Valmet is developing its paper machine clothing production plant in Tampere, Finland, by investing in press felt production. The investment is being done to improve the product technology and production capacity of seamed press felts for the paper, board, tissue, and pulp drying machines. 

The investment includes a new wide weaving loom, updating of some existing weaving looms, and new fiber opening and blending machinery. The total value of the investment is several million euros and the investment project will be finalized during the first quarter of 2017.

The investment, Valmet notes, will help meet growing market needs as customers are willing to move away from endless felts in older machines. The seamed felt market, it adds, is growing, especially in North America, where more than 70% of the felts used in paper and board machines are endless. Also in Europe, the market of seamed felts is growing. The change from endless felts to seamed ones improves occupational safety and production efficiency at mills. The seamed felt installation is faster and takes much less manpower than installing an endless felt.

"This investment gives us the necessary assets to further develop our leading technology for the growing and demanding seamed felt market. It also ensures our capacity for the coming years to deliver felts that respond to customer needs for optimized production performance. This is also an investment in Valmet's renewed services approach," said Jari Stålhammar, ViP, Valmet Fabrics, Services Business Line.