Sustainable Materials for Amusement Park Ride Manufacturers

Sustainable Materials for Amusement Park Rides Manufacturer

Why sustainability matters for an amusement park rides manufacturer

As an amusement park rides manufacturer, sustainability is no longer optional. Operators, investors and visitors expect long-term safety, lower operating costs and reduced environmental impact. Choosing sustainable materials reduces lifecycle costs, simplifies maintenance, improves brand reputation and helps meet international regulations and park operator procurement policies. For manufacturers it also opens access to new markets that require environmental reporting or prefer suppliers with verifiable sustainability credentials.

Key sustainable materials used by leading amusement park rides manufacturer

Material choice should be driven by safety requirements, lifecycle performance, local availability and end-of-life options. Top manufacturers balance proven structural materials with innovative, recyclable or reclaimed options for non-structural components. Below we examine common materials and how they perform in an amusement context.

Steel: the backbone of sustainable ride structures for amusement park rides manufacturer

Steel remains the primary structural material for coasters, towers and heavy-duty ride frames. Benefits for an amusement park rides manufacturer include excellent strength-to-cost ratio, established fabrication techniques, and near-universal recyclability. Using high-strength, corrosion-resistant steel grades and specifying designs for disassembly makes steel structures more sustainable over time. Protective surface treatments (galvanizing, hot-dip, advanced coatings) extend service life in outdoor environments and reduce replacement frequency.

Aluminum: lightweight and highly recyclable for ride components

Aluminum is ideal for ride elements where weight reduction can lower foundation costs or improve dynamic performance. It is highly recyclable and recycling aluminum uses up to 95% less energy than primary production, which reduces embodied carbon. For an amusement park rides manufacturer, aluminum parts such as gondolas, access platforms and aesthetic panels accelerate installation while supporting circular material strategies. Designers must address fatigue and galvanic corrosion when aluminum interfaces with steel components.

Composites and FRP: performance with recycling challenges

Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) and composite materials offer exceptional strength-to-weight ratios, corrosion resistance and complex shaping for themed elements, seats and fairings. However, traditional thermoset composites are difficult to recycle. Manufacturers can mitigate this by specifying thermoplastic-based composites that can be remelted and reclaimed, designing components for reuse, or partnering with composite recycling initiatives. For non-structural, high-appearance parts, composites remain a compelling choice when end-of-life plans are defined.

Recycled plastics and engineered polymers for low-maintenance components

High-density polyethylene (HDPE), recycled nylon and engineered polymers are increasingly used for non-structural items like seating inserts, safety padding, signage and drainage components. Recycled plastics reduce demand for virgin polymers and often resist moisture and rot better than natural materials. For an amusement park rides manufacturer, suppliers offering verified post-consumer recycled content and documented supply chains help meet operator sustainability targets.

Engineered wood and sustainable timber for themed structures

Sustainably sourced engineered wood (GLULAM, CLT) and certified timber can be appropriate for themed facades, boardwalks and low-load architectural elements. When sourced under Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or equivalent schemes, engineered wood provides a lower-carbon alternative to concrete or steel for certain uses. Fire treatment, moisture protection and structural certification are essential considerations for any timber application in public attractions.

Coatings, finishes and fasteners that extend service life and reduce waste

Durable finishes are a core part of material sustainability. High-performance powder coatings, advanced polyurethanes and properly applied galvanic protection significantly reduce corrosion and repaint cycles. Using standardized, replaceable fasteners and bolted connections supports repairability and future disassembly. For an amusement park rides manufacturer, specifying coatings with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and selecting corrosion-resistant stainless or coated fasteners contributes to lower maintenance emissions and longer asset life.

Lifecycle thinking and circular design for the modern amusement park rides manufacturer

Adopting lifecycle thinking means evaluating materials and designs from raw material extraction through manufacturing, operation, maintenance and end-of-life. Key strategies include: designing for disassembly, specifying recyclable or reclaimed materials, standardizing parts to simplify repair, and tracking material provenance for reuse. For ride manufacturers, lifecycle assessments (LCA) help quantify trade-offs (e.g., higher upfront embodied carbon for longer-lasting materials vs. frequent replacements) and provide data for sustainability claims.

Standards, certifications and supplier practices important to an amusement park rides manufacturer

Compliance with safety and environmental standards is critical. Ride design must follow industry safety standards such as ASTM F2291 and regional rules like EN 13814 where applicable. Environmental and management certifications—ISO 14001 for environmental management, EHS programs, and supplier-level documentation of recycled content—build trust with operators. For international projects, certs such as CE, UKCA, SABER, TUV and ASTM are often required. An amusement park rides manufacturer should audit suppliers for material source traceability, pollution controls and responsible waste management.

Materials comparison table for amusement park rides manufacturer decision-making

Notes: Cost and performance are context-dependent; local material and labor prices, required treatments and climate exposure will affect choices.

How SUNHONG integrates sustainable materials and full-service capabilities

SUNHONG is a large-scale comprehensive amusement ride manufacturer dedicated to the research and development, design, manufacture and sales of amusement rides. Sunhong specializes in Overall Planning, R&D Design, Exclusive Customization, Manufacturing, Comprehensive Construction, and Operation Management, and provides reach-global services. With a robust team of in-house experts in R&D, production and Construction, SUNHONG offers comprehensive services from initial concept to final project completion.

For amusement park rides manufacturers and park operators seeking sustainable options, SUNHONG brings several advantages:

• Integrated R&D and production that allows material selection optimization early in the design phase to reduce waste and embodied carbon.
• Experience with international certifications and compliance: With more than 10 years of export experience, Shunhong (Sunhong) owns certificates for entering all the countries, such as CE of the European Union, UKCA of the United Kingdom, SABER of Saudi Arabia, TUV of Germany, ASTM certificate of the United States, etc.
• Global track record: SUNHONG amusement rides have been installed in more than 56 nations and regions, demonstrating ability to meet diverse climatic and regulatory demands.
• Custom fabrication and materials sourcing: SUNHONG’s supply network supports use of recycled metals, coated steels, recyclable thermoplastics and sustainably sourced timber where appropriate.
• End-to-end project capabilities: Overall planning and operation management help ensure that sustainable material choices align with installation, maintenance and lifecycle goals.

SUNHONG’s core product range includes amusement park equipment, amusement park design and amusement park rides. Their competitive strengths are comprehensive customization, rigorous quality control, international certifications, and full-project services from concept through construction and operation support. By partnering with SUNHONG, an amusement park rides manufacturer or park operator gains a manufacturer who can advise on materials choice, certify safety and deliver globally compliant, sustainable ride solutions. Visit https://www.isunhong.com/ to view product lines and case studies.

Practical steps for an amusement park rides manufacturer to switch to sustainable materials

Actionable steps manufacturers can take now:

1. Conduct a material audit of current products to identify high-impact items (heavy metals, high-energy materials, single-use parts).
2. Set measurable targets: e.g., percentage of recycled content, reduction in repaint cycles, or lifecycle carbon reduction per ride.
3. Prioritize design for disassembly: use bolted connections, modular subassemblies and standardized fasteners.
4. Specify recyclable alternatives for non-structural components: thermoplastic composites, recycled HDPE, and reclaimed ornamental materials.
5. Work with coating suppliers to adopt longer-lasting, low-VOC finishes and develop maintenance schedules that minimize repainting frequency.
6. Require supplier traceability and certifications (FSC for timber, documented recycled content for metals and plastics).
7. Pilot sustainable materials on lower-risk attractions (kids rides, themed elements) and measure performance before broader rollout.

FAQ - Sustainable materials for amusement park rides manufacturer

Q: Do sustainable materials compromise ride safety?

A: No — safety is governed by design codes, engineering and testing, not by whether a material is labeled sustainable. Manufacturers must select materials that meet load, fatigue and environmental resistance requirements and validate them through analysis and testing. Sustainable materials like recycled steel and certified aluminum can meet or exceed safety standards when properly specified.

Q: Are recyclable composites available for ride components?

A: Yes. Thermoplastic composites and new recycling techniques for thermoset materials allow greater reclaiming of composite parts. Manufacturers should ask suppliers for recycling pathways and reclaimed-content options, and design parts so they can be separated from mixed-material assemblies.

Q: Will sustainable materials increase initial costs?

A: Some materials may have higher upfront costs (e.g., marine-grade stainless or specialized coatings) but often reduce total lifecycle costs through lower maintenance, longer service life and better resale or scrap value. A lifecycle cost analysis will reveal payback periods and long-term savings.

Q: How can an amusement park rides manufacturer document sustainability claims?

A: Maintain supplier declarations, chain-of-custody certificates, test reports and LCAs. Certifications like ISO 14001 for your facilities and third-party verification of recycled content will strengthen claims and assist operator procurement requirements.

Q: Where can I find partners to implement sustainable designs?

A: Look for full-service manufacturers with in-house R&D and international certification experience. SUNHONG is one such partner, offering integrated design, manufacturing and global installation capabilities along with verified export and safety certifications. Visit https://www.isunhong.com/ for contact and product information.

Contact and next steps

If you are an amusement park rides manufacturer or operator ready to evaluate sustainable materials or pilot eco-friendly ride components, start with a materials audit and a pilot project. For turnkey solutions, product portfolios and customization, contact SUNHONG to discuss project requirements, certifications and sample materials. View products and request a consultation at https://www.isunhong.com/.

Sources and references

• World Steel Association – information on steel recycling and sustainability practices.
• The Aluminum Association – data on aluminum recycling energy savings.
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – materials-specific recycling statistics and guidance.
• ASTM International – ASTM F2291: Design of Amusement Rides and Devices (safety standard).
• European Committee for Standardization – EN 13814 (safety of amusement rides and devices).
• Powder Coating Institute – guidance on powder coating benefits and environmental performance.
• ISO – ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems guidance for manufacturers.
• European Commission – Communications on plastics and circular economy strategies.