Quick Takeaways
- ARCI and Voltasun have formalized an MoU to move sodium-ion battery pouch cells from lab validation to industrial testing in India.
- The collaboration strengthens India’s push toward cost-effective, lithium-alternative battery chemistries using NVP cathodes.
India’s push toward alternative battery chemistries gained momentum as the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) partnered with Voltasun Technologies Pvt. Ltd. to validate next-generation sodium-ion battery pouch cells for industrial use. The collaboration focuses on evaluating pouch cells built using Sodium Vanadium Phosphate (NVP) cathode material, positioning sodium-ion battery technology as a credible option beyond lithium-based systems.
Sodium-Ion Battery Validation Moves from Lab to Industry
Under the memorandum of understanding, ARCI will manufacture and supply 80 units of 5Ah sodium-ion battery pouch cells to Voltasun for detailed performance assessment. These cells are based on ARCI’s in-house developed NVP cathode powder, which has already cleared laboratory-scale validation. The current phase emphasizes real-world performance metrics critical for future commercialization.
This initiative bridges the gap between public-sector research and private-sector scale-up, ensuring sodium-ion battery innovation transitions smoothly from controlled research environments to industrial benchmarks.
ARCI’s NVP Cathode Development and Ongoing Field Trials
ARCI’s sodium-ion battery research has been carried out under the ANRF-supported MAHA EV program, where NVP-based pouch cells demonstrated stable electrochemical performance. Following successful lab testing, field-level evaluations are now underway to assess durability, energy efficiency, and cycle stability under practical operating conditions.
The sodium-ion battery chemistry using NVP cathodes is particularly relevant for cost-sensitive and resource-diversified energy storage applications, where reduced dependence on lithium and cobalt is a strategic advantage.
Voltasun’s Role in Scaling Sodium-Ion Battery Technology
Voltasun Technologies brings expertise across the battery value chain, from active material development to cell manufacturing and scale-up consultancy. As part of Phase I of the agreement, Voltasun will conduct performance validation and provide structured feedback on the supplied sodium-ion battery pouch cells, helping refine design and manufacturability parameters.
The collaboration is structured to ensure industrial readiness rather than remaining limited to prototype evaluation.
Two-Phase Collaboration Framework
The MoU outlines a phased execution plan to systematically advance sodium-ion battery validation:
Why Sodium-Ion Battery Development Matters for India
Sodium-ion battery technology is gaining attention globally due to its material abundance, cost advantages, and suitability for diverse mobility and stationary storage applications. For India, indigenous development and validation of sodium-ion batteries aligns with long-term energy security goals and domestic manufacturing priorities.
By validating NVP-based sodium-ion battery cells at an industrial level, the ARCI–Voltasun collaboration marks a practical step toward commercialization-ready alternatives in the evolving battery ecosystem.
Sodium-Ion Battery Validation Moves from Lab to Industry
Under the memorandum of understanding, ARCI will manufacture and supply 80 units of 5Ah sodium-ion battery pouch cells to Voltasun for detailed performance assessment. These cells are based on ARCI’s in-house developed NVP cathode powder, which has already cleared laboratory-scale validation. The current phase emphasizes real-world performance metrics critical for future commercialization.
This initiative bridges the gap between public-sector research and private-sector scale-up, ensuring sodium-ion battery innovation transitions smoothly from controlled research environments to industrial benchmarks.
ARCI’s NVP Cathode Development and Ongoing Field Trials
ARCI’s sodium-ion battery research has been carried out under the ANRF-supported MAHA EV program, where NVP-based pouch cells demonstrated stable electrochemical performance. Following successful lab testing, field-level evaluations are now underway to assess durability, energy efficiency, and cycle stability under practical operating conditions.
The sodium-ion battery chemistry using NVP cathodes is particularly relevant for cost-sensitive and resource-diversified energy storage applications, where reduced dependence on lithium and cobalt is a strategic advantage.
Voltasun’s Role in Scaling Sodium-Ion Battery Technology
Voltasun Technologies brings expertise across the battery value chain, from active material development to cell manufacturing and scale-up consultancy. As part of Phase I of the agreement, Voltasun will conduct performance validation and provide structured feedback on the supplied sodium-ion battery pouch cells, helping refine design and manufacturability parameters.
The collaboration is structured to ensure industrial readiness rather than remaining limited to prototype evaluation.
Two-Phase Collaboration Framework
The MoU outlines a phased execution plan to systematically advance sodium-ion battery validation:
- Phase I: Supply of 80 sodium-ion battery pouch cells by ARCI; Industrial performance validation by Voltasun with detailed feedback
- Phase II: Supply of two additional batches of 80 pouch cells each; Execution through a separate amendment agreement based on Phase I outcomes
Why Sodium-Ion Battery Development Matters for India
Sodium-ion battery technology is gaining attention globally due to its material abundance, cost advantages, and suitability for diverse mobility and stationary storage applications. For India, indigenous development and validation of sodium-ion batteries aligns with long-term energy security goals and domestic manufacturing priorities.
By validating NVP-based sodium-ion battery cells at an industrial level, the ARCI–Voltasun collaboration marks a practical step toward commercialization-ready alternatives in the evolving battery ecosystem.
PIB India press release
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