Abstract: This invention relates to a packing element for use in mass transfer or heat transfer columns in which gas and/or liquid streams are conducted, particularly in opposing streams, such as are used in distillation, rectification and absorption towers. It is desired to provide such packing elements which can be manufactured at low cost and which can be assembled to form a packing that has a higher effectiveness and involves a smaller pressure loss. This is accomplished in that the plates are formed with through slits, which are preferably parallel to each other and staggered in length and are spaced apart throughout their length so that laterally adjacent slits define bridgelike lands. Such slits act as capillaries so that a droplet impinging on the plate at a slit will spread along the slit and the plate will thus be wetted on a larger area.