Maverick - ALDI Snow Gear 2026 Launch | Case Study

The Brief

Maverick approached Next Printing in late March 2026 with a simple yet compelling brief to create a 10 metre backwall for a catwalk entrance. Whilst large media walls are a familiar sight, this project was unique because of both the event and the location.

Maverick’s client, ALDI had chosen to announce the return of their 2026 Snow Gear Special Buys with a first-of-its-kind Fashion Show on ice at Ice Zoo Alexandria. The activation featured the main wall with a central arched opening, 1000mm returns and a smaller secondary back wall. This layout created a functional ‘back-of-house’ area for the skaters as they entered and exited the runway

As a one-off event, sustainability was also a key consideration. ALDI was keen to ensure the structure could be responsibly recycled post activation, making material an important part of the planning process.

The Challenge

The biggest challenge was finding a recyclable, paper-based material that could be installed directly onto an ice rink. 

Re-board® was the obvious choice from a sustainability and construction perspective. However, the exposed core of the material would sit directly on the ice for 7-8 hours. Before committing, the team needed to be confident that it would remain structurally sound throughout the event.

The Execution

During planning, the team explored several ways to prevent moisture reaching the Re-board® core. Proposals included using carpet, rubber underlay, and repurposed off-cuts of Floor Mat to create a barrier between the walling and the ice. However, on-site testing quickly revealed that the matting slid across the rink surface and was not a viable solution.

Following a final site inspection, the team placed a Re-board® cross-brace directly on the ice overnight to test how the material would perform. By the following day, there were no signs of seepage or warping, giving the team confidence to proceed.

With the test complete, installers built all Re-board® walling directly onto the ice. Ice cleats fitted to their work boots helped keep them stable throughout both bump-in and bump-out.

Carbon Savings

By choosing Re-board® over MDF, ALDI produced a carbon negative display (Carbon Emissions = -32kg) and reduced their carbon footprint by an amazing 278kg. This is equivalent to eliminating almost 8 days of carbon emissions for the average Australian household or equivalent to a car travelling over 1199 km in Australia.

The Takeaway

The completed wall created a striking entrance for ALDI’s Fashion Show on Ice and performed exactly as planned.

The event attracted coverage across a range of media platforms, including video coverage featured by the Sydney Times. More importantly, the Re-board® structure remained stable throughout the activation, despite being installed directly on the ice and surrounded by skaters, performers, and members of the Sydney Bears Ice Hockey Team.

What started as an unusual sustainability challenge proved that recyclable, paper-based event structures can perform in even the most unexpected environments.