ANDRITZ Fabrics and Rolls (a division of the international technology group ANDRITZ) is a leading global supplier of Paper Machine Clothing (PMC). PMC includes engineered consumable fabrics—such as forming fabrics, press felts, shoe press belts, and dryer fabrics—that carry paper webs through the dewatering, pressing, and drying zones of paper machines.
Legacy & Integration
ANDRITZ built its PMC manufacturing footprint by integrating premier historical brands:
- Xerium Technologies (acquired in 2018), which brought legacy brands including Huyck Wangner, Weavexx, and Stowe Woodward.
- ANDRITZ Kufferath, an established leader in wire and fabric technology.
Together, this division operates a combined total of 30 global locations, featuring 11 dedicated PMC manufacturing plants and 19 roll repair/service centers across 14 countries, employing over 3,200 specialists.
Global Manufacturing Network
ANDRITZ strategically positions its PMC plants near major pulp, board, tissue, and paper production hubs:
| Region | Key Manufacturing & Service Focus | Key Facilities / Hubs |
| Europe | Premium press felts, forming fabrics, advanced R&D, and circular PMC recycling programs | Gloggnitz (Austria), Krefeld (Germany), Finland |
| North America | High-speed forming fabrics, press felts, and dryer fabrics | Starkville, MS (USA); Kentville, NS (Canada); Mexico facilities |
| Asia-Pacific | Advanced PMC weaving, finishing, and regional mill support | Kunshan/Shanghai (China), Australia |
| Latin America | Press felts, forming fabrics, and shoe press belts tailored for fast-growing packaging & tissue sectors | Piracicaba (Brazil), Argentina |
Core Plant Capabilities & Manufacturing Operations
ANDRITZ PMC manufacturing facilities are specialized industrial plants engineered for extreme precision, high tension, and dynamic quality control:
- Heavy-Duty Weaving: Industrial looms construct continuous, seamless forming and dryer fabrics using high-tenacity monofilaments (Polyamide, PET).
- Needling & Carding Lines: Multilayer press felts (e.g., StrataPress™) are built by mechanically interlocking nonwoven fiber batt structures onto woven base fabrics.
- Polyurethane & Belt Casting: Specialized lines manufacture continuous polyurethane shoe press belts (TransForm™) designed for high-load water handling.
- Thermal Heat-Setting & Seaming: Micro-precision seaming and thermal stabilization ensure dimensional stability under extreme machine tensions and temperatures.
- Smart Technology Integration: Embedded IoT nip sensors (SMART™ Technology) are produced and integrated to provide real-time pressure and moisture data directly from running paper machines.
Sustainability & Circularity
ANDRITZ has converted key plants into centers for circular material management:
- Tex2Mat Initiative: Implemented at main sites like Gloggnitz, Austria, to process recycled fibers into new press felts.
- Closed-Loop Fabric Recycling: In partnership with recycling specialists, ANDRITZ plants collect used forming fabrics and press felts across paper mills, separating PA and PET polymers to produce new monofilaments and circular PMC products.
