7 Oct. 2025: SPA Members were treated to one of the most educational and awe-inspiring tour experiences organised by the SPA Committee to date, as they took part in exclusive VIP Tours of Shotton Mill on 30th September.
Following the 112th SPA Conference in Chester, a group of SPA Member delegates stayed on for an additional day to seize this rare opportunity, kindly hosted by Eren Holding – Shotton Mill.
The visit began with a comprehensive safety briefing delivered by Shotton Mill’s containerboard site Principal Contractor, John F Hunt Regeneration before delegates boarded a coach for a guided tour. Dan Johnson, General Manager of Shotton Mill, provided live commentary throughout the coach tour, highlighting key features including the Shotwick Solar Park, and the significant infrastructure and logistics network required to deliver this £1+ billion project on the historic site of British Steel and later UPM.
The coach navigated through the heart of the construction site, offering delegates closeup views of the Effluent Treatment Plant, the Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP), the Biomass Combined Heat and Power Plant and other key infrastructure driving the mill’s progress.
Inside the aptly named “Project Control Centre”, visitors were shown the latest weekly drone footage tracking the Shotton Mill project’s evolution and of most interest to this group of visitors, plans detailing the Valmet containerboard paper machine. On hand in the room was an expert team of project directors, managers, and technical specialists as well as experts in areas including wastewater management, energy generation, and environmental performance who were able to provide further insight and answer questions. Delegates were honoured to meet Hamdullah Eren, Chairman of Modern Karton and Board Member of Eren Holding, Eren Eren, Board Member of Eren Holding and Dr Sabri Cimen, CEO of Eren Paper Limited and Shotton Mill Limited, who joined the tour in person to welcome SPA Members.
Speaking on behalf of the Board, Hamdullah Eren commented, "We are thrilled to welcome members of the Sheet Plant Association to Shotton Mill. This site is Eren Holding's flagship investment in the UK, showcasing our commitment to highly efficient and sustainable containerboard production. This visit marks an important step in building lasting relationships with key stakeholders like the SPA, and we hope it's the first of many opportunities to share our progress and vision for the future of UK packaging."
Dr. Sabri Cimen added, "This project is about much more than just scale; it's about setting a new global benchmark for sustainable paper manufacturing. We are immensely proud to be building this technologically advanced facility right here in North Wales, continuing the region's rich industrial heritage and securing the UK's future as a leader in the circular economy."
The tour then moved up to the paper machine floor, where guests witnessed at close hand the awe-inspiring sight of the installed paper machine housed within the almost300-metre-long 32-metre-tall building, with over 1,000 people currently working on site. Delegates were visibly captivated by the scale and sophistication of the build, and the extraordinary logistical precision underpinning such a vast and complex project.
Dan Johnson, General Manager reflected on the visit commenting, "Hosting the SPA delegates was a true honour and a pivotal moment for the project. Seeing their reaction to the immense scale of the mill and the technology going into this £1+ billion facility - from the new Effluent Treatment Plant to the Valmet paper machine really underscores the significance of what we're building here. Their enthusiasm was a powerful reminder that Shotton Mill will be a game-changer for the UK corrugated sector, and we look forward to welcoming them back when it's fully operational."
Jackie Pearson, Director of Corporate Affairs, who meticulously planned these VIP Tours for the SPA, commented: “This was the first tour, of this scale, for the site. We were delighted to be able to welcome Members of the SPA, answer their questions, and showcase the incredible facility we are building. Visitors came armed with insightful and probing questions, and we hope we were able to address them all in full.
“These tours are crucial; they allow us to open our doors to visitors, build strong stakeholder relationships, introduce the team responsible for making the magic happen and demonstrate the innovative and sustainable technology underpinning this mega project. We look forward to hosting the SPA again in 2026 to see the Mill fully operational.”
Jackie, who has been involved with the Shotton site in a variety of roles since 1985, brought her deep passion and enthusiasm to the experience — a sentiment echoed by all who attended.
Tim Gray, Chairman of the Sheet Plant Association, added: “Thank you to Shotton Mill and Eren Holding for their exceptional hospitality today. Our Members, and the SPA Committee, are hugely grateful. We leave enlightened and enthused, having seen first-hand the scale and ambition of this fantastic UK project in such a strategic location with a rich industrial heritage.”
Once complete, Shotton Mill will manufacture 750,000 tonnes per year of containerboard, with production lines operating at speeds of up to 80 mph, further reinforcing Eren Holding’s investment in sustainable UK manufacturing and innovation within the corrugated packaging sector.
This visit marks another milestone in the SPA’s commitment to providing educational, industry-focused experiences for its Members. Through opportunities like this, the SPA continues to connect sheet plant businesses with innovation, investment, and leadership shaping the future of the UK corrugated packaging industry. “A Day to Remember”: SPA Members Experience Breathtaking VIP Tours of Shotton Mill
UK Sheet Plant Association (SPA):
The Sheet Plant Association (SPA) is the UK trade association that promotes the interests of the corrugated sheet plant sector.
The SPA co-ordinates and pursues joint action in respect of matters affecting the corrugated packaging industry, the Sheet Plant sector and the wider paper industry. It co-operates with associations having similar aims and objectives, not only in the UK, but also in Europe and the USA.
The SPA provides a forum for members involved in the corrugated cardboard sheet plant industry to meet and discuss matters of common interest with other companies engaged in that sector. The SPA hosts 3 Conferences each year, the bi-annual Trade Show, Industry Forums and online meetings and training for its members.
About Shotton Mill Limited:
Eren Shotton Mill Limited's £1+ billion development in Deeside, North Wales, is a significant investment by one of Turkey's largest conglomerates. The 85.6-hectare Shotton Paper Mill site will accommodate two advanced manufacturingoperations: a cardboard paper machine (PM3) and a tissue paper machine(TM1). This state-of-the-art paper mill will be among the most technologically advanced and largest in Europe. It will recycle more than 830,000 tonnes of recovered fibre and cardboard and will produce 750,000 tonnes of containerboard and 70,000 tonnes of tissue paper annually.
Additionally, an important aspect of the circular economy, will be the development of a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant, hydrogen enabled up to 20% with a capacity to produce 60MW of efficient, low-carbon energy. The site has the potential to be 100% self-sufficient in steam and power generation from its own on-site assets. The Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), comprising cutting edge anaerobic digestion capability will generate biogas to be used in energy generation. By investing in state-of-the-art facilities and sustainable technologies, Shotton Mill Limited aims to make a significant contribution to reducing waste and conserving resources, transforming the site into an exemplar manufacturing facility and building on the rich manufacturing heritage of the area.
The investment is supported by UKEF and the Welsh Government and when operational will create and protect more than 400 highly skilled advanced manufacturing jobs in the region. The project is one of the most significant foreign manufacturing investments in UK in years.
About Eren Holding:
Founded in 1969, Eren Holding is one of Turkey's most dynamic conglomerates, a family-owned business, with operations across sectors including energy production, port operations, paper manufacturing as well as packaging, cement, textiles, and retail. Today, Eren Holding employs more than 14,000 people globally and remains committed to maintaining its position as a market leader in each of the sectors in which it operates.
As Turkey’s largest manufacturer of paper and corrugated cardboard, Eren integrates environmentally friendly technologies into every aspect of its business, exemplifying its dedication to sustainable development.
In 2021, the company expanded its international footprint by acquiring the Shotton Mill plant in North Wales, which was a significant step forward in its ambition for global growth. In 2024, Eren generated 6% of Turkey’s electricity, highlighting its pivotal role in the country’s energy sector. With 27 companies in Turkey and 41 globally, Eren continues to drive innovation and growth while fostering environmental responsibility and placing a strong emphasis on integrating environmentally friendly technologies into all aspects of its operations. Eren holding values are underpinned by a commitment to supporting education as a cornerstone for nurturing a sustainable future.