Revolution on the Ice Rink: How HIPPOTRON® ICE Technology Saves Energy and Improves Ice Quality in Poděbrady and Abroad

They know this well at the Ice Arena in Poděbrady, where they have been using the technology for over two seasons. Real-world operational experience shows that this innovation delivers not just promises on paper, but very concrete and measurable results.

Practical Experience: Two Seasons of Trouble-Free Operation in Poděbrady

The HIPPOTRON® ICE technology was installed at the Ice Arena in Poděbrady in December 2023. After more than two years of continuous operation, the arena's management evaluated the key practical benefits experienced in daily operation:

• Increased Quality and Durability of the Ice: Immediately after deploying the technology, a significant improvement in surface properties occurred. The ice is more uniform, harder, and exhibits visibly higher resistance to rutting or deep gouging during intense training and game loads.
• More Efficient and Faster Resurfacing: Thanks to the use of activated water, the new layer freezes noticeably faster during resurfacing with the ice resurfacer (Zamboni). This has allowed operators to shorten technology breaks and save valuable time when preparing the surface between games.
• Direct Energy Savings: One of the most significant economic benefits is the ability to raise the temperature of the underlying concrete slab by an average of 1 °C without degrading ice quality. Higher cooling temperatures translate directly into lower electricity consumption by the compressors.
• Lightning-Fast Installation Without Construction Interventions: David Kubát, Director of the Arena, also highlights the smooth implementation process. Installation took place within a few hours, without any structural modifications or interventions in the arena's existing system. Operation is simple, and no technical issues have been recorded over the entire operational period.

“We are very satisfied with the HIPPOTRON® ICE technology after more than two seasons of operation. It is an innovative and environmentally friendly solution that demonstrably raises the standard of our services while contributing to the sustainable operation of the arena. We can fully recommend this technology to all operators,” summarizes David Kubát, Director of ZS Poděbrady.

How Does HIPPOTRON® ICE Work and What Are Its Benefits?

HIPPOTRON® ICE technology builds on nearly 30 years of research and is currently operating in its 4th generation of development. The unit is installed directly into the water supply system or into the water preparation system for ice resurfacers.

It operates on the principle of controlled electromagnetic pulses that act on flowing water. This process simulates the natural influence of natural forces on liquids and alters the physical behavior of both the water and the minerals contained within it—completely without the use of chemicals.

The main benefits of the technology include:

• Optimization of Ice Structure: The treated water freezes faster and forms a more compact, ductile, and durable crystalline structure. The ice is harder, produces less excess snow, and the puck glides smoother and better over it.
• Protection of Technical Equipment: The system minimizes limescale buildup in tanks and nozzles of ice resurfacers as well as in the cooling circuit itself, thereby extending equipment lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.
• Environmental and Economic Impact: Raising the cooling temperature by 1 to 2 °C yields electrical energy savings of up to 10–12%. This represents not only significant financial savings for municipal and private budgets, but also a direct reduction in carbon footprint and CO₂ emissions.

Boson Distribution Expands: From Czech Arenas to 4 Countries and the World Championship

HIPPOTRON® ICE technology has earned a strong reputation not only in Poděbrady, but also at other major Czech arenas—the system was deployed, for example, at the O2 Arena in Prague, where it helped prepare top-tier ice for the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, as well as in arenas in Kladno, Chrudim, Ústí nad Labem, or Beroun.

However, Boson Distribution SE is not staying limited to the domestic market with its ecological and energy-saving solutions. It is significantly expanding its international activities—HIPPOTRON® technology is already fully operational in four countries (alongside the Czech Republic and Slovakia, it is successfully establishing itself in other European markets), with additional foreign markets and distributors rapidly joining.

This demonstrates that Czech development in water treatment and energy optimization holds global potential. HIPPOTRON® ICE is becoming a standard for modern, ecologically responsible, and economically efficient management of 21st-century sports infrastructure.