Top 10 Companies in the Tablets Sugar Coating Industry (2026): Market Leaders Enhancing Pharmaceutical Palatability

In Business Insights
February 15, 2026


The Global Tablets Sugar Coating Market was valued at USD 1.85 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 2.65 Billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.1% during the forecast period (2026–2034). This steady growth is driven by the expanding pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, increasing production of generic drugs, and ongoing demand for patient-friendly dosage forms that improve compliance, particularly in pediatric and geriatric populations.

As the pharmaceutical sector prioritizes patient-centric formulations and product differentiation, the role of sugar coating specialists becomes increasingly critical. These companies provide the technology, materials, and expertise necessary to mask unpleasant tastes, protect active ingredients, and create visually appealing tablets. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Tablets Sugar Coating Industry—a mix of global chemical giants, specialized formulators, and innovative service providers shaping the future of oral solid dosage forms.


🔟 1. Colorcon, Inc.

Headquarters: Harleysville, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: OPADRY® Film Coating Systems, SURESSE® Sugar Coating System

Colorcon is a global leader in pharmaceutical film coatings and a significant player in sugar coating technologies. A division of Berwind Pharmaceutical Services, the company offers innovative coating systems that improve efficiency and performance. While renowned for its polymer-based OPADRY® films, Colorcon also provides advanced sugar coating solutions like SURESSE®, which streamline the traditional multi-step sugar coating process.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of accelerated sugar coating systems to reduce processing time

  • Global technical support and comprehensive regulatory documentation

  • Investment in sustainable and clean-label coating ingredients

Download FREE Sample Report: Tablets Sugar Coating Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. BASF SE (SEPPIC Pharmaceutical Division)

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: SEPIFILM® Coatings, SEPISTAB® Stabilizers, Sugar Coating Auxiliaries

BASF, through its SEPPIC pharmaceutical division, is a major supplier of excipients for solid dosage forms. The company provides a comprehensive portfolio that includes components and systems for both film and sugar coating applications. Their expertise in emulsifiers and stabilizers is particularly valuable for creating stable, high-quality sugar coatings for sensitive APIs.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of multi-functional coating systems

  • Focus on bioavailability enhancement through specialized coatings


8️⃣ 3. Ideal Cures Pvt. Ltd.

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: INSTACOAT™ Sugar Coating System, INSTACOAT™ Sealing Coat

Ideal Cures is a leading Indian manufacturer specializing in pharmaceutical coating systems. The company has developed innovative sugar coating technologies that significantly reduce the number of coating steps and processing time compared to traditional methods. Their INSTACOAT™ Sugar Coating System is widely used by pharmaceutical manufacturers across Asia and other emerging markets.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Patented technologies for faster sugar coating processes

  • Strong focus on cost-effective solutions for generic drug manufacturers


7️⃣ 4. BIOGRUND GmbH

Headquarters: Haan, Germany
Key Offering: Custom Sugar Coating Services, Coating Formulation Development

BIOGRUND is a specialized German company focused exclusively on pharmaceutical coating services. They offer comprehensive sugar coating solutions for both development and commercial-scale production. The company serves as a critical contract manufacturing partner for pharmaceutical companies requiring specialized coating expertise without investing in in-house capabilities.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Tailored coating solutions for challenging API formulations

  • Development of sugar coatings for controlled-release applications


6️⃣ 5. Contract Coating International Ltd.

Headquarters: Corby, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Sugar Coating Services, Film Coating, Tablet Compaction

Contract Coating International is a UK-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in tablet coating services. The company provides comprehensive sugar coating solutions for pharmaceutical clients across Europe, offering both traditional and modernized sugar coating processes with strict quality control standards.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Investment in automated coating equipment for consistency

  • Development of hybrid coating systems combining sugar and film technologies

Download FREE Sample Report: Tablets Sugar Coating Market – View in Detailed Research Report


5️⃣ 6. Lomapharm Rudolf Lohmann GmbH KG

Headquarters: Emmerthal, Germany
Key Offering: Pharmaceutical Sugar Coating Services, Tablet Manufacturing

Lomapharm is a well-established German pharmaceutical company with extensive expertise in tablet manufacturing and coating technologies. The company offers specialized sugar coating services for both prescription and over-the-counter medications, leveraging decades of experience in pharmaceutical formulation development.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Modernization of traditional sugar coating processes

  • Quality-focused approach with GMP compliance


4️⃣ 7. Nicomac Srl

Headquarters: Como, Italy
Key Offering: Coating Pans, Sugar Coating Equipment, Process Optimization

Nicomac is an Italian company specializing in the design and manufacturing of coating equipment for the pharmaceutical industry. While primarily an equipment supplier, Nicomac plays a crucial role in the sugar coating market by providing advanced coating pans and systems that enable more efficient and consistent sugar coating processes for pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of automated coating systems with precise control

  • Equipment designed specifically for sugar coating optimization


3️⃣ 8. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (Nutrition & Biosciences)

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: METHOCEL™ Cellulose Ethers, Coating Polymers, Excipient Systems

DuPont provides essential excipients and polymer systems used in pharmaceutical coatings, including components for sugar coating formulations. Their METHOCEL™ cellulose derivatives are widely used as film formers and binder in coating systems, and the company offers technical expertise in developing optimized coating formulations for various pharmaceutical applications.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of sustainable and plant-based excipient options

  • Technical support for coating formulation optimization


2️⃣ 9. Inora Pharmaceuticals

Headquarters: Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
Key Offering: Sugar Coating Services, Tablet Manufacturing, Formulation Development

Inora Pharmaceuticals is an emerging Indian pharmaceutical company offering comprehensive contract manufacturing services, including specialized sugar coating capabilities. The company serves both domestic and international pharmaceutical clients, providing cost-effective sugar coating solutions with a focus on quality and regulatory compliance.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Adoption of modern coating technologies

  • Focus on export-oriented quality standards


1️⃣ 10. Shakti Pharma Tech

Headquarters: Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Key Offering: Sugar Coating Services, Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing

Shakti Pharma Tech is an Indian contract manufacturer offering end-to-end pharmaceutical services, including specialized sugar coating capabilities. The company has established itself as a reliable partner for pharmaceutical companies seeking high-quality sugar coating services with competitive pricing and timely delivery.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Continuous improvement of coating processes for efficiency

  • Investment in quality control infrastructure

Get Full Report Here: Tablets Sugar Coating Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Tablets Sugar Coating Is More Efficient and Functional

The tablets sugar coating market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional sugar coating remains relevant for specific applications, the industry is increasingly embracing advanced coating technologies that offer improved efficiency, functionality, and patient benefits.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerated adoption of hybrid coating systems combining sugar and film technologies

  • Growing demand for natural and clean-label coating ingredients

  • Increasing outsourcing of coating operations to specialized CDMOs

  • Development of functional sugar coatings with enhanced stability and release properties

Get Full Report Here: Tablets Sugar Coating Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only enhancing pharmaceutical palatability—they’re driving the technological evolution of tablet coating for better patient outcomes.