Albany International is the global market leader in Paper Machine Clothing (PMC), producing custom-engineered, consumable synthetic fabrics and process belts required for every section of a paper machine.
Core Operations & Manufacturing Focus
Albany’s PMC manufacturing plants operate as high-precision textile and polymer engineering facilities, producing continuous woven structures engineered for extreme mechanical, thermal, and chemical stress.
Production across these facilities spans all primary machine positions:
- Forming Fabrics: Single- and multi-layer structural weaves engineered for high drainage index, controlled void volume, sheet support, and fiber retention.
- Press Felts & Belts: Heavy non-woven and needle-punched batt structures designed for high-impulse dewatering, vibration damping, and shoe press belt durability.
- Dryer Fabrics: High-permeability, heat-resistant monofilament weaves engineered for sheet control and thermal transfer in the dryer section.
- Transfer & Specialty Belts: Polyurethane and elastomeric belts for web transfer, calendering, and tissue press applications.
Key Capabilities & Plant Characteristics
| Operational Area | Technical Focus & Specifications |
| Monofilament & Extrusion | Precision processing of high-performance polymers (PET, PA 6/66, PPS, PEEK) for customized chemical and heat resistance. |
| Heavy-Duty Weaving | Ultra-wide looms capable of weaving fabrics exceeding 10 meters in width with consistent cross-machine tension profiles. |
| Needling & Finishing | Multi-needle board operations for pressing batt into base fabrics, followed by precise heat-setting to guarantee dimensional stability. |
| Quality Control & Testing | Continuous monitoring of air permeability, void volume, thickness uniformity, tensile strength, and surface smoothness. |
Global Manufacturing Footprint
Albany International operates a network of specialized PMC plants across major papermaking hubs worldwide, complemented by the strategic acquisition of Heimbach Group to expand its European and Asian manufacturing footprint.
- North America: Key plants located in the United States and Canada (e.g., Cowansville, QC) focusing on advanced press fabrics and forming structures.
- Europe: Production hubs in Sweden, Germany, France, Finland, and Great Britain (e.g., Bury facility specializing in shoe press and transfer belts).
- Asia-Pacific & Latin America: Facilities in China, South Korea, and Brazil serving regional containerboard, graphic, and tissue paper producers.
