Macsen Labs has announced major progress in sodium-ion battery cathode materials— specifically Prussian White—signaling a notable breakthrough in the new wave of lithium alternatives.
This company is a long-established Indian specialty chemicals manufacturer that has expanded into battery materials. Their team has successfully synthesized high-performance Prussian White at R&D scale, and has now scaled production up to kilogram-level quantities. They have also filed a provisional patent for their proprietary Prussian White manufacturing process, and they are now moving toward a pilot line for full sodium-ion cell fabrication by early 2026.
Why does this matter?
Lithium supply constraints, rising commodity prices, and geopolitical pressure are pushing the battery industry to diversify beyond traditional Li-ion chemistries. Sodium-ion batteries have emerged as a promising alternative—especially for cost-sensitive markets like grid storage, mobility in developing regions, and stationary systems. However, the field has lacked reliable large-scale cathode production and clear manufacturability pathways.
Macsen Labs’ progress with Prussian White—a sodium-iron framework material that avoids lithium and other scarce metal—signals that sodium-ion batteries may soon move from laboratory curiosity to commercial reality. Their transition from gram-scale synthesis to kilogram-scale production, coupled with a proprietary manufacturing process, addresses one of the major bottlenecks in the sodium-ion supply chain.
What is the invention about?
Macsen Labs has synthesized a high-performance Prussian White cathode material and developed a proprietary production method now protected under a provisional patent. Prussian White (Na₂Fe[Fe(CN)₆]) is a low-cost, high-capacity sodium-ion cathode with an open, zeolitic framework that enables rapid Na⁺ transport.
Macsen’s reported performance metrics include:
- Specific capacity ~150 mAh/g, competitive with LFP.
- Use of inexpensive sodium and iron, avoiding lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
- Compatibility with aluminum current collectors and conventional Li-ion electrode fabrication processes.
Their team has scaled the synthesis to kilogram-level batches and is now planning a pilot line for full sodium-ion pouch-cell fabrication by early 2026.
Why is this disruptive?
Prussian White disrupts the conventional cathode landscape by replacing lithium, cobalt, and nickel with fully abundant, low-cost elements—sodium and iron. If manufactured at scale with consistent quality, it can dramatically reduce battery costs and remove much of the upstream geopolitical risk tied to the lithium supply chain.
Macsen’s approach stands out for three reasons:
- Scalability: Moving from R&D to kilogram-scale batches is a major step toward industrial production.
- Manufacturing compatibility: Prussian White can be produced and processed on equipment already used for LFP and other Li-ion cathodes.
- Market fit: Its performance aligns perfectly with the booming demand for safe, affordable batteries for stationary storage, micro-mobility, and two-wheelers.
This positions sodium-ion as a realistic near-term complement—or in some markets a replacement—for LFP.
Conclusion
Macsen Labs is emerging as a serious sodium-ion player, progressing from materials synthesis to a commercialization roadmap backed by patented technology. If their Prussian White demonstrates competitive cycle life, robust rate performance, and advantageous cost per kWh, it could become one of the most important cathode materials for next-generation, cost-driven battery markets.
With a pilot line planned for 2026 and growing momentum behind sodium-ion technology globally, Macsen Labs is positioning itself at the center of a major shift in how affordable, sustainable batteries are produced.
