The Global Polyester Forming Fabric Market was valued at USD 757 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 956 Million by 2031, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.5% during the forecast period. This growth is being driven by the rebound in global paper and packaging demand, a shift towards high-performance and durable fabric solutions, and the industry’s commitment to improving operational efficiency and sustainability in paper manufacturing.

As the pulp and paper industry focuses on maximizing output and minimizing downtime, the role of advanced forming fabrics has become more critical than ever. These essential components are at the very heart of the paper machine, dictating sheet quality, drainage efficiency, and machine speed. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Polyester Forming Fabric Industry—a mix of global specialists, integrated suppliers, and technology innovators shaping the efficiency of paper mills worldwide.

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🔟 1. Albany International Corp.

Headquarters: Rochester, New Hampshire, USA
Key Offering: PRECISION ALBANY® forming fabrics, engineered solutions for all paper grades

Albany International is a global leader in advanced textiles and materials processing, with its Machine Clothing division being the world’s premier supplier of forming, pressing, and dryer fabrics. Their expertise in polymer science and fabric engineering provides papermakers with solutions that enhance sheet formation, extend fabric life, and optimize dewatering performance.

Key Innovations & Focus:

• Pioneering multi-layer and composite fabric designs for superior stability and drainage
• Advanced seam technology for reliable, high-speed paper machine operation
• Data-driven fabric performance analysis and predictive maintenance services for mills

Download FREE Sample Report:
Polyester Forming Fabric Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. Heimbach GmbH

Headquarters: Düren, Germany
Key Offering: SYNWEVE® forming fabrics, specialized solutions for tissue, packaging, and graphic papers

Heimbach is a family-owned, technology-driven company with over 225 years of history, specializing in high-tech felts and fabrics for the paper industry. Their forming fabrics are renowned for precise manufacturing and custom engineering to meet the specific challenges of different paper grades and machine configurations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas.

Key Innovations & Focus:

• Focus on energy-efficient forming fabrics that reduce vacuum pump requirements
• Development of fabrics with enhanced fiber support for improved paper quality
• Strong service and technical support network embedded in key papermaking regions

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8️⃣ 3. Valmet Corporation

Headquarters: Espoo, Finland
Key Offering: Valmet Forming Fabrics, part of comprehensive paper machine solutions

Valmet is a leading developer and supplier of process technologies, automation, and services for the pulp, paper, and energy industries. As a full-line supplier, Valmet’s forming fabrics are seamlessly integrated into its paper machine offerings, providing optimized performance from headbox to reel. Their fabrics benefit from deep process knowledge and continuous R&D.

Key Innovations & Focus:

• Integration of fabric design with Valmet’s advanced headbox and forming section technology
• Focus on fabrics that enable higher machine speeds and better runnability
• Global service and supply chain leveraging Valmet’s extensive footprint

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7️⃣ 4. ANDRITZ AG

Headquarters: Graz, Austria
Key Offering: ANDRITZ forming fabrics, part of its Pulp & Paper division portfolio

ANDRITZ is an international technology group providing plants, systems, equipment, and services for various industries, including pulp and paper. Its forming fabric business complements its extensive portfolio of pulping, papermaking, and finishing equipment. This synergy allows ANDRITZ to deliver holistic solutions where the forming fabric is optimized for the entire production line.

Key Innovations & Focus:

• Providing tailored forming solutions for specialty papers and board grades
• Emphasis on durability and consistency to reduce unplanned downtime
• Leveraging group-wide digitalization initiatives for smart fabric monitoring

Download FREE Sample Report:
Polyester Forming Fabric Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. AstenJohnson

Headquarters: Charleston, South Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Forming fabrics for packaging, tissue, and printing papers

AstenJohnson is a privately-held, customer-centric supplier of machine clothing for the global paper industry. With a strong heritage and multiple manufacturing sites, the company is known for its responsive service and application-specific product development. Their forming fabrics are engineered to address specific challenges like sheet marking, two-sidedness, and drainage balance.

Key Innovations & Focus:

• Expertise in high-nominal permeability fabrics for demanding applications
• Strong presence and service model in the North American market
• Commitment to sustainable manufacturing processes and material use

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5️⃣ 6. Fil-Tec Inc. (FILCON FABRICS)

Headquarters: Spokane, Washington, USA
Key Offering: Custom-engineered forming fabrics for paper, pulp, and nonwovens

Fil-Tec operates under the FILCON FABRICS brand and has built a reputation as a nimble, innovative manufacturer of high-performance forming fabrics. They specialize in solving unique paper machine problems with custom weaves and designs. Their focus on the North American market allows for rapid prototyping and close collaboration with mill customers.

Key Innovations & Focus:

• Leadership in complex, custom-designed weaves for specific mill applications
• Quick-turnaround manufacturing for trial fabrics and replacement needs
• Deep technical expertise in on-machine fabric performance troubleshooting

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4️⃣ 7. Sichuan Vanov New Materials Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Key Offering: Cost-competitive polyester forming fabrics for the Asian market

Sichuan Vanov is a significant Chinese manufacturer of industrial textiles, including forming fabrics for the paper industry. The company serves the vast and growing Chinese paper market, providing essential components that enable the region’s massive production capacity for packaging, printing, and specialty papers.

Key Innovations & Focus:

• Meeting the high-volume demand of China’s world-leading paper production sector
• Focus on value engineering and reliable performance for fast-growing mills
• Increasing investment in product quality and durability to meet international standards

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3️⃣ 8. Hebei Defeng Polyester Fiber Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Hengshui, Hebei, China
Key Offering: Polyester monofilament and forming fabrics

Hebei Defeng is a vertically integrated player, manufacturing both the raw polyester monofilament yarn and the finished forming fabrics. This control over the supply chain from polymer to finished product provides advantages in cost management, quality consistency, and the ability to develop specialized yarns for specific fabric applications.

Key Innovations & Focus:

• Vertical integration from polymer to fabric provides supply chain resilience
• Development of specialty yarns with enhanced abrasion resistance or profile
• Strategic supplier to other fabric manufacturers as well as direct to mills

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2️⃣ 9. Nippon Filcon Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: High-precision forming fabrics for premium paper grades

Nippon Filcon is a key technology supplier in the Asian market, particularly known for its high-quality, precision-engineered fabrics. The company caters to Japanese and other Asian paper mills producing high-end graphic papers, specialty papers, and sensitive board grades where exceptional sheet formation and surface quality are paramount.

Key Innovations & Focus:

• Excellence in manufacturing ultra-fine and stable fabrics for superior formation
• Strong R&D focus on fabrics for high-speed paper machines
• Deep understanding of the quality requirements for premium paper markets

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1️⃣ 10. Xiangyun Group (Xiangyun Technology)

Headquarters: Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China
Key Offering: Comprehensive range of forming, press, and dryer fabrics

Xiangyun Group is one of China’s largest and most comprehensive manufacturers of paper machine clothing. The company offers a full suite of products and has steadily expanded its technological capabilities. It serves the domestic Chinese market extensively while also growing its export business, competing on a global scale with a combination of technology and cost-effectiveness.

Key Innovations & Focus:

• Large-scale manufacturing capacity catering to mega-paper mills in Asia
• Continuous improvement in product technology and service offerings
• Strategic expansion to become a global full-line supplier

Read Full Report:
Polyester Forming Fabric Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Polyester Forming Fabric Is Smarter and More Sustainable

The polyester forming fabric market is evolving beyond a simple consumable to a high-tech, data-enabled component integral to paper machine optimization. While traditional, reliable fabrics remain the volume driver, the industry is investing in smart materials, digital integration, and circular economy principles.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Development of advanced multi-layer weaves (e.g., 8-shed double layer, 16-shed) for enhanced stability and fiber support.
• Integration of sensor technology and IoT for real-time fabric wear and performance monitoring.
• Growing demand for fabrics tailored to the booming packaging and tissue paper sectors.
• Increased focus on fabric longevity and recyclability to reduce waste and total cost of ownership for mills.

Read Full Report:
Polyester Forming Fabric Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying critical components—they are enabling papermakers to achieve new levels of product quality, operational efficiency, and environmental stewardship.