Abstract: A method of preparing collagen fibre dispersions comprising treating a collagenous material such as hide corium with a solution containing an alkaline earth metal hydroxide and an alkaline earth hydroxide; coarsely dicing or mincing the collagen, and mechanically dispersing the diced or minced collagen to achieve longitudinal separation of the collagen fibres; the dicing or mincing of the collagen being controlled such that at least 95% by weight of the collagen fibres in the dispersion are retained after neutralization on a 297 micron U.S. standard sieve.