Researchers at Macsen Labs announce a groundbreaking advance in sodium-ion battery chemistry, with the filing of a provisional patent and plans for pilot-scale manufacturing.
Macsen Energy, a new entity spun off from Macsen Labs, is focusing on advancing sodium-ion battery technology specifically for large-scale stationary energy storage and other applications. The company is currently finalizing equipment sourcing and setting up a pilot production line for large-format sodium-ion cells, with an operational goal set for early 2026.
Macsen Energy's breakthrough sodium-ion battery chemistry features Prussian White cathodes paired with hard carbon anodes, offering advantages in cost, scalability, and performance suitable for grid storage, solar energy storage, household backup power, and electric mobility solutions such as short-range EVs and city buses. A key innovation includes the use of aluminum instead of copper as the cathode current collector, which helps reduce raw material costs.
The company's future plans include:
- Pilot-scale manufacturing of large-format sodium-ion cells beginning early 2026.
- Conducting field pilots for grid storage, e-mobility, and solar integration applications starting in 2026 and beyond.
- Ongoing improvements to enhance cycle life, energy density, charge-discharge rates, and cost reduction by optimizing electrolytes and battery cell components.
- Establishing sodium-ion batteries as an affordable, indigenous, and scalable energy storage solution supporting India's energy transition away from critical mineral supply chains and lithium dependency.
Macsen Energy aims to be a pioneer in creating a sustainable, economically viable energy storage ecosystem for India and similar markets, focusing on stationary and distributed systems in a post-lithium energy landscape.
The material, Prussian White, has shown promising results and is driving the next phase toward pilot-scale manufacturing. It demonstrates excellent stability, fast sodium-ion mobility, and compatibility with existing Li-ion cell manufacturing infrastructure. Macsen Labs has filed a provisional patent for its proprietary synthesis process of Prussian White.
Mr. Achal Agrawal, CEO of Macsen Labs and the lead researcher behind the project, spoke about the discovery of Prussian White. Macsen Labs, a manufacturer of APIs, dyes, and specialty chemicals since 1952, has an electrochemistry and battery R&D facility where the material has been optimized for battery use.
Macsen Energy's focus on sodium-ion batteries is not just for electric vehicles but also for stationary energy storage systems that store and manage renewable energy from solar and wind. The company believes that sodium-ion batteries are India's opportunity to build a truly indigenous, scalable, and affordable energy storage ecosystem.
Scientists at Macsen Energy, leveraging Prussian White cathodes, are integrating this material into their sodium-ion battery technology, aiming to create a scalable and cost-effective solution for various applications such as grid storage, solar energy storage, household backup power, electric mobility, and stationary energy storage systems. In the near future, technology and science will play a pivotal role in advancing the production, optimization, and implementation of their sodium-ion batteries.
