Fraunhofer Institute validates five years of Swiss innovation
LUCERNE, Switzerland, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time, scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute, Europe's leading applied research organization, have confirmed that synthetic ice can match the glide of frozen water. Swiss company Glice AG developed a new surface technology that reproduces the unique sensation of skating on real ice-without water or energy.
"The first moment is particularly critical when ice skating. High initial resistance hinders the skater's safe start to gliding," explains Prof. Dr. Matthias Scherge, project manager at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM. To test Glice's new material, researchers built a special friction-measuring device that allowed a skate blade to glide over polymer samples under realistic conditions. In addition to friction forces, they measured the blade's depth of penetration. "Only when the blade plows with as little resistance as possible does the light, floating sensation of skating set in," adds Scherge.
The innovation lies in the material itself: an ultra-stable base made of refined polyethylene combined with a highly mobile surface layer whose polymer chains offer minimal resistance to the blade. Years of adjustments to the plate composition, cleaning processes, and conditioning procedures have led to a quality that even ice hockey professionals endorse.
Recent laboratory results show friction coefficients of about 0.035-values slightly lower than those of frozen ice at low sliding speeds. This milestone not only redefines skating performance but also marks a leap forward in sustainability. Glice rinks require no water, coolants, or electricity, drastically reducing environmental impact.
"This breakthrough makes our vision a reality: sustainable skating worldwide, with an experience that is in no way inferior to real ice," says Viktor Meier, CEO and co-founder of Glice.
Find the full media kit here.
About Glice
Since its founding in 2012, the Swiss company has redefined the skating and ice hockey experience with innovative materials and technologies. Today, Glice is represented in over 100 countries and it stands for the highest quality, ecological responsibility, and the vision of making sports and leisure activities accessible in a resource-efficient way. Learn more: www.glicerink.com.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials has independently issued a press release. Find their statement here.
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