DS Smith has secured a new world record after successfully sailing a corrugated cardboard boat at the Blue Ribbon of the Weser event in Minden, Germany. The long-running sailing and water sports festival is held every two years on the River Weser.

The boat, inspired by a catamaran design, measured approximately 12m in length and 3m in width. A crew of twenty-three DS Smith employees paddled the vessel for more than 250 metres, exceeding the requirements needed to qualify for a world record attempt. According to the organisers, only twenty people were required on board to meet the criteria.

Constructed entirely from corrugated cardboard, the boat was designed using a double-wall structure made from Kraftliner paper. The material is known for its strength, durability, and tear resistance, and is commonly used in heavy-duty packaging applications. The outer linerboard was produced mainly from virgin wood fibres or recycled pulp, and can be treated to be waterproof for limited periods.

Alongside their own entry, the DS Smith team also supported other participants by running boat-building workshops during the event. These sessions focused on sharing design and construction methods using corrugated cardboard, with several other teams experimenting with fibre-based structures, including a smaller two-person vessel.

Falk Höbel, site manager at DS Smith’s Minden facility, said: “At DS Smith we specialise in developing and producing innovative, sustainable packaging solutions made from fibre-based and sustainable materials, including corrugated cardboard. Constructing such a large boat based on a catamaran design was a fantastic experience, and a challenge for us as a team, but we succeeded. The corrugated cardboard material we used is incredibly strong and lightweight with a fluted structure. It was perfect for bearing the weight of multiple people – even on the water. And of course, we are thrilled that we set a completely new world record as a result of our efforts and teamwork, determination, and perseverance”.

Following the event, Mr Höbel and the crew submitted documentation of the record attempt to the Rekord-Institut für Deutschland (RID), the German organisation responsible for verifying national and world records.

First held in 1951, the Blue Ribbon of the Weser is regarded as one of Germany’s established water sports and cultural events, bringing together canoeists, rowers, swimmers, dragon boat teams, and triathletes. DS Smith believes its entry may be the longest corrugated cardboard boat of its kind to date.