Table of Contents
- Executive Summary: The New Era of Excipient Jet-Coding
- Market Size and 2025–2030 Forecasts
- Latest Technological Advances in Jet-Coding for Excipients
- Key Players and Their Strategic Initiatives
- Regulatory Trends and Global Compliance Demands
- Integration with Pharma Manufacturing: Challenges and Solutions
- Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Ink Developments
- Emerging Applications and Use Cases in Pharmaceuticals
- Competitive Landscape and M&A Activity
- Future Outlook: Innovations and Disruption Beyond 2030
- Sources & References
Executive Summary: The New Era of Excipient Jet-Coding
Excipient jet-coding technologies represent a pivotal innovation for pharmaceutical product authentication and traceability, particularly as the industry faces mounting regulatory and supply chain integrity demands in 2025 and beyond. These systems utilize precision inkjet or laser jet methods to apply data-rich, often invisible, codes directly onto tablet or capsule surfaces using pharmaceutically compliant excipient-based inks. The new era of excipient jet-coding is characterized by heightened integration of digital traceability, regulatory compliance, and patient safety.
Recent years have seen leading pharmaceutical machinery manufacturers and excipient suppliers accelerate development and deployment of jet-coding systems tailored to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. For example, Domino Printing Sciences and Wolke by Videojet have introduced high-resolution inkjet printers compatible with food-grade and pharmaceutical excipient inks, enabling direct marking of individual doses with data such as serialization codes, expiry dates, and anti-counterfeit features. These systems are being adopted by both contract manufacturers and major pharmaceutical companies, reflecting the shift toward unit-level traceability required by recent regulations like the U.S. Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) and the European Union Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD).
A key technical advance in 2025 is the refinement of excipient ink formulations. Producers such as Colorcon offer edible inks based on GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) excipients, suitable for direct application to oral solid doses without compromising product stability or patient safety. These inks are engineered for compatibility with high-speed jet-coding systems, supporting mass serialization and real-time data integration with manufacturing execution systems (MES).
Looking ahead, adoption of excipient jet-coding is expected to grow rapidly through 2027, driven by regulatory timelines and digital health initiatives. Several manufacturers are developing next-generation systems featuring machine vision inspection and cloud-based code verification, which will further enhance supply chain transparency and patient engagement. The continued collaboration between pharmaceutical manufacturers, excipient suppliers, and technology vendors is anticipated to yield standardized solutions capable of meeting evolving global requirements. As a result, excipient jet-coding is set to become a cornerstone of pharmaceutical quality assurance, anti-counterfeiting, and digital medicine strategies in the new era.
Market Size and 2025–2030 Forecasts
Excipient jet-coding technologies represent a rapidly evolving subset of pharmaceutical manufacturing, enabling direct coding or marking on tablet surfaces using specialized excipient-based inks. The market for these technologies is closely tied to regulatory demands for traceability, increasing counterfeiting threats, and a push for more sophisticated, patient-centric dosage forms. As of 2025, the global market for excipient jet-coding systems is estimated to be in the low hundreds of millions USD, with strong growth projections driven by expanding adoption in regulated markets and ongoing technological improvements.
Current data from leading equipment manufacturers and excipient suppliers indicates robust uptake in the pharmaceutical sector. For example, Domino Printing Sciences and Markem-Imaje have reported increased demand for inkjet and laser coding equipment specifically adapted for pharmaceutical-grade excipients. These solutions are being integrated by major contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs), as well as directly by large pharmaceutical firms responding to serialization and anti-counterfeiting requirements under frameworks such as the U.S. Drug Supply Chain Security Act and the EU Falsified Medicines Directive.
From a materials perspective, companies such as Colorcon and Dow are developing and supplying excipient-based inks that comply with pharmacopeial standards, are compatible with high-speed printheads, and support clear, durable codes for on-dose authentication and branding. These advancements are expected to further drive market expansion, particularly as regulatory scrutiny on pharmaceutical traceability intensifies through 2025 and beyond.
Looking ahead, the excipient jet-coding market is forecast to maintain a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the high single digits through 2030, with Asia-Pacific and North America remaining the largest markets due to high pharmaceutical production volumes and strict regulatory requirements. Expansion is also anticipated in emerging markets as local regulatory bodies introduce serialization mandates and as low-cost, modular jet-coding systems become more accessible. Strategic collaborations between equipment vendors and excipient formulators are likely to accelerate product innovation, further broadening the addressable market.
- By 2027, analysts expect widespread implementation of excipient jet-coding systems for both solid oral and specialty dosage forms, particularly in high-volume generics and branded medicines.
- Technological advancements, such as integration with digital twin and Industry 4.0 platforms, are forecast to enhance traceability and production efficiency, underpinning further market growth.
Overall, the excipient jet-coding technology market is poised for sustained expansion, propelled by regulatory compliance requirements, ongoing innovation, and broadening pharmaceutical industry adoption.
Latest Technological Advances in Jet-Coding for Excipients
Excipient jet-coding technologies are undergoing significant transformation in 2025, driven by the pharmaceutical industry’s growing demand for secure, efficient, and traceable drug manufacturing processes. Jet-coding, which utilizes inkjet or laser systems to apply identification codes or markings directly onto excipient materials, is increasingly favored for its non-contact, high-speed, and precise application capabilities.
One of the most notable technological advances is the integration of machine vision and real-time quality control within jet-coding systems. Leading suppliers such as Domino Printing Sciences and Markem-Imaje have introduced systems capable of inline verification, ensuring each excipient batch is uniquely coded and instantly validated for compliance and traceability. These innovations address regulatory requirements for serialization and anti-counterfeiting strategies in pharmaceutical supply chains.
Another advancement is the adoption of specialized, pharmaceutical-grade inks and laser coding tailored for excipient marking. Companies like Videojet Technologies have designed inks that meet stringent regulatory standards for safety and non-reactivity, ensuring that codes remain legible throughout the shelf life of the excipient without compromising product integrity. Recent developments also allow for the marking of challenging substrates, such as highly absorbent powders or moisture-sensitive materials, expanding the range of excipients that can be jet-coded reliably.
Automation and data connectivity are also shaping the landscape. Jet-coding solutions are now increasingly compatible with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms. This integration, championed by companies such as Koenig & Bauer, enables end-to-end digital traceability, real-time production monitoring, and rapid recall or audit processes. By 2025, these connected systems are expected to become standard, supporting the industry’s push towards Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing.
Looking ahead, the outlook for excipient jet-coding is marked by further miniaturization of print heads, higher-resolution marking, and increased adaptability to continuous and batch processing environments. Ongoing R&D efforts by major equipment providers are focused on eco-friendly inks, reduced maintenance requirements, and AI-powered defect detection. These advances are anticipated to enhance compliance, efficiency, and sustainability, positioning jet-coding as a central pillar in the digital transformation of excipient manufacturing over the next several years.
Key Players and Their Strategic Initiatives
The landscape of excipient jet-coding technologies in 2025 is characterized by dynamic innovation, with key industry players intensifying their focus on product traceability, anti-counterfeiting, and process efficiency. The segment is driven by growing regulatory requirements and the pharmaceutical sector’s escalating demand for next-generation direct-part marking solutions.
One of the industry leaders, Domino Printing Sciences, continues to expand its footprint in pharmaceutical coding by enhancing its inkjet printer portfolio. The company recently introduced advanced continuous inkjet (CIJ) systems, tailored for excipient and tablet marking, that offer high-resolution codes while maintaining the integrity of sensitive pharmaceutical ingredients. Their latest Ax-Series printers, equipped with rapid-drying and biocompatible inks, support serialization and real-time data integration for compliance with global track-and-trace regulations.
Another prominent player, Markem-Imaje, has accelerated R&D efforts in excipient coding by collaborating with pharmaceutical manufacturers to develop specialized laser and inkjet solutions. Their SmartLase laser coders, introduced in 2024, are optimized for direct coding on a variety of excipient surfaces, including coated and non-coated tablets. The technology provides tamper-proof, permanent marks without affecting product efficacy, directly addressing the industry’s need for non-invasive identification methods.
Meanwhile, Videojet Technologies has prioritized software-driven integration, launching new print management platforms compatible with its inkjet and thermal inkjet coders. These platforms facilitate centralized control of coding operations across multiple production lines, reducing human error and ensuring consistent application of unique identifiers on excipient batches. Videojet’s growing portfolio of FDA-compliant inks further strengthens its position in regulated pharmaceutical environments.
Looking ahead, these companies are investing substantially in artificial intelligence and machine vision to enhance the accuracy and verifiability of excipient coding. Strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical manufacturers and packaging line integrators are expected to accelerate the adoption of digital coding technologies, with pilot projects already underway to evaluate the use of blockchain for immutable traceability records.
The outlook for the next few years points to continued consolidation and collaboration, with key players leveraging their technical expertise and regulatory know-how to deliver scalable, compliant, and sustainable jet-coding solutions for excipients. The industry is poised for robust growth as regulatory emphasis on supply chain transparency and product authentication continues to intensify in the global pharmaceutical market.
Regulatory Trends and Global Compliance Demands
The regulatory landscape for excipient jet-coding technologies is evolving rapidly as global pharmaceutical authorities tighten track-and-trace and serialization requirements to combat counterfeiting and improve supply chain transparency. In 2025, regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) in Japan are emphasizing advanced marking solutions that provide both overt and covert authentication of pharmaceutical products. Jet-coding technologies—involving high-precision, inkjet-based printing of data-matrix codes, serial numbers, and anti-tampering marks directly onto excipient surfaces or packaging—are increasingly recognized for their ability to deliver compliance with these mandates.
Recent events highlight the momentum behind these technologies. In 2024, the FDA issued updated guidance for industry on “Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) implementation,” which explicitly references the value of robust coding and marking systems for package-level traceability. The EU’s Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) continues to require serialization and tamper-evidence on all prescription medicines, and regulatory audits in 2025 are focusing on the reliability and permanence of jet-coded identifiers. As a result, pharmaceutical manufacturers are partnering with technology providers to validate jet-coding solutions against ISO and GMP standards, ensuring codes remain machine-readable throughout the product lifecycle.
Industry leaders such as Domino Printing Sciences and Markem-Imaje have launched new excipient-compatible ink formulations and high-resolution inkjet printers designed specifically for direct coding on tablets and capsules. These solutions are being rigorously tested for regulatory compliance, focusing on low migration, non-toxicity, and resistance to environmental stresses. Domino Printing Sciences notes a sharp uptick in requests for system validation documentation, including Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ) records, reflecting increased regulatory scrutiny in 2025.
Looking ahead, global harmonization efforts—such as the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) Q12 guideline on pharmaceutical product lifecycle management—are expected to accelerate adoption of excipient jet-coding. National authorities in emerging markets are also aligning with international traceability standards, which will further drive the deployment of advanced coding technologies. In the next few years, the industry anticipates more frequent regulatory inspections of coding systems, greater demand for validated process controls, and a shift toward digital, cloud-based traceability platforms integrating jet-coded identifiers for real-time compliance reporting.
Integration with Pharma Manufacturing: Challenges and Solutions
Excipient jet-coding technologies—wherein excipients are precisely jetted onto solid dosage forms such as tablets and capsules to encode data, authenticate products, or deliver functional coatings—are gaining traction in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector. As the industry faces intensifying demands for supply chain security, compliance, and traceability, integration of these advanced marking solutions has become a focal point for innovation in 2025 and is projected to expand in the coming years.
A primary challenge to integrating excipient jet-coding technologies is the need for compatibility with high-speed manufacturing lines. Pharmaceutical production environments typically run at throughputs of tens of thousands of units per hour, necessitating that jet-coding systems maintain precision and readability of codes without impeding process speed. Leading equipment manufacturers such as Harro Höfliger and Syntegon have responded by refining their jetting systems for rapid, non-contact application of edible inks and excipients, ensuring minimal disruption to existing workflows.
Another significant hurdle is regulatory acceptance of new excipients or formulations used for jet-coding. The U.S. FDA and EMA require excipients to be generally recognized as safe (GRAS) or specifically approved for pharmaceutical use. As of 2025, suppliers like Colorcon and DSM are expanding their portfolios of approved, pharmaceutical-grade excipients designed specifically for inkjet processes, facilitating smoother regulatory pathways for manufacturers seeking to implement these technologies.
Ensuring code durability and legibility throughout the product’s lifecycle, from packaging to patient, is another integration concern. Surface characteristics of tablets and capsules—such as porosity, coating composition, and shape—can affect code adhesion and readability. Companies like Domino Printing Sciences have developed adaptive printhead technologies and proprietary excipient formulations to optimize code quality across diverse dosage forms, even under challenging environmental conditions.
Looking forward to the next few years, industry adoption is expected to accelerate as digitalization and serialization mandates intensify globally. Manufacturers are increasingly collaborating with coding technology specialists to implement systems that allow real-time data integration, in-line verification, and interoperability with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and track-and-trace platforms. Notably, Markem-Imaje is piloting integrated solutions that combine direct excipient coding with automated vision inspection and data management, supporting end-to-end traceability and anti-counterfeiting measures.
In summary, while challenges related to speed, regulatory compliance, and technical adaptation remain, the ongoing advancement of excipient jet-coding technologies and supportive industry collaborations position the sector for robust growth and innovation in the near future.
Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Ink Developments
Excipient jet-coding technologies are undergoing significant transformation in 2025, with a pronounced focus on sustainability and eco-friendly ink formulations. Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical manufacturers are seeking alternatives to conventional solvent-based inks, which often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other environmentally hazardous substances. This drive aligns with broader regulatory and consumer trends toward greener manufacturing and packaging solutions.
One of the critical advancements in the field has been the development of water-based excipient inks tailored for direct application onto tablets and capsules. These inks use Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) excipients as carriers and colorants, minimizing health and environmental risks. For example, Candy Controls and Domino Printing Sciences are actively promoting inkjet coding solutions that utilize food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade components, reducing reliance on petroleum-derived solvents. Notably, Domino Printing Sciences has highlighted its commitment to developing inks that comply with both FDA and EU regulations regarding direct food and pharmaceutical contact, reflecting a global push for harmonized safety standards.
Additionally, innovations in biodegradable and compostable ink formulations are gaining traction. Companies like Markem-Imaje have reported ongoing research into plant-derived binders and colorants, which could further reduce environmental impact by enabling safe breakdown after product use. These developments are particularly relevant for single-use and high-volume pharmaceutical products, where cumulative environmental impact is a key concern.
In parallel, the adoption of closed-loop ink delivery systems in jet-coding equipment is helping to minimize waste and prevent contamination. Markem-Imaje and Domino Printing Sciences both offer solutions that monitor ink usage in real-time, optimizing consumption and reducing the risk of spills or overuse—an important aspect of sustainable manufacturing.
Looking ahead to the next few years, sustainability is expected to remain a central theme in excipient jet-coding technology development. The industry anticipates increased collaboration between ink manufacturers, coding system providers, and regulatory bodies to establish new benchmarks for environmental performance. With growing pressure from both consumers and regulators, the pace of innovation in eco-friendly excipient inks and delivery systems is poised to accelerate, potentially setting new industry standards by the late 2020s.
Emerging Applications and Use Cases in Pharmaceuticals
Excipient jet-coding technologies are gaining significant momentum in the pharmaceutical industry, primarily driven by the need for enhanced product traceability, anti-counterfeiting measures, and improved manufacturing efficiency. These technologies use inkjet or laser-based systems to apply unique identifiers, such as 2D barcodes, QR codes, or alphanumeric strings, directly onto excipient surfaces or coated tablets during production. Unlike traditional coding methods, jet-coding offers precise, non-contact marking suitable for high-speed manufacturing environments and sensitive pharmaceutical ingredients.
In 2025, major pharmaceutical equipment manufacturers are rapidly integrating excipient jet-coding solutions into their offerings. For instance, Markem-Imaje and Domino Printing Sciences have developed advanced inkjet and laser coding systems specifically tailored for pharmaceutical lines, supporting high-resolution, GMP-compliant marking on a range of excipients and dosage forms. These platforms are designed to meet stringent serialization and track-and-trace requirements imposed by evolving regulatory frameworks, such as the EU Falsified Medicines Directive and the US Drug Supply Chain Security Act.
Recent deployments demonstrate that excipient jet-coding is expanding beyond basic serialization. Leading pharmaceutical producers are using these technologies for real-time process monitoring, dynamic product differentiation (e.g., marking batch-specific data or dosage strengths), and even direct-on-tablet branding. Videojet Technologies reports a rise in demand for their continuous inkjet printers capable of coding directly onto coated tablets and capsules, supporting both internal quality control and external supply chain verification.
Excipient jet-coding technologies are also being explored for advanced anti-counterfeiting applications. SICPA, a global supplier of secure identification solutions, is collaborating with pharmaceutical manufacturers to embed overt and covert markers—such as invisible inks or microcodes—into excipient layers, providing robust authentication capabilities without altering drug performance or safety profiles.
Looking ahead, the market for excipient jet-coding is expected to grow as pharmaceutical companies modernize their production lines and regulatory bodies mandate more granular traceability. The next few years will likely see expanded adoption of machine-vision integrated coding systems, increased standardization of code formats, and further miniaturization of marking equipment, enabling in-line application on even the smallest oral solid dosage forms. In parallel, collaboration between excipient suppliers, coding equipment manufacturers, and pharmaceutical firms—such as initiatives by BASF to supply printable excipient grades—will accelerate the mainstreaming of jet-coding technologies across global pharmaceutical markets.
Competitive Landscape and M&A Activity
The competitive landscape for excipient jet-coding technologies in 2025 is characterized by rapid innovation, increased collaboration, and strategic mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as companies seek to address stringent regulatory requirements and the demand for enhanced traceability in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Jet-coding—using inkjet or laser-based systems to print directly on excipients, tablets, or capsules—has become integral for product authentication, anti-counterfeiting, and supply chain security.
A significant driver in the current market is the adoption of serialization and track-and-trace mandates globally, especially with the implementation of the EU Falsified Medicines Directive and the US Drug Supply Chain Security Act. These regulations continue to push pharmaceutical companies and contract manufacturers to invest in advanced coding solutions that ensure compliance and product integrity.
- Domino Printing Sciences has expanded its portfolio of inkjet and laser coding systems designed specifically for direct application to pharmaceutical excipients and finished dosage forms. Their pharmaceutical solutions are tailored to meet current regulatory expectations for traceability and have seen strong adoption among global manufacturers in 2024 and 2025.
- Videojet Technologies continues to strengthen its market position with the launch of new high-resolution inkjet printers, such as the Videojet 1860, capable of direct marking on excipients with pharmaceutical-grade inks. Videojet’s focus includes enhancing print quality and data management to support serialization initiatives.
- Markem-Imaje has also made strategic investments in R&D and partnerships, emphasizing the integration of coding systems with digital supply chain platforms. Their pharmaceutical coding solutions are being adopted by leading contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs).
M&A activity in 2024–2025 reflects a trend towards consolidation and capability expansion. Notably, Domino Printing Sciences completed the acquisition of a specialty micro-coding technology firm in early 2025, broadening its excipient coding offerings to include advanced micro-printing for high-speed tablet production lines. Similarly, Markem-Imaje announced a strategic alliance with a major excipient supplier to integrate coding and anti-tampering features at the materials level.
Looking ahead, the competitive landscape is expected to remain dynamic, with further investments anticipated in AI-driven print verification, green ink technologies, and digital integration with manufacturing execution systems (MES). These advancements will likely fuel additional M&A as established players and innovative startups seek to expand their technological footprints and global reach.
Future Outlook: Innovations and Disruption Beyond 2030
Excipient jet-coding technologies are increasingly positioned as transformative tools within pharmaceutical manufacturing, offering new paradigms for product security, traceability, and compliance. As of 2025, industry leaders are actively piloting and scaling up the deployment of these technologies, leveraging advancements in inkjet and laser-based systems to directly code excipients and finished dosage forms. Notably, companies such as Domino Printing Sciences and Markem-Imaje have introduced high-resolution systems capable of producing machine-readable, unique identifiers on tablets, capsules, and even powder excipients, enhancing anti-counterfeiting measures while maintaining product integrity.
Recent developments highlight the integration of jet-coding with data-rich serialization, aligning with evolving regulatory frameworks such as the European Union Falsified Medicines Directive (EU FMD) and the US Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). In 2024 and 2025, pharmaceutical manufacturers have begun adopting solutions that enable real-time marking of excipients at the point of manufacture, facilitating seamless tracking and reducing the risk of diversion or falsification. This is underscored by the introduction of excipient-specific ink formulations and micro-printing technologies designed to withstand downstream processing while remaining machine-verifiable, as demonstrated in pilot collaborations between excipient suppliers and equipment manufacturers (Colorcon).
Data from ongoing industry collaborations suggests that adoption rates for jet-coding are poised to accelerate, particularly as the cost of high-throughput coding equipment declines and integration with manufacturing execution systems (MES) improves. According to Domino Printing Sciences, pharmaceutical clients are increasingly requesting modular, scalable coding platforms that can be retrofitted onto existing lines without significant downtime or capital investment. This trend is expected to continue through 2025 and beyond, with a focus on flexible architectures that support both traditional and continuous manufacturing models.
Looking ahead, the next few years are likely to witness the convergence of excipient jet-coding with digital health initiatives, including blockchain-based supply chain verification and integration with Internet of Things (IoT) sensors for real-time environmental monitoring. Industry stakeholders are also exploring the use of advanced data analytics to leverage the granular information captured via jet-coding for predictive quality assurance and proactive risk management. As regulatory expectations for end-to-end traceability rise globally, excipient jet-coding technologies are set to become a cornerstone of pharmaceutical authentication and compliance strategies (Colorcon).
Sources & References
- Domino Printing Sciences
- Wolke by Videojet
- Colorcon
- Videojet Technologies
- Koenig & Bauer
- Harro Höfliger
- DSM
- Candy Controls
- SICPA
- BASF