Archive: October 5, 2026

Macsen Energy’s Sodium-Ion Cell Crosses 1500 cycles in testing, retains 90% capacity at 1000 cycles

UDAIPUR, India, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Macsen Energy Private Limited has reached a milestone in its sodium-ion battery research. A cell made with the company’s proprietary Prussian White cathode material has crossed 1,500 charge-discharge cycles while retaining 90% of its initial capacity at 1,000 cycles in laboratory testing.

The result marks progress in Macsen Energy’s work to develop Prussian White cathode material and sodium-ion cells for applications where long operating life is important. It follows three years of research into the synthesis, refinement and electrochemical testing of the material.

“Crossing 1,500 cycles with sustained capacity and high coulombic efficiency, and retaining 90% of the cell’s initial capacity at 1,000 cycles, is an important result for our team,” said Achal Agrawal, CEO of Macsen Group, who also works as a researcher on the project. “This result comes from cycling an actual sodium-ion cell in our battery research lab. It validates the promise of our cell technology for long-life energy storage and supports the potential of our Prussian White cathode material to deliver sustained performance over repeated cycles.”

Macsen Energy’s research began within Macsen Labs Group, a manufacturer of specialty chemicals and niche pharmaceutical ingredients. While working on Prussian Blue as an active pharmaceutical ingredient used in the treatment of radioactive contamination, the team began exploring its reduced and sodiated form, Prussian White, as a cathode material for sodium-ion batteries. The initiative has since been established as a separate company, Macsen Energy Private Limited.

Prussian White offers strong potential for large-scale manufacturing using commercially established raw materials produced in India, Europe, China and other countries. Its production can be scaled to thousands of tonnes using existing chemical manufacturing infrastructure. The upstream raw-material supply chain draws on abundant industrial feedstocks, including natural gas, nitrogen, oxygen and caustic soda.

However, producing it consistently at the quality needed for battery use requires careful control of its composition, sodium content, water content, crystal structure and other material properties. Macsen Energy has developed a proprietary synthesis process designed to produce high-quality, battery-grade Prussian White in high yields, with fewer processing steps, cost-efficient production and reduced environmental impact. The company has also filed a patent application relating to this manufacturing process.

“Prussian White may appear straightforward to synthesize, but producing a material that approaches its theoretical capacity and maintains strong electrochemical performance over repeated charge-discharge cycles is a much more demanding task,” Agrawal said. “We see it as an engineered battery material, and our work spans chemical synthesis, material characterization, cell fabrication and testing.”

Macsen Energy is continuing its work on cathode and anode materials development, coin-cell and pouch-cell testing, complementary battery materials and sodium-ion full cells. The company has also allocated 10,000 square metres of land for a proposed Prussian Blue Analogue cathode-material scale-up facility and sodium-ion cell fabrication pilot line.

About Macsen Energy Private Limited

Macsen Energy Private Limited develops materials and cell technology for sodium-ion batteries. Originating from research within Macsen Labs Group, the company brings together chemical synthesis, battery cell fabrication and electrochemical testing to advance Prussian Blue Analogue materials and sodium-ion technology.

Contact Details:

Apoorv Acharya 

Email: info@macsenenergy.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/macsen-energys-sodium-ion-cell-crosses-1500-cycles-in-testing-retains-90-capacity-at-1000-cycles-302898240.html

Joyalukkas Completes First Batch of Gold Rings for Tamil Nadu Government’s ‘Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam’

CHENNAI, India, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Joyalukkas Group has completed the first batch of 89,955 one-gram, 22K gold rings entrusted to the company under the Tamil Nadu Government’s ‘Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam’ by honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu C. Joseph Vijay.

Under the initiative, eligible newborn children delivered at government hospitals across the State will receive a one-gram gold ring. Approximately 4.41 lakh newborn children across Tamil Nadu are expected to benefit from the initiative.

Joyalukkas emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) for the procurement, quoting just one paisa towards making charges, BIS hallmarking, insurance, transportation and packing, excluding the cost of gold.

The first batch of 89,955 rings will be supplied to 107 designated government hospitals, primarily high-load CEmONC centres. The rings are being manufactured as per the prescribed one-gram weight and 22K purity specifications, with each ring carrying the required BIS hallmark and six-digit HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) number for authenticity and traceability.

The rings are packed in exclusive packaging developed specifically for the initiative, ensuring secure handling and transportation to the designated government hospitals. Packing and dispatch of the first batch are currently underway from Joyalukkas’ dedicated hubs in Chennai and Coimbatore.

Dr. Joy Alukkas, Chairman and Managing Director, Joyalukkas Group, said: “We are deeply honoured to be associated with the Thai Maaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam and grateful to the Government of Tamil Nadu and Hon’ble Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay for giving us the opportunity to be part of this meaningful initiative. The birth of a child is a deeply special moment for every family, and gold has always had a unique place in our traditions as a symbol of blessings and auspicious beginnings. Tamil Nadu has given us immense love and support over the years, and this initiative gives Joyalukkas an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to the people of the State.”

Joyalukkas has a strong presence across Tamil Nadu, with more than 30 showrooms serving customers across the State. The brand has been popularly known as the ‘Rasi Kadai’ among families in Tamil Nadu

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/joyalukkas-completes-first-batch-of-gold-rings-for-tamil-nadu-governments-thai-maaman-thanga-mothiram-thittam-302898247.html

Government of Maharashtra and Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Expand Maha r-PET Abhiyaan in Thane with Dedicated Collection Infrastructure for Used PET Bottles

~Thane PET Collection Centre, retailer participation initiatives and collection support systems aim to improve used PET bottle recovery and recycling~

THANE, India, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Government of Maharashtra, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) and Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) have expanded the Maha r-PET Abhiyaan in Thane with the inauguration of the Thane PET Collection Centre and the launch of a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening the collection, segregation and recycling of used PET bottles across the city.

The programme included the launch of dedicated used PET Collection Bins, the introduction of the Maha r-PET Abhiyaan Participation Certificate and Green Cool Dukaan Sticker for retailers, the flagging off of three electric vehicles to support collection operations, and the unveiling of benches made from recycled PET plastic collected through the initiative.

The programme was graced by Smt. Pankaja Munde, Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry, Environment & Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra; Sanjay Kelkar – MLA; Mr. Niranjan Davkhare – MLC; Ms. Madhavi Naik – MLC; Shri. Rahul Rekhawar – IAS and member secretary MPCB; Shri. Harishchandra Patil – Additional Collector, Thane Municipal Corporation; Mr. Himanshu Priyadarshi – Chief Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Officer– Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages; and Actors – Prasad Oak, Shivani Surve, Amit Sial and Rapper – Dino James along with community partners, retailers and hotel owners associations and stakeholders from across the PET collection and recycling ecosystem.

The newly inaugurated Thane PET Collection Centre will serve as a dedicated aggregation and collection facility for used PET bottles recovered through the initiative. Supported by a network of collection partners and retailers, the centre is designed to strengthen the recovery and channelisation of used PET bottles into authorised recycling streams.

Dedicated collection bins introduced under the programme will encourage residents to segregate used PET bottles at source, while the Green Cool Dukaan initiative and participation certificates will recognise retailers who actively contribute to the collection effort. The electric vehicles flagged off during the programme will support efficient last-mile collection across Thane.

The programme also showcased benches manufactured using recycled PET plastic collected through the initiative. These installations demonstrate how used PET bottles can be transformed into valuable products through recycling, bringing to life the principles of a circular economy.

Underscoring the importance of community participation, Smt. Pankaja Munde, Hon’ble Minister for Animal Husbandry, Environment & Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra, noted, “I am extremely delighted that the environment-friendly project, Maha r-PET Abhiyaan, is being launched in Thane district in collaboration with Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages. The days of ‘use and throw’ are behind us; the time has come for ‘use and collect’.  We are beginning this exceptional concept today right here in Thane. Following this, the initiative will be implemented in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nashik, and since I am from Beed myself, it will be carried out there as well.

As Environment Minister, protecting our environment is my responsibility, but it is equally a collective responsibility. I congratulate HCCB for taking this initiative and look forward to seeing it create greater awareness and participation across Maharashtra.”

Avinash Kant Kumar, Head of Integrated Supply Chain, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB) said, “Building a robust used PET bottle recycling ecosystem requires strong collaboration across the entire value chain, from collection and segregation to processing and end-use. The Thane Collection Centre is an important step towards creating a more organised and traceable supply chain for recyclable materials, enabling segregation at source and the identification of food-grade PET for high-value recycling applications. This model demonstrates how industries can work alongside public systems to improve resource efficiency, support the availability of quality recycled material, and build resilient, sustainable supply chains for the future. Through our partnership with the Government of Maharashtra under the Maha r-PET Abhiyaan, and in collaboration with the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), we are helping strengthen the systems and infrastructure needed to improve the recovery of used PET bottles.”

Launched by the Government of Maharashtra, Maha r-PET Abhiyaan is a first-of-its-kind statewide movement focused on improving the collection, recovery and recycling of used PET bottles through awareness, source segregation, community participation and collection infrastructure. The initiative seeks to ensure that used PET bottles are collected separately and remain suitable for recycling, helping reduce landfill burden while supporting circular economy objectives. The initiative brings together dedicated collection infrastructure, retailer participation, consumer awareness and collection support systems to improve the recovery of used PET bottles and channel them into the recycling value chain.

About Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB):

Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), one of India’s leading FMCG companies, was incorporated on 14th February 1997. Since then, HCCB has come a long way in being able to serve over 20 lakh retailers, ~2,000 distributors, and 5,200+ employees. 2,50,000 farmers grow the agricultural produce that HCCB uses in making its products. The company is headquartered in Bengaluru and its operations are spread in 10 states, and 236 districts in South and West India. With 14 factories across India, the company has a significant footprint in Maharashtra, operating two state-of-the-art manufacturing plants at Pirangut, in Pune district, Wada, in Palghar district, and an upcoming manufacturing plant at Lote Parshuram in Ratnagiri district. HCCB manufactures and sells 37 different products across 8 categories. Its products include some of India’s most loved beverages – Coca-Cola, Thums Up, Sprite, Minute Maid, Maaza, SmartWater, Kinley, Limca, Fanta, and a lot more.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/in/news-releases/government-of-maharashtra-and-hindustan-coca-cola-beverages-expand-maha-r-pet-abhiyaan-in-thane-with-dedicated-collection-infrastructure-for-used-pet-bottles-302898251.html

Riyadh to Host Sixth Edition of Future Minerals Forum in January 2027

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has announced that the sixth edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) will be held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques from 12–14 January 2027 in Riyadh, with the theme “Global Collaboration for Resilient Mineral Supply.”

The fifth edition, held in January 2026, welcomed government representatives from 91 countries and more than 64 governmental and non-governmental organizations, alongside 21,500 participants from 175 countries. It saw the signing of 132 agreements and MoUs worth more than USD26.7 billion (SAR100 billion), bringing the total across five editions to 398 agreements and MoUs valued at over USD75.2 billion (SAR282 billion).

FMF 2027 will focus on mobilizing finance, accelerating project development and shortening time to production, to increase mineral supply and develop value chains in the Kingdom and emerging supplier regions, including the Super Region spanning Africa, West and Central Asia, and Latin America.

The Forum will be headlined by its government-led Ministerial Roundtable, convening governments, industry leaders, multilateral organizations, and financial and academic institutions. Expanded ‘Gateway to Funding’ activities will connect investors with scalable projects, while ‘State of the Sector’ sessions, an extension of the Future Minerals Barometer, will offer commodity outlooks and market insights. Leadership Roundtables and Knowledge Exchange meetings will develop solutions to strengthen supply chains.

FMF has helped move discussions on the future of minerals from ambition to partnerships, investment and projects, while connecting Saudi Arabia’s mining and industrial opportunities with international capital, technology and expertise.

The Forum has grown alongside the Kingdom’s mining sector. Saudi Arabia’s exploration expenditure rose from USD 54.7 million (SAR 205 million) in 2020 to USD 362.7 million (SAR 1.36 billion) in 2025 and active exploration companies grew from six to 191.

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, also recently announced that studies at the Jabal Sayid Rare Earth Elements Project in the Madinah Region had revealed estimated resources of 114 million tons of ore with high concentrations of rare earth elements, particularly heavy rare earth elements.

FMF advances the objectives of the Comprehensive Mining and Mineral Industries Strategy. FMF2027 will issue a global call to diversify mineral supply, develop mining capabilities and build a more resilient minerals ecosystem.

For registration and information, visit futuremineralsforum.com

CONTACT: Mustafa Al Refaie, mustafa.alrefaie@omc.com, +966 55 725 1006

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/riyadh-to-host-sixth-edition-of-future-minerals-forum-in-january-2027-302898273.html

Odisha Braces for Thunderstorms, Lightning and Gusty Winds From October 7

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 5 (UDN): Several parts of Odisha are likely to experience thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds from October 7, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a yellow warning for multiple districts.

 Representational Image 

The weather office has forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at isolated places over the next few days, with weather activity expected to intensify in northern, coastal and southern districts from October 7.

Rain Expected in Several Districts

During the next 24 hours, isolated light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely in Baleshwar, Mayurbhanj, Koraput and Malkangiri, while dry weather is expected across most other parts of the state.

On October 5, rainfall activity may occur in Baleshwar, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati and Ganjam. On October 6, isolated showers are likely in Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj.

Yellow Warning Issued for October 7

The weather system is expected to become more active from October 7.

The IMD has issued a yellow warning for Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh.

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty surface winds of 30-40 kmph may occur at one or two places in these districts.

Weather Activity to Continue on October 8

The adverse weather conditions are likely to persist on October 8, when thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds may affect Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar and Mayurbhanj.

Light to moderate rain or thundershowers may occur at a few places across northern and central Odisha, while isolated rainfall activity is also expected in Boudh, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Gajapati, Ganjam and Puri.

Rain Forecast Through October 10

The IMD has forecast isolated rain or thundershower activity in several coastal and adjoining districts on October 9 and 10. The districts likely to see such activity include Baleshwar, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Khordha and Nayagarh.

Temperatures Likely to Dip

Maximum temperatures are expected to remain largely stable over the next three to four days before falling by around 2-3 degrees Celsius thereafter.

Minimum temperatures are likely to remain broadly unchanged during the next six to seven days.

In Bhubaneswar and adjoining areas, partly cloudy conditions are expected over the next 24 hours, with the maximum temperature likely to remain around 35°C and the minimum near 25°C.

The IMD has not issued any weather warning for fishermen along the Odisha coast between October 4 and 8.

One Killed, Six Injured as Family’s Puri Pilgrimage Ends in Road Accident in Bargarh

Bargarh, Oct. 5 (UDN): A pilgrimage to Puri turned tragic for a family travelling from Indore after their vehicle crashed into a roadside tree near Madhupur in Bargarh district on Monday, leaving one person dead and six others injured.

Vehicle Crashes Into Tree

According to reports, the accident occurred under Sohela block when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while the family was travelling towards Puri to visit the Jagannath Temple.

The impact was severe, killing one person at the spot and leaving six others injured.

Three Shifted to Bargarh

Following the crash, the injured were rushed to hospitals for treatment. Three of them were admitted to a private hospital in Sohela, while the remaining three, who were reportedly in critical condition, were shifted to a private hospital in Bargarh for advanced treatment.

Police Begin Probe

Police have seized the vehicle involved in the accident and launched an investigation into the circumstances leading to the crash.

Officials are examining the cause of the driver losing control and the sequence of events preceding the collision.