DS Smith has built a firm future with Bat’Ipac

Together with corrugated insulation specialist Bat’Ipac, DS Smith has made cardboard houses a reality in France.

Following a ten-year partnership with Bat’Ipac, DS Smith has supported the development of more than thirteen new homes in France, by providing corrugated slabs to form the basis of an innovative new substitute for regular insulation products.

Bat’Ipac was formed following a number of partnerships; packaging specialist DS Smith provides the material required to make the cardboard insulation and Arcobat Group, a house building business in France, have ensured Bat’Ipac has the relevant permission to build the houses.

Designer and founder of Bat’Ipac, Mr Alain Marboeuf, saw a gap in the market to use corrugated in place of traditional insulation products when building new houses. 

After seven years of perfecting the product and securing the necessary insurance, Bat’Ipac, in collaboration with DS Smith, finished their first test house west of Paris in 2012. Since then the partnership has succeeded in building a further thirteen houses across France.

Mr Alain Marboeuf, designer and founder of Bat’Ipac said: “One of the main benefits of using corrugated is that it provides protection for the house in all seasons. Whereas normal insulation will keep a house warm in winter, it doesn’t often sufficiently keep a house cool in the summer months.

Corrugated has been proven to keep houses cool in the summer and warm in the winter, therefore proving a very versatile and efficient product.

 “In addition, by taking the corrugated and layering it multiple times, we have discovered that the material is extremely soundproof, providing another great benefit for housebuilders and homeowners.”

Bat’Ipac’s rapid expansion plans include building 100 houses in the next 12 months. DS Smith is the perfect partner to support this expansion, with a network of plants across France and Europe.

Jean-Michel Audivert, Commercial Director at DS Smith, France said: “It’s been a brilliant opportunity working with Bat’Ipac and we’re excited for what the future holds. There is huge potential for DS Smith in this market, and as Bat’Ipac is one of very few companies working in this area there is real scope for growth.

There are a number of benefits of using corrugated including soundproofing and structural support, and the quality of the corrugated material we provide is crucial to the success of the insulation. We have achieved a great deal in ten years and I think the next ten will be equally as exciting for DS Smith and Bat’Ipac.