The invention relates to a forming unit (1), in particular a sheet forming unit for use in a machine for producing a material web from a fibrous or nonwoven suspension (FS), comprising at least two endlessly circulating wire belts (2, 3) which are guided over at least a subregion of the circulation path thereof, forming a twin-wire zone (4), a dewatering apparatus (11) which is arranged within the twin-wire zone (4) in the second of the two wire belts (3) and which forms a supporting surface (9) for this second wire belt (3), is rigid in the functional position and has openings (10) to which a vacuum can be applied, and at least one further dewatering apparatus (12) which is arranged before the entry line (E), running in the cross machine direction (CD) of the second wire belt (3), on the supporting surface (9) and acts on the first wire belt (2), forming a first dewatering section (I), comprising at least one dewatering element (13.1-13.n) that can be supported flexibly and positioned against the first wire belt (2). The forming unit (1) according to the invention is characterized in that at least one subregion (9.1), arranged directly after the entry line (E) in the wire running direction, of the supporting surface (9), describing a second dewatering section (II), is of curved design.