Abstract: The invention relates to a wet chemical method for the surface modification of products made of low-energy synthetic fibres, to the products produced by the method and to the use of the products produced by the method. The material surface is permanently provided with functional groups by contact with an aqueous polyvinylalcohol solution containing silanol(ate) groups. Depending upon the design, the materials have a high water consumption or transmission capacity or exhibit a capillary activity. The range of uses for said surface-modified materials is extended by the possibility of reacting the functional groups, inter alia, with biologically active compounds.