Voith Paper operates a highly specialized global manufacturing network dedicated to Paper Machine Clothing (PMC)—the continuous, engineered synthetic fabrics (forming fabrics, press felts, and dryer fabrics) used to transport, dewater, and dry paper sheets.
Because PMC products must be custom-designed for specific machine speeds, widths, and paper grades (e.g., packaging, tissue, graphic papers), Voith locates its fabric manufacturing facilities directly in key regional papermaking hubs across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
Key Global Manufacturing Locations
Europe
- Frankenmarkt, Austria: One of Voith’s premier global plants for forming fabrics. It features advanced weaving and finishing lines to manufacture high-precision fabrics for packaging, graphic paper, and tissue.
- Högsjö, Sweden: A historical, highly automated hub specializing in press felts and heavy technical textiles.
- Heidenheim, Germany: The global headquarters for the Voith Group. It serves as the main R&D and pilot-testing center for paper machine technology and fabric innovation.
- Düren, Germany: Focuses on specialized technical fabrics and local service operations for the European paper industry.
North America
- Shreveport, Louisiana, USA: A major hub for press fabrics and dryer fabrics serving paper mills across the American South.
- Appleton & Green Bay Area (Wisconsin), USA: Highly focused on PMC sales, technical support, and finishing operations tailored to the Midwest paper corridor.
- Florence, Mississippi, USA: Produces high-performance forming fabrics and specialty PMC components.
Asia-Pacific
- Kunshan, China: Voith’s primary PMC production complex in Asia. It manufactures forming, press, and dryer fabrics to support the large containerboard and packaging paper market across China and Southeast Asia.
- Yanzhou, China: Integrated service and manufacturing facility supporting continuous PMC maintenance, roll covers, and fabric optimization.
South America
- São Paulo / Sumaré, Brazil: Serves as the primary PMC hub for South America, supplying forming fabrics and press felts for major pulp and paper operations throughout Brazil and neighboring countries.
Manufacturing Capabilities & Process Flow
PMC manufacturing requires extreme manufacturing precision, combining high-tech material science with massive textile machinery:
- Weaving: Heavy industrial looms weave high-strength monofilaments (polymers like PET, polyamide, and PPS) into base fabrics up to 10+ meters wide.
- Needling (Press Felts): For press section felts, heavy layers of synthetic staple fibers are needle-punched into the woven base structure to create a uniform, smooth surface for water absorption and paper sheet support.
- Heat-Setting & Seam Application: Fabrics are stretched under high tension and heat-treated to ensure dimensional stability on high-speed paper machines, followed by custom pin-seam or endless loop fabrication.
- Quality Testing: Plants utilize laser measurement, automated scanning, and permeability testing to ensure exact thickness, air flow, and drainage parameters before shipment.
