Macsen Labs, manufacturer of APIs, dyes, and specialty chemicals, achieved a major milestone in energy storage technology. The company successfully completed R&D-scale synthesis of high-performance Prussian White, a next-generation cathode material for sodium-ion batteries, and filed a provisional patent for its proprietary synthesis process. The material has already shown promising battery optimization results, paving the way for pilot-scale manufacturing.
From Pharma to Energy: A Journey of Discovery
“It’s an interesting story, how a pharmaceutical company like ours entered the energy storage space,” shared Achal Agrawal, CEO of Macsen Labs and lead researcher. While developing Prussian Blue for radioactive poisoning treatment, the team discovered its derivative, Prussian White, emerging as a strong candidate for sodium-ion battery cathodes.
A year ago, with no prior electrochemistry experience, Macsen’s researchers built their first pouch cell in a standard chemistry R&D lab—without specialized equipment. “We had no glovebox, no coater, no calendering machine, just our lab expertise and synthesized material,” Agrawal recalled. “When that tiny cell lit up an LED bulb, we knew we had something worth pursuing. That spark led us to build a dedicated electrochemistry lab,” Agrawal added.
Building World-Class R&D Capabilities
Macsen operates a state-of-the-art battery R&D facility equipped with:
*Argon-filled gloveboxes for inert handling
*Coin and pouch cell fabrication stations
*Electrode coaters, crimpers, and vacuum dryers
*Advanced electrochemical testing systems
The setup allows Macsen to rapidly prototype and test battery cells using its proprietary materials, significantly accelerating development cycles. Simultaneously, its pilot-scale chemical synthesis facility is already producing Prussian White at kilogram scale, achieving one of the finest quality variants developed so far.
Performance on Par with Lithium Iron Phosphate
Through its proprietary synthesis, Macsen’s Prussian White cathode delivers over 150 mAh/g, comparable to Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP). The material demonstrates excellent stability, rapid sodium-ion mobility, and compatibility with existing lithium-ion manufacturing infrastructure. “Performance-wise, it’s at par with LFP but made from abundant, low-cost materials like sodium and iron. These elements are widely available, affordable, and free from geopolitical constraints,” Agrawal mentioned.
Entering a New Era: Macsen Energy
The project, incubated within Macsen Labs, is now being transitioned into a new dedicated entity—Macsen Energy, focusing exclusively on energy storage innovation and scaling operations.
“The real promise of sodium-ion batteries lies in stationary energy storage systems (BESS) for solar and wind power,” said Agrawal. “This is where India’s energy transition will take place at scale.”
Target Applications and Future Development
Macsen’s sodium-ion battery technology, featuring Prussian White cathodes paired with hard carbon anodes, is ideal for:
*Grid and solar energy storage systems
*Household backup and inverter solutions
*Short-range EVs, auto-rickshaws, two-wheelers, and city buses
*Rural microgrids and energy access projects
The company is now intensifying efforts to enhance cycle life, energy density, and charge-discharge rates, while reducing costs by optimizing electrolytes and leveraging sodium-ion’s inherent advantage: the use of aluminium instead of copper as the cathode current collector.
A Step Toward Affordable, Scalable Energy Storage
As reported by theprint.in, by combining low-cost materials, innovative processes, and advanced R&D, Macsen Labs is positioning itself to deliver next-generation sodium-ion batteries that are not only high-performing but also economically viable for large-scale applications.
