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 Principle 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 close-up 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 almost 300-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.