Macsen Labs announces development in Sodium-Ion battery technology

Macsen Labs, a manufacturer of APIs, dyes, and specialty chemicals since 1952, has announced a development in Sodium-Ion battery technology through the R&D-scale synthesis of Prussian White, a cathode material for Sodium-Ion batteries. The company has filed a provisional patent for its proprietary synthesis process.

According to Macsen Labs, the material has been optimized for battery use at its electrochemistry and battery R&D facility and is now moving into the pilot-scale manufacturing phase. The company claims that Prussian White demonstrated promising results during testing.

Achal Agrawal, CEO of Macsen Labs and lead researcher on the project, said the company’s entry into the battery materials space began during work on Prussian Blue for pharmaceutical use. During this work, the team identified Prussian White as a potential material for Sodium-Ion battery cathodes.

In July 2024, Macsen’s team built an early pouch cell without access to standard electrochemical lab infrastructure. Following this, the company established a dedicated electrochemistry lab, which now includes gloveboxes, coin and pouch cell fabrication stations, electrode coating and crimping tools, vacuum dryers, and testing equipment.

Macsen states that its in-house capabilities allow rapid prototyping of battery cells using its own materials. The company has scaled up production of Prussian White to the kilogram level at its pilot chemical synthesis facility and reports consistent synthesis and material quality.

As per company claims, the Prussian White material has achieved an energy density of over 150 mAh/g. Macsen also notes that the material offers stability, sodium-ion mobility due to its open crystalline structure, and compatibility with lithium-ion cell manufacturing infrastructure. The cathode is based on sodium and iron, which the company says are widely available and cost-effective.

The project, originally developed within Macsen Labs, is now being transitioned to a new entity—Macsen Energy—which will focus on energy storage research and commercialization.

Macsen Labs indicates that its Sodium-Ion battery technology, using Prussian White cathodes and hard carbon anodes, may be applicable for stationary battery energy storage systems (BESS), household backup systems, two- and three-wheelers, city buses, and rural energy systems.

The company is now working to improve various aspects of battery performance and reduce component costs. One of the stated cost advantages is the use of aluminium instead of copper as the cathode current collector. Macsen is in the process of setting up a pilot-scale cell fabrication line, with operations targeted to begin by early 2026.

The company positions Sodium-Ion battery technology as a potential option for stationary energy storage supporting renewable energy integration.

Also read: Trentar Energy Solutions to commercialize KPIT’s Sodium-Ion battery technology