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A group of employees from DS Smith constructed a 12m-long boat made from corrugated cardboard, which transported a 23-strong crew over 250m along a river
Paper and packaging manufacturer, DS Smith, has reportedly achieved a “new world record” for boating in a vessel made of its corrugated cardboard materials.
Crew members made up of DS Smith employees rowed the catamaran-inspired craft at the ‘Blue Ribbon of the Weser’ boat event, which is held every two years on the River Weser in Minden, Germany.
The fibre-based boat measures approximately 12m long by 3m wide. The 23-strong DS Smith crew paddled the boat over 250m in distance, which they say qualifies it for world record status as the “longest corrugated cardboard boat of its kind” in the world.
The crew documented their world record attempt and submitted it to the Rekord-Institut für Deutschland (RID), the primary German organisation for certifying world records, shortly after the event.
The construction approach for DS Smith’s boat involved using a double wall of corrugated cardboard comprised of Kraftliner paper. The paperboard used for the outer layer of the corrugated material was comprised mainly from virgin wood fibres or recycled pulp.
Kraftliner paper is designed with high tear resistance, suitable for heavy-duty applications, and can be made waterproof for set periods of time.
The DS Smith crew members further supported the event by hosting boat-building workshops for their fellow participants, guiding them in designing and building with corrugated cardboard materials.
Several other boat teams experimented with corrugated cardboard structures at the event, including a compact two-seater vessel.
Falk Höbel, site manager at DS Smith Minden, says: “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”.
