What Smartice does

Smartice is a niche manufacturer of synthetic ice rinks, legally organized as Ecological Ice SL (a Spanish sociedad limitada registered in Seville) but marketing itself as the "only original Swiss manufacturer" in the category, with claimed industry experience dating to 1989. The company designs and sells modular rink packages built around self-lubricating polymer panels (1965x965x20mm, ~38 kg) that interlock via a tongue-and-groove system, are usable on both sides, and deliver approximately 90% glide similarity to conventional ice while consuming zero energy or water. Its product line consists of eight fixed-configuration packages (Polarpack 50m² to Antarcticapluspack 800m²), priced from €26,950 to €179,990, with each package bundling panels, boards, skates, foam flooring, skate shelves, sharpeners, rubber flooring, and an installation kit designed for DIY assembly without specialized technicians.

The business model is one-time perpetual-license sales of complete packages, with revenue generated per rink rather than per user or per period. Go-to-market combines direct e-commerce inquiries through a multilingual website (48-hour response guarantee) with a global distributor network that handles rental-oriented buyers; final delivery is worldwide with approximately one-month lead times. Customer segmentation is hybrid: leisure and entertainment operators (shopping malls, hotels, theme parks, Christmas markets, summer attractions) and sports/training facilities (hockey clubs, figure skating academies, ski resorts) are the primary segments, with residential homeowners as a secondary segment. The company is privately held, self-funded (no disclosed investors or rounds), operates with 1-10 employees, and reports no subsidiaries, acquisitions, or material leadership changes beyond the legal representative role held by Alvaro Barranco.

Name

Smartice

Legal name

Ecological Ice SL

Website

https://smartice.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Smartice is a Switzerland-headquartered (Spain-domiciled) manufacturer of modular, self-lubricating synthetic ice rinks, selling all-inclusive fixed-price packages from 50m² to 800m² to leisure venues, sports training facilities, and residential buyers worldwide via direct sales and a global distributor network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Synthetic Ice Rinks

akta.pro primary industry

Ice Rinks & Winter Sports Facilities (MPAKAEAG)

Keywords

• Synthetic ice rinks
• Ice skating equipment
• Polymer ice panels
• Modular rink packages
• Recreational ice surfaces

Headquarters

HQ city

Balerna

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel

Revenue model

1. Synthetic Ice Rink Package Sales: One-time purchase of complete rink packages including ice surface panels, boards, skates, sharpeners, foam flooring, skate shelves, installation kit, and rubber flooring. Each package is sold as a fixed-price bundle with all necessary components included. No separate accessory purchases available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Smartice manufactures and sells modular synthetic ice rink packages for commercial and residential use, including self-lubricating polymer panels, boards, skates, sharpeners, foam and rubber flooring, skate shelves, and installation kits. Packages range from 50m2 to 800m2 and are delivered worldwide as fixed-price bundles.

Product overview

Smartice is a Swiss manufacturer offering synthetic ice rink packages for leisure and sports applications. The product portfolio consists of eight modular rink packages (Polarpack through Antarcticapluspack) ranging from 50m2 to 800m2, each including essential components: synthetic ice panels, rink boards, ice skates, foam underlayment, skate shelves, rubber flooring, and installation tools. Core technology features self-lubricating polymer panels (2m x 1m x 20mm) with tongue-and-groove connections, usable on both sides. Installation is fully DIY, with small packs installable in under one hour by two people. Target markets include leisure venues (shopping malls, hotels, theme parks, bowling alleys, summer installations, Christmas events), sports facilities (hockey training, figure skating), and residential use. All products operate year-round without energy or water consumption.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Polarpack Entry-level 50m2 (5m x 10m) synthetic ice rink package, the smallest and most economical in the portfolio. Includes ice panels, boards, skates, foam floor, skate shelf, and rubber floor, designed for children and limited spaces. Priced at €26,950 / $34,995.
• Polarpluspack 100m2 (7m x 14m) portable synthetic ice rink package, easily assembled and disassembled for flexible installation in small spaces. Includes 49 ice panels, 22 boards, 60 skates, and 2 foam floors. Priced at €39,990 / $51,990.
• Patagoniapack 160m2 (10m x 16m) mid-size synthetic ice rink package described as the most popular, adaptable to multiple spaces with competitive pricing. Includes 80 ice panels, 26 boards, 80 skates, and 2 shelves. Priced at €52,990 / $68,990.
• Patagoniapluspack 200m2 (10m x 20m) synthetic ice rink package, the most frequently requested by customers, accommodating approximately 50 people. Includes 100 ice panels, 30 boards, 100 skates, 3 foam floors, 1 sharpener, and 2 rubber floors. Priced at €59,990 / $77,990.
• Arcticpack 300m2 (15m x 20m) large synthetic ice rink package accommodating up to 75 skaters simultaneously. Includes 150 ice panels, 36 boards, 120 skates, 5 foam floors, and 3 shelves. Priced at €82,990 / $107,990.
• Arcticpluspack 400m2 (14m x 28m) extra-large synthetic ice rink package accommodating up to 100 skaters simultaneously. Includes 196 ice panels, 42 boards, 160 skates, 6 foam floors, 4 shelves, and 3 rubber floors. Priced at €103,990 / $134,990.
• Antarcticapack 600m2 (20m x 30m) very large synthetic ice rink package suited for hockey games and large commercial venues such as shopping centers or ski resorts. Includes 300 ice panels, 50 boards, 200 skates, 8 foam floors, and 5 shelves. Priced at €139,990 / $181,990.
• Antarcticapluspack 800m2 (20m x 40m) largest synthetic ice rink package in the Smartice range, accommodating up to 200 skaters simultaneously for maximum-capacity events. Includes 400 ice panels, 60 boards, 240 skates, 2 sharpeners, 10 foam floors, 6 shelves, and 5 rubber floors. Priced at €179,990 / $233,990.
• Synthetic Ice Panels Individual self-lubricating synthetic ice panels measuring 1965x965x20mm and weighing 38kg, with a tongue-and-groove connection system, reusable on both sides, and requiring no external lubrication. Sold as the core component of Smartice rink packages.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero energy costs - potential savings of €5,000/month compared to conventional ice rinks
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Distributor NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSmartice maintains a large network of distributors worldwide who offer rental options for customers who prefer not to purchase outright. The company directs rental inquiries to these distributors and facilitates connections between potential renters and the distribution network.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Glice: Glice is a Swiss/European manufacturer of eco-friendly synthetic ice rinks marketed for both commercial and residential use. It competes head-to-head with Smartice on sustainability positioning, modular rink sizing, DIY installation, and a similar enterprise and homeowner customer mix.
• Synthetic Ice Solutions: Synthetic Ice Solutions (SIS) is a US-based supplier of dovetail-jigsaw synthetic ice panels, rinks, and accessories targeting hockey training, leisure venues, and home installations. It is a direct comparable to Smartice on product format, channel model, and target buyer profile.
• PolyGlide Ice: PolyGlide Ice is a US-based manufacturer and installer of synthetic ice panels and rinks used for hockey training, figure skating, and residential applications. It directly competes with Smartice on panel technology, modular rink sizing, and sports-facility buyers in North America.
• K-Rink (Kunstijsbanen): K-Rink is a Netherlands-based synthetic ice rink manufacturer focused on permanent and temporary installations for entertainment and sports use. It is comparable to Smartice as a direct European competitor serving similar commercial and training-facility buyers.
• Xtraice: Xtraice is a Spain-based manufacturer of modular synthetic ice rinks with globally distributed installations across leisure, training, and commercial venues. It is the most direct competitor to Smartice — overlapping product categories (panel-based rinks), overlapping geographies, and the same target customer base of entertainment venues, shopping centers, and sports clubs.
• Ice Rink Systems: Ice Rink Systems designs, manufactures, and installs modular synthetic ice rinks and panels for commercial, residential, and training applications. It overlaps with Smartice on core product (synthetic ice panels) and on the turnkey-package go-to-market approach with global delivery.

Emerging players

• HyperGlide Synthetic Ice: HyperGlide is a US-based producer of high-glide synthetic ice panels marketed primarily for hockey and figure-skating training. It competes with Smartice on the sports/training side of the synthetic ice market with a more focused, niche product offering.

Broad incumbents

• Reichmann Eis- und Kältetechnik: Reichmann is a German manufacturer of ice rink equipment — including refrigerated (real) ice rink systems, dasher boards, and ice-resurfacing machines — for sports facilities and public rinks. It is comparable to Smartice as a broader incumbent in the ice rink equipment market, overlapping on dasher boards and rink infrastructure but not on synthetic ice panels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/EcologicalIceSL
• Instagraminstagram.com/smartice
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smartice-sa
• Xtwitter.com/smartice

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smartice