Quick reference — Top Forming Fabric Manufacturers
| Company | Country | Established (noting corporate history) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valmet | Finland | Established as modern Valmet 2013 (corporate roots ↦ 1797 / historical entities earlier). | https://www.valmet.com/ |
| ANDRITZ | USA | Founded 1852 (origins as an iron foundry). | https://www.andritz.com/group-en |
| AstenJohnson | USA | Roots back to 1790 (modern group via mergers; global HQ in USA). | https://www.astenjohnson.com/ |
| PFM Screen | China | Founded 1987 (global paper machine clothing supplier). | https://www.polyestermeshbelts.com/ |
| FILCON FABRICS | Japan | Parent group founded 1916; FILCON FABRICS entity/operations expanded 2000s. | https://www.filcon-fabrics.com/ |
| Anhui Towin Machinery Co., Ltd. | China | Supplying paper machine fabrics since the 1990s/2000s (company info shows operations since ~1999–2006). | https://www.ahtowin.com/ |
| Keylife (KL Fabric) | China | ~Founded ~2010s (company profile shows ~15 years experience in paper machine clothing). | https://www.klfabric.com/ |
Company Profiles
Valmet
Establishment date: 2013
Country: Finland
Website: https://www.valmet.com/
Introduction :
Valmet is a global technology and service provider to the pulp, paper and energy industries, and a recognized Forming Fabric Manufacturer partner for mills upgrading wet-end performance. With a long industrial lineage and modern structure formed after the Metso demerger, Valmet combines process know-how, automation and material expertise to design forming solutions that improve sheet formation, decrease turbulence and optimize water removal. Valmet’s forming media and end-to-end mill services are engineered to reduce energy use, prolong fabric life and support faster grade changes — making them a frequent choice for mills seeking performance and reliability in both paper and board lines. Forming Fabric, system integration and technical service are core to their mill optimization offering.
Advantages:
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Integrated mill know-how (process + fabrics) for faster troubleshooting.
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Global R&D & testing capacity for tailored forming fabric solutions.
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Strong lifecycle services — from selection to retrofit and optimization.
Product List:
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Forming fabrics (single-, 2- and 3-layer designs)
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Forming section roll and clothing services
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Wet-end optimization software and trial services.
ANDRITZ
Establishment date: 1852
Country: Austria
Website: https://www.andritz.com/group-en
Introduction (≈120 words):
ANDRITZ is a diversified engineering and equipment supplier with deep capabilities in pulp, paper and process lines. As a Forming Fabric Manufacturer partner, ANDRITZ offers forming section solutions and complementary equipment where fabric selection is integrated into the full machine and process design. Their strength lies in engineering-led solutions: when fabric choice must align with headbox flow, vacuum dewatering and press design, ANDRITZ leverages decades of process engineering to match fabrics to machine geometry and grades. Mills that prioritize turnkey projects and close vendor coordination often choose ANDRITZ because the forming fabric becomes part of a holistic performance package, not just a spare part.
Advantages:
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Turnkey integration of fabrics with full paper machine delivery.
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Proven global engineering support and local service footprint.
Product List:
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Forming fabrics and clothing solutions integrated with headbox and forming section.
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Complete PM lines, automation and process optimization.
AstenJohnson
Establishment date: 1790
Country: USA
Website: https://www.astenjohnson.com/
Introduction :
AstenJohnson is a long-established name in paper machine clothing and filtration fabrics. As a trusted Forming Fabric Manufacturer, AJ combines heritage textile know-how with modern polymer and weave technology to deliver forming fabrics that improve formation, reduce fluff and manage drainage rates across a wide range of paper and nonwoven grades. With corporate headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina and manufacturing and service centers on several continents, AstenJohnson offers both off-the-shelf and custom forming fabric solutions, backed by local technical support and global materials expertise — helping mills balance production speed, sheet quality and fabric life.
Advantages:
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Extensive heritage in wire and felt technology — decades of industry learning.
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Global production and support (North America, Europe, Asia).
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Strong focus on sustainability and process improvement.
Product List:
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Forming fabrics (various weave structures)
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Press felts, dryer fabrics, filter materials, and roll covers.
PFM Screen
Establishment date: 1987
Country: China
Website: https://www.polyestermeshbelts.com/
Introduction :
PFM Screen is positioned as one of China’s leading manufacturers of polyester mesh products and paper machine clothing, including forming fabrics. Focused on polyester forming fabric technology, PFM Screen emphasizes cost-effective, high-durability meshes for paper, wood-based panels, food processing and filtration industries. For mills looking for economical forming fabrics with competitive lead times, PFM Screen highlights quality control (ISO certifications) and a strong exports network that serves over 50 countries. Their forming fabric range suits mills seeking reliable drainage performance and consistent machine runnability while keeping procurement and delivery timelines competitive.
Advantages:
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Competitive pricing and speed to market for replacement fabrics.
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ISO-certified quality control and large testing capacity.
Product List:
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Polyester forming fabrics, press felts, dryer fabrics, filter belts.
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Customized mesh belts for industry filtration and conveying.
FILCON FABRICS
Establishment date: 1916
Country: Japan
Website: https://www.filcon-fabrics.com/
Introduction :
FILCON FABRICS—a division under the Nippon Filcon umbrella—brings nearly a century of industrial textile know-how to the forming fabric market. FILCON designs and manufactures forming wires, fabrics and other paper machine clothing, prioritizing precision weaving, premium materials and custom engineering for specialty paper and nonwovens. Their global network (including FILCON Europe and FILCON America) helps mills access niche forming fabric designs for grades with tight formation needs or unusual machine geometries. FILCON is often chosen when mills require high-precision forming media backed by the materials science experience of a long-standing Japanese textile group.
Advantages:
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Long heritage in textile & wire technology (parent group since 1916).
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Specialized forming wires/fabrics for high-end applications.
Product List:
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Forming wires and synthetic forming fabrics
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Metal and plastic wire meshes, specialty belts for nonwovens.
Anhui Towin Machinery Co., Ltd.
Establishment date: 1999
Country: China
Website: https://www.ahtowin.com/
Introduction :
Anhui Towin (ATMC) is a China-based supplier focused on paper machine clothing and industrial fabrics for mills at regional and international scales. Advertising PMC & PM technical solutions since the late 1990s/early 2000s, Towin supplies forming fabrics, dryer fabrics and press felts tailored to mills upgrading or replacing machine clothing. They emphasize practical engineering, export experience and local manufacturing capabilities that cater to mills in Southeast Asia, Latin America and Europe. For buyers seeking cost-effective forming fabric solutions with regional manufacturing support, Anhui Towin is a frequent option.
Advantages:
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Cost-effective manufacturing for replacement fabrics.
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Export experience and after-sales support via Beijing trading arm.
Product List:
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Forming fabrics, press felts, dryer fabrics, industrial woven belts.
Keylife
Country: China
Website: https://www.klfabric.com
Introduction :
Keylife (KL Fabric) is a China-based Forming Fabric Manufacturer and supplier focused on practical, cost-efficient forming fabrics and related paper machine clothing. Keylife positions itself as a partner for mills needing custom forming fabrics, fast sampling and ISO-driven production for single-, double- and three-layer forming solutions. Emphasis is on balancing formation quality with fabric life and procurement agility — useful for mills that want predictable performance and lower total cost of ownership. Keylife also produces press felts and dryer fabrics, providing integrated clothing packages for full PM upgrades or partial replacements.
Advantages:
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Flexible manufacturing and quick sample turnaround for trials.
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Competitive pricing with ISO quality control.
Product List:
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Single-, 2-layer and 3-layer forming fabrics
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Press felts, dryer fabrics, polyester filter belts and custom woven products.
How to choose the right Forming Fabric Manufacturer for your mill
Choosing the right Forming Fabric Manufacturer starts with matching fabric performance to your machine and grade goals. First, evaluate machine geometry, headbox type and desired formation — a fabric that improves formation on one headbox may underperform on another. Ask suppliers for lab test data (air-permeability, tension stability, wear resistance) and proven mill references for your grade. Prioritize manufacturers that offer technical trials and local service; short lead times and good communication reduce risk during a changeover. Finally, balance capex vs. life-cycle cost: cheaper short-lived fabrics can increase downtime and energy use, while higher-performance fabrics often save money over months. Make the decision on evidence: trial results and mill references matter most.
Forming Fabric maintenance & troubleshooting — quick checklist
Good forming fabric life comes from proper installation, steady operating conditions and routine checks. Start with correct tensioning and run-in procedures to avoid premature mechanical wear. Monitor fabric moisture profiles and drainage — abrupt moisture swings often point to headbox or vacuum issues, not just the fabric. For seam or edge wear, inspect felt alignment and roll crowns; for rapid linting, check raw stock cleanliness and refining changes. Keep a simple log of changeover date, runtime hours, grade changes and any sheet defects — that log will quickly show patterns and help you choose improved fabrics or process settings. When in doubt, do a short trial on a spare PM to confirm root cause before committing to a full change.
Conclusion
Selecting the right Forming Fabric Manufacturer is a strategic decision that affects sheet formation, energy use, downtime and total operating cost. Whether you choose a global engineering partner like Valmet or ANDRITZ, a heritage textile expert like AstenJohnson or FILCON, or a competitive fabric specialist such as PFM Screen, Anhui Towin or Keylife, the secret is matching fabric design to your machine, trialing carefully, and measuring life-cycle performance.
If you’d like a tailored forming fabric selection, comparison table, or a 30-day trial plan for a specific paper grade or machine, reply with your machine type, current fabric specs and the grades you run — we’ll prepare a recommended shortlist and trial checklist.
We are Keylife. We design and manufacture forming fabrics, press felts and dryer fabrics tuned to your mill’s needs. If you want a quote, sample or technical data sheet, ask now and we’ll prepare it.
FAQs
Q1: What is the difference between single-layer and 3-layer forming fabrics?
A: Single-layer fabrics are simple, cost-effective solutions for many applications. 2- and 3-layer fabrics allow separation of surface and support layers, improving formation, drainage and life for difficult grades. Multi-layer designs offer better sheet support and longer life on high-speed lines.
Q2: How long should a forming fabric typically last?
A: Typical life varies widely (from weeks to months) depending on stock abrasiveness, machine speed, operating conditions and maintenance. Always evaluate fabrics by run hours, formation consistency and the total cost of ownership, not just initial price.
Q3: Can I run a forming fabric from a different machine supplier?
A: Yes — many mills successfully use third-party forming fabrics. The key is correct specification (mesh count, permeability, thickness, seam type) and a proper break-in procedure. Consider a trial and supplier support during the first runs.
Q4: How do I measure forming fabric performance in the mill?
A: Track formation index, dryness at the forming and press sections, fabric elongation/tension over time, visible wear, and run hours until replacement. Compare these metrics across fabric candidates to choose the optimum product.
Q5: What environmental or sustainability considerations exist for forming fabrics?
A: Look for suppliers using recyclable polymers where possible, longer-life fabrics (fewer replacements), and coatings that reduce energy consumption (e.g., improved water drainage that lowers drying energy). Ask suppliers for life-cycle data and end-of-life recycling options.
