Today, when energy consumption is one of the key topics across industries, companies and individuals alike are looking for ways to optimise operations without compromising on quality or performance. Ice rinks are no exception – this is where not only operating costs but also the environmental burden come into play. That is exactly why the groundbreaking HIPPOTRON® ICE technology, which is changing the rules of the game in ice surface preparation, is attracting attention.
Technology that changes the structure of water – and with it the quality of the ice
HIPPOTRON® ICE works on the principle of physical water treatment, in which the structure of the water is changed before it is used to make ice. This innovation significantly speeds up the freezing process, resulting in a higher-quality, more durable and more uniform ice surface. This has a fundamental impact not only on the quality of the ice but also on its maintenance.
Thanks to more efficient freezing, ice technicians can in some cases afford to raise the temperature of the cooling system by up to two degrees without affecting the quality of the surface. The result is a significant reduction in energy demand, which can be reflected in both the operating costs and the environmental footprint of the arena.
Cooperation with Switzerland: Czech technology in the Alps
Following the successful deployment of HIPPOTRON® ICE technology at ice rinks in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, another important milestone has arrived – the start of cooperation with the Swiss partner Hippotron Switzerland GmbH. This expansion into one of the most advanced and demanding markets in terms of infrastructure and environmental standards confirms that Czech know-how has something to offer on a global scale.
In Switzerland, where exceptional emphasis is placed on precision, ecology and technological sophistication, two ice rinks have already invested in the groundbreaking HIPPOTRON® ICE technology. And they are not alone – further rinks are currently in the testing phase, and initial reactions suggest that this innovation is quickly gaining trust beyond the borders of the Czech Republic. No wonder – the opportunity to improve ice quality, reduce energy consumption and at the same time strengthen the arena's environmental profile is a combination that is hard to refuse. Switzerland thus stands on the threshold of a new era in ice surface care – and Czech technology is part of it.
Czech technology is changing ice abroad too: HIPPOTRON® ICE scores in Switzerland
The year 2025 brought a major milestone: the first Swiss rink in Chur began testing the technology in live operation. And importantly – the entire project came about on the initiative of the local ice technicians.
"We wanted ice that meets the demands of today's training, but at the same time we no longer want to run the arena at the limit of our energy capacity," says one of the technicians.
In cooperation with the Czech company Boson Distribution SE, which develops and distributes HIPPOTRON® ICE technology, the first international pilot project was launched.
After just a few weeks of operation, positive feedback began to come in:
- Coaches of the first team and youth teams noticed that the ice is harder and more stable.
- Goalkeepers report that "the ice crumbles less".
- Technicians confirm lower cooling energy consumption and less need for intervention during the day.
Energy savings and an environmentally sustainable future for sports facilities
While improved ice quality is appreciated by players, coaches and fans, savings in energy and maintenance also have a fundamental impact on the environment. Every degree by which the output of the cooling system can be reduced means savings of hundreds to thousands of kilowatt-hours per season.
And it is precisely in Switzerland, where sustainability is treated not just as a trend but as part of the system, that the technology has fallen on fertile ground. Further rinks are in the testing phase, and the Alpine regions of Austria and Germany are also beginning to show interest in the solution.
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