The former UPM newsprint mill was acquired by Eren Paper, a subsidiary of Turkish group Modern Karton, last year. 

It has now been confirmed that professional services group Arup has been appointed to helm phase one of the transformation, alongside architects AHR. 

The redevelopment and expansion will involve a container board building, new warehouse and dispatch facilities, and a combined heat and power boiler building. 

Arup director Andy Pennington, said: “This development will create one of the most technologically advanced paper mills in the world.

“It exemplifies what's best in sustainable development, bringing significant investment and new jobs to the Deeside area – as well as significantly increasing recycling capacity for this part of the UK.”

The reinvention of the mill is expected to create 660 new jobs, with the first phase scheduled to be operational in 2024. 

It was previously agreed that Shotton’s Renewable Energy Generation plant, and Material Recovery and Recycling Facility (MRRF) would continue operations throughout the conversion process, in line with their role in the regional utility infrastructure.

Shotton Mill general manager Dan Johnson, said the company and Modern Karton were delighted to have the expertise and experience of Arup leading the design of this development.

“Arup’s support of the design and implementation in the UK and Turkey was a key factor in choosing them as our partner,” he said. 

“This is a very exciting time in the mill and we look forward to working with Arup to deliver a world-class manufacturing facility in North Wales.”

Subsequent phases of the project will include a corrugated packaging factory and tissue factory.

Shotton Paper Mill originally opened in 1983.