DS Smith crew make a splash and win world record for sailing in a corrugated cardboard boat

Packaging Solutions

DS Smith has achieved a new world record for sailing in a corrugated cardboard and catamaran inspired boat at the ‘Blue Ribbon of the Weser’ sailing event which is held every two years on the River Weser in Minden, Germany. 

The sustainable and fibre based design measures approximately 12 metres in length and three metres in width, and the DS Smith crew consisting of 23 sailors, paddled over 250 metres in distance to reach the objectives. The crew surpassed its own expectations since only 20 persons were required to be on board to qualify for a world record status.

The DS Smith crew members further supported the event by hosting a series of boat building workshops for their fellow participants, to guide them in methodology around designing and building in corrugated cardboard materials. 

The approach involved using a double wall of corrugated cardboard comprised of Kraftliner paper. The properties of Kraftliner paper are renowned for their strength and durability, and the paperboard used for the outer layer of the corrugated material was comprised mainly from virgin wood fibres or recycled pulp. The Kraftliner paper also retains a high tear resistance – it is resilient and suitable for heavy duty applications, and in addition, it can be made waterproof for set periods of time. 

Falk Höbel, site manager, Minden, DS Smith: ‘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.’

Falk Höbel and the crew documented their world record attempt and submitted it to the Rekord-Institut für Deutschland (RID) (the primary German based organisation for certifying world records), for validation shortly after the event. 

The long standing Blue Ribbon sailing event on the River Weser is well known as a major water sports and cultural festival. The event was founded in 1951 in Germany, and it has brought together thousands of local and international athletes, ranging from canoeists, rowers, and swimmers to dragon boat teams, and triathletes – combining competitive water sports with a vibrant cultural programme.

It is considered that the DS Smith creation may potentially be the ‘longest corrugated cardboard boat of its kind’ in the world, and in 2025, several of the other sailing teams experimented with corrugated cardboard structures, including a compact two seater vessel.

Through its purpose of ‘Redefining Packaging for a Changing World’ and its company wide and target led sustainability strategy, DS Smith is committed to leading a transition to the circular economy, and to delivering innovative sustainable packaging solutions for its customers worldwide.