Filter element

A filter belt comprising interlaced weft and warp yarns, and laid-in yarns, wherein:

• the filter belt comprises two layers of weft yarns, with the laid-in yarns located between said layers of weft yarns;
• the laid-in yarns do not interlace with the weft yarns and run substantially parallel to the warp yarns, the laid-in yarns having a linear density of 150 to 4400 dtex (grams/10,000 m);
• the weft yarns run substantially perpendicular to the warp yarns;
• the warp yarns are interlaced between the two layers of weft yarns to provide a compressive force to hold the laid-in yarns between the interlaced warp and weft yarns, and wherein;
• the ratio of the laid-in yarns to warp yarns is at least 1:4 and the weft yarns comprise an abrasion resistant material.