technophar.com | Best for: established pharmaceutical and nutraceutical production
Technophar is a Canadian specialist in soft-gelatin capsule machinery with more than four decades of manufacturing experience stated on its website. Its current equipment range is structured around pilot, medium and commercial production, including the SGL207NextGen, SGM407NextGen and SGM612NextGen platforms.
The company also offers drying systems, melters, tanks, polishers, tooling, spare parts and end-to-end service. That creates a clearer scale-up path for a manufacturer that wants process continuity from development batches to commercial output. Technophar states that it has its Canadian headquarters and two manufacturing sites in Europe; through parent company Qualicaps, it became part of the Roquette group after the 2023 acquisition.
Why shortlist Technophar: its concentrated softgel specialization, scale coverage and service organization make it a logical candidate for regulated plants and multinational users. During evaluation, compare the standard control package, data and recipe functions, drying match, changeover procedure, FAT protocol, training scope and availability of regional technicians.
4. Changsung Softgel System
Headquarters: South Korea | Website: softgel.kr | Best for: formulation development through commercial line integration
Changsung Softgel System is a Korean manufacturer focused on rotary-die softgel production. Its published product materials cover formulation-development equipment, standard encapsulation systems and supporting line components. The FMS formulation system is aimed at R&D and pilot work, while commercial equipment serves larger production requirements.
The broader line concept includes gelatin preparation, fill preparation, encapsulation and drying. This is useful for buyers that want one engineering conversation to cover upstream material condition and downstream moisture removal, not just the rotary die. Changsung equipment is also presented internationally through CVC Technologies channels, which may be relevant to service and sales access in some markets.
Why shortlist Changsung: it is worth comparing when Korean engineering, development-to-production scale-up and a coordinated softgel line are priorities. Request current model sheets directly, because machine specifications and distribution arrangements can change. Verify whether your quotation covers tanks, chillers, tumble baskets, tooling, installation, formulation trials and local spare-parts support.
5. Kamata Machine
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan | Website: kamata-jp.com | Best for: capsule quality, production know-how and high-output applications
Kamata Machine is a long-established Japanese soft-capsule equipment manufacturer. Its encapsulator range includes the flexible WH-1 and the B-1, WB-1 and TB-1 mass-production models. The company publishes reference production examples for specific oval and oblong formats, helping buyers understand why output must always be tied to capsule size and pump configuration.
Kamata’s public portfolio also includes die rolls, tumble dryers, laser markers, roller graders and visual inspection equipment. Its control software stores product settings such as speed and temperature as recipes and supports later review of operation data. This combination of main machine, downstream handling and process knowledge makes Kamata particularly relevant to manufacturers that value repeatability over headline speed alone.
Why shortlist Kamata: buyers producing high-value pharmaceutical or nutraceutical capsules may appreciate its focus on rigid machine construction, capsule quality and long-term know-how. Confirm compatibility with the intended shell system, fill material and local electrical standard, then compare tooling lead time, validation documents and service availability outside Japan.
6. SEC Softgel Technology
Headquarters: China | Website: secsoftgel.com | Best for: softgel tooling, varied machine sizes and process training
SEC offers a notably wide softgel-specific catalog. Publicly listed encapsulators range from academic and small-batch SEC-32 and SEC-26 machines through the SEC-46, SEC-106, high-speed and servo-controlled models. The supporting portfolio includes die-roll sets, gelatin and material preparation tanks, melters, tumble dryers, washing, polishing, sorting and inspection equipment.
Tooling is a central part of SEC’s positioning. The company promotes die-roll manufacture for multiple machine origins and provides repair, renewal, spare parts and technical guidance. Its service pages also cover installation, commissioning with the user’s formula, production training, documentation and GMP-related support.
Why shortlist SEC: it may suit a manufacturer that expects frequent format changes, requires replacement tooling for an installed machine base or wants support with both animal-gelatin and plant-based processes. Treat performance claims as supplier statements until verified by an agreed material trial. The FAT should measure fill-weight variation, seam quality, leakage, net yield, gelatin loss and stable running time using a representative formulation.
7. CapPlus Technologies
Headquarters: Arizona, United States | Website: capplustech.com | Best for: R&D and small-to-medium North American production
CapPlus Technologies supplies pharmaceutical and nutraceutical equipment from the United States. Its documented 4-inch Dual softgel setup is designed for standard animal gelatin or tapioca-starch formulations and is positioned for R&D plus small-to-medium production. The system can include a gelatin melting and mixing tank, fill transfer tank, chilling system, air conveyor, tumble dryers, drying trays and change parts.
The published literature gives reference production estimates by capsule format and shell material rather than quoting a single universal output. That is a useful buying practice because cavity count, die speed and formulation strongly affect real capacity. The compact system is also intended to fit a comparatively modest controlled production space.
Why shortlist CapPlus: it is a practical candidate for North American supplement producers, specialty products and buyers who want locally accessible support for a compact line. Clarify whether the proposed system is sized only for development or for the full commercial schedule. Verify dryer capacity, controlled-room requirements, tooling included, installation, operator training and spare-parts lead times.
8. GIC Engineering
Headquarters: Florida, United States | Website: gicengineering.com | Best for: turnkey plant design, consulting, upgrades and commercial production
GIC Engineering designs and manufactures SUPRA softgel encapsulation lines and tumble-basket dryers in the United States. Its scope goes well beyond machine supply: public service information includes formulation assistance, plant layout, HVAC and environmental-control design, piping, electrical planning, process consulting, machine reconditioning and upgrades.
This facility-level approach can be valuable because room temperature, humidity, material flow and drying conditions often determine whether a softgel line meets yield expectations. GIC also offers ancillary equipment, spare parts and refurbished equipment, giving owners of established plants options beyond a completely new line.
Why shortlist GIC: it is relevant when the buyer needs a softgel technology partner for a new factory, a process-transfer project or an existing line that requires modernization. Compare the exact responsibility matrix: who owns formulation, facility design, utilities, environmental qualification, equipment installation and performance acceptance? The more turnkey the proposal, the more detailed this division must be.
9. COUNTEC
Headquarters: South Korea | Website: countec.com | Best for: softgel production connected to inspection and bottle packaging
COUNTEC is best known for pharmaceutical counting and bottle-packaging equipment, but its product catalog also includes a dedicated softgel solution. The SE-100 encapsulation machine is publicly specified with a 150 × 250 mm die roll, 20 plungers, a maximum die speed of 5 rpm, a touchscreen and quick-change features. COUNTEC states that the machine can produce both animal- and vegetable-based soft capsules.
The company’s wider portfolio includes counting, capping, inspection, unscrambling, sealing and labeling systems. That breadth can simplify downstream integration for a buyer planning to move dried softgels into bottles on an automated line.
Why shortlist COUNTEC: it is most compelling when encapsulation and packaging must be considered as one factory project. Confirm which gelatin preparation and drying equipment COUNTEC supplies directly, which components come from partners and who accepts responsibility for line-level performance. Also request a product trial for the intended plant-based shell because “vegetable softgel” covers formulations with very different thermal and drying behavior.
10. Zhejiang Jiangnan Pharmaceutical Machinery
Headquarters: Zhejiang, China | Website: jiangnan.co | Best for: multi-category pharmaceutical equipment sourcing
Zhejiang Jiangnan Pharmaceutical Machinery manufactures a broad selection of pharmaceutical processing and packaging equipment. Its softgel category includes the RJWJ-115, RJWJ-200C and RJWJ-300 encapsulation machines. The company also lists tablet coating, blister packing, cartoning, capsule filling, tube filling, granulation and drying equipment.
This broad manufacturing base may appeal to a new factory that wants to source several machine categories through one commercial relationship. However, softgel production is a specialized process, so the technical review should focus on the actual softgel project team, installed references, tooling capability and drying knowledge—not simply the size of the overall machinery catalog.
Why shortlist Jiangnan: it can be useful for cost-conscious pharmaceutical projects or factories buying both production and packaging equipment. Ask for a line flow diagram, model-specific specifications, installed softgel references, sample qualification documents, FAT acceptance criteria and a named after-sales engineer for the destination market.
11. Wuxi Jangli Machinery
Headquarters: Wuxi, China | Website: softgelmc.com | Best for: complete equipment packages, dryers and precision die rolls
Wuxi Jangli Machinery specializes in softgel encapsulation machines and supporting equipment. Its public company information describes production of encapsulators, precision die rolls, traditional and intelligent tumble dryers, gelatin melters, service tanks and medicine tanks. The current range includes small and production-scale equipment plus servo-controlled configurations.
Jangli also promotes workshop planning, machine selection, die-roll design, trial production, installation, start-up and IQ/OQ/PQ documentation support. For buyers considering plant-based shells, its site identifies dedicated development in plant-based softgel machinery and associated auxiliary equipment.
Why shortlist Jangli: the company is relevant when a buyer wants a Chinese softgel specialist rather than a general pharmaceutical-machinery catalog. Verify public capacity and customer claims through references and a factory audit. During FAT, run the actual formulation whenever possible and document stable output, fill accuracy, ribbon control, reject rate, sealing and dryer balance.
12. Sinagel
Headquarters: Beijing, China | Website: sinagel.com | Best for: custom YWJ systems and plant-based softgel projects
Sinagel focuses on softgel equipment and publishes a range covering encapsulation, drying, gelatin melting, medicine preparation and sorting. Its YWJ series includes equipment positioned for R&D, medium-scale and mass production. The site also presents application-specific configurations for fish oil, cosmetics, paintballs and vegetable soft capsules.
The company highlights PLC and servo control on selected models, custom die rolls and complete-line matching. Its supporting systems are important because alternative shell formulations often require different melting, holding, ribbon-forming, cooling and drying conditions from conventional animal gelatin.
Why shortlist Sinagel: it may fit buyers seeking a dedicated Chinese softgel supplier with custom equipment and vegetarian-product experience. Ask the supplier to demonstrate the exact shell formulation rather than a general “veggie compatible” statement. Confirm raw-material responsibility, process parameters, cleaning method, spare parts, software language, remote support and on-site response commitments in the contract.
Which Manufacturer Is Best for Your Production Scale?
For R&D and formulation development
Prioritize low minimum batch size, easy cleaning, quick tooling changes and the ability to reproduce commercial process conditions. Pharmagel’s HT30, Technophar’s pilot platform, Changsung’s formulation equipment, CapPlus’s compact system, URMACHINE’s RGY2-15 and smaller systems from SEC or Sinagel are relevant starting points. Do not select solely by the smallest footprint: a development machine must still provide representative ribbon formation, wedge temperature and dosing behavior.
For a growing nutraceutical producer
Look for a line that can make the current fish oil, vitamin or botanical product while supporting new shapes and doses. Changeover time, tooling price, cleaning labor and dryer capacity may have more financial impact than maximum rpm. URMACHINE, Technophar, Changsung, SEC, CapPlus, Jangli and Sinagel all provide configurations worth comparing at this scale.
For high-volume pharmaceutical manufacturing
Focus on validated stable output, data management, documentation, service response and environmental control. Pharmagel, Technophar, Kamata and GIC have strong publicly described capabilities for demanding commercial projects; high-output configurations from URMACHINE and other suppliers should be evaluated through a rigorous, formulation-specific FAT. The final decision should reflect the plant’s validation strategy and local technical coverage.
For plant-based or gelatin-free softgels
A machine cannot guarantee plant-based production by itself. Shell-material chemistry changes viscosity, gel strength, sealing window, ribbon temperature and drying behavior. CapPlus publishes a system for animal gelatin and tapioca starch, COUNTEC states compatibility with animal and vegetable capsules, while SEC, Jangli, Sinagel and others describe plant-based options. Require a trial with the intended shell system and fill material before placing an order.
What a Complete Softgel Production Line Should Include
A serious supplier comparison should map every process stage:
- Gel mass preparation: melting, vacuum, agitation, temperature control, holding and transfer.
- Fill preparation: mixing, milling, homogenizing, deaeration, heating or cooling as required.
- Encapsulation: ribbon formation, lubrication, dosing, injection, die alignment, sealing and cutting.
- Primary drying: matched tumble-dryer baskets and controlled airflow.
- Final drying: trays, drying rooms, tunnels or intelligent drying systems with environmental control.
- Inspection and finishing: sorting, visual inspection, polishing, printing and reject handling.
- Packaging: counting, bottling, blister packing or other final formats.
- Support systems: chillers, vacuum, compressed air, dehumidification, cleaning and material transfer.
Ask each manufacturer to mark every component as included, optional, customer-supplied or supplied by a third party. This one exercise prevents many apparently cheap quotations from becoming expensive projects.
12 Questions to Put in Your Softgel Machine RFQ
- What is the guaranteed output for our exact capsule shape, fill volume and formula?
- Is capacity stated as theoretical capsules per hour or accepted saleable output?
- What fill-weight variation, leakage rate and net yield will the FAT test?
- Which die rolls, wedges, pumps and change parts are included?
- Can the supplier perform a trial with our actual shell and fill materials?
- How are gelatin ribbon thickness, wedge temperature, timing and lubrication controlled?
- How many tumble-dryer baskets are required at the guaranteed machine output?
- What final drying conditions, room area and dehumidification capacity are required?
- What are the electricity, chilled water, compressed air, vacuum and HVAC loads?
- Which manuals, drawings, certificates, FAT/SAT documents and qualification files are included?
- Who performs installation, commissioning, training and post-start-up troubleshooting?
- Which critical spare parts should be stocked, and what are their normal lead times?
How to Audit a Softgel Equipment Supplier
- Inspect the assembly and machining areas.
- Review die-roll measurement and alignment methods.
- Check traceability for product-contact materials.
- Ask to see a complete machine running.
- Review recent installations similar to your product.
- Contact references in your market.
- Examine electrical drawings and component brands.
- Test HMI language and alarm logic.
- Observe disassembly and cleaning.
- Measure changeover time.
- Review spare-parts stock and lead time.
- Confirm remote and on-site service procedures.
A polished demonstration with mineral oil does not prove performance on a difficult suspension, high-viscosity paste or plant-based shell. The closer the FAT materials and environment are to commercial production, the lower the scale-up risk.
Common Buying Mistakes
Comparing maximum rpm instead of saleable output
Two machines at the same rpm can have different die widths, cavity counts and plunger configurations. More importantly, neither figure reveals rejects, downtime or drying constraints. Compare accepted capsules per shift with the same product assumptions.
Buying the encapsulator before sizing the dryers
Fresh softgels must be moved and dried under controlled conditions. If basket availability, final drying area or dehumidification is insufficient, the encapsulator will wait or quality will suffer.
Using a generic “veggie softgel” promise
Plant-based shell systems are not interchangeable. Name the raw material, formulation owner and trial protocol in the project documents.
Leaving acceptance criteria vague
“Machine runs normally” is not a useful FAT standard. Define continuous run time, output, dosing accuracy, seal integrity, reject rate, gelatin loss, alarms and documentation before the purchase order.
Ignoring service geography
A technically strong machine can still create long downtime if diagnostics, parts and technicians are difficult to access. Compare the actual service route to your factory, not only the manufacturer’s global marketing language.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a softgel encapsulation machine?
It is a rotary-die machine that forms two continuous shell ribbons, meters a liquid, oil, suspension or suitable semi-solid fill between them, and simultaneously shapes, fills, seals and cuts individual soft capsules.
Is a softgel machine the same as a hard capsule filling machine?
No. A softgel machine creates and seals the one-piece shell during filling. A hard capsule filler doses product into pre-manufactured two-piece capsule shells.
How much does a softgel encapsulation machine cost?
Price depends on production scale, tooling, control system, auxiliary equipment, drying method, documentation and service. Compare equivalent scopes rather than asking for one universal price.
What determines softgel machine capacity?
Die-roll speed, working width, cavity count, capsule geometry, plunger configuration, fill behavior, ribbon conditions, reject rate and dryer capacity all influence actual production.
Can one machine produce different capsule shapes?
Usually yes, by replacing the die rolls and corresponding change parts. Ask the manufacturer which components must change and how long a verified changeover takes.
Can a standard machine make vegetarian softgels?
Not automatically. Some equipment can be configured for plant-based shells, but the complete process—including melting, holding, ribbon formation, sealing and drying—must be proven with the selected formulation.
What supporting equipment is essential?
A typical line needs gelatin preparation, fill preparation, chilled-water control, primary tumble drying and final drying. Inspection, polishing, sorting, cleaning and packaging requirements depend on the product and facility.
What should be tested during FAT?
Test stable continuous operation, output, fill-weight variation, seam quality, leakage, rejects, ribbon thickness, temperature control, alarms, cleaning, changeover and the agreed documentation package.
How long does softgel drying take?
There is no universal time. It depends on shell composition, capsule size, fill, initial moisture, dryer design, airflow, temperature and relative humidity. The manufacturer should propose a process that is validated with your product.
Which softgel machine manufacturer is best?
The best choice is the supplier that can prove your required product quality and stable output, match upstream and downstream equipment, provide acceptable documentation, and support the machine where it will be installed.
Final Selection Advice
Start with three to five suppliers whose strongest applications match your project. Send every supplier the same URS and RFQ, require the same scope table, and score the proposals on process proof, complete-line balance, documentation, service and total ownership cost. A machine with a higher initial price may be the lower-cost choice if it reduces rejects, drying bottlenecks, changeover time and unplanned downtime.
The shortlist above gives buyers a useful global starting point, but the final decision should be based on a formulation-specific trial, a detailed technical agreement and verifiable service commitments.
Need a Softgel Line Proposal?
Send URMACHINE your capsule shape, target fill weight, formulation type, required hourly output, batch schedule and workshop dimensions. The technical team can recommend an encapsulator, tooling, preparation equipment and drying configuration for your project.
View URMACHINE softgel encapsulation machines and request a tailored quotation.
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