2. Press section

When it comes out of the wet end, i.e. at the end of the flat table or former, the sheet of paper does not yet have all the physical properties required for its final use. It is still very wet and therefore very fragile: it requires what is known as a "consolidation" phase. This is the main role of the press section. The second important function of this part of the machine is to remove as much water as possible mechanically, by dewatering, before using the much more energy-intensive thermal process in the dryer as a last resort.

The pressing principle is based on compressing the fibrous mat between two rollers, at least one of which is covered with felt. Part of the water contained in the sheet, sandwiched between these two rollers, flows in liquid form into the receiving felt. This water is then extracted from the felt by means of suction boxes.

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