Press Felts & Forming Fabrics (Paper Machine Clothing) — Asbestos Exposure Crosswalk

What This Equipment Is

“Paper machine clothing” is the industry term for the continuous fabric loops that carry the paper sheet through the machine. Three categories:

  • Forming fabrics — synthetic mesh on the wet end, where the sheet first forms from pulp slurry
  • Press felts — heavier woven felts in the press section, where the sheet is squeezed between rolls to remove water mechanically
  • Dryer fabrics — open-weave fabrics in the dryer section, holding the sheet against heated cylinders (see Dryer Felts for related material)

Historical press-felt and dryer-fabric formulations from the 1940s through the 1970s included chrysotile asbestos fiber as part of the wool-and-felt blend. Modern paper-machine clothing is fully synthetic (polyester, nylon, polyamide), but legacy felt was a documented asbestos exposure source for paper-mill workers across multiple decades.

Why Press-Felt and Forming-Fabric Work Was a Heavy Exposure

Paper-machine clothing has a finite life — typically weeks to months in production service. Felt changes are recurring maintenance events that require shutting the machine down, threading off the old felt, threading on the new felt, and seaming the loop. Workers handle hundreds of pounds of fabric directly, often using knives to cut and trim, and historically without respiratory protection.

The longer the operator’s career on legacy paper machines, the more cumulative felt-and-fabric exposure they incurred — particularly on the press section and dryer section, where the felts were heavier and more frequently changed.

Manufacturers Named in Paper-Machine-Clothing Litigation

  • Asten-Johnson — paper-machine clothing (historical asbestos-containing felt formulations)
  • Albany International — paper-machine clothing
  • Lockport Felt — paper-machine felts
  • Appleton Wire / Appleton Mills — paper-machine clothing
  • Voith — paper-machine fabrics (via acquisitions)
  • Beloit Corporation — paper-machine OEM named in installation/maintenance claims
  • Black Clawson — paper-machine OEM

Trust Funds That May Apply

  • Several paper-machine-clothing manufacturers have established asbestos-related trust mechanisms through Chapter 11 reorganization
  • An experienced asbestos attorney can identify currently available trusts for paper-mill exposure claims

Trades Most Exposed at Paper-Machine-Clothing Work

Paper-machine operators (long-tenure exposure), paper-mill millwrights, felt-change crews, machine tenders, fourth and fifth hands, pipefitters and electricians working machine-side during felt changes.

Jobsites in the Network

Compiled from publicly filed asbestos litigation, EPA / OSHA / NIOSH records, and academic epidemiology on paper-mill asbestos exposure cohorts. Product and company references reflect what has been alleged or documented in publicly filed litigation. This page does not constitute a finding of liability against any company. Not legal advice; consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.