Softgel contract manufacturing
Softgels combine stability, encapsulation and an easy swallow — the ideal format for fat-soluble nutrients, plant oils and functional actives.
Softgels built for bioavailability and a smooth swallow
Softgels remain the reference dosage form for fat-soluble nutrients, plant oils and functional actives: the sealed shell protects sensitive oils from oxygen and light, masks taste and odour, and delivers precise doses that are easy to swallow. That is why omega-3 fish oil, vitamin D3, CoQ10 and lutein are still overwhelmingly sold as softgels worldwide.
As a softgel contract manufacturer, Zhongke Zhigu runs fully automated encapsulation lines with a capacity of up to roughly 20 million softgels per day, operated under NSF GMP (ANSI 455-2) with FDA registration, BRCGS and ISO 22000 certification. Every batch is covered by full-chain traceability — from raw-material intake and gelatin or HPMC shell preparation through encapsulation, drying, inspection, packaging and release testing.
Three shell technologies run under one roof, so we can match the right system to your active, your market and your label:
- Standard gelatin softgels — the proven, cost-efficient choice for most oils and fat-soluble actives.
- Plant-based HPMC softgels — vegan, non-animal shells with a strong oxygen barrier, suited to clean-label and halal/vegetarian positioning.
- Liquid-filled hard capsules — liquid bioavailability with hard-shell stability, ideal for fish oil and flaxseed oil.
Beyond encapsulation, our in-house botanical extraction workshop lets botanical actives be extracted, standardised and encapsulated inside one supply chain, and our R&D team supports formula development, stability testing and shape/size selection from roughly 0.2 g to 1.45 g fills. Whether you are launching a private label omega-3 line or developing a differentiated custom formula, we take the project from concept to retail-ready packaging in one workflow.
Three softgel technologies under one roof
Standard gelatin softgels
Classic, cost-efficient softgels for oils and fat-soluble actives, with excellent encapsulation and shelf stability.
Plant softgels (HPMC)
Vegan, non-animal shells made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose — a strong oxygen barrier that reduces oil oxidation, easy to swallow, with fewer shelf “spots”.
Liquid-filled hard capsules
Micro-encapsulated actives sealed in a hard shell — combining the bioavailability of liquids with the stability of capsules; ideal for fish oil and flaxseed oil.
Custom shapes & sizes
Oval, oblong, long-strip, small-fish and round shapes from roughly 0.2 g to 1.45 g.
Multi-format packaging
Bottles, blisters and pouches with compliant labelling for your target market.
Taste & odour masking
Encapsulation masks the taste and smell of oils for a better consumer experience.
Softgel shapes & specifications
| Softgel shape | Typical weight | Common use |
|---|---|---|
| Oval | 0.6–0.8 g | Fish oil, vitamin E |
| Oblong | 0.3–0.9 g | CoQ10, vitamin D |
| Long strip | 0.8–1.5 g | Evening primrose, omega blends |
| Small-fish | 0.6–0.8 g | Children’s omega-3 |
| Round | 0.2–0.3 g | High-potency actives |
Specifications are indicative and fully customisable to your formula and market.
Popular softgel products
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOQ for softgel contract manufacturing?
MOQ depends on your formula, shell type and packaging. We support everything from pilot batches for new brands to multi-million-unit production runs — share your target volume and market and we will provide a precise quote, usually within a few working days.
Do you offer vegan or plant-based softgels?
Yes. Our plant softgels are made from HPMC (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), giving a vegan, non-animal alternative to gelatin with a strong oxygen barrier that reduces oil oxidation. They suit vegan, vegetarian, halal and clean-label positioning, and run on the same certified lines as our gelatin softgels.
What is your softgel production capacity?
Our automated softgel lines produce up to roughly 20 million softgels per day across gelatin and plant-based shells, which supports both fast launches and high-volume repeat orders without re-qualifying a second factory.
Can you encapsulate fish oil and other oils?
Yes. Softgels and liquid-filled capsules are ideal for fish oil, krill oil, flaxseed oil, evening primrose oil and other fat-soluble actives. Encapsulation masks taste and odour, and the sealed shell protects EPA/DHA and other sensitive actives from oxidation.
What certifications cover your softgel production?
Softgel manufacturing runs under NSF GMP (ANSI 455-2) with FDA facility registration, BRCGS, ISO 22000, HACCP, FSSC 22000 and HALAL certification, plus EU organic capability — supporting export compliance for the US, EU, Middle East and Asian markets.
What softgel shapes and sizes can you produce?
Oval, oblong, long-strip, round and child-friendly small-fish shapes, with fill weights from roughly 0.2 g to 1.45 g. Our team helps you choose the shape and size that balances dose, swallowability and production efficiency for your formula.
Can you develop a custom softgel formula for my brand (ODM)?
Yes. Our academician-led R&D team develops custom formulas, confirms ingredient compatibility and stability, and produces samples for your evaluation before production. You can also choose OEM manufacturing of your existing formula on the same lines.
How do you ensure softgel quality and traceability?
Incoming raw materials, in-process checks and finished-product testing are linked into full-chain batch traceability. Each batch can be traced from raw material to shipment, and documentation is prepared to match your destination market's requirements.
What packaging options are available for softgels?
Bottles, blister packs and pouches with compliant labelling for your target market. Retail-ready packaging and label review are handled in the same workflow as manufacturing, so finished goods ship ready for sale.
How long does softgel production take from order to shipment?
Lead time depends on formula complexity, shell type and packaging. New products typically need sampling and stability confirmation first; repeat orders run faster. Contact us with your specification for a current lead-time estimate.
Explore other dosage forms
Let’s build your next supplement
Share your product concept, target market and volumes. Our team will reply with a tailored OEM/ODM proposal and quote.
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