Alternō launches Japanese subsidiary to revolutionise industrial heat decarbonisation with sand-based thermal batteries

Alternō, an Asia-based climate-tech innovator specialising in sand-based thermal battery systems, has launched its Japanese subsidiary, Alternō Japan GK, in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture. This move marks a significant step in the company’s ambitious plan to decarbonize industrial heat—a sector accountable for over 30% of global CO₂ emissions—by providing affordable and zero-emission thermal energy storage solutions.

Supported by the Ibaraki Prefecture Startup Visa Program and the technology incubation organisation Leave a Nest, Alternō Japan GK is set to become a focal point for product localisation, research and development, and pilot-scale manufacturing within the region. The enterprise is forging strategic collaborations with Kikuchi Seiki Co., Ltd., a precision engineering firm, and Yamazaki Industry Co., Ltd., which is responsible for prototype fabrication. The project also benefits from coordination efforts by JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) and local government in Tsukuba City, ensuring alignment with regional innovation targets and industrial standards.

Alternō’s flagship technology is its patented Sand Battery, which stores renewable electricity as high-temperature heat—up to 600°C—using abundant and recyclable sand as the storage medium. This technology enables industrial users, particularly in agriculture and light manufacturing sectors, to replace fossil-fuel dependent heat sources with clean, renewable thermal energy. Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, the sand battery system is non-toxic, fireproof, and relies entirely on locally sourced materials, enhancing both environmental sustainability and economic feasibility.

The company is initially targeting applications within agriculture—such as providing low-carbon heat for greenhouses and food drying—and industrial processes including textile and material drying. Reflecting its versatility, Alternō Japan will introduce two primary product lines: the Alternō Hybrid and the Alternō Mini. The Hybrid system integrates electric and biomass heating to ensure a continuous supply of renewable heat, particularly assisting rural agro-processing by converting organic waste into energy, which reduces operational costs and emissions. The smaller-scale Alternō Mini is designed for research institutions and demonstration projects and will be unveiled to the public during Tokyo ENEX 2026, one of Japan’s leading energy exhibitions.

Beyond thermal storage, Alternō is developing a next-generation sand-based electricity storage system, Alternō E, aimed at data centres and other critical infrastructures. This system is intended to replace lithium-ion batteries by offering a safer, more stable, and cleaner backup power solution.

The partnership ecosystem around Alternō in Japan is robust, integrating the country’s renowned engineering excellence with cutting-edge deep-tech innovation. Hai Ho, Co-Founder and CEO of Alternō, emphasised the importance of the collaboration: “Japan represents a key step in Alternō’s journey to build a global network of clean heat solutions. Through our partnerships in Ibaraki—one of Japan’s most innovation-driven and agriculture-focused regions—we’re creating a pathway to decarbonize industries that have long depended on fossil fuels.”

The company’s expansion also enjoys backing from notable investors and ecosystem partners, including Asian Development Bank Ventures (ADB Ventures), UntroD Capital, JETRO, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), P4G, and NTT East. Pang Sittakaradej from ADB Ventures highlighted the broader significance: “We strongly believe in the power of technology transfer, and Alternō’s expansion into Japan demonstrates how Asian innovation can transcend borders to help decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors.” Similarly, Daiki Kumamoto, Director at UntroD Capital Asia, noted the crucial role of clean heat technologies in industrial and agricultural decarbonisation, affirming their commitment to support Alternō’s growth.

Recognised as Deep Tech Venture of the Year 2025, Alternō is positioning itself as a pivotal player in Asia’s transition to sustainable industrial energy. The company’s long-term vision targets a reduction of 100 million tons of CO₂ emissions annually by 2030, driven by scalable sand-based heat and power storage systems. The Japanese operation not only facilitates product adaptation to local market needs but also advances the broader industrial decarbonisation agenda by fostering a clean heat manufacturing ecosystem built on local engineering expertise and sustainability principles.

This expansion represents a convergence of innovative technology, local collaboration, and international investment aimed at transforming one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize—industrial heat—into a zero-emission foundation for sustainable industry across Asia and beyond.