HPMC capsule

Why has HPMC capsule become the preferred packaging material for the modern pharmaceutical and health industry?

Q1: What is the special value of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, the core ingredient of HPMC capsule?
As a plant-derived cellulose derivative, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) has achieved a breakthrough improvement in solubility, film-forming properties and mechanical strength through a double etherification modification process. Its pharmaceutical excipient properties certified by the US FDA and European EDQM enable Shaoxing Zhongya Capsule Co., Ltd. to accurately control the disintegration time and drug release curve of the capsule shell in its 40-acre production base. It is worth noting that the material has shown excellent adaptability in both gastric and enteric preparations.

Q2: How does the HPMC capsule shell production process break through the limitations of traditional animal gelatin?
In the 20,000㎡ clean workshop of Shaoxing Zhongya, the fully automatic production line uses precision temperature control and cast molding technology, and ensures that the capsule shell thickness tolerance is controlled within ±5μm through a molecular chain directional arrangement process. This technological breakthrough not only eliminates religious dietary taboos and allergen risks, but also makes the product excellent in moisture-sensitive drug packaging. The company's CNAS-accredited laboratory ensures that the substitution value of each batch of products is stable in the range of 19.0%-30.0% through real-time mass spectrometry monitoring.

Q3: What stringent requirements does the professional application scenario put forward for capsule performance?
For high-end fields such as inhalation preparations and biological preparations, Shaoxing Zhongya adjusts the viscosity grade of HPMC (covering the range of 5-100000 mPa·s) to make the capsule shell meet the USP<3> standard in key indicators such as dry powder fluidity and electrostatic adsorption. Its specially designed 00B# and 0#EL specification products can perfectly adapt to the ultra-high requirements of precision filling equipment for the capsule body/cap matching tolerance of ±0.05mm.

Q4: How can a multi-specification product matrix achieve full market coverage?
Based on the continuous innovation of a 70-person R&D team, Shaoxing Zhongya's capsule product line covers a complete specification system from 4# (volume 0.13ml) to 00# (1.37ml). The unique stepped locking design allows capsules of all types to remain perfectly closed when the filling rate exceeds 98%. This feature has enabled it to gain a 23% share in the North American vegetable capsule market. The specially developed high-temperature resistant model still maintains the stability of the disintegration time limit in the 60°C accelerated test.

Q5: What kind of quality assurance system does the global supply chain need?
Relying on the annual production capacity of 8 billion capsules, the company has built a full-chain quality control network from the traceability of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose raw materials to the transportation of finished products. The modular production process enables it to quickly switch between the production of 00# transparent capsules and 4# light-shielding capsules to respond to the customized needs of customers in different regions for Opadry coating technology. Behind the sales network in 20 countries are 26 COA test data attached to each batch of products, including key gel strength (≥120g/cm²) and ignition residue (≤5.0%) indicators.

Q6: How does the development of special dosage forms promote industry progress?
Through cooperative research and development with European pharmaceutical companies, Shaoxing Zhongya has successfully developed a double-layer HPMC capsule shell technology. This innovative structure can achieve targeted release of peptide drugs in the gastric fluid environment through a combination of cellulose layers with differentiated substitution degrees. Currently, this technology has been verified in Australian clinical trials, and the pH response accuracy has reached a breakthrough level of ±0.2, opening up a new path in the field of sustained-release preparations.