Softgel Capsules — OEM & Private Label

Softgels are the format of choice for oils, fat-soluble vitamins and any active needing protection from oxygen and light. A hermetically sealed gelatin shell locks in freshness, masks taste completely and delivers a consistent dose. Hubogen runs rotary-die softgel lines in-house for small and large batch OEM programmes. As a softgel manufacturer, Hubogen offers gelatin and vegetarian softgel OEM with 500-1500 mg fill weights.

Why brands choose softgels

• Superior protection — an airtight shell shields sensitive oils from oxidation.
• Taste and odour masking — ideal for fish oil, black seed oil and algae extracts.
• High bioavailability — actives delivered in an oil base the body absorbs efficiently.
• Enteric and DR options for ingredients that need to bypass the stomach.
• Small, elegant capsule with strong shelf presence.

Format at a glance

• Shell — gelatin or vegetarian (starch / carrageenan).
• Fill weight — 500 mg to 1,500 mg+ (custom on request).
• Shapes — oval, oblong, round; opaque or transparent.
• Release — standard, enteric or delayed-release.
• Packaging — bottles, blister packs or bulk drums.

Specification range

Softgel sizes span from 500 mg capsules for concentrated oils up to 1,500 mg and beyond for blends and multi-oil formulas. Shells are gelatin or vegetarian (starch / carrageenan), clear or opaque, with optional natural colourants. Fill weight, dimensions and shape (oval, oblong, round) are customised per project.

Typical applications

Omega-3, fish oil, krill oil and algal DHA, vitamin D3 and K2, CoQ10, astaxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin, vitamin E, evening primrose and borage oil, black seed oil, oregano oil, garlic oil, and multi-oil beauty and joint blends.

What decides whether a project runs smoothly

• What goes in the fill — oils, pastes and suspensions each need a different shell formulation; water-based actives soften a gelatin shell.
• Shell material — gelatin or starch/alginate for vegetarian and religious-market needs.
• Size vs fill weight — size is chosen against fill density, not the label dose.
• Coating and release — enteric/DR changes the shell, decided at specification stage.
• Transit conditions — softgels are sensitive to sustained heat and freezing.

Sourcing and specification notes

• Shell material changes the project more than the fill does.
• Water-based actives migrate into a gelatin shell and soften it; expect a carrier or a different shell.
• The same 1,000 mg label can need two different shells depending on the oil density.
• Enteric/DR coatings are a specification-stage decision.
• Very high-viscosity fills need a larger orifice and slower line speed, moving minimum batch and lead time.

Quality and shelf life

Softgels are released against fill weight, shell integrity and dissolution — a softgel heavy at the start and light at the end is a dosing problem even when the average looks right. Moisture migration is the quiet failure mode: a water-based active softens a gelatin shell over time, so stability is checked before the batch ships. Shelf life is typically 24 months, stated on the spec sheet and confirmed against stability data.