2026-04-04 Cost reduction and performance gains depend on cleaning efficiency in the drying section

SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL. April 4, 2026. Voith introduces CleanLine Extract360 to the market, a new-generation cleaning system designed for the drying section of paper machines. Developed to meet the industry’s growing challenges in efficiency, sustainability and quality, the equipment directly removes contaminants from fabrics, contributing to greater stability in the production process.

Efficient cleaning of components such as dryer fabrics and other machine clothing is a critical factor for machine performance and is increasingly demanded by the industry. When contaminated, fabrics show reduced permeability, which directly affects drying efficiency, increases energy consumption and can cause sheet defects such as wrinkles, dirt spots and quality variations.

“CleanLine Extract360 was designed to remove contaminated water and residues from the fabric more efficiently, preventing these elements from returning to the process and compromising machine performance,” explains Alice Martins, Application Engineer at Voith.

The key differentiator of CleanLine Extract360 is its multidirectional cleaning system. Equipped with five high-performance nozzles, the system sprays water jets both in the machine direction and cross direction, ensuring deeper and more uniform cleaning.

This concept allows jets to act on different areas of the fabric without interfering with each other, reaching even the interior of the fabric structure. In addition, the jet system can remove different types of contaminants that can affect paper quality. This approach significantly increases cleaning efficiency compared to traditional systems, which operate more limitedly on the surface.

Another important advancement is the equipment design. The cleaning head—produced using 3D printing with optimized fluid channels—features a more rounded geometry with fewer sharp angles, which reduces dirt accumulation and improves performance over time.

Thanks to this design and technology upgrade, CleanLine Extract360 also stands out for its ability to modernize existing systems. Customers using earlier versions of the CleanLine family can upgrade to the new model, reusing part of the installed components while incorporating the improvements of the next generation. This makes it possible not only to speed up implementation, but also to make the investment more efficient—reducing costs and maximizing the use of existing assets.

The system also features an internal and external non-stick coating, contributing to lower contaminant adhesion and longer equipment service life.

Operational and sustainability benefits

CleanLine Extract360 also incorporates solutions that optimize water management during operation. The strategic position of the head, after the roll, allows residual water containing contaminants to be efficiently directed to a collecting trough.

Complementing this process, an air knife blows off residual water before it can spread over the fabric or return to the machine loop, preventing recontamination and improving overall cleaning efficiency.

As a result, the system delivers benefits such as:

• Increased fabric permeability
• Reduced paper sheet defects
• Lower risk of operational breaks
• Reduced use of chemicals
• Improved performance and longer fabric service life
• Less need for shutdowns for cleaning
• Reduced consumption of energy and resources

Another highlight of CleanLine Extract360 is its operational flexibility. The system enables different cleaning patterns—such as continuous edge-to-edge movement, stripe cleaning, edge cleaning or step cleaning—adapting to each manufacturer’s specific needs and to different types of contaminants.

The solution is part of the CleanLine portfolio, which includes models developed for different applications, with a focus on reducing water consumption, increasing fabric permeability and improving paper quality.

“We are bringing to the market a more complete, efficient solution aligned with the industry’s current demands—especially when it comes to sustainability and operational performance,” Alice concludes.