Slovak hockey is undergoing a subtle but fundamental change in how the ice surface is cared for. It all began at the Žilina Ice Stadium, which became the very first stadium in Slovakia to lease the innovative HIPPOTRON® ICE device in cooperation with Kaufland Slovak Republic. Today, this unique water treatment helps at many ice stadiums across Europe. The result is significantly better ice and a substantial reduction in the energy intensity of operations.
Behind this successful project is a strong partnership between Kaufland Slovak Republic and Boson Distribution SE. Kaufland Slovak Republic has long underlined its social commitment and actively supports innovative projects that bring sustainable, cost-saving solutions to sports infrastructure. The shared goal is to develop Slovak hockey from youth level to the senior Extraliga and to help stadiums cope with costly operations.
Why Is HIPPOTRON® ICE a Breakthrough in Ice Treatment?
Preparing a perfect ice surface is a never-ending challenge for ice stadium managers. Ice quality is fundamentally affected by the internal structure of the water used to flood the surface with the ice resurfacer. Ordinary water contains dissolved gases, minerals and molecular clusters, which create air bubbles and a brittle structure as it freezes.
The HIPPOTRON® ICE device works on the principle of physical water treatment. It changes the physical properties of water without the use of chemicals, thereby fundamentally optimising the entire ice crystallisation process.
Faster Freezing Between Periods – No More "Water on the Ice"
Standard resurfacing during the intermission between periods evens out irregularities, but the unfrozen layer of water in the first few minutes causes the puck to stick and drag, and passes lose accuracy.
Water treated with HIPPOTRON® ICE technology crystallises significantly faster. After the resurfacer passes, the ice freezes significantly faster. The puck is not slowed by leftover water, play keeps its high tempo from the very first second of the period, and the risk of dangerous injuries caused by a skate unexpectedly catching is greatly reduced.
Significant Energy Savings for Stadium Operators
Ice stadiums are among the most energy-intensive sports facilities. This is exactly where the technology brings key economic relief:
- Higher cooling temperature: The treated water freezes at a higher temperature and forms more compact ice with better thermal conductivity. The refrigeration units therefore do not have to run at maximum output, which brings direct savings in electricity.
Protecting the Equipment: No More Limescale
An integral benefit of the system is the protection of all water infrastructure and the internal tanks of the ice resurfacer. HIPPOTRON® ICE effectively prevents limescale build-up. Dissolved minerals lose their ability to form hard deposits, which extends equipment service life, eliminates costly repairs and keeps the resurfacer nozzles clean and fully functional.
From Žilina to Košice: A Partnership That Makes Sense
The success story began in Žilina, where – thanks to a lease made possible by the support of Kaufland Slovak Republic – the technology proved itself in practice for the first time and confirmed its declared properties. The positive operational and sporting results were the impetus for the project to subsequently expand to other ice stadiums.
Today, HIPPOTRON® ICE technology reliably serves in four Slovak cities with the support of Kaufland Slovak Republic:
- Zimný štadión Žilina (the first stadium with a leased device)
- Banská Bystrica Ice Stadium
- Spišská Nová Ves Ice Stadium
- Steel Aréna Košice
The Future of Sustainable Ice Stadiums
The combination of innovative HIPPOTRON® ICE technology, the expertise of Boson Distribution SE and the significant support of Kaufland Slovak Republic shows a modern path for the entire hockey infrastructure. High-quality ice surfaces, fast and fluid play and lower stadium operating costs – this is a combination from which all of Slovak hockey benefits.
We thank Kaufland Slovak Republic for its active support of these sustainable projects, and we look forward to more stadiums joining this efficient path!
