Plastic Ice and the Trade‑offs of Synthetic Rinks

Synthetic ice panels have been used for decades and have been improved in recent years. The sheets are often made from hard polyethylene blends such as ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, and firms like Glice and Xtraice have developed new formulations to make skating closer to real ice. The Fraunhofer Institute has tested newer panels and has confirmed that some modern surfaces can match the glide of frozen water, so the technology has gained more attention.

Rinks with plastic surfaces have been installed in warm cities and for temporary events because they remove the need for refrigeration, which cuts energy and water use. While this reduces a rink’s carbon and water footprint, new material concerns have emerged. Studies and reporting have found that skating and equipment can produce small plastic shavings; one study noted that a single hockey game can create up to 20 g of microplastics. Manufacturers say they have reduced abrasion and that daily cleaning can collect shavings, but researchers and some environmental groups have raised questions about long term wear and how to manage the particles. More study is needed on how the particles move in water and soil.