Press Belt Manufacturer IPCO to Focus on Engineering and Service Expertise
- Published: April 17, 2025
IPCO will use Ligna 2025 to highlight the service and support services it provides to press manufacturers and WBP producers alike.
IPCO is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of steel press belts for the wood-based panel industry, supplying to all major press OEMs and end users around the world. This history of partnership extends back to 1901 with the production of the world’s first steel belt. Other major milestones including the first stainless steel belt, the first endless steel belt, the first 3 mm thick steel belt, and the largest press belt ever produced.
Innovation remains a key focus to this day and Ligna will see the launch of IPCO’s ProRelease release agent delivery system. Specifically designed for the WBP industry, the system applies release agent onto the press belt with such efficiency and accuracy that one company involved in trials reported a 90% reduction in consumption. Other benefits include a premium quality board, increased productivity, reduced environmental footprint and a cleaner working environment.
IPCO’s stand will also feature a dedicated productivity centre where repair and maintenance techniques will be explained. Tools on show will include the company’s Shotpeener Pro, a unit used to restore deformed steel belts to a totally flat condition, and the QuickDisc Plus 500, a portable tool used for replacing the damaged area of a belt.
Global service, local expertise
IPCO’s locally-based service teams have the skills and state-of-the-art tools to carry out everything from belt installation to equipment inspections, repairs, regular maintenance and general engineering services. And more serious issues can be handled by IPCO’s Press Priority Team, specialists who can offer practical support anywhere in the world at short notice.
Scatterers and double belt presses for continuous flooring production
IPCO will be showcasing its precision scattering technologies via a demo model. The company’s ScatterPro C system, designed for corundum scattering, is used in conjunction with IPCO’s ThermoPress double belt press systems to form a continuous production process for abrasion-resistant flooring. IPCO has the world’s broadest portfolio of scattering and pressing systems and these can be combined for the production of a wide range of flooring products.
Digital printing with high precision, high speed tracking
The company will also be highlighting the role that its steel belts and High Speed Tracking (HST) system can play in delivering faster, more precise digital printing. Research carried out by Fraunhofer IPT has shown steel belts to be as much as 6x more stable than plastic. This performance is further enhanced by the use of a tracking system accurate to an incredible +/- 0.01 mm and capable of operating at belt speeds up to 25 m/s (1500 m/min).
